psychology – SMU Human Rights Program

ANNA RAMIREZ ’20

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

University of Denver: MA in International Disaster Psychology (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: During her undergraduate career, Anna was a member of the University Honors Program, a Dedman College Scholar, and also served as a student leader on the SMU Human Rights Council (HRC). She volunteered with refugee children as an after-school tutor with Heart House, interned with the World Affairs Council, and spent over three years with the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center (DARCC) as a volunteer advocate. She also received the Santos Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship through the SMU Human Rights Program.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Anna worked as a legal advocate with DARCC, where helped survivors navigate legal systems and seek justice. Today, she is completing her master’s in International Disaster Psychology as she interweaves her passions for trauma-informed care with human rights advocacy.

Updated January 2022

CLAIRE KRIZMAN ’18

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Psychology (2018)

University of Denver: MS in International Disaster Psychology (2020)

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology: PsyD in Clinical Psychology (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: During her undergraduate career, Claire was a member of SMU Amnesty International, Delta Delta Delta sorority, and served as VP of External Recruitment with SMU’s Panhellenic Council. She was recognized as a Hilltop Scholar and studied abroad in Prague and Copenhagen. In addition to doing grant writing for charter schools, she also worked as research assistant in SMU Psychology’s Positive Parenting Lab and presented this research on positive parenting to the academic community.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Through University of Denver’s M.A. in International Disaster Psychology, Claire studied clinical trauma psychology from a cross-cultural lens. She is now a student at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology working toward her PsyD in clinical psychology and planning to specialize in international and human rights psychology. In addition to providing psychosocial support at a children’s home in Nepal, she has experience working with survivors of torture, refugees, and both child and adult domestic abuse survivors.

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

dallasnews.com/news/2017/04/17/frustrated-smu-student-takes-up-planned-parenthood-cause/

Updated January 2022