2020 Winter Commencement - Excellence in Achievement - Texas Southern University

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2020 Winter Commencement - Excellence in Achievement - Texas Southern University
2020
Winter Commencement

              CREDO:
     Excellence in Achievement
2020 Winter Commencement - Excellence in Achievement - Texas Southern University
2020 Winter Commencement - Excellence in Achievement - Texas Southern University
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
2020 WINTER COMMENCEMENT

  November Twenty, Twenty First & Twenty Second
              Two Thousand Twenty
      Health and Physical Education Building
           Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                  Houston, Texas

           Credo: Excellence in Achievement

                                               WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 1
B OARD O F REG EN TS
                                                   Regent Albert H. Myres, Sr., Chairman
                                                               Liberty, Texas
             Regent Marc C. Carter, Vice Chairman                                          Regent Ronald J. Price
                              Houston, Texas                                                   Mesquite, Texas
           Regent Pamela A. Medina, 2nd Vice Chair                                         Regent Marilyn A. Rose
                              Houston, Texas                                                   Houston, Texas
             Regent James M. Benham, Secretary                                            Regent Mary Evans Sias
                       College Station, Texas                                                 Richardson, Texas
              Regent Stephanie D. Nellons-Paige                                           Regent Wesley G. Terrell
                              Houston, Texas                                                    Dallas, Texas
                                                    Student Regent Joseph R. Johnson
                                                             Sugar Land, Texas

                                                O F F I C E RS O F AD MI N I STRATI O N
                                                           Kenneth R. Huewitt
                                                             Interim President
                               Heidi Smith                                                      Mario Berry
                               Chief of Staff                                    Vice President for Information Technology
                         Kendall T. Harris                                                   Melinda Spaulding
   Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs & Research                           Vice President for Advancement
                         Anita Lockridge                                                           Hao Le
   Interim Vice President for Administration and Finance/ CFO                                  General Counsel
                        Teresa McKinney                                                         Mary Young
  Vice President for Student Services and Enrollment Services                                  Chief of Police
                          Kevin Granger                                                       Yolanda Edmond
            Vice President of Intercollegiate Athletics                     Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources

                                     O F F I C E R S O F ACAD EMIC AD MI N I STRATI O N
            Joan R.M. Bullock                             Rockell Brown-Burton                          Azime S. Saydam
         Dean, Thurgood Marshall                   Interim Dean, School of Communication         Interim Dean, College of Science,
              School of Law                                                                         Engineering and Technology
                                                          Bernnell Peltier-Glaze
           Gregory H. Maddox                         Interim Dean, College of Education             Dianne Jemison Pollard
        Dean, The Graduate School                                                                    Dean, Thomas F. Freeman
                                                           George Klay Kieh, Jr.
                                                                                                         Honors College
         Needha Boutte-Queen                        Dean, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland
       Dean, College of Liberal Arts                      School of Public Affairs                      Janice L. Peyton
        and Behavioral Sciences                                                                   Executive Director of Libraries
                                                             Rashid Mosavin
                                                                                                          and Museums
                 David Yen                          Dean, College of Pharmacy and Health
           Dean, Jesse H. Jones                                   Sciences                              LeWanna Hobbs
            School of Business                                                                         University Registrar

Our Mission
Texas Southern University is a comprehensive metropolitan university. Building on its legacy as an Historically Black
Institution, the University provides academic and research programs that address critical urban issues and prepare an
ethnically diverse student population to become a force for positive change in a global society.

2 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
T E X A S S O U T H E R N U N I V E R S I T Y IN TERIM P RESID EN T K E NNE TH R . H U E WITT

                                      K
                                                    enneth “Ken” Huewitt currently serves as Interim President of Texas
                                                    Southern University. He was hired in 2017 as TSU’s Vice President
                                                    of Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer, overseeing
                                                    all financial functions of the university including Treasury & Budget,
                                       Administration & Finance, Risk Management, the Controller’s Office, Procurement
                                       Services, Facilities & Maintenance, and Building & Grounds.
                                           During his time as CFO, the university’s investment rating (Moody’s) has improved
                                       from ‘negative’ to ‘stable’ to ‘positive’ over a three-year period. A three-year strategic
                                       Capital Expenditure Plan was developed and implemented, “days cash on hand”
                                       more than doubled, and a negative reserve in 2016 was transformed into a healthy,
                                       positive reserve.
                                           Huewitt began his career as an auditor with the U.S. Department of Housing and
Urban Development’s Office of Inspector General. He has held a variety of roles during his career including Senior Audit
Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Senior Associate for Coopers & Lybrand, and Regional Director of
Finance for The ServiceMaster Corporation.
   After leaving ServiceMaster, he joined the Finance Team at the Houston Independent School District. Huewitt served
as the Controller focusing on Budgets, Payroll, Treasury, Food Services Accounting, General Accounting and Bond Fund
Accounting, as well as handling day-to-day operations of the Controller’s Office during his first 11 years with the district.
He went on to serve as Chief Financial Officer leading all the financial services functions of the district. He developed
and executed strategic plans and district-wide policies and programs related to the financial activities of HISD, impacting
215,000 students on 283 campuses, and overseeing a $1.8 billion general operating budget.
   Huewitt was named Chief Financial Officer of the Year in 2015 by the Council of the Great Cities Schools. This national
honor is bestowed each year through the Bill Wise Awards Program to recognize Chief Financial Officers in urban school
districts who exemplify professionalism, commitment, integrity, strong leadership and advocacy for all students..
   Huewitt holds a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal
Auditor, Certified Government Financial Manager, Certified Financial Services Auditor and Chartered Global Management
Accountant. He is a member of several organizations including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Texas
Society of Certified Public Accountants, and The Institute of Internal Auditors. He served as Chairman of the Texas State
Development Foundation Board, member of the T-Association Board, and past-president of the Alumni Association Board.
   While attending Texas State, he was a member of the back-to-back National Championship football teams in 1981 and
1982. In 2007, Ken was an inductee into the T-Association’s Hall of Honor, the highest honor for any athlete at Texas State.
   He and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

                                                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 3
A C O N C I S E H I S T O RY O F TE X A S SO U TH E R N U NIVE R SIT Y

T
             exas Southern University, a special purpose
             institution for urban programming, has a
             history that dates back to 1927. The University
             developed from several antecedents: extension
classes, a junior college, and a four-year private institution,
eventually becoming a state-supported institution of higher
education. Texas Southern became a state University
during the era of segregation when the State of Texas
denied entrance into the University of Texas Law School
to Heman Marion Sweatt, an African-American. The Texas
State Senate of the 50th Legislature passed Senate Bill
140 on March 3, 1947, providing for the establishment
of the institution, including a law school, to be located in
Houston. This bill was complemented by House Bill 788,
which called for the purchase of a 53-acre site to house the
campus. Thus, the Texas State University for Negroes was
born, which on became Texas Southern University on June
1, 1951.
   Today, Texas Southern University offers bachelor’s,
master’s, and doctoral degree programs in the following
academic colleges and schools: the Thurgood Marshall
School of Law, The Graduate School, the College of
Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences, the Jesse H. Jones
School of Business, the School of Communication, the
College of Education, the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland
School of Public Affairs, the College of Pharmacy and
Health Sciences, the College of Science, Engineering and
Technology, and the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College.
Special programs and projects include the NASA Research
Center, Center for Excellence in Urban Education, the Center
for Transportation Training and Research, the National
Center for Excellence in Petrochemical Transportation
Safety, the Center on the Family, the Center for Justice
Research, and the Mickey Leland Center for Environment,
Justice, and Sustainability. Today, Texas Southern
University is staffed by approximately 1,500 faculty and
support personnel. TSU enrolls more than 9,700 students,
representing ethnically and culturally diverse backgrounds.

