Our Team

Tanisha Freeman, MBA, LSSYB

Director of Health and Wellbeing
940-898-3845
Email Tanisha Freeman
Tanisha Freeman on Linkedin

At an early age Saturday morning cartoons introduced us to critical concepts in navigating friendships and all the ways in which we show up for the world, with shows like Sesame Street & The Care Bears teaching us Sharing is Caring. While this remains true, we must also mindfully grant ourselves permission to focus inward when needed. Personal growth and self-healing is often the starting place for living in our purpose and being driven by our compassion. Pouring from a full cup allows us to constructively show up for self and others as we navigate our experiences.

Francilia Brito Silva, Ph.D., CHWC

Assistant Director of Health and Wellbeing Initiative - Operations
940-898-2557
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Francilia on LinkedIn

"When I understood that I should daily nourish my body, mind, and spirit to find balance and properly offer my best to others and myself, I started to have better health and wellbeing. Currently, that is self-care for me, managing to invest adequate amounts of energy in all these three areas."

Jason Liu - Denton Campus

My name is Jason Liu, and I am a Ph.D. candidate in Kinesiology at TWU. I am also a Certified Personal Trainer through NASM. I am passionate about exercise and love cooking healthy meals. I believe your capacity is closely tied to your physical condition and the nutritious food you eat. To stay healthy and FIT, you might see me around campus or at Fit & Rec. As part of a global health initiative, "Exercise is Medicine" is based on the belief that physical activity is essential for optimal health and plays a key role in preventing and treating many medical conditions. Let's join ANS in promoting healthy behaviors: Eat Well, Move Well, and Mind Well to Live Well.

Olamide Adefiranye - Dallas Campus

My name is Olamide Adefiranye, and I am a nursing major at TWU. I am passionate about mental and physical health. I believe our overall performance is tied closely to our mental and emotional well-being. Prioritizing your mental health does not have to be complicated; it can be something as simple as taking a stroll, listening to your favorite artists or reading your favorite book, as long as it helps you relax and focus. I also believe it is important to have hobbies as they not only help challenge our creativity but can also serve as a healthy outlet and a form of self-care. Currently, crocheting, baking, and reading are my go-to form of self-care.

Nikita Thomas - Houston Campus

Hello everyone! My name is Nikita Thomas and I’m a third-year nursing student. Self-care to me is highly essential as it allows me to recharge and ground myself. It’s so important to take intentional time to do the things that bring my joy so I can be my best self and help others.

Kanan Mehta - Dallas Campus

Hi everyone! My name is Kanan Mehta, and I’m a junior nursing major at Texas Woman’s University’s Dallas campus with minors in Psychology and Neuroscience. I am also a Certified Peer Educator and am excited to be starting my coaching position with TWU through Online Services while based at the Dallas campus. I am deeply passionate about wellness and believe true health goes beyond just the physical; it includes mental, emotional, and social well-being. A fun fact about me is that I love working out and staying active, as it helps me feel balanced, grounded, and energized. I value mental health and enjoy learning how the mind and body work together to support overall wellness. I am passionate about caring for others and building deep, meaningful connections with people. I truly appreciate and value the health and wellness initiatives at Texas Woman’s University and am grateful to be part of a community that prioritizes supporting students in living well mind, body, and soul.

Chelsea Mile - Denton Campus

Hello everyone! My name is Chelsea Miles, and I am a 4th-year student majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Criminal Justice, Health Studies, and Psychology. While I'm passionate about forensic science overall, I have a particular interest in forensic psychology. I love deciphering people's thoughts and shedding light on the 'what' and 'why' behind human behavior. I hope to use these insights to help others understand the importance of self-care and overall wellness. As someone who prioritizes personal well-being, I am thrilled to begin coaching and guiding others as they take the first steps on their wellness journeys!

Piper Necaise - Denton Campus

Hi everyone! My name is Piper Necaise, and I am pursuing my Master's in Psychological Science at the TWU Denton campus. I am deeply passionate about mental health and love studying ways to improve cognition. One way I care for my own mental health is through daily gratitude journaling. I strongly value self-compassion and creating a balanced life that allows for true human flourishing. I look forward to getting to know you and supporting you on your unique path to flourishing this year

Janice Akpobaro, MPH

Janice Akpobaro is a public health professional and PhD student in Nutrition at Texas Woman’s University, where she serves as the Vandagriff Endowment Scholar with the Health and Wellbeing Initiative. Her research focuses on culturally relevant food practices, bioactive compounds, ultra-processed foods, and chronic disease prevention, specifically aimed at reducing health disparities in underserved populations.

Janice holds an MPH in Environmental Health from the University of Illinois Springfield and a Higher National Diploma in Food Technology from Yaba College of Technology in Lagos, Nigeria. Her experience spans food safety, environmental health, and public health communications, including roles as a Health Inspector/Community Garden Project Manager for the Sangamon County Department of Public Health and Vice Chair of the Illinois Public Health Association Student Section.

A member of the American Society for Nutrition, Janice published "Food as Medicine: Soursop Leaf Tea in Melanoma Treatment and Prevention" in Current Developments in Nutrition. She is also the founder of the Health Will Organization, the "Health Will by Janice" food-as-medicine platform, and the Janice Akpobaro Foundation, which supports educationally disadvantaged youth.