Scholarship Recipients

LaTonya Seldon
College of Health Sciences — Occupational Therapy

LaTonya Seldon, MS, OTR/L, ATP, CNT, SBCS, NTMTC, is an advanced clinician and occupational therapist in Washington, D.C., specializing in neonatal intensive care. She focuses on health equity and reducing disparities for neonatal families. With experience in both inpatient and outpatient pediatric settings, her work spans early intervention, orthotics, splinting, and neurodevelopment care. LaTonya is currently working on her dissertation proposal to explore the lived experience of gay fathers in the NICU to obtain her PhD in Occupational Therapy at Texas Woman’s University.

Valeria Millinga
College of Health Sciences

Valeria Millinga is a PhD student in Nutrition at Texas Woman’s. Originally from Tanzania, she holds a Master’s in Global Health and Development from Hanyang University in South Korea and a Bachelor’s in Home Economics and Human Nutrition from Sokoine University of Agriculture. She spent a decade as a Nutritionist and Program Manager for Tanzania’s National Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control Program and contributed to national and global health initiatives, including the Tanzania-USA Centre of Excellence for Oncology Services. Her research focuses on preventing childhood obesity and other chronic diseases through culturally informed, science-based nutritional strategies and innovative social media interventions.

Faith A. Tissot
College of Nursing

Faith A. Tissot, RN, MSN, CCRN, has over 36 years of nursing experience, with clinical expertise in adult cardiothoracic intensive care. She is pursuing a PhD in Nursing at Texas Woman’s, exploring the lived experiences of youth transitioning out of foster care to inform policies that improve outcomes for this population. An active member of professional organizations including the International Academy of Nurse Editors (INANE), the Texas Nurses Association, Sigma Theta Tau International, and Foster Alumni of America, Faith combines service, scholarship, and advocacy in her nursing practice.

Bitali Islam
College of Arts and Sciences

Bitali Islam is an MS student in Biology at Texas Woman’s and began the PhD program in Molecular Biology Fall of 2025. Her research examines molecular and neuronal mechanisms underlying sex differences in pain sensitivity, with a focus on the effects of stress in preclinical models of inflammatory orofacial pain. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology from East West University in Bangladesh. Bitali’s research at TWU has been supported by the Experiential Student Scholars Program and the Center for Student Research Grant, and she was named a 2025 Chancellor’s Student Research Scholar.

LaToya Huntley
College of Professional Education

LaToya Huntley is a newly certified Educational Diagnostician and advocate for students with diverse learning needs. A first-generation college graduate, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degree while working full time and raising her son as a single mother. Currently pursuing a PhD in Special Education, LaToya is dedicated to breaking down barriers to learning, providing individualized support, and helping students reach their full potential while giving back to her community.

Marissa C. Gomez
Merrilee Alexander Kick College of Business and Entrepreneurship

Marissa C. Gomez, SHRM-CP is a first-generation college graduate pursuing an MBA in Human Resource Management at Texas Woman’s. She earned her BBA in 2024, achieved professional certification from the Society for Human Resource Management, and works in HR for a leading non-profit pediatric healthcare organization in South Texas. Despite living nearly 500 miles from campus, Marissa remained highly engaged in the TWU community and earned recognition in the X-Culture Global Business Competition under the mentorship of Dr. Mahesh Raisinghani. She is committed to lifelong learning, service, and helping others thrive.