4 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 5
T H E S Y M BO LS O F CO MMEN CEMEN T
The academic costumes worn today originated in the universities of the Middle Ages. They varied in design
until they were standardized by the American Intercollegiate Commission in 1894. At that time, it was decided
that all robes would be black. In the last few years, many universities have decided to return to a distinctive
gown design. The traditional doctor’s gown has velvet panels down the front and three velvet bars on the
regular sleeves. The master’s gown does not have velvet and does not have long sleeves. The bachelor’s
gown is similar to the master’s, but has regular length, pointed sleeves. The hood can be the most colorful
part of the entire costume. Only the lining of the hood indicates the university by its color. The border of the
hood indicates the academic discipline in which the degree is earned. The color facing the hood, whether it
is black or some other color, indicates the following:

Architecture and the Fine Arts..........................Brown                                   Library Sciences....................................Lemon Yellow
Arts, Letters, and Journalism.............................White                                 Medicine............................................................ Green
Business...................................................Light Brown                          Music.................................................................... Pink
City Planning..............................................Blue-Violet                          Oratory.......................................................Silver Gray
Dentistry...............................................................Lilac                   Pharmacy............................................................ Olive
Economics...................................................... Copper                          Philosophy................................................... Dark Blue
Education....................................................Light Blue                         Physical Education................................... Sage Green
Engineering..................................................... Orange                         Public Health...........................................Salmon Pink
Geography......................................... Blue and Green                               Science..............................................................Yellow
Home Economics & Technology.......... Golden Yellow                                             Social Work............................................ Citron Yellow
International and Public Affairs.............Peacock Blue                                       Theology...........................................................Scarlet
Law....................................................................Purple

The most common head-piece (or cap) for the ceremony is the black, square, flat-topped or mortarboard
type with a gold or black tassel. It is called a mortarboard because it is shaped like the board of the mason
that holds the mortar. Large velvet Tam-o-Shanter style of headpieces, replaced the mortarboard in recent
years. Some of the velvet tams have brilliant colors, including bright blue.

The tassel on the doctor’s cap is usually gold and permanently fastened on the left side. The master’s cap has
a black tassel worn on the left. The bachelor’s cap has a black tassel worn on the right prior to graduation,
then moved to the left during the ceremony.

                      T E XA S S O U T H E R N U N I VERSI TY’S SYMBO LS AN D N O TATIO N S
  ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated August 2019   |   **Will Graduate May 9, 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                  Honors College

6 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Thurgood Marshall
                       School of Law
                                          (TMSLAW)

                                Friday, November Twentieth
                                      Two Thousand Twenty
                                   Six-Thirty in the evening
                     Health and Physical Education Building
                                                  Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                                                                Houston, Texas

                                            Our School of Law Mission:
The mission of Thurgood Marshall School of Law (TMSL) is to prepare a diverse group of
        students for leadership roles in the legal profession, business, and government.

                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 7
C O M M E N C E M E N T SP EAKER PA U LE T T E B R O W N

P
           aulette Brown is the first woman of color to lead the American Bar
           Association (ABA) in its history. Brown, the leader of this 400,000 voluntary
           member organization, Brown was responsible for governance, advocacy
           and serving as the voice and face of the ABA. Her presidential initiatives
resulted in seven major policies developed and approved by the ABA, having a long
lasting impact on diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and the justice
system. Brown is also a past president of the National Bar Association and currently
serves as the Chair of the Africa Council for the ABA’s Rule of Law Initiative. Brown
is a Partner and Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at Locke Lord LLP.
   She is the co-author of “Visible Invisibility: Women of Color in Law Firms” and
“Left Out and Left Behind: The Hurdles, Hassles and Heartaches of Achieving Long-
Term Legal Careers for Women of Color.” Brown is nationally recognized for her
dedication and efforts relating to diversity & inclusion, including the impact of implicit
bias and is a frequent speaker and educator on both. Brown has won numerous awards and honors, including the Margaret
Brent Award and three honorary doctorate degrees.

8 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C O M M EN C EME NT – TH E O RD ER O F EX ERCISES
Presiding                             Dr. Joan R.M. Bullock, J.D.
		 Dean, Thurgood Marshall School of Law

Announcing of the Processional        Dr. Darryl Singleton
                                      Mr. LaRence Snowden

The Academic Processional             University Concert Band
                                      Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                        arr. Clare Grundman
                                      The Great Coronation Hymn — comp. Oliver Holden

                                      The Members of the Faculty
                                      The Candidates for the Juris Doctor Degrees
                                      The Officers of the Administration
                                      The President’s Party

The National Anthem †                 — University Concert Band — lyr. Francis Scott Key

Lift Every Voice and Sing
  — University Concert Band
		 Wrtn. James Weldon Johnson; Comp. John Rosamond Johnson

The Invocation †                      Emeka Duruigbo, J.D.
		                                       Professor of Law

The Greeting                          Dean Joan R.M. Bullock

The Welcomes                          Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
		                                       Interim President
                                      Honorable Albert H. Myres, Sr.
		                                       Chairman, Board of Regents

The Introduction of the               Dean Joan R.M. Bullock
Commencement Speaker
The Commencement Speaker              Honorable Paulette Brown, J.D
		                                       Past President of the American Bar Association

The Presentation of the Candidates    Dr. Kendall T. Harris
		                                       Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
 Dr. Joan R.M. Bullock
		  Dean, Thurgood Marshall School of Law

The Conferral of Degrees in Course    Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
		                                       Interim President

                                      The appearance of names on this program is presumptuous
                                      evidence of graduation, but it must not in any sense be regarded
                                      as conclusive. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by
                                      its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession
                                      of the degree.

                                            † Please Stand. †† Please remain in your seats until the Recessional is completed.

                                                                                                 WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 9
The Alumni Pledge              Mr. Keith T. Scott ‘83
                                 President, Texas Southern University
                                 National Alumni Association

                                   We, the alumni of Texas Southern University, pledge
                                   ourselves to uphold the principles and ideals for
                                   which she stands and to move forward with our
                                   Alma Mater in the vanguard of its educational,
                                   cultural, and economic progress.

The Dismissal                  Dean Joan R.M. Bullock

The Alma Mater †               — University Concert Band — arr. Campbell Tolbert

The Recessional † †            University Concert Band
                               Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                 arr. Clare Grundman

                                     † Please Stand. †† Please remain in your seats until the Recessional is completed.

10 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C A N D I D AT E S F O R T H E J U R I S D O C T O R D E G R E E I N T H E
                                           THU RGOOD MARS HALL S C HOOL OF LAW
                                                                                    The Candidates will be presented by
                                                                   DEAN JOAN R.M. BULLOCK, J.D.

