Featured Graduates

Father’s bout with cancer inspired nursing degree

12/16/22

An institution that empowers women and has a focus on families drew Khushboo Thanawala to Texas Woman’s to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

Near-death experience was inspiration for occupational therapy degree

12/16/22

Hayden Nichols received a Master of Occupational Therapy after nearly dying from a severe head injury. The health care professionals who facilitated his recovery inspired him to become the best person he could be and to work hard and never give up. It took time and a great deal of effort, but Hayden ultimately overcame obstacles and relearned skills and abilities lost from the injury.

Grad’s focus on mental health was impetus for podcast

12/16/22

Lauren Sepulvador received a Master of Science in Counseling and Development with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She was inspired to study mental health out of a desire to help others.

Real-life experiences enhanced grad’s path to degree

12/16/22

For Sonya Mellerson, earning a PhD in special education was more than a typical academic experience. Sonya chose TWU because of the real-life experiences of the professors and the great teacher education program that allows students to complete their graduate degree while working full time.

Dream to become educator took decades, perseverance

12/16/22

Rita Greeley is a first-generation student who started at TWU in 1986 and returned in 2019 to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. 

Motherhood, love of sports fueled desire for kinesiology degree

12/16/22

Alyssa Ayala received a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology focusing on teaching and coaching in the K-12 levels.

Grad’s personal health journey inspired nursing degree

12/16/22

Calvin Scott Stancil earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing, and his personal experience in receiving the degree was part of a long health journey.

Special ed grad opened speech clinic in native Zambia

12/16/22

Muchinka Peele earned a PhD in Special Education with an emphasis in communication sciences.

Arts grad has sights on career in theater

12/16/22

Olivia Christina Abigail Andrade is receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre in Acting and Directing. She says TWU provides the best of all worlds, including a welcoming environment to making new friends with people who are genuinely excited about their majors. Olivia found the programs are spectacular and still affordable, and she credits her professors with their support throughout her college journey.

Grad aims to enhance others’ mental, physical health

12/16/22

An Hsuan “Sherry” Kung moved from Taiwan to Texas six years ago and transferred from the University of Texas at Dallas to TWU to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology with an emphasis on pre-occupational therapy.

Desire to help others inspired Air Force vet to sociology degree

12/16/22

Joanna Savidge is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force who has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sociology. Joanna is a first-generation college student who chose TWU for its diversity and options for online, in-person and hybrid classes. 

Teen mom persevered on course to MBA

12/16/22

Cierra Wirth Richardson chose to pursue an MBA at Texas Woman’s University because of the resources, support and encouragement it provides its students. Cierra valued the diversity at TWU, which she noted was accepting of everyone, and its collective, uplifting student body and alumni connection. 

Parents inspired grad’s path to business degree

12/16/22

Yazmin Montes is a first-generation college student who moved to Texas from Mexico when her mother became ill with cancer. 

After the birth of her second child, she decided to attend college. 

Graduate says college experience was business degree bonus

12/7/22

Brooke Morlet is graduating from Texas Woman’s University in December with a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the College of Business. In January, she’ll start a new job as a tax staff accountant with a regional accounting firm in Dallas. For the last two years, TWU professors and her mentor have guided and lifted Morlet to heights that she didn’t think were possible. 

MBA grad leaves big shoes to fill

5/16/22

She left behind a spirited legacy when she graduated from Texas Woman’s with an MBA on May 14, and whoever follows in Leslie Fredrickson’s footsteps is going to have some awfully big shoes to fill.

Like say, size 17 EEE.

Fire official finds high reward in PhD

5/13/22

Megan Schuth, the first woman battalion chief in the Denton Fire Department, will be awarded her PhD in rhetoric in Friday’s graduation ceremony at TWU.

Grad uses master’s for career change

4/27/22

A mid-career shift can be a surprise for some, but thanks to a supportive school district and a master’s in teaching, Kameka Hollins-Banks is prepared for the step. 

Nursing grad’s journey went from despair to triumph

4/27/22

For many, graduation is a celebration of perseverance and academic achievement. For Lisa Mejia, a 33-year-old mother of two who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in nursing after a decade of ups and downs, it is a journey from trauma to triumph.

Student balances work, motherhood and education

4/25/22

“All for one, and one for all," is a phrase best known from the novel by Alexandre Dumas — “The Three Musketeers.” It also represents the roles Markeshia Govan and her two daughters assumed as Govan completed her Master of Science in Nursing.

Cancer research sparked grad’s interest in biotechnology

4/15/22

Her interest in science started in summer camp and grew into a dream of becoming a researcher. Harsh words from a supervisor temporarily derailed that dream, but Lindsey Ramos Freitas overcame her struggles, regained her confidence, and is set to receive her professional science master’s degree during spring commencement ceremonies at Texas Woman’s University.

Nutrition graduate serves students with passion and engagement

4/11/22

Keeping an open mind and treating everything as a learning experience has been the key to success for Texas Woman’s May 2022 nutrition graduate Theodora “Theo” Sam-Brew. That was especially true for her while serving as the Student Government Association (SGA) president during COVID. But her passion for working for her fellow students led her to overcome challenges and accomplish great things.

Nutrition graduate uses education, experience to combat campus food insecurity

4/7/22

Texas Woman’s May 2022 nutrition doctoral graduate Francilia Brito Silva is on a mission to improve the eating habits of students and combat food insecurity on campus. As a vital contributor to the TWU Health and Wellbeing Initiative, she has already made a huge impact on campus and plans to do even more after graduation.