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Anna Ramirez Interview
No full textAnna Ramirez (Class of 2020) was interviewed by Jonathan Angulo via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on July 9, 2020. Ramirez was born in Venezuela but grew up in El Paso and in Houston. She was involved in numerous academic organizations and programs during her high school career. Ms. Ramirez eventually decided to attend SMU because of the scholarship opportunities granted to her. She had a fairly normal experience at the university but did notice tense race relations on campus. In particular, she remembers how her friends told her about such events; moreover, some professors did not attempt to address race issues adequately. As a human rights and psychology major, she was able to participate in numerous events associated with the majors. During her senior year, Ms. Ramirez presented at SMU's research days. She discussed how historical memory influenced violence in Mexican American households. At the time of the interview, Ms. Ramirez was preparing to attend graduate school in Colorado
Timara Tyler Interview
No full textTimara Tyler (M.S. 2017) was interviewed by Valeria Reynosa via the Zoom internet-based videoconferencing software on July 3, 2020. She was born in Memphis, Tennessee and spent her early childhood there. Ms. Tyler moved to Texas with her mother when she was eight years old, where they lived in the Carrollton-Lewisville area. In high school, she was involved in volleyball, basketball, and orchestra. She then attended Stephen F. Austin University, where she participated in groups like the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People), Generation Texas, and a sign language organization. Tyler graduated from SFA with a bachelor's in psychology and minors in American sign language and hospitality administration, and applied to SMU for graduate school shortly after. She describes her experience as a working-class and full-time graduate student. After acquiring her master's in family and marriage therapy, she became a substance abuse counselor for Dallas County students. Tyler details how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected counseling. At the time of the interview, Ms. Tyler's goals include acquiring her Ph.D. and opening up a music and arts charter school
Dr. George T. Diaz Interview
No full textDr. George T. Diaz (Ph.D. 2010) was interviewed by Jonathan Angulo via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on July 2, 2020. Both of his parents worked for the Laredo Independent School District as educators which afforded him a middle-class lifestyle. He attended schools in the north side of town which were regarded as better than those in the south. After graduating, he decided to attend Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) because it was close to home. Diaz enjoyed his experience at TAMIU and earned a bachelor's and master's degree there. Dr. Diaz was in contact with Jose Ramirez (a Ph.D. student at SMU), who convinced him to apply to the university. During his interview, Dr. Diaz talks about his hardships taking classes and how life changed once he became a Ph.D. candidate. He also discusses his involvement with the SMU Catholic Center, where he interacted with undergraduate students. Diaz received his Ph.D. in History in 2010 and became an adjunct professor at Laredo Community College. From there, he took a positions South Texas College, and then at Sam Houston State, where he was the only ethnic Mexican in the college of liberal arts. Today, he teaches at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, has published his first book, and continues to conduct academic research
DaNaysia Jones Interview
No full textDaNaysia Jones (Class of 2018) was interviewed by Carson Dudick in the Oral History Studio at Fondren Library at Southern Methodist University on August 10, 2019. Ms. Jones discusses her family and childhood growing up in Dallas, and her experiences in high school in Carrollton. She attended SMU because of her interest in the university's statistics program. During her time in school she was involved with the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, as well as the National Pan-Hellenic Council, for which she served as secretary, vice president, and president; the Association of Black Students; Black@SMU; the Crain All Leadership Summit, for which she was the logistics chair; and several other on-campus organizations and clubs. She discusses her experiences as a student at SMU, including her friendships, mentors, and the resources on campus that aided her throughout her time at SMU. Ms. Jones ultimately majored in sports management; after graduation she coached elementary school students, among several other jobs, before starting at her current position with Learfield IMG College, a sports marketing company
Yvette Blair-Lavallais Interview