                                                     C A ND IDATE S F O R J U R I S D O C TO R D E G R E E
SUMMA CUM LAUDE                                                             Ranjit Singh Lidhar                                                                CANDIDATES FOR JURIS DOCTOR
Paige Elizabeth Bostic *                                                    Morgin Ranee Ward *                                                                Tonya Renea Adams-Felder
Summer Justine Cevallos *                                                   Kiana Nichele Witcher *                                                            Ademiju Ashley Ade-Jagun *
Nnamdi Richard Ezenwa *                                                     Erica Nicole D’Elaine Young *                                                      Anica Raquel Alfaro *
Tinuade Victoria Familuyi *                                                 CUM LAUDE                                                                          Erin-Audrey Davail Allen *
Andres Eduardo Guerra *                                                     Gerardo Angel Acevedo                                                              Bianca Adrienne Almaguer
Crescentia Nchang Guobadia *                                                Derrick Ramon Baylor *                                                             Brittney Scené Archie *
Ebony Danielle Harris *                                                     KaieEssence Bodden *                                                               Brittney Olatokunbo Asaju *
Chelsey Sharna Erin Johnson *                                               Chelsea D. Bosley *                                                                Ifeanyichukwu Anthonia Ashibyogwu *
Andre Carrel Mackey *                                                       Zari Ayana Brown *                                                                 Amna Aziz *
A’renica Deshon Mumford *                                                   Shalisa Jennifer Brunson *                                                         Monique Marie-Louise Bailey *
Randy C. Paschal *                                                          Johari Ahmed Burnette *                                                            Nicole Frances Bancroft *
Jasmine Janet Rios *                                                        Destiny LaShay Ceasar *                                                            Justin Chandler Barlow *
Tiara Elise Seals *                                                         Lizeth Chapa *                                                                     Hazel Elizabeth Batiste *
Tatum Rene Simpson *                                                        Re’Necia Sandrina Ihilani Coda *                                                   Kayla Ashley Berrios *
Mia J’Na Williams-Collings *                                                Deja Rena Cutno *                                                                  Jemario Bibbs *
Johnoie Antony Wright *                                                     Joshua De La Cerda *                                                               Nolan-Joseph Boudreaux *
Adrian Ulysses Zuniga *                                                     Wendi Royce Dodson *                                                               Richard Glenn Briggs *
MAGNA CUM LAUDE                                                             Tabitha Liyah Elder *                                                              Tiarra Janáe Brooks-Chatman *
Rigien Bagekany-Jackson *                                                   Nnenna U. Ezeji *                                                                  Charity Jenae Bruce *
Scott Aaron Bernstein *                                                     Ronny Varughese George                                                             Miguel Angelo Cano *
Victoria Ann Carrizales *                                                   Christen Yvette Hill *                                                             Bryce Ervin Carpenter
Valarie Nicole Cortez *                                                     Lauren Ashley Kemps -Thibodeaux *                                                  Kanika Shanelle Childers *
Lauren Ashley Dorman                                                        Arturo Lima *                                                                      Kristan Michael Childs *
Juana Esperanza Eburi Losoha *                                              Joshua Keith McKenzie *                                                            Shuler China *
Morgan Mackenzie Foster *                                                   Ariana Tiana Mehdipour                                                             Abraham S. Chopin *
Morteza Benjamin Karimi                                                     Ronieshea Melissa Miller *                                                         Alexandra Guadalupe Cirlos
Rickelle Jacqueline King *                                                  Maurelle Armon Moore *                                                             Michelle Marie Clarington *
Jasmine Alycia Knight*                                                      Alejandra Munoz Torres *                                                           Jordan Imani Coleman
Emily Lechuga *                                                             Neelam Narendra Patel                                                              Gregory Donovan Lee Daniel *
Tyra Ren’ee Lovelace *                                                      Pedro Emmanuel Perez-Navejar *                                                     Nickolett Rolonda Daniels *
Jennifer Elena Mendoza *                                                    DaVisha Evon Pharms *                                                              Shaniecea Marie Dunham
Priscilla Mendoza *                                                         Wesley Joshua Pluviose-Philip *                                                    Bryce Shelby Evans *
Martha Onyinyechukwu Nweke *                                                Kyra Riggins *                                                                     Billy Joe Fair
Amanda Ijeoma Okoli *                                                       Daryl Keith Sherman II *                                                           Meiqi Feng
Alexis Chisom Okonkwo *                                                     Amber Michelle Simpson *                                                           Renee M. Flores*
Terry Henderson Peden, Jr. *                                                Simran William Singh                                                               Chelsea Migyon Foster
Stephanie Monique Pimentel                                                  Darmeisha Janae Slay *                                                             Gerardo Luis Garcia
Rezzin Ezra Pullum *                                                        Christiana Valadez *                                                               Marcos Joaquin Garcia, IV. *
Yesenia Rios                                                                Michelle Marie Villagomez                                                          Brianna Karina Garza *
Rana Dorette-Bratcher Robinson *                                            Jelicia Lashay Walker *                                                            Joshua William Gaskins *
Alexandria C. Scott *                                                       Ambria Monaye Senona Wilmore *                                                     Leah Dawn Gentry *

   ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 18, 2019   |   **Will Graduate August 9, 2019   |   ***Will Graduate May 16, 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Honors College

                                                                                                                                                                                           WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 11
Veisha Keree Godfrey-Phelps *      India Randle *              Antoinette E. Taylor *
Maribell Gomez *                   Victor N. Rivera *          Renee Dieu Taylor
Beatrice Adrianna Gonzales *       Michelle B. Rivera *        Samuel Lee Terry *
Mariah Breanne Grayson *           Andrew Kavon Robertson *    Adetinuke Thomas *
Domonick Akeem-Isaiah Gregory *    Rebeccah Rosebush *         Seve W. Thomas *
Adrian Candelario Guardiola        Danielle A. Saenz *         Shawn M. Ticer *
Malik Raheem Hannah                Tayler L. Salter *          Alberto Daniel Trevino
Derrick Jerome Harris *            Dominique N. Sandoval *     Adolfo Trevino
Huziafah Ali Hashmi                Baron A. Sauls *            Erika C. Veal *
Dominique Maori-Terrae Hawkins *   Alexandra T. Schooley *     Victoria Alexis Villalobos
Briana Shanice Head *              Sasha Seyvani *             Ambrosia D. Voss *
Alisha Monet Heard *               Kahlil R. Shanks *          Natasha Shiree Walker *
Alaina Amber Henderson *           Jeremy H. Sims *            Brian Steven West *
Pablo Antonio Hernandez *          Malcolm Sinkfield *         Terrance DeMarkus White *
Kyna Hill-Dominique Rawls *        Steven J. Smith *           Epimenio Ysass, Jr. *
Peyton Brooke Hopkins *            Jazmine A. Smith *
Jaylin Raichelle Jackson *         Connor J. Smith *                  MA STER O F L AW
Jessica Brion Jefferson *          Jeremy B. Smith *           LAW IMMIGRATION
Joske Nicole Jenkins *             Stephanie Sneed *           Juan Carlos Alvarenga *
Lynda Demetria Jetton *            Alexis C. St.John *         Yessica Lizeth Bustamante
Bhavesh Rajendra Jokhaker          Girraud Stephens *          Emile Aide Edokpayi *
Christopher John Joseph *          Anthony R. Stewart, Jr. *   Bernardo Martin Falcon
Nia Anyse Keys *                   Matthew S. Stubbs *         Xenophobe Ella Fedison *
Minh A. Kolenda                    Andrea M. Swanson *         Venkateswara Reddy Kasu *
Jerry Lytel Lavespere              Crystal Di’or Taylor *      Janette Leao Peres *
Sandra Lee *
A’Lyssah La’nese Lee *
Jasmine Jane Lewis *
Charles Lewis, Jr. *
Genail Shanice Logan *
Lizbeth Lopez Reyes *
Jessica Shavone Lowery *
Adrian Manuel Lozano *
Ivette Macedo *
Patrisia Z. Marquez *
Marissa Marshall *
Jeffery C. Mathews *
Zohra Mavani *
Sean C. McLaughlin *
Anita Sasha Mehdipour
Eugenia Mendez *
Kendrick Mitchell *
Jim Banque Narvios
Miguel A. Nogueras *
Zain U. Nomani
Brenda T. Odufuwa *
Tobechukwu M. Ofuani*
Giovanni C. Padilla *
Ryan L. Ramirez *
Monisha K Randhawa *

12 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
College of Liberal Arts
 & Behavioral Sciences
                                                            (COLABS)

                                          Saturday, November Twenty-First
                                                     Two Thousand Twenty
                                               Nine o’clock in the morning
                                    Health and Physical Education Building
                                                                   Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                                                                                  Houston, Texas

           Our College of Liberal Arts & Behavioral Sciences Mission:
  The mission of the College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences is twofold: (a) to offer students of
varied scholastic levels access to higher education by providing the academic foundations necessary
 for accessing educational programs at the university and (b) to prepare competent professionals and
leaders capable of contributing effective service and developing solutions to the problems of the state,
                                               nation, and the world, especially in urban environments.

                                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 13
C O M M E N C E M EN T SP EAKER PA ME LA E LLIS

P
           amela Ellis is Director of Residential Services at the Houston Area Women’s
           Center (HAWC). She has worked as a HAWC advocate for survivors of
           domestic and sexual violence for over thirty years, the last 11 in her current
           position where, with a team of 40 advocates, she runs the 120-bed HAWC
Shelter. Pamela works actively to create and maintain a therapeutic environment
where survivors can begin their healing journeys in a safe, trauma-informed space
that includes whole-person wellness programs, economic empowerment and legal
services, and childcare and enrichment programs.
   Ms. Ellis’s advocacy journey with HAWC begin in 1987 after a ‘not-sure-this-is-
for-me first year in college, age 18. Those first few years at HAWC – starting as a
receptionist and then, as she trained and learned on the job, moving into roles with
more responsibility, taught Pamela so much about the impact of violence on the
minds, bodies and spirits of survivors. And while training at HAWC was awesome,
the call of her unfinished college degree grew louder. So, in 2006, Ms. Ellis returned to Houston Community College, this
time, a bit older than 18, still not sure about what she wanted to be when she grew up. After speaking with a close friend
from Texas Southern University, and learning about the TSU Social Work program, Pamela finally felt sure about what she
wanted to study to support her deep commitment to anti-violence work and where: the undergraduate social work program
at TSU.
   Pamela Ellis proudly persisted though the challenges of being employed and a full-time returning adult student, graduating
in 2010. Degree in hand, Pamela kept up the momentum, enrolling in the University of Houston Graduate School of Social
Work, and earning her MSW in 2012.
   Maya Angelou, the brilliant poet and wise woman, said, “All great achievements require time.” For Pamela Ellis, earning
her Bachelor’s of Social Work at TSU and Master’s of Social Work at U of H did require time management and lots of
late-nights, studying. Earning both degrees remains a great achievement, one that guided her thinking, broadened her
understanding, and allowed her to do her best work – with family, in the community, in the workplace – even better.
   One final note – in additional to her tireless advocacy in support of survivors of domestic and sexual violence, Pamela Ellis
is a singer and can often be heard spreading joy through song at her church each Sunday, at formal and informal gatherings
and sometimes in the corridors of HAWC Shelter.

