Tag: racial justice

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ARIANA HUDSON ’16

ARIANA HUDSON ’16

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Communications Studies; Minor in Spanish (2016)

Johns Hopkins University: MS in Education (2022)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Ariana was involved with Alternative Breaks and Delta Delta Delta. She also conducted research on corporal punishment with SMU Psychology, served as a Resident Advisor and TFA Campaign Coordinator, studied and interned abroad in London, and participated in the Civil Rights Pilgrimage. Her SMU awards and honors include Honors Distinction in Communications, the Texas A&M Communicating Diversity Conference, Provost Scholarship, Hilltop Scholars Program, Choctaw Nation Scholarship, Communications Advisory Board Scholarship, Stan Levenson Communications Scholarship, Farrell London Study Abroad Scholarship, PRSSA, SMU Multicultural Academic Achievement Award, and Friendliest Hilltop Scholar Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Since graduating, Ariana was a Teach For America (TFA) Corps Member, serving KIPP New Orleans as a special education teacher from 2016-2017 and lead teacher from 2017-2018. For TFA in Atlanta, GA, Ariana was a School Operations Manager in 2018 and Corps Member Advisor in 2019. For KIPP Texas Public Schools, she has worked as lead 8th grade ELA teacher since 2019; Literacy Department Chair, Anti-Racism Committee Co-Chair, and Teacher Career Pathways Advisory Board Member since 2020; and Grade Level Chair and Relay Resident Advisor since 2021. Ariana has also been a Leadership Development Specialist for TFA in Houston since 2021. Her honors and awards include KIPP: Prime Inquiry Award, KIPP: Prime Excellence in Teaching Nominee, and KIPP: New Orleans Rookie of the Year Nominee.

Updated January 2022

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CHEYENNE MURRAY ‘19

CHEYENNE MURRAY ’19

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, History, Sociology (2019)

Southern Methodist University: MLS in Liberal Studies, Human Rights and Social Justice concentration (2021)

SMU Accomplishments: As a student with a triple-major and a passion for leadership, Cheyenne pursued academic excellence and opportunities to give back to her campus community. At SMU, she was a Hunt Leadership Scholar, a member of the University Honors Program, a McNair Scholar, a member of Phi Beta Kappa honor society, as well as Alpha Kappa Delta, a honors society for Sociology students, Cheyenne worked as a Rotunda Scholars Peer Counselor, Sociology Department Research Intern, and a History Department Ambassador. She was also Vice President of the Feminist Equality Movement; for her service to the university, Cheyenne received the prestigious “M” Award. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Cheyenne worked for two years as a graduate assistant through SMU College Access for Educational Talent Search, a federally-funded TRIO program helping low-income, first-generation high school students to understand the college application and admissions process. She currently serves as the Program Lead for Inclusive Excellence Communities for Dallas College (Richland campus), where she provides extra support and resources to underrepresented students, particularly for students who identify as BIPOC/LGBTQ+.

Updated January 2022

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HOPE ANDERSON ’17

HOPE ANDERSON ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, History; BS in Sociology; Minor in Spanish (2017)

Southern Methodist University: MA in Design & Innovation (2022)

Duke Divinity School: M.Div in Divinity (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: Hope’s passion for human rights led her to intern with global nonprofits dedicated to anti-trafficking and refugee resettlement like the International Rescue Committee (IRC), as well as with local anti-poverty organizations like CitySquare. As an SMU Engaged Learning Fellow, Hope conducted research on forced migration in Nepal, Jordan, and Chile. Through the SMU Human Rights Program, she helped to organize and lead trips focused on civil rights history and criminal justice reform. Hope was recognized as a Maguire Public Service Fellow, a Dedman College Scholar, a Phi Beta Kappa member, and a recipient of the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Hope is a community advocate specializing in inclusive pedagogy, youth organizing, and human rights education. Following graduation, she learned alongside a new generation of social justice practitioners through the John Lewis Fellowship – a community that continues to fuel her social justice work. 

In her graduate work in human-centered design, Hope merged creativity with equity through her study of inclusive design. Working to unite designers and marginalized communities together in the design process, she has engaged issues ranging from environmental racism to LGBTQ youth homelessness. 

Hope worked as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the SMU Human Rights Program for five years, connecting the program’s changemakers to the Dallas community through community organizing, social impact projects, and field placements. Describing her gratitude to the SMU Human Rights Program, Hope shares: “I would not be where I am today without these people – my people.”

Today, Hope is a graduate student at Duke Divinity School in North Carolina, where she is pursuing ordination for priesthood in the Episcopal Church. At Duke, Hope explores issues of local socioeconomics and racial justice as a Thriving Communities Fellow. She continues to mentor young LGBTQ people and advocate for inclusive faith communities. Hope writes, “The SMU Human Rights Program shaped my commitment to uphold human dignity as both a priest and human rights practitioner.”

Updated May 2022

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JAEIDAH REED ‘19

JAEIDAH REED ‘19

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Biological Sciences; Minors in Jewish Studies and Women’s and Gender Studies (2019)

SMU Accomplishments: Through the SMU Human Rights Program, Jaeidah traveled globally on the program’s trips to Rwanda, Israel, and Palestine. At SMU, Jaeidah was involved with SMU Hillel, Association of Black Students, African Students Association, the Spanish Club, SMU Mustang Band, and Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity. She was also active in campus social movements as the board chair for Black@SMU. In addition to her recognition as a President Obama Volunteer Service Award recipient and volunteer work with the Dallas Rape Crisis Center, Jaeidah also made her mark as a McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program Scholar and an Engaged Learning Fellow, culminating in her research: “Contending Child Sexual Assault in the Southern Sector of Dallas.” 

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Jaeidah moved to Washington DC where she continues her work in direct victim services. She works at both Georgetown University and the Polaris Project, a data-driven social justice organization fighting sex and labor trafficking. Jaeidah works on Polaris’ National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Updated January 2022 

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DOMINIQUE EARLAND ’17

DOMINIQUE EARLAND ’17

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, BS in Biological Sciences; Minor in Biomedical Anthropology (2017)

University of Minnesota Medical School: MD/PhD (2027)

SMU Accomplishments: Dominique led a variety of social justice events and workshops as a student leader on the Human Rights Council and was also active in Alternative Breaks, organizing the organization’s first service trip to Selma, AL. In response to Dallas’s high maternal mortality rates, Dominique pursued the SMU Human Rights Fellowship and used this opportunity to create a Maternal Child Health Toolkit designed for women of color who are most impacted by health care disparities. In recognition of her outstanding service to the university, Dominique received the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Dominique is now an MD/PhD candidate at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She is an active leader for racial equity on campus and is a leading advocate in the Minneapolis chapter of White Coats for Black Lives. Following the murder of George Floyd, she and her fellow organizers led sit-ins at the State Capitol and at the county’s medical examiner’s office. In June 2020, Dominique was featured in The New York Times for her activism as a street medic for  wounded protesters. Today, she continues her passion for global health through her epidemiology work. As a researcher and advocate, she seeks opportunities to better partner with global communities in their fight for public health access. Dominique has received the Minnesota Medical Association Medical Student Leadership Award, the MSTP Leadership in Diversity Fellowship, the Mary A. McEvoy Award for Public Service and Leadership, and is a Member of Student National Medical Association. 

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

Updated January 2022