Tag: New York City

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HAYLEY WAGNER ’14

HAYLEY WAGNER ’14

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Anthropology, and French (2014) 

New York University: MA in Africana Studies (2017)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Hayley’s involvements included Amnesty International and the University Honors Program. Within the SMU Human Rights Program, Hayley served as a student-leader on the Human Rights Council (formerly known as the Student Leadership Initiative), specifically for research trips to Rwanda and Uganda in 2013.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Hayley moved to NYC to pursue graduate school in Africana Studies. During her tenure at NYU, she was active in the Queer Graduate Student Group. Currently, she is an Adjunct Professor of African-American History and Comparative Ethnic Studies at Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Learn more about Hayley’s post-graduation journey through the following link: 

Updated January 2022

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HANAN ESAILI ‘15

HANAN ESLAILI ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Convergence Journalism; Minor in Human Rights (2015)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Hanan served as Concerts Chair for Program Council and held multiple roles on both The Daily Campus and The Daily Update leadership teams. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Hanan worked as Editorial Assistant for D Magazine in 2015; Editorial Assistant for Praetorian Digital from 2016-2017; and Associate Digital Producer, MVT Content Lead, and HBOMax Promo Project Manager for HBO from 2018-2021. Currently, she is Program Manager of Media Creative Strategy at Facebook. She has been published in textbooks and HuffPost for her article, “Why Don’t Young People Vote?” Hanan has won over 15 honors in entertainment and marketing, including an Emmy nomination and Emmy Award. Beyond her work in the tech and entertainment industries, Hanan volunteers at the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum as well as the Bowery Mission in New York City. She has also participated in her local ACLU chapter’s letter writing campaigns to advocate for better conditions at prisons and closing down Rikers Island.

Learn more about Hanan’s post-graduation journey through the following links:

Updated December 2021

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KAREN TRAN ’15

KAREN TRAN ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Anthropology, Journalism; Minor in Human Rights (2015)

SMU Accomplishments: Karen was heavily involved in both academic work and service during her undergraduate career. This Rotunda scholar was also selected for the McNair Scholars Program, a fellowship that allowed her to conduct independent research.  She was also active in her living-learning community, the SMU Service House, as well as Circle K International and Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, Karen worked in both nonprofit and business organizations as she leveraged data analytics for social impact. She has worked with design-thinking firm New Sector Alliance/MENTOR Illinois, engaged in data analysis and consulting for Brandtrust, and supported innovative companies like BuildCentral as they fuse tech with design and data. Today she works as Associate Product Manager at Strongarm Technologies. 

Updated January 2022

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SOPHIE ARKUSINSKI ‘20

SOPHIE ARKUSINSKI ’20

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, BS in Mathematics (2020)

Columbia University, Columbia School of Law: Juris Doctorate (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: Sophie traveled globally with the SMU Human Rights Program on the Poland Holocaust Education Trip. She also volunteered with the service-organization SMU Alternative Breaks, was a site leader for SMU’s annual MLK Day of service, and a member of Phi Beta Kappa (PBK). Sophie graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors in the liberal arts.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following her service with the Education Equity Program of AmeriCorps Vista, Sophie is currently pursuing her law degree at Columbia University, as she works to support and strengthen efforts to defend civil liberties within the context of technological innovation. She remains particularly interested in privacy issues, such as curbing the illegal and unnecessary surveillance of lawful and peaceful protesters by police and government forces. Sophie shares: “I can’t stress enough how much SMU’s Human Rights Program gave me the tools and direction with which to focus and follow my passion for advocacy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without y’all.”

Learn more about Sophie’s post-graduation journey through the following link:

Updated January 2022

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NIICOLE A. VENO ‘09

NICOLE A. VENO ’09

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Political Science; Minor in Human Rights (2009)

Quinnipiac University School of Law: Juris Doctor (2012)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Nicole was involved with the Ballroom Dance Team, Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, and Mock Trial. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Motivated by her experience in the SMU Human Rights Program, Nicole interned with a public defender’s office, working on a high-profile death penalty case in Connecticut. Following this experience, Nicole went to law school where she served as the Associate Editor of the Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal. 

She currently represents plaintiffs in complex litigation as an Associate Attorney at Kirby McInerney LLP in New York City.  Additionally, she represents individuals in litigation against large corporations, including in whistleblower, employment, and antitrust matters.

Updated January 2022