14 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C O M M EN C EME NT – TH E O RD ER O F EX ERCISES
Presiding                             Dr. Needha Boutte-Queen, Ph.D.
		 Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences

Announcing of the Processional        Dr. Darryl Singleton
                                      Mr. LaRence Snowden

The Academic Processional             University Concert Band
                                      Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                        arr. Clare Grundman

                                      The Great Coronation Hymn — comp. Oliver Holden

                                      The Commencement Chief Marshal
                                      The Members of the Faculty
                                      The Candidates for the Masters Degrees in the Graduate School
                                      The Candidates for the Baccalaureate Degrees of the
                                        College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences
                                      The Officers of Administration
                                      The President’s Party

The National Anthem †                 — University Concert Band — lyr. Francis Scott Key

Lift Every Voice and Sing — University Concert Band
		 Wrtn. James Weldon Johnson; Comp. John Rosamond Johnson

The Invocation †                      Dr. Darryl Singleton
		                                       Instructor of Music
		                                       Interim Director, Ocean of Soul Marching Band

The Greeting                          Dean Needha Boutte-Queen

The Welcomes                          Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
		                                       Interim President
                                      Honorable Albert H. Myres, Sr.
		                                       Chairman, Board of Regents

The Introduction of the               Dean Needha Boutte-Queen
Commencement Speaker
The Commencement Speaker              Ms. Pamela Ellis, MSW
		                                       Director of Residential Clients Services,
                                         Houston Area Women’s Center

The Presentation of the Candidates    Dr. Kendall T. Harris
		                                       Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
                                      Dr. Needha Boutte-Queen, Ph.D.
		                                       Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences
                                      Dr. Gregory H. Maddox
		                                       Dean, The Graduate School
                                                 † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

                                                                                                       WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 15
The Conferral of Degrees in Course   Interim President Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
                                     The appearance of names on this program is presumptuous
                                     evidence of graduation, but it must not in any sense be regarded
                                     as conclusive. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by
                                     its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession
                                     of the degree.

The Alumni Pledge                    Mr. Keith T. Scott ‘83
                                       President, Texas Southern University
                                       National Alumni Association

                                          We, the alumni of Texas Southern University, pledge
                                          ourselves to uphold the principles and ideals for
                                          which she stands and to move forward with our
                                          Alma Mater in the vanguard of its educational,
                                          cultural, and economic progress.

The Dismissal                        Dean Needha Boutte-Queen

The Alma Mater †                     — University Concert Band — arr. Campbell Tolbert

The Recessional † †                  University Concert Band
                                     Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                       arr. Clare Grundman

                                               † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

16 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
CA N D I DAT E S F O R TH E MA STE R ’ S DE G R E E I N T H E
      COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                        DEAN GREGORY H. MADDOX, PH.D.
The Graduate School of Texas Southern University is the major academic unit for advanced study and research within the university. The
basic objectives of The Graduate School are (a) to preserve and disseminate its existing knowledge and (b) to seek new knowledge offered
through profession-focused graduate degrees in the humanities, the sciences, and various professional areas of graduate studies.

      M A S TE R OF S C IEN C E                                  PSYCHOLOGY                                                                            MA STER O F SCIE N C E
                                                                 Kentira Lacey*                                                               HUMAN SERVICES AND CONSUMER
ENGLISH
                                                                 Aaron Nicholas Smith*                                                        SCIENCES
T’Kia Jasmine L Cooper
                                                                 Chidiebere Timothy Uzoewulu*                                                 Barbara L. Roberts
LaShonne Rena Harris
Ermelinda Nancy Reece*                                           SOCIOLOGY                                                                    Mariah Evette Stewart
                                                                 Auvonnie E Alexander*                                                        Althea Marie Taylor *
Amir Iqbal Sheikh**
                                                                 Jasmin Cook
HISTORY
                                                                 Ana Gisela Esparza
Linda Bocanegra*
                                                                 Ebony Ikea Petersen*
Shynita Lynnette Reese
                                                                 William Queenan
Mark Spivey*
                                                                 Vanessa Dwan Verner*
Lisa LaDawn Williams*

                                       CA N D I DAT ES FO R TH E B A C H E LO R ’ S DE G R E E
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                    DEAN NEEDHA BOUTTE-QUEEN, PH.D.

   BAC H E L O R OF S C IEN C E                                  Filmon Teama Beyene                                                          Tamika A. Hubbard *
ART                                                              Makeeda J. Blackshear *                                                      Ashley M. Irish *
Dreana Tarissa Booker ** 1                                       Quinton Chase Brigham                                                        Jalessa Ronnell Jacob
Charles Patrick Howard * 2                                       Ryan Kade Caldwell                                                           Breana Denise Jiles *
Christopher M. Lewis * 1                                         Justin Michael Cooper 2                                                      Kaila B. Johnson *
Klo Lay Pla 1                                                    Donnie Lanell Corley                                                         Quatera Victoria Limbrick **
Jawon Steptoe * 1                                                William Michael Cunha Weiner                                                 Taressa Lincoln
Tarmarick Williams *                                             Ke’lenn La Jon Davis                                                         Brittnee Mariah Matya *
                                                                 Deandra Adele Durham ** 1                                                    Jarrett Anthony McDaniel * 2
ENGLISH                                                          Eden Ewing **                                                                Kira Mitchell
Sidnie O Holmes                                                  LaTanya Sue Ferguson **                                                      Mildren Marigny Montgomery *
Tasia Fredericka Ledet 1                                         Akeem Stafon Fontenot                                                        Thurman Tyrone Morbley
Taylor Danielle Smith * 1                                        Delois A. Foster                                                             Keundria Morgan
Vicki Nicole Taylor * 1 HC                                                                                                                    Terry G. Olliver
James William Walls *                                                    VALEDICTORIAN - SPRING 2020
                                                                   Erick Anthony Garcia * 3                                                   Ikenna Dave Onwuasoanya *
Pauleaner Patez Williams                                                                                                                      Drendel C. Phillips-Boutte *
GENERAL STUDIES                                                  Precious S. Hamilton                                                         Jordan Marie Philpott *
Dajon Adams *                                                    Corey Brian Harvey                                                           Breanna Shantell Pinkston
Christopher Lawrence Allen *                                     Tarvis Davon Hayes                                                           Lester Charles Powers * 1
Kamaya S Ambrose                                                 Ty’era Nichole Henderson *                                                   Jason Michael Robinson
Michael Adebambo Badejo                                          Jermecia L. Herrington *                                                     Ciera Déangelique Rochell
Roceal Jones Baker                                               Kenny Nelson Hill 2                                                          Xavier Eduardo Rodriguez
Julia M. Banks *                                                 Reginald Holbert                                                             Lauren E. Shavers
Saran K. Batiste                                                 Shunlundria Deann Holland                                                    Averi J. Steen
            ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                     Honors College

