Student Accomplishments

RECENT STUDENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2017-2018

We are proud of our current and former students’ impressive work! We highlight some recent successes of our students and alumni below.

AWARDS, SCHOLARSHIPS, AND HONORS

• 2018 Outstanding Graduate Student in Sociology: Maggie Chamberlain (MA Sociology 2017; currently in the Oklahoma State University doctoral program in sociology)
• Graduate Program Award for Outstanding Contribution: Amanda Couve (MS Dementia and Aging)
• Graduate College Merit Fellowships: Dezerae Reyes (MA Sociology), Brianna Brown (MA Sociology), Alyssa Loveday (MS Sustainability Studes)
• Center for Diversity and Gender Studies Scholarship & IEF Study Abroad Scholarship: Joshua Warren
• Graduate College Scholarship: Brianna Brown (MA Sociology), Sara Caldwell (MS Dementia and Aging Studies), Jamilah Christiansen (MA Sociology), Jasmine Hernandez (MA Sociology)
• Geoff Wood Memorial Scholarship: Jasmine Hernandez (MA Sociology), Stephanie Villanueva (MA Sociology)
• Daylon Howell (MS Sustainability Studies) was elected as chair of the Environmental Service Committee.
• Samira Farahani (MS Sustainability Studies 2018) received a fellowship on peace-building and conflict resolution from Rotary International and attended the program at Rotary Peace Center at Chulalongkorn University in Thailand in 2018.
• Mona Rudd (MS Dementia and Aging Studies) passed federal and state licensing exams and now has her long term care administrator license. She also was invited to Phi Kappa Phi Honors School for Academic Excellence.
• Brandie Elizaitis (MS Dementia and Aging Studies) was invited to join Phi Kappa Phi and was inducted into Alpha Chi
• Steven Weeks (MS Sustainability Studies 2018) started the University of Texas-San Antonio Applied Demography doctoral program in fall 2018
• Ashley Pritchard (MS Sustainability Studies 2018) was invited to join Alpha Chi and Phi Kappa Phi honor society
• Madi Tabersmith (MA Sociology 2017), Career Advisor at Career Services, was elected as President of Texas State University Alliance and Lindy Knowles (MA Sociology 2016) was elected as Secretary (see http://www.oea.txstate.edu/alliance/).
• Kelly McGauhey (BS Applied Sociology 2012) received her Master’s in Public Health from the UT Health School of Public Health in 2018.
• Robert Eby (MS Sustainability Studies) was honored with Texas State University’s top award for being green:The Green Cat Challenge Award! This award, given by the Environment and Sustainability Committee, recognizes people who have shown exceptional work in making our campus more sustainable.
• Jesse Silva (MA Sociology 2011), is the Assistant Director of the Student Diversity & Inclusion at Texas State University. He received the 2017 Excellence in Diversity Award.  Jesse has also received a Latino Stars in the Constellation of the Rising Star (2016-2017), Foundations of Excellence Award (2017), Above and Beyond Veterans Alliance Award for his services in assisting and supporting student veterans (2015), and the Mariel Muir Mentoring Award (2010).
• Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Sociology: Samantha Smothermon (BS Applied Sociology)
• Charlotte McCord Sociology Scholarship for Non-Traditional Students: Brenda Sanchez (BA Sociology), Justin Gibson (BS Applied Sociology), Morgan Ryman (BS Applied Sociology), Jose Luis Rodriguez (BS Applied Sociology)
• Clarence Schultz Sociology Scholarship: Samantha Smothermon (BS Applied Sociology), Jeffrey Sanchez (BS Applied Sociology)
• Newsom/Matlock Sociology Scholarship: Priscilla Segovia (BS Applied Sociology), Emily McDonald (BA Sociology)
• Geoff Wood Memorial Scholarship: Jeffrey Sanchez (BS Applied Sociology), Mason Villarreal (BS Applied Sociology)
• Shelby Renee Newman Sociology Scholarship: Emily McDonald (BA Sociology), Brittany Bailey (BS Applied Sociology)
• A.A. Grusendorf Award for the Outstanding Sociology Senior: Jeremy Salinas (BS Applied Sociology 2018)
• 2018 College of Liberal Arts Academic Excellence recipients: Annie Bryant (BS Applied Sociology 2018), Jordan Duran (BS Applied Sociology), Aydee Gonzalez Gallegos (BA Sociology), Lauren Guzman (BS Applied Sociology), Violet Marris (BA Sociology), Iliana Medrano (BS Applied Sociology), Ali Mumbach (BS Applied Sociology), Dezerae Reyes (BS Applied Sociology 2018), Morgan Ryman (BS Applied Sociology), Jeremy Salinas (BS Applied Sociology), Jeffrey Sanchez (BS Applied Sociology), Samantha Smotherman (BS Applied Sociology), and Ashley Thomas (BS Applied Sociology)
• Herman Spirit Award: Annie Bryant (BS Applied Sociology 2018)
• Ryan Kessinger (BS Applied Sociology 2017) begins the master’s program at The Ohio State University in Higher Education and Student Affairs in fall 2018.
• Toomi Al-Dhahi (BS Applied Sociology 2017) is a teacher, and received NOCP Rookie of the Year Award after completing her first year teaching at Walter L. Cohen College Prep

