Tag: SMU Human Rights Fellow

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RACHEL MUMAW ‘19

RACHEL MUMAW ’19

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, BS in Biology (2019).

Perkins School of Theology: Master of Divinity (2023)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Rachel worked as a Social and Clinical Neuroscience Lab Research Assistant from 2017-2018, and she held leadership positions with the Wesley House from 2016-2018 and MHPS Commons Council from 2016-2017. Her SMU honors and awards include the 2018-2019 SMU Human Rights Fellowship, 2018-2019 Engaged Learning Fellowship, 2018-2019 Caswell Leadership Program, 2018 Clinton Global Initiative University, 2018 Robert L. Mayer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2018 Cooper McElvaney Peace and Justice Fellowship, 2017-2018 SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility Public Service Fellowship (through which she interned with the Resource Center’s GenderBrave program), and 2017-2018 Hamilton Undergraduate Research Scholars Program.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Rachel began pursuing her MDiv at the Perkins School of Theology, where she won the 2021 William K. McElvaney Preaching Award. In 2021, Rachel published a dystopian novel, Jericho (barnesandnoble.com/w/jericho-rachel-mumaw/1139374351).

Updated May 2022

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SANDRA OSTAD ’16

SANDRA OSTAD ’16

Educational Background: University of Missouri: BA in International Studies, Women and Gender Studies (2013)

Southern Methodist University: MLS in Human Rights and Global Studies (2016)

SMU Accomplishments: Through the SMU Human Rights Fellowship, Sandra served as the Immigration Outreach Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Through this role, Sandra facilitated their citizenship education curriculum, assisted with development campaigns, created a volunteer training structure, and wrote a successful grant proposal for the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services agency which allowed IRC’s Dallas office to significantly expand its citizenship instruction and naturalization application services.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Since 2016, Sandra has worked on the development team at CitySquare, a nonprofit addressing issues of poverty in North Texas. As CitySquare’s current Development Director, she oversees their community engagement program, corporate partnerships, fundraising events, and third party events.

Updated January 2022

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MARIE JOUNG ’20

MARIE JOUNG ’20

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BS in Biological Sciences (2020)

UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine: DO in Medicine (2025)

SMU Accomplishments: Through the SMU Human Rights Fellowship, Marie founded The Period Project SMU—an initiative advocating for menstrual product access in schools, starting with SMU. This project led to many opportunities for Marie to present her research and support other schools through The Period Project SMU’s academic menstrual equity toolkit. Through the SMU Cary M. Maguire Center for Ethics and Public Responsibility Public Service Fellowship, Marie assisted with a study evaluating the interpretation and application of the NIH’s diversity statement in awarding training grants. For her work around gender equity, Marie won the Ann Early Award and Emmie V. Baine Legacy Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Since graduating, Marie has continued working as a research assistant in ethics at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She has also continued working on The Period Project SMU, specifically around our research about the impact of menstruation on academic success. In 2021, Marie presented The Period Project SMU’s study at the Association for Practical and Professional Ethics conference and received the Top Undergraduate Paper Award. Currently, she attends medical school at UNTHSC Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Fort Worth.

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

Updated January 2022

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WREN LEE ’21

WREN LEE ’21

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Creative Computation; Minor in Human Rights (2021)

SMU Accomplishments: At SMU, Wren served as the Co-Founder and Lead Designer of Green Book, Co-Primary Investigator of the “Gay and Greek” project, and a Hegi Career Center Student Advisory Board Member. Their SMU honors and awards include the SMU Human Rights Fellowship and Engaged Learning Fellowship.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduating, Wren began working in the advertising industry as a Junior Experience Designer at Publicis Sapient. In the greater Boston community, they serve as a Producer of The Chinatown Project.

Updated January 2022

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AMANDA STEINKE ’15

AMANDA STEINKE ’15

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; BS in Environmental Engineering (2015) 

Relay Graduate School of Education: MAT in Teaching (2018) 

SMU Accomplishments: Amanda was involved in Theta Tau Engineering Fraternity, as well as campus organizations like Lyle Engineering in the City. As an SMU Human Rights Fellow, she facilitated a 1200-square foot aquaponics project at St. Philip’s School and Community Center in south Dallas, an area identified as a food desert.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Amanda has advanced her passion for STEM education as an elementary-school science teacher. She also explores instructional strategies to close the achievement gap between English proficient students and English language learners. Today, Amanda is a fifth-grade science teacher with Houston KIPP Public Schools.  

Updated January 2022

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DARYL PARKER ‘16

DARYL PARKER ’16

Educational Background: University of North Texas: BAS in Public Administration (2013)

Southern Methodist University: MLS in Liberal Studies: Human Rights and Social Justice concentration (2016)

SMU Accomplishments: Daryl volunteered with the Innocence Project of Texas and was selected as a Soros Foundation Community Outreach Fellow. Through the SMU Human Rights Fellowship, he built on his background as a Marine and police officer to launch a new nonprofit organization, Actual Innocence Review, which conducted criminal investigations in cases of wrongfully convicted persons. 

Postbaccalaureate Career: Daryl continues to advance justice as a private investigator and nonprofit leader. Through the Actual Innocence Review, Daryl assisted with the release of Ben Spencer, wrongfully convicted for 34 years. His work has been featured in 48 Hours, NPR, the Atlantic magazine, and various podcasts. 

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

Updated January 2022