                                                                                                                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 17
Clinton Tates *                                                   Daeja De’shawn Kavanaugh *                                                   Yesenia Monae Majia *
Jarryl Oshea Taylor *                                             Jessyca N. Lee                                                               Da’Tavia I. Martin
Katina N. Thomas *                                                Darlene Bernette Lewis **                                                    Maria Jose Martinez
Kheranie Faith Wagner                                             Suwen Lin * 1                                                                Erykah Dominique Minniefield *
Sedrick T. Walker *                                               Anthony Joshua Mathis *                                                      Elo Okolie
DeShonda N. Washington                                            Rasheedah Syneria McClain *                                                  Dawneshia Monique Patterson *
Devin Thomas Williams **                                          Claneisha Lattice Morris                                                     Dahlia Kara-Denise Reynolds
Dashia Shamyra Wilson *                                           Morgan Mouton                                                                Adelene Ruiz * 1
HISTORY                                                           Chloe Kullman Murray *                                                       Sonjianique Marie Sias *
Jared T. Brooks *                                                 Precious Latasha North * 2                                                   Konterria Sibley **
Jermiah C. Crawford **                                            Sheila Nneoma Paschal * 2                                                    Kywanna Mona Tatman **
Cody Lee Dean *                                                   Robyn M. Person                                                              Sierra Brenae White * 2
Briana Nicole Grant                                               Jordan Richardson *                                                          SOCIOLOGY
Aaron Lee Henry **                                                Rakayla Mychelle Robertson                                                   Mone Marchelle Branch 1
Alicia Marie Nelson                                               Yennifer Saucedo                                                             Cedriana Brinae Brokenberry
Nicholas Anthony Rodriguez                                        Joshua Lloyd Thomas **                                                       Jazmine S. Deblaw
Nia Phylecia Stone                                                Regine Dominique Thomas                                                      Ashley Nicole Dorsey *
                                                                  Derrick G. Van-Ess *                                                         Alexis D. Johnson *
MUSIC
                                                                  Terren Neshel Vinson * 1                                                     Shatora Nicole-Dawson Jones *
Nestor Andres Acosta Lopez * 3                                    Aliyah Ranay White
Antonette L. Anderson                                                                                                                          Marcus Wayne Joseph * 1
                                                                  Arielle Monae Williams 1
Chondra J. Brown **                                               Hali Lurshawn Williams                                                       SPANISH
Darius Leon Clay *                                                Ahlexus Jimeiah Williams                                                     Alex Melton 1
Shane Michael Emilien *                                           Zarria Avanti Wilson 1                                                       Daniel Perez
Whitney Howard * 2                                                Alice Alexus Young                                                           THEATRE
Mercedes Jackson 1                                                                                                                             Brandy Nicole Casey
Timothy Lea                                                       SOCIAL WORK                                                                  VonJanaé Monique Durio *
Jose M. Navarrete 1                                               Jasmine Christine Anderson                                                   Troysha Breana Giggans
Tony Earl Wright *                                                Marcus D. Bell * 3                                                           Jeremy Rashad Henry * 1
PSYCHOLOGY                                                        Jabrea Monisha Carruthers                                                    Ashley B. Howze 1
Hawa Haji Abdi                                                    Carla Dionne Cobb *                                                          Tashandra Poullard *
Aleecia Diane Bell *                                              LaToya Cherise Cross                                                         Ashley Arnelle Worthy * 2
Annette Mbabazi Bizimana ** 1                                     Ngole Ajebe Ejedepang-Koge *                                                 Kristal Janaé Youngblood
Keith Christopher Burleigh 1                                      Tarice Ellisor-Lloyd * 1
Kennisha Marquette Camble *                                       Brianna Rochelle Fields *                                                           B ACH ELO R O F SCIE N C E
Mircle Monshay Carter * 2                                         Bishop Lelan Otis Fleming *                                                  HUMAN SERVICES AND CONSUMER
Kierra Alexis Colquitt 1                                          Jonai Fullard *                                                              SCIENCES
Malik Hakim Craven ** 1                                           Tiamoya Cyneé Greer *                                                        Raven Lachristy Allen
Calandra Dearmon                                                  Christopher-David Gros                                                       Bileah V. Brown 3
Robert Ikenna Echebiri * 1                                        Chelsea Le’Ann Irvin                                                         Keiarrah Quantrice Fleeks * 2
Brianna Alyce Edwards                                             Deanna N. Jackson *1                                                         Jessica DeAnn Hoskins *
Trina Marie Ester *                                               Trenice Dashay Jiles *                                                       Tyra Rashell Ned **
Trina Marie Ester *                                               Brenda Delores Jones *                                                       Francisca Naa Atswei Osabu-Kle *
Jesus Flores **                                                   Kaelah Danielle Jones **                                                     Deasia Veal Roberts *
Emani Angel Gasper * 1                                            Katarrin M. Lacey *                                                          Emelia Adjoa S. Baiden *
Tiara Harvey 1                                                    Kristopher Leduff *                                                          Ny’liah Middle Washington
Rhonda Yvonne Henley                                              Geana S. Lewis *                                                             Asia Tiera White *
Kala Renae Jones 3                                                Alexis Lewis **                                                              Geselle Adriana Zuniga * 1

             ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                      Honors College

18 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland
                                                   School of
                                               Public Affairs
                                                                               (SOPA)

                                                Saturday, November Twenty-First
                                                           Two Thousand Twenty
                                                  Twelve O’clock in the afternoon
                                          Health and Physical Education Building
                                                                        Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                                                                                       Houston, Texas

Our Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Mission:
   The Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs is to serve as an urban focused community
  of learning dedicated to educating professional who will plan and administer environmentally healthy and
                     sustainable communities at the local, state, national and international levels of society.

                                                                                           WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 19
C O M M E N C E M E NT SP EAKER A MB E R NE W MA N

A
               mber joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Brazoria County in September
               2016 as Chief Executive Officer. She is responsible for ensuring that
               Boys & Girls Clubs meets its overall strategic and operational objectives.
               Prior to joining BGCBC, she was with The Houston Food Bank serving
as the assistant development director, donor services.
   She has nearly two decades of experience in the non-profit sector and her
professional career has focused on fundraising, community development, economic
development and education development. She holds a bachelor’s degree from
Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, and holds a Master’s degree from Texas
Southern University in Public Administration with a focus in Non-Profit sector. Amber
sits on the board of directors for Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber, Board Chair for
Texas Southern University Advisory Committee for Barbara Jordan/ Mickey Leland
School of Public Affairs, HISD Superintendent Advisory Committee, Dillard University
Alumni former President and current Parliamentarian, BISD Leadership Council. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha
Sorority Incorporated and former board member for the Pink & Green Charitable Foundation and Global 11. She sat on the
Presidential Alumni Committee for Texas Southern University, Brentwood Baptist Church Scholarship Board, The St. John
Missionary Baptist Church fundraising committee which was founded by freed slaves in 1869, and advisory board member
for Sideline Serve and a member of Off the Field - National Football Player Wives Association and Threads.
   The Newman Family Philanthropic activities include working with the relief effort during and after Hurricane Harvey and
Katrina, feeding the homeless at the Salvation Army, working with Boys & Girls Club of Brazoria County, volunteering at
the Blue Triangle, District K “Klean it up, Green it up” campaign for Council Member Larry Green, NFL Youth Organization,
Houston Football Preps Second Chance Camp, Houston Texans Youth Camps, Helping in supporting our servicemen and
women in Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
   Amber is a professional public speaker. She has spoken at the Houston Black Realtors luncheon, Houston Women’s
leadership conference, Houston Business Journal Biz Women conference, Delta Sigma Theta Teen Panel, Greater Mt. Zion
Teen Panel, James Harden Lucky 13 panel and Texas Alliance of Black school educator’s banquet. Amber is also a professor
she teaches a nonprofit course at Brazosport College.
   Amber has received numerous awards such as 2020 Nonprofit of the Year Brazoria County Hispanic Chamber, Top 40
Under 40 2019- Dillard University, 2019 Links Power Couple Award, 2019 Facts Newspaper Unsung Hero, Houston Business
Journal 2018 Women Who Mean Business, 2018 Houston Business Journal Most Admired CEO, Top 50 Black Professionals
2018-DMARS, Top 30 Influential Women 2018- DMARS, Houston Business Journal 2017 & 2018- Bizwomen Mentor, Women
in Power 2017- The Facts, Community Award -2017, Houston Black Realtor Association, Black Women in Power -2017,
Houston Defender, and Community Award 2015- Phoenix Women. Amber is married to LeMarcus Newman and have three
children Zachry, Amai and Lathan Newman. Her goal as CEO is to level the playing field for all the youth she serves.

20 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C O M M EN C EME NT – TH E O RD ER O F EX ERCISES
Presiding                             Dr. George Klay Kieh, Jr., Ph.D.
		 Dean, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs

Announcing of the Processional        Dr. Darryl Singleton
                                      Mr. LaRence Snowden
The Academic Processional             University Concert Band
                                      Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                        arr. Clare Grundman
                                      The Great Coronation Hymn — comp. Oliver Holden

                                      The Commencement Chief Marshal
                                      The Members of the Faculty
                                      The Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
                                      The Candidates for the Masters Degrees in the Graduate School
                                      The Candidates for the Baccalaureate Degrees in the
                                        Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs
                                      The Officers of Administration
                                      The President’s Party

The National Anthem †                 — University Concert Band — lyr. Francis Scott Key

Lift Every Voice and Sing — University Concert Band
		 Wrtn. James Weldon Johnson; Comp. John Rosamond Johnson

The Invocation †                      Rev. Charles Gilford
		                                       Pastor of the New Vision Fellowship Church
                                         Houston, Texas

The Greeting                          Dean George Klay Kieh, Jr.
The Welcomes                          Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
		                                       Interim President
                                      Honorable Albert H. Myres, Sr.
		                                       Chairman, Board of Regents

The Introduction of the               Dean George Klay Kieh, Jr.
Commencement Speaker
The Commencement Speaker              Ms. Amber Newman
		                                       Chief Executive Officer
                                         The Boys and Girls Club of Brazoria County, Texas

The Presentation of the Candidates    Dr. Kendall T. Harris
		                                       Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs
                                      Dr. George Klay Kieh
		Dean, Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs
                                      Dr. Gregory H. Maddox
		                                       Dean, The Graduate School
                                                 † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

                                                                                                       WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 21
The Conferral of Degrees in Course   Interim President Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
                                     The appearance of names on this program is presumptuous
                                     evidence of graduation, but it must not in any sense be regarded
                                     as conclusive. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by
                                     its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession
                                     of the degree.