CONFERENCE PARTICIPATION, PUBLICATIONS, AND SCHOLARLY ACTIVITIES

• Meagan Richard (MS Applied Sociology 2015) is in the doctoral program at the University of Illinois-Chicago doctoral program in Policy Studies in Urban Education. Her research focuses on activist school leadership. She is conducting qualitative work to learn more about how principals in Chicago conduct social justice work in and outside of their schools. She is working on a book chapter and two articles with a professor and am also co-authoring two papers.
• Dr. Nicole Farris (MA Sociology 2008; PhD Texas A & M 2011), Associate Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University- Commerce, published a book in 2016 entitled “Boomerang Kids: The Demography of Previously Launched Adults.” (See https://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319312255).
• Sara Rafael García (BS Applied Sociology 1998; MFA Creative Writing 2015) is a 2017-2018 visiting artist at Texas State University’s Center for the Study of the Southwest. She has published a book, SanTana’s Fairy Tales, an oral history project that integrates community-based narratives to create contemporary fairytales and fables that represent the history and stories of Mexican/Mexican-American residents of Santa Ana (see https://sarahrafaelgarcia.com/santansfairytales/).
• Henderson, Charley (MA Sociology). “The Intertwined Biological and Social Effects of Hepatitis C on Aging Adult Males.” Presented at Southwestern Social Science Association, 2018.
• Kawakami, Atsuko (faculty member at Tarleton State University), Juyeon Son (faculty member at University of Wisconsin-Oskkosh), and Charley Henderson. “Hepatitis C and Support Groups in Rural Communities.” Presented at American Sociological Association, 2018.
• Son, Juyeon, Atsuko Kawakami, and Charley Henderson. “Yes We See It but Not Really’: The Reality of Community Support for Hepatitis C in a Rural Town.” Presented at the Midwest Sociological Society Annual Meeting, 2018.
• Henderson, Charley and Atsuko Kawakami. Forthcoming. “Hepatitis C and the Social Hierarchy: How Stigma Is Built in Rural Communities.” To be published in The Qualitative Report.
• Deborah Harris (faculty member) and Rachel Phillips (MA Sociology). “Consuming the Southern ‘Other’: Performing Authenticity in Upscale Biscuit Shops.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society conference, 2018.
• Joshua Warren (MA Sociology) and Stephanie Villanueva (MA Sociology). “Hashtags and Hijabs: An Analysis of Empowering and Islamophobic Tweets During Turbulent Times.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society conference, 2018.
• Jordan Chaffin (MA Sociology) and Hayden Prince (MA Sociology). “Depictions of White Supremacy in 140 Characters or Less: The Truth Behind #MAGA.” Presented at the Southern Sociological Society conference, 2018.
• Holley Hickman (MA Sociology 2018) and Charley Henderson (MA Sociology). “Racial Disparities Among Those with the Chronic Hepatitis Virus in Trump America.”  Presented at the Southern Sociological Society conference, 2018.
• Courtney Brown (MA Sociology). “School Daze: Depictions of Black High School Students in Film.”Presented at the Association of Black Sociologists Annual Conference, 2018.
• Phoenix Castilla (MS Sustainability Studies 2018). “Ecosystem Services and Damage Costs of Federal Lands: Case Study of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge of Alaska.” Presented at the 2017 Texas State University International Research Conference for Graduate Students
• Ashley Pritchard (MS Sustainability Studies 2018). “Climate Change Depiction.” Presented at the 2017 Texas State University International Research Conference for Graduate Students
• Each semester, the department organizes a Research Review in which students and/or faculty present on current teaching or research projects. In spring 2018, four students presented their research to the department: Holley Hickman, Charley Henderson, Joshua Warren, Jordan Chaffin, and Hayden Prince.

