Tag: student activism

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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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JESSICA PIRES-JANCOSE ‘18

JESSICA PIRES-JANCOSE ’18

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights; BS in Health and Society (2018)  

SMU Accomplishments: Jessica left their mark on campus through both academics and activism. Jessica was a President’s Scholar, SMU Public Service Fellow, and a Clinton Global Initiative Fellow.  Through their Engaged Learning Fellowship, they conducted international research on “The Role and Nature of Women’s Movements in Peru.” Jessica also worked to address menstrual access at SMU through the Hope Project, a donation drive for menstrual products, and by creating the “Menstruation Celebration,” a campus-wide event to spark conversation on menstruation equity at SMU. For their service to the university, Jessica was a recipient of the prestigious “M” Award.

Postbaccalaureate Career: Following graduation, Jessica was selected as a SMU Human Rights Postbaccalaureate Fellow and worked to mentor students on their paths to activism. They also were selected for the John Lewis Fellowship with Humanity in Action. Today, Jessica is Avow’s Dallas Outreach & Organizing Manager; they are also a trained abortion doula. Through their work and adovacy, Jessica fights for abortion access as they collaborate with marginalized communities to demand reproductive justice. 

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

Updated January 2022

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JOSÉ MANUEL SANTOYO ‘16

JOSÉ MANUEL SANTOYO ’16

Educational Background: Southern Methodist University: BA in Human Rights, Spanish (2016)

SMU Accomplishments: José served the campus community as a Hispanic American Senator in SMU Senate. He was involved with SMU’s chapters of League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), College Hispanic American Students (CHAS), and Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity. In the Dallas community, his grassroots activism included work with the North Texas Dream Team (NTDT). His advocacy work with the SMU Human Rights Program played a significant role in the creation of the Santos Rodriguez Memorial Scholarship. In recognition of his service to the university, José spoke at the SMU’s Commencement ceremony in December 2016. He later received the “M” Award, the university’s highest recognition.

Postbaccalaureate Career: After graduation, José continued to engage the Dallas community as the director of the YoSoyDMA Initiative through the Latino Center for Leadership Development. He also served as a steering committee member for 2018-2019 CFT’s Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Inaugural Cohort. He was a development coordinator for After8toEducate, Dallas’ first all-encompassing program to support unsheltered high school youth in DISD. He now works as the Co-Founder and a managing member of Leo de Verzay, Champagne, U.S. José also does business development as an assistant underwriter for On the Road Lending, a nonprofit that helps individuals from low-income and marginalized communities to improve their credit. He shares that he is “forever grateful for everything I’ve experienced because of this program.”

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

Updated January 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