The Alumni Pledge                    Mr. Keith T. Scott ‘83
                                       President, Texas Southern University
                                       National Alumni Association

                                          We, the alumni of Texas Southern University, pledge
                                          ourselves to uphold the principles and ideals for
                                          which she stands and to move forward with our
                                          Alma Mater in the vanguard of its educational,
                                          cultural, and economic progress.

The Dismissal                        Dean George Klay Kieh, Jr.

The Alma Mater †                     — University Concert Band — arr. Campbell Tolbert

The Recessional † †                  University Concert Band
                                     Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                       arr. Clare Grundman

                                               † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

22 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C A N D I D AT E S F O R T H E D O C T O R O F P H I L O S O P H Y D E G R E E I N T H E
  BA R B A R A JORDAN- MICKEY LE LAN D S C HOOL OF PUBLI C AF FA I R S
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                                  DEAN GEORGE KIEH, PH.D.
                                                                     DOCTO R O F PH ILO SO PH Y
Obinna Paschal Ezeihuoma**                                                                                Devonte Cortez White
  Administration of Justice                                                                                 Administration of Justice
  B.A., University of Uyo; M.S., Texas Southern University                                                  B.S., Florida State University; M.S., Florida A&M University
  Dissertation: Copycat Suicide Terrorism: The Case of Boko-                                                Dissertation: An Exploratory Examination of Violent Crime in
  Haram in Nigeria                                                                                          the National Football League
  Advisor: Dr. Ihekwoaba D. Onwudiwe                                                                        Advisor: Dr. Howard Henderson
Olaotan Abike Oduola **
  Urban Planning and Environmental Policy
  B.S., Obafemi Awolowo University; M.S., Texas Southern
  University
  Dissertation: Socioeonomic Vulnerability and Impact of
  Flooding on Low Income Neighborhoods: A Case Study
  Analysis of Houston, Texas, New Orleans, LA, and Miami, FL
  Advisor: Dr. Lalita Sen
                                CA N D I DAT ES F O R TH E MA ST E R ’ S DE G R E E I N T H E
  BA R B A R A JORDAN- MICKEY LE LAN D S C HOOL OF PUBLI C AF FA I R S
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                        DEAN GREGORY H. MADDOX, PH.D.
The Graduate School of Texas Southern University is the major academic unit for advanced study and research within the university. The
basic objectives of The Graduate School are (a) to preserve and disseminate its existing knowledge and (b) to seek new knowledge offered
through profession-focused graduate degrees in the humanities, the sciences, and various professional areas of graduate studies.
      M A S TE R OF PU BLIC                                      Richard Wayne Galvan                                                         James Patterson Talbot **
       ADM I N I S T RAT ION                                     John Anthony Garcia **                                                       Anthony J Williams *
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION                                            Marcus Wayne Hicks **                                                        Ryan Ellison Woods **
Destiny C. Anaele *                                              Jhanne Hooker **
                                                                                                                                                       MA STER O F SCIE N C E
Kimberly Andrews                                                 Minkailu Jawandor *
                                                                 Donald Edward Jenkins                                                        ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
Tamyra Benjamin *
                                                                 Demetrius T. Johnson                                                         Edwin Chi Awasom *
Andreau Jamese Berry *
                                                                 Adam Kolenc                                                                  Tomesha Michelle Bailey
Shamiya Shuntâ Latrece Blake
                                                                 Kimberly Rochelle Lacey *                                                    Juan Stacey Thomas Castillo
David Blaylock **
                                                                 Justin Jamaal Lee *                                                          Chiyere Nneka Emeka*
Janine E. Celestine                                                                                                                           Raven Symone Hicks
Kristan Michael Childs *                                         Matthew Carl Lodge
                                                                 Letisha Mason *                                                              Joelanda Delsrae Jenkins-Lane*
Deontre LaMar Clayton **                                                                                                                      Deona Johnson
Ambur Beverly Cotton *                                           Kendrick Mitchell *
                                                                 Larry Marquis Murchison *                                                    Kayla Joseph
Olivia Monique Cunningham *                                                                                                                   Sa’Bria N. Kimble
Kyrbi Amelia Davis                                               Raul David Reyes **
                                                                                                                                              Tylor Dupree Lighten
Ama Edoh Adzale                                                  Ebony E. Rhodes
                                                                                                                                              Ihscesce B. Lucas *
Naya Farrell                                                     Destynee Charday Roberson *
                                                                                                                                              MaryAnn Robinson
Nia Renaa Flye                                                   Tamla DeShun Simmons
                                                                                                                                              Samquita R. Rubin *
Ebony Jharae Fowler *                                            Arva C. Smith *
                                                                                                                                              Sylvester Talbert *
Demetrius R. Franklin                                            Marion Marie Spann **
                                                                                                                                              Demontrey Rashaad Terrell *
Latrice Dena Gallow *                                            Allyson Gail Stansberry *
                                                                                                                                              Elesha Shant’e Williams *
            ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                     Honors College

                                                                                                                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 23
CA N D I DAT ES FO R TH E B A C H E LO R ’ S DE G R E E
                                                                          The Candidates will be presented by
                                                                   DEAN GEORGE KIEH, PH.D.

      BAC H E L O R OF ART S                                            BACH EL O R O F SCIENCE                                                Wilmeika Marie Powells 1
POLITICAL SCIENCE                                               ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE                                                      Krystl D. Rattler
Salem Saad Al Ahbabi *                                          Daisy Anchondo * 1                                                             Mona P. Rhodes **
Summer Anderson *                                               Henry Alexander Bautista * 2 HC                                                Rebeca Patricia Rodriguez **
Alexandria Lyniece Barnaba                                      Robyn M. Brooks                                                                Jared Ross *
Rosemary Cleofas * 2                                            Deisire L. Bufford                                                             Ellis D. Salahuddin * 1
Jeremiah Antwan Cooper *                                        Taylor D. Burns *                                                              Jaquan Marquise Spann **
Natalie Guzman 2                                                Jasma Nicole Davis **                                                          Mia Janae Tezeno
Dari Lavondria Hester **                                        Amber Uneishia Gilbert                                                         Jasmine Teairra Threatt **
Kernard D. Jones *                                              Michael James Harris                                                           Nakeya Nakeis Washington
Alexis S. Lowe * 3 HC                                           Jessica Yevette Herron * 1                                                     Nakeya Nakeis Washington
Justin Ezebuola Ndamati * 1                                     Tinisha Hickerson 2                                                            Brandee Nicole Shari White
Ruth Nnang Ntutumu 1                                            Markus Rashaad Holmes                                                          Yasmine Bigia Wicker
Isaac Oluwadayo Omisore **                                      Arbranique TaShai Johnson                                                      JyQuala Wooley *
Eric Quintana *                                                 Keria Michelle Kindle                                                          EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND
Blair Robinson                                                  Adam M. Landry                                                                 HOMELAND SECURITY
Letitia Andrea Russell * 2                                      Juan K. Marcel                                                                 D’Nae Latrice Jules * 2
Javonte Shakir Simmons *                                        Minnie Lee Martin                                                              Kevin Porter *
Briah Monét Tillis *                                            Christelle Fabiola F. Nintcheu Kamango *1
                                                                                                                                               PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Isaac P. Tillman                                                Kiana Lanae Nolden *
                                                                                                                                               Collette T. Conner-Johnson
Jaloni L. Williams * 1                                          Angelica O. Olunkwa *
                                                                                                                                               Ro’byn Alexandrea Gabriel *
Jasmine Kenyetta Williams *                                     Latoya M. Ozain 1
                                                                                                                                               Ashley Monique Jackson
                                                                Morgan A. Payne *
                                                                                                                                               Gayle L. Mitchell *
                                                                Ariana C. Pearl **
                                                                                                                                               Patrick Wayne Robicheaux
                                                                Teannia Dasnina Peavy

             ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                      Honors College

24 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Jesses H. Jones
                     School of Business
                                                                   (JHJSOB)

                                                Saturday, November Twenty-First
                                                           Two Thousand Twenty
                                                   Three o’clock in the afternoon
                                          Health and Physical Education Building
                                                                        Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                                                                                       Houston, Texas

Our Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Mission:
   The Barbara Jordan – Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs is to serve as an urban focused community
  of learning dedicated to educating professional who will plan and administer environmentally healthy and
                     sustainable communities at the local, state, national and international levels of society.