NEW JOBS AND PROMOTIONS

• Danni Rogina-Lopez (MA Sociology 2017) was promoted to a supervisory position in the PhD program in Sociology at the University of Colorado-Boulder. She will oversee a group of teaching assistants and teach a Deviance class, starting this fall 2018.
• Samira Farahani (MS Sustainability Studies 2017) is working as a consultant with an e-learning program at the Center for Community Health and Development at the University of Kansas.
• Maggie Bergeron (MS Sustainability Studies 2017):  Transportation Planner/ Coordinator with the City of Victoria/ Victoria's MPO.
• Larissa Hollis (MA Sociology), promotion at USAA to new member solutions representative.
• Alma Castro (MA Sociology 2006) is an IRB Review Specialist for the Longwood Medical Area IRB, serving the Harvard School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
• Kimberly Kraemer (MA Sociology 2018) is a recruiter for Schlumberger in Houston, TX.
• Ed Sinclair (BS Applied Sociology 2006; MA Sociology 2015) was promoted and is now the Director of Business Operations for the Intellectual & Developmental Disability-Behavioral Health Department at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
• Victoria Schluter (BS Applied Sociology 2014; MS Applied Sociology) is a Program Specialist in Health and Human Services (Medicaid and CHIP Services).
• Dr. Raquel Marquez (BS in Applied Sociology 1992) is the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research in the College of Liberal and Fine Arts at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She served as the Research Scholar for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas in 2014, and was chair of the sociology department at UTSA from 2005-2013.
• Kevin Kromenacker (MA Sociology 2012) is a program specialist at the Center for Planning, Evaluation and Project Coordination within the Department of Family & Protective Services.
• Jimmy Esquibel (BS Applied Sociology 2009; MA Sociology 2011) is a high school teacher in Hawaii and former Marine.
• Darren Jones (BS Applied Sociology 2015), is a Qualitative Researcher at Intiva Health. Darren was hired at his internship site and also recently promoted.
• Jessica Martone (BS Applied Sociology 2017), is the AAACAP Health, Prevention and Wellness Program Coordinator for the Aging Division at Capital Area Council of Governments.
• Annie Bryant (BS Applied Sociology 2018), Design Support Specialist at FORMASPACE.
• Alexandra Warner (BS Applied Sociology 2015; MA Central Florida University) is a research analyst for Consumer Insights at Universal Orlando Resort.
• Caroline Haring (MA Sociology 2015) is working at Palo Alto College as a Senior Statistical Research Specialist.
• Candy Cantrell (MA Sociology 2017) is teaching as an adjunct lecturer at Austin Community College and Texas Lutheran University.
• Katherine Casarez (MA Sociology 2018) is a Staff Therapist at the Montrose Center in Houston. In this role, she will be providing counseling and assistance to clients and community members, particularly those recovering from Hurricane Harvey.
• Jordan Law (MA Sociology 2014) worked in Melbourne Australia with the UNHCR (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) after being inspired by meeting and volunteering with the Tibetan refugees in Northern India. In 2017, she managed a small non-profit in Southern India, the Shankar Prasad Foundation. As of 2018, she is in Dallas working as a Political Director for a Democratic senate candidate, Kendall Scudder, and Colin Allred's campaign, who is running in Texas, District 32.
• Erin Van Landingham (MSDA 2017), proposal specialist, eTMF Health Quality Institute.
• Geggi Starkey (MSDA 2017), Executive Director, Ma James Home Care, LLC.
• Darren McQueen (MSDA 2017) Health and Human Services Commission, Protective Service Intake Specialist V.
• Jon Beaubien (MA Sociology 2017),  Data Analyst at ReconMR.
• Dr. Chandra Ward (MA Sociology 2005), now an assistant professor at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, received a 2018 SAGE Teaching Innovations & Professional Development Award.
• Jeanne Heinen (BA Sociology 2011; MA Sociology 2014) was promoted to Assistant Director of Development (and liaison for Student Affairs), Texas State University.
• De ‘Quad Binder (BS Applied Sociology 2016), Business analyst for JC Penney.
• Gus Delgado (MS Applied Sociology), Business Process Specialist at Austin Fire Department.
• Megan Lopez (MS Applied Sociology), Data and Quality Assurance Supervisor at the Office of Refugee Resettlement National Call Center (ORRNCC).
• Ashley Pritchard (MS Sustainability Studies 2018), Environmental Investigator II for TCEQ region 13.
• Mona Lisa Rudd (MSDA 2018), Assistant Administrator at the Sarah Roberts French Home in San Antonio, Tx.
• Phoenix Castilla (MS Sustainability Studies 2018), Environmental Permit Specialist for TCEQ headquarters.
• Michael Baker (MA Sociology 2018), User Services Consultant for the IT Assistance Center at Texas State University.
• Alexis Hinojosa (MA Sociology 2017), Primary Prevention Specialist at Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA).
• Holley Hickman (MA Sociology 2018), Bilingual Research and Evaluation Associate at Clayton Early Learning. 

