Scholarship Recipients

Christiana Parra
College of Professional Education

Christiana Parra has been an educator for ten years and is currently pursuing her doctorate in Reading Education. Throughout her career, she has focused on the emergent bilingual population, serving as both a dual language teacher and an Emergent Bilingual Coordinator. 

Deeply committed to the philosophy of educating the whole child, Christiana emphasizes the importance of students’ voices as powerful tools for empowerment. She believes that this power arises from their cultural backgrounds and the fulfillment of their educational needs. Christiana is grateful for the opportunity to further her studies and research on bilingual education through this scholarship. 

Kiara Whitney
College of Nursing

A third-generation nurse, Kiara Whitney is dedicated to advancing nursing practice, inspired by the legacy of her mother and maternal grandmother. With over 14 years of nursing experience, she is currently pursuing her Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at Texas Woman's, where she also serves as the DNP Student Leadership Representative for the Graduate Academic Affairs Committee, with an anticipated graduation in May of 2025. 

Kiara holds a Master of Science in Nursing and is dually certified as a Nurse Practitioner in Family Practice and Adult-Gerontology Acute-Care. Her DNP project focuses on reducing 30-day readmission rates for gynecologic oncology patients through the implementation of a discharge readiness checklist. In addition to her clinical work, Kiara is actively involved in global healthcare initiatives, including medical mission trips to Guatemala, and engages in cancer outreach programs. Driven by a passion for influencing healthcare policy, she is committed to enhancing patient outcomes while demonstrating her lifelong dedication to nursing excellence and service.

Jenny Reynolds
College of Health Sciences

Jenny Reynolds, MS, CCC-SLP, CLC, CNT, BCS-S is a dedicated speech-language pathologist currently serving as an advanced clinical specialist in a level IV Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas. As a board-certified swallowing specialist with expertise in pediatric dysphagia, she is also a certified lactation counselor and neonatal therapist, and is in the process of obtaining her small baby certification. 

Jenny’s research interest focuses on infant feeding, and she has co-investigated multiple studies exploring feeding practices, parent confidence and an early reading program in the NICU. Her findings have been presented at various conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. In addition to her clinical work, Jenny is pursuing her PhD in health studies at Texas Woman’s. She actively contributes to the field by serving on the American Speech Hearing Association Convention programming committee for the pediatric dysphagia strand, the National Association of Neonatal Therapy professional collaborative, and as an adjunct lecturer in several speech therapy graduate programs in Texas.

Savitha Sundar
College of Health Sciences — Occupational Therapy

Savitha Sundar is a school-based occupational therapist and a PhD candidate at Texas Woman’s. With over 15 years in public schools across three states, she has primarily worked with students with extensive support needs in self-contained classrooms. Her research is focused on exploring the role of school-based occupational therapy in bridging the gap between research and practice in inclusive education. 

In addition to her clinical work, Savitha serves as the partnerships officer for Changing Perspectives, a national educational non-profit organization. During the summer, she teaches entry-level OTD students and has mentored several OT students through their fieldwork and capstone experiences in schools. Savitha also hosts the “Inclusive Occupations: Sharing Stories of not Just Being Invited to the Party but Dancing” podcast, where she shares insights and inspirations from educators, researchers, and individuals with disabilities, fostering discussions on creating authentically inclusive learning communities for all.

Bradaisea Ridge-Law
College of Business

Bradaisea Ridge-Law is a dedicated MBA candidate at Texas Woman’s, specializing in HR Management, with a robust background in business administration, finance and entrepreneurial studies. As a proud first-generation college graduate, Bradaisea has been recognized for her academic excellence, earning over $85,000 in scholarships throughout her college career. 

In addition to her studies, she serves as an administrator in the healthcare sector, showcasing her strong attention to detail and problem-solving abilities. Bradaisea is also the founder of her own LLC and is actively pursuing opportunities in sports management, finance, and healthcare to further her professional growth.

Sarah "Abi" Rainey
College of Arts and Sciences

Abi Rainey is a mixed-media artist, illustrator and art educator from May, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Art in Art Education with an all-level certification in 2020 from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. Currently, she is in her third year for her Master of Fine Art in Visual Arts at Texas Woman’s. 

With diverse teaching experience across grade school classrooms, college courses, workshops, and private lessons, Abi is passionate about fostering creativity in her students. In addition to her teaching, she runs a small business specializing in stationery and paper goods. 

Upon graduation, Abi plans to pursue a career in higher education and illustration while continuing to expand her small business. Her artistic practice explores the intersection of the common and the sacred, delving into themes of spirituality, faith, and hope through autobiographical collage installations and artist books. She aims to create inviting spaces within her work that encourage viewers to engage safely with their own spirituality.