                                                                                           WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 25
C O M M E N C E M E NT SP EAKER JO H N SC R O G G INS

J
          ohn Scroggins currently serves as Senior Vice President of Commercial
          Lending and Community Development Lending at Allegiance Bank of
          Houston. He has over 39 years of banking experience having served as
          President and CEO of Unity National Bank of Houston and in senior and
executive management positions with Wells Fargo Bank, Prime Bank and First
City National Bank of Houston. Mr. Scroggins earned his B.S. from Texas Southern
University and received his MBA from Texas Southern University and University
of Houston with a concentration in Banking and Finance. Mr. Scroggins is also a
graduate of the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU.
   Mr. Scroggins is a member of the Jesse H. Jones School of Business Advisory
Council at TSU and will serve as the Executive in Residence for the Future Bankers
Leadership Program for one year. He served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas
Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC).

26 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
C O M M EN C EME NT – TH E O RD ER O F EX ERCISES
Presiding                             Dr. David Yen, Ph.D.
		 Dean, Jesse H. Jones School of Business

Announcing of the Processional        Dr. Darryl Singleton
                                      Mr. LaRence Snowden

The Academic Processional             University Concert Band
                                      Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                        arr. Clare Grundman

                                      The Great Coronation Hymn — comp. Oliver Holden

                                      The Commencement Chief Marshal
                                      The Members of the Faculty
                                      The Candidates for the Masters Degrees in the Graduate School
                                      The Candidates for the Baccalaureate Degrees in the
                                        Jesse H. Jones School of Business
                                      The Officers of Administration
                                      The President’s Party

The National Anthem †                 — University Concert Band — lyr. Francis Scott Key

The Invocation †                      Dr. Carlton Perkins
		                                       Professor of Accounting

The Welcomes                          Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
		                                       Interim President
                                      Honorable Albert H. Myres, Sr.
		                                       Chairman, Board of Regents

The Welcomes                          Dean David Yen

The Introduction of the               Dean David Yen
Commencement Speaker

The Commencement Speaker              Mr. John Scroggins, MBA
		                                       Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending and Community
                                         Development Lending at Allegiance Bank of Houston

The Presentation of the Candidates    Dr. Kendall T. Harris
		                                       Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs

                                      Dr. David Yen
		Dean, Jesse H. Jones School of Business

                                      Dr. Gregory H. Maddox
		                                       Dean, The Graduate School

                                                 † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

                                                                                                       WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 27
The Conferral of Degrees in Course   Interim President Mr. Kenneth R. Huewitt
                                     The appearance of names on this program is presumptuous
                                     evidence of graduation, but it must not in any sense be regarded
                                     as conclusive. The diploma of the University, signed and sealed by
                                     its proper officers, remains the official testimony of the possession
                                     of the degree.

The Alumni Pledge                    Mr. Keith T. Scott ‘83
                                       President, Texas Southern University
                                       National Alumni Association

                                          We, the alumni of Texas Southern University, pledge
                                          ourselves to uphold the principles and ideals for
                                          which she stands and to move forward with our
                                          Alma Mater in the vanguard of its educational,
                                          cultural, and economic progress.

The Dismissal                        Dean David Yen

The Alma Mater †                     — University Concert Band — arr. Campbell Tolbert

The Recessional † †                  University Concert Band
                                     Pomp and Circumstance — comp. Edward Elgar
                                       arr. Clare Grundman

                                               † Please Stand. | †† Please remain in your seats until the conclusion of the Recessional.

28 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
CA N D I DAT ES F O R TH E MA ST E R ’ S DE G R E E I N T H E
                                    JESSE H. JON E S S C HOOL OF BUS I N E S S
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                        DEAN GREGORY H. MADDOX, PH.D.
The Graduate School of Texas Southern University is the major academic unit for advanced study and research within the university. The
basic objectives of The Graduate School are (a) to preserve and disseminate its existing knowledge and (b) to seek new knowledge offered
through profession-focused graduate degrees in the humanities, the sciences, and various professional areas of graduate studies.

    M AS TE R OF BUS IN ES S                                     Devonte B. Franklin                                                          Marcus R. Ricks
                                                                 Tiffany LaSha Goodman                                                        Jonathan Robinson *
      ADM I N I S T RAT ION
                                                                 Loveless J. Green Jr. **                                                     Bobby Wayne Russell
BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION                                          Nalleli Grimaldo **                                                          Adetinuke Thomas
Ayomide Chukwuemeka Adeseun *                                    Justine Tiffany Hall **                                                      Adneli Nadia Togonbe **
Ernest Chinedu Agu *                                             Shameka Lockhart Henton *                                                    Elijah O. Wachara *
Richard Agyapong **                                              Nataisa J. Holmes                                                            William Rashad Washington *
Salma Khalid Al Omran *                                          KeMartia D. Jenkins *                                                        Quana Joanne Washington **
Aurelia Arredondo                                                Shannon Lanette Jones                                                        Brittany Pauletta Williams
Joshua Michael August **                                         Angela Marie Jones                                                           Glenroy A. Wilson *
Jacquelyn M. Brock **                                            Hayam Eissa Koriry **
                                                                 Jason Robin Lawson
                                                                                                                                                       MA STER O F SCIE N C E
Imani Simone Buttram
Jose Luis Cabreja                                                Christopher Rapheal London **                                                MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Marlyn M. Campa                                                  Lachele Niteach McCullough **                                                Zuhair Muhi Abdulhameed *
Corinna Carbone **                                               Alex Sherman Meeks                                                           Adeolu Oluwasanmi Adepoju *
Roland Champine **                                               Kilian Zum Nji **                                                            Tolulope S. Ajao *
Steven Dwayne Coleman **                                         Brandon Wayne Nowlin                                                         Ricardo Santos *
Cierra Nicole Darden                                             Jacqueline D. Rayford **                                                     Cecele Nicole West *
Johnea R. Edwards                                                Courtney Jedell Reed **

                                       CA N D I DAT ES FO R TH E B A C H E LO R ’ S DE G R E E
                                                                         The Candidates will be presented by
                                                                      DEAN DAVID YEN, PH.D.
  B AC H E L O R OF BU S IN ES S                                 Joelson Mouzinho Fernandes *                                                 Maya Rachelle Tyler
      ADM I N I S T RAT ION                                      Kiara Janae Gayle                                                            Gabriela Vargas
                                                                 Mika Goins                                                                   Joshua Waddy
ACCOUNTING                                                       Joshua J. Griffin **                                                         Lela Annina Walker *
Ahmed Mohammed Al Alshaikh                                       Koudzo Edem Hemedzo * 2                                                      Jalen Williams
Oshyn Dezalié Ashford                                            Gabriel Hill **                                                              Marty Nasir Young
Quannitta Ronschelle Blocker **                                  Asia Ebony Howard **                                                         FINANCE
Shavon Gerae Brooks                                              Chelsea S. Jordan *                                                          Victoria Asia Adams *
Jordan Earl Burnham                                              Temoxie T. Kelly                                                             Adesola Halimat Adamson *
Omar Calva                                                       Jillian Patrice Levi *                                                       Fahad Abdullah Al Hajri
Maiya Louise Chavis                                              Zara M. Mickey *                                                             Khaled Alajmi *
Kier Childers                                                    Albert Abraham Monroe *                                                      Naser N. Aldehani *
Lurenza Clincy                                                   Jariah Leona Moore *                                                         Mohammed Hmuod Alhajeri **
Briana Crenshaw                                                  LaQurail Roshun Mozee *                                                      Meshaal Mohammed Alhwaimel **
Esther Jean Dailey                                               Sha’keriah Monét Punch                                                       Khalid Abdulaziz Almaghluth
Aliza Durvesh * 1                                                Denice J. Rainwater                                                          Yazeed Almazyad
Kyle Obinna Echeta *                                             Hueshawn Sinclair Small                                                      Salman Ahmed M. Almosa
Samantha Esquivel *                                              Malynia Thuy Tien Tran                                                       Mohammad Lattam Almutairi **
            ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                     Honors College