Sociology Department Alumni who have received doctorates

• Dr. Dorian Galindo (PhD, Applied Demography, University of Texas-San Antonio,)
• Dr. Bricio Vasquez (PhD, Applied Demography, University of Texas-San Antonio)
• Dr. Michael Lengefeld (PhD, Sociology, Washington State University)
• Dr. Nick LaLone (PhD, Analytics, Pennsylvania State University)
• Dr. Patricia Morton (PhD, Sociology, Purdue University)
• Dr. Chandra Ward (PhD, Sociology, Georgia State University)
• Dr. Keith Kerr, (PhD, Sociology, Texas A & M University)
• Dr. Michelle Edwards (PhD, Sociology, Washington State University)
• Dr. Taylor Houston (PhD, Sociology, University of Georgia)
• Dr. Carlton Mathis (PhD, Sociology, Texas A & M University)
• Dr. Raquel Marquez (PhD, Sociology, University of Texas-Austin)
• Dr. Amber Deane (PhD, Sociology, Texas Women’s University)
• Dr. Claude Bonazzo (PhD, Sociology, University of Texas-Austin)
• Dr. Nicole Farris (PhD, Sociology, Texas A & M University)
• Dr. Christine McCown (PhD, Sociology, Texas A & M University)
• Dr. Christian Bolden (PhD, Sociology, Central Florida University)
• Dr. Cat Pause (PhD, Human Development, Texas Tech University)
• Dr. Terrence Hill (PhD, Sociology, University of Texas at Austin)
• Dr. Audwin Anderson (PhD, Sociology, Texas A & M University)
• Dr. Pamela Meyer (PhD, Public Health, University of Texas)

Sociology Department Alumni Enrolled in PhD programs

• Danni Rogina-Lopez (PhD in progress, University of Colorado-Boulder, Sociology)
• Maggie Chamberlain (PhD in progress, Oklahoma State University, Sociology)
• Amber Blazek (PhD in progress, Texas A & M University, Sociology)
• Meagan Richard (PhD in progress, University of Illinois-Chicago Policy Studies, Urban Education)
• Kami Rutherford (PhD in progress, Louisiana State University, Sociology)
• Cheryl Rollman-Tinajero (PhD in progress, Texas A & M University, Sociology)
• Thaddeus Atzmon (PhD in progress, Texas A & M University, Sociology)
• Courtney Caviness (PhD in progress, University of California-Davis, Sociology)
• Raul Casarez (PhD in progress, Rice University, Sociology)
• Jasmon Bailey (PhD in progress, University of South Florida, Sociology)
• Alma Castro (PhD in progress, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Sociology)
• Megan Krou (PhD in progress, Texas State University, Education)
• Kay Newling (PhD in progress, Texas State University, Education)
• Jeremy Holland (PhD in progress, Lancaster University, England, Language and Linguistics)
• Rhonda Smith (PhD in progress, University of Las Vegas, Sociology)
• Joel Denney (PhD in progress, Texas State University, Criminal Justice)
• Lynette Moran (PhD in progress, University of Pittsburgh, Sociology)