No full textYvette Blair-Lavallais (M. Div. 2013) was interviewed by Carson Dudick in the Oral History Studio at Fondren Library at Southern Methodist University on August 9, 2019. She grew up in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. At age 19, SMU alum Rev. Zan Holmes encouraged her to attend SMU. Rev. Blair-Lavallais attended the church where Holmes was pastor, St. Luke Community United Methodist Church. Eventually, she came to Perkins to prepare for a career in ministry after spending several years working in communications and marketing. During her tenure at SMU, she served as a resident community chaplain. After graduating, she was asked by former Associate Dean Dr. Judy Henneberger to start an on campus faith community. Subsequently, she and an African-American man started a group that met weekly called Jump Start Praise and Gospel. She also became a pastor within the United Methodist Church. One of her assignments was to pastor St. Luke, the church of her former mentor Zan Holmes. In October 2017, she started a church with two other women called ''The Gathering.'' She remained until January 2019. Currently, Rev. Blair-Lavallais is working in both communications and ministry and is pursuing a doctorate of ministry degree. She does work as a public theologian in a program hosted by Vanderbilt University, and she works on social justice issues, particularly those dealing with food disparities
Makayla Alston Interview
No full textMakayla Alston (Class of 2025) was interviewed by Michelle Ma in the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions on May 15, 2025. She graduated from Southern Methodist University with a major in Creative Computation and a minor in Computer Science in 2025. Ms. Alston grew up in Garland, Texas after moving from North Carolina in the fourth grade. She grew up close to her siblings and cousins. In high school, Ms. Alston participated in the Carleton Liberal Arts Experience at Carleton College in Minnesota which gave her the confidence to pursue college. She transferred to SMU after leaving Hamilton College her sophomore year. While enrolled she joined the McNair Scholars Program. Ms. Alston shares her experiences of being a Black and LGBTQ+ student attending SMU
Ryan Cole Interview
No full textRyan Cole (B.A. 2013, M.A. 2017) was interviewed by Carson Dudick in Fondren Library at Southern Methodist University on August 9, 2019. Mr. Cole is a native of Houston, TX and came to SMU to study music with Professor Virginia Dupuy, a vocal professor within Meadows School of the Arts. He completed his undergraduate degree in 2013. During his undergraduate years, he developed a passion for music education and student development. These interests led him to pursue a master's degree in education policy and leadership at the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. He earned his Master's degree in 2017. Currently, he is the Associate Director of Undergraduate Recruitment at the Meadows School of the Arts
Kirk Ogunrinde Interview
No full textKirk Ogunrinde (Class of 2025) was interviewed by Edgar Velázquez Reynald in the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions on May 12, 2025. Mr. Ogunrinde graduated from Southern Methodist University with a double major in Computer Science and Journalism in 2025. Mr. Ogunrinde's close-knit family and faith helped instill in him a strong work ethic. At an early age, his parents encouraged him and his siblings to pursue an international education outside of his home country of Nigeria. Mr. Ogunrinde chose to study at SMU based on its high caliber journalism department. SMU allowed him the opportunity to merge his interests in computer science and journalism in order to pursue a career covering developments in the tech industry. During his time at SMU, Mr. Ogunrinde interned with the Dallas Morning News and Forbes. His many accolades include participating in the Institute for Responsible Citizenship and serving as Vice President of Print Content for the National Association of Black Journalists. Upon graduating, Mr. Ogunrinde moved to New York for an internship with Bloomberg
Linda Pasley Interview
No full textLinda Pasley (Class of 1964, MA 1978) was interviewed by Laura Narvaez in the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions on March 28, 2025. Mrs. Pasley was born and raised in Highland Park. At Highland Park High School, she was involved with the student newspaper The Bagpipe, and entered SMU thinking she wanted to be a journalist. As an undergraduate, she lived in dorms and at the Tri Delta sorority house, where she acted as treasurer. She soon realized that she wanted to teach history, and took courses in both history and education. After graduating, she worked at several high schools in Dallas ISD as a civics and world history teacher before having a baby. She returned to SMU as a history graduate student while parenting her young son, and discussed the difficulties women faced managing motherhood and their studies at the same time. As a graduate student, she was a teaching assistant for Jeremy Adams, who became a lifelong friend. After graduating with her master's degree, she started her own interior design business rather than returning to teaching due to low teaching salaries and so that she could better balance work and her time with her son. She and her husband traveled extensively, and spent two years living in England, where they owned two old stone cottages in the Cotswolds