                                                                                                                                                                      WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 29
Mehmas Alqahtani                                                  Farrane G. Dickerson *                                                       Jakalia S. Williams * 1
Talal S. Alsalal                                                  Delana Dorsey *                                                              Shimonique Janee Yates *
Duaij Ayss Altaweel                                               Ross Lucas Elliott *                                                         MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Bree Valon Arenyeka *                                             Kameryn Meichelle Farris **                                                  Adekola Alabi *
Sana Babar                                                        Baiynah Yameka Flanagan *                                                    Amandeep Bajwa *
Faisal Abdulaziz Binsaeed *                                       Jamesha Mo’nae Franklin                                                      Desmond L. Bryan *
Jaelen Chrsitionna Churchill *                                    Tanisha Renee Freeman*                                                       Donzell Henton *
Craistancia Q. Davis                                              Lexus D. Gillespie *                                                         Donald Ray Narcisse *
Chukwudi Dike                                                     Torian M. Green * 2                                                          Michael C. Ndukwe *
Marilyn Etombi Eposi Evakise                                      Trysta Mariel Harris *                                                       Eugenie Christine Ngo Gwodog *
Blessing Chidiogo Ezeoka *                                        Benjamin Thomas Hawkins
Blessing Chiagozie Ezeudu * 2                                     Torrie Hodge                                                                            VALEDICTORIAN - FALL 2020
Esmeralda Guadalupe Gonzalez                                      Tayla Laschelle Howard **                                                        Tommy Nguyen
Craig Anthony Green *                                             Candace Jackson *
Camry Cheyenne James                                              Chazz Ray Johnson                                                            Aminata Sangare * 1
Javonnah Janee Knox                                               Brittney M. Jones                                                            Sadeq Jassim Shakhoor **
Samantha Jo Kriner                                                Khalilah Danielle Jones                                                      Kimari S. Steward *
Cassie Chukwudi Ohaegbulem                                        Amaree Dominique Joyner                                                      Andrew E. Sweeting
                                                                  Plasir Kahambu **                                                            Terrence Keanord Williams
    VALEDICTORIAN - SUMMER 2020
                                                                  Brandon Leon Kelker **                                                       MARKETING
 Shaily Darshit Patel **
                                                                  Abdulaziz Saleh Khobzan *                                                    Ghadeer Abdulwahed Alhameedi *
                                                                  Pierre L. Kimbrough *                                                        Kirsten Janae Allen *
Katreal S. Price
                                                                  Oluwanifemi Blessing Kolade                                                  Abdulaziz Ahmed Alsayegh *
Saoud Mohammed Abdulla H Radi
                                                                  Amber N. Kuykendall 1                                                        Chanel D. Banks * 3 HC
Allegra McKenzie Scott *
                                                                  Arnell Jared Leslie                                                          Brianna René Burton *
Anitra Eunice Spurlock *
                                                                  Jimetrius Derell Lewis                                                       Javona M. Burton *
Maurice Walker *
                                                                  Robert Anthony Loza                                                          Phillip Wayne Butler *
Leonard Devon Washington
                                                                  Chaise Lynell Manning                                                        Gabriela Campos *
Jada Markell Wheeler * 3
                                                                  Kameron Tyler-Nokomis Milton                                                 Taciana Mona Causey
MANAGEMENT                                                        Tony Emmanuel Overstreet                                                     Briana N. Davis
Abdullah Majed Alanazi *                                          Tenneh Passawe *                                                             Jaqueria R. Demas
Austin Andre Alexis                                               Chastity Amanda Robinson *                                                   Taylor Alexandra Doneley
Abdulrahman Alkhadher                                             Charles Robinson                                                             Faith Foster *
Ali Abdullah Alquraini *                                          Kandance M. Rodgers                                                          Genell Gill
Rashed Faraj Alsubaie **                                          Monica D. Rodriguez *                                                        Devin Marcellus Harris **
Destiny Ja’nae Arvinger                                           Shakeyra Lafaith Ross **                                                     Tramaine R. Hatten
Lindsey Bengue                                                    Levis L. Sampson *                                                           Elmo Jones **
Alexis Zhane Bennett *                                            Christopher Michael Suarez *                                                 Santy Agapito Mba Ayecaba
Dalana Bluford *                                                  Patrina Taylor *                                                             Kai Malik McDaniel
Serena Knycole Brooks                                             Raissa Simbi Teta * 3 HC                                                     Sarah Alexis Mitchell
Lakayla Shuneice Cole                                             Kendrick D. Thomas                                                           Ogechukwu Ifeoma Okeke
Devin Delon Davidson                                              Annuqunetta Thomas                                                           Trenton Marcus Raleigh *
Brianna Marie Davis *                                             Marquis J. Walker *                                                          Breanna Rivers *
Anthony K. Davis                                                  Kayla Gabrielle Warren **                                                    Ashley Renee Snowden
Amber Danielle Davis                                              Dedrick Sean Whatley **                                                      Latorria C. Valley
Briana Michelle Davis                                             Darian Kenneth Williams * 1                                                  Chelsea T. Wilson

             ¹Summa Cum Laude–Gold Fillet   |   ²Magna Cum Laude-Maroon Fillet   |   ³Cum Laude-Silver Gray Fillet   |   *Graduated May 2020   |   **Graduated August 2020   |   HC
                                                                                                                                                                                      Honors College

30 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
College of Education
                                                                             (COE)

                                        Saturday, November Twenty-First
                                                   Two Thousand Twenty
                                               Six o’clock in the evening
                                  Health and Physical Education Building
                                                                 Wheeler Avenue at Ennis Street
                                                                                Houston, Texas

                                                 Our College of Education Mission:
      The mission of the College of Education is to prepare caring, committed, competent, culturally
responsive urban professionals who are equipped to provide effective service in schools, agencies,
and other entities, utilizing research, collaboration, and application in seeking solutions to teaching,
                             learning, social, physical and behavioral issues facing urban populations.

                                                                                    WINTER COMMENCEMENT 2020 31
C O M M E N C E M E N T SP EAKER DR . C H E R RY G O O DE N

D
             r. Cherry Ross Gooden served as an associate professor and
             chairperson of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction in the
             College of Education at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas.
             This 1964 TSU graduate earned a B.S. in Elementary Education and a
Master’s degree in Elementary Education (with a concentration in reading) at TSU.
She earned a doctorate of education degree in Educational Leadership and Cultural
Studies with a program emphasis in multicultural education at the University of
Houston.
   Dr. Gooden, a dedicated, committed teacher with more than 48 years teaching
experience at both the elementary and university levels, retired from Texas
Southern University in 2013 after 36 years of service. She was an elementary
teacher in the Houston Independent School District for 12 years before joining the
TSU College of Education faculty in 1976. Dr. Gooden has also been a consultant
for various school districts in the state of Texas and across the country. Her passion for teaching and learning has been
shared with many elementary, middle, and high school students. She is a sought-after motivational speaker who inspires
young people to fulfill their God-given purpose.
   It is this dedication to teaching and learning that resulted in Dr. Gooden being the recipient of prestigious awards. She
was recognized as a “Hero in Education” by the Xi Alpha Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Ivy
League Educational and Charities Foundation. She was also the recipient of the W.E.B. Dubois Higher Education Award
presented to her at the 41st Annual Conference of the National Alliance of Black School Educators held in Detroit, Michigan,
in 2013. She was recognized by the TSU College of Education as an Outstanding Educator and inducted into the College of
Education Hall of Fame.
   Dr. Gooden is a member of many professional organizations including the National Association for Multicultural Education
(she is a founding member, a past national president and a current member of the NAME Board of Directors), a past state
president of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education, and served on the National Board of Directors of
the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She just completed a two-year term as Branch Secretary for the Houston
Branch of the NAACP. Dr. Gooden is active in several organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Jack and Jill
of America and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.
   Dr. Gooden, a member of The Fort Bend Baptist Church, is listed in Who’s Who Among Black Americans and Who’s Who
in American Education. She is the mother of two children.

32 TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
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