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Shanitah Young Interview
No full textShanitah Young (Class of 2013) was interviewed by Laura Narvaez via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on November 5, 2025. Young was born in 1992 in San Diego and is the oldest of three girls. Her mother stressed the importance of education from a very early age and acted as a role model by continuing her own education. Young learned about her heritage from her grandparents who would tell her about Puerto Rico and cook traditionally African American foods for her family. She also feels that the active Mexican American community around her influenced how she saw herself as well. While growing up, Young attended several different schools until her family rooted itself during her middle school years. In seventh grade she joined the Physician-Scientist Training Program which let her experience college campuses. During her junior year of high school, Young was offered the opportunity to attend Bard College to earn an associate's degree instead of finishing high school. After completing her associate's, Young entered Southern Methodist University as a transfer student through the Physician-Scientist Training Program. Young attended SMU from 2010 to 2013 and earned a bachelor's degree in Ethnic Studies with minors in Biology and American Politics. During her time at SMU she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the Voices of Inspiration choir, and became the African American student senator. Upon graduation, Ms. Young went on to work for Teach for America in Dallas, which made her realize she loved teaching and working with children. After seven years as a teacher, Ms. Young now leads the Altior Group, a firm dedicated to supporting non-profits and education tech companies
Vivian Thai Interview
No full textVivian Thai (B.S. 2025) was interviewed by Edgar Velázquez Reynald via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on July 1, 2025. She received a dual Bachelor of Science in Biology and Health and Society, with a minor in Human Rights. The child of Vietnamese immigrants, Ms. Thai grew up in Garland, Texas surrounded by extended family members and a strong connection to the Vietnamese community of the DFW metroplex. Her Vietnamese and Buddhist background fostered in Ms. Thai a strong sense of community building and outreach, which have become vital tools for her to exercise in her projects. Ms. Thai's advocacy for public health equity has resulted in several prestigious awards and fellowships, including the ""M"" Award from the SMU Division of Student Affairs and participating in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention John R. Lewis Undergraduate Public Health Scholars Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Public Health. At the time of this recording, she was embarking on a yearlong fellowship with the Fulbright Program as an English Teaching Assistant in Vietnam
Valle, Robertus. Compendium memorandorum vires naturales et commoda comprehendens a Plinio data.
No full textMary Elizabeth Castle Interview
No full textMary Elizabeth Castle (Class of 2013) was interviewed by Julia Trabucco in the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions in Fondren Library on October 27, 2025. Born in 1991 in Wichita Falls, Ms. Castle grew up on the city’s predominantly segregated east side in a close-knit community where her parents emphasized education and personal discipline. Her father, a pastor for 51 years, shaped her early experiences with faith, service, and generosity as she accompanied him on visits to congregants. Castle recalls a childhood structured around school, martial arts, and constant exposure to national news, which helped cultivate her early interest in politics and global events. Castle attended Old High School, where serving in student government during her freshman year solidified her passion for political engagement. She enrolled at Southern Methodist University in 2010, drawn by its welcoming environment, strong political science program, and supportive faculty. While at SMU, Castle majored in political science and minored in English and immersed herself in campus life, participating in Mock Trial, the Wesley Foundation, Phi Alpha Delta, and SMU Lead. A semester in Washington, D.C., interning in Congress during the 2012 presidential election cycle, confirmed her commitment to pursuing law and public service. Castle describes her SMU experience as transformative, shaped by small class sizes, diverse mentors, and a strong sense of community within the African American student population. After graduating in 2013, she attended Texas Tech Law School and later benefited from SMU’s extensive alumni network in launching her career. Reflecting on her time at SMU, Castle credits the university with preparing her for professional life, fostering resilience, and inspiring her continued involvement in public affairs and civic education
Matthew Lucci Interview
No full textMatthew Lucci (Class of 2018) was interviewed by Julia Trabucco in the Norwick Center for Digital Solutions on October 31, 2025. Born in 1998 in Fort Worth, Texas, Mr. Lucci was raised in Venus, a small rural community, as the second of seven children in a close-knit, faith-centered family. Homeschooled from early childhood through his early teenage years, he grew up in an environment shaped by church involvement and community service with a strong emphasis on education and work ethic. His mother, a former teacher, prioritized engaged and service-oriented learning, while his father emphasized responsibility and perseverance. Mr. Lucci reflects on periods of financial hardship and food insecurity during his childhood, noting that these experiences contributed to his resilience, curiosity, and long-term commitment to serving others. At the age of fourteen, Mr. Lucci began attending Southern Methodist University while continuing to live at home. He commuted daily by train, worked multiple jobs to support himself, and describes his undergraduate years as both challenging and transformative. Majoring in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics, Mr. Lucci developed a deep appreciation for mathematics through close faculty mentorships, particularly with Dr. Yildirim Hurmuzlu. He was actively involved in campus life, serving in Student Senate, participating in academic and service organizations, and competing on the debate team. Debate played a significant role in his development, offering opportunities for national travel, competitive recognition, and mentorship under Dr. Benjamin Voth. After graduating from SMU in 2018, Lucci earned a master’s degree from the University of Texas at Tyler. He later founded a medical device company focused on addressing the opioid crisis, ran for Congress, and remains engaged with SMU through continued alumni involvement
Danielle Lemi Interview
No full textDr. Danielle Lemi was interviewed by Julia Trabucco via the Zoom internet-based video conferencing software on October 16, 2025. She became connected to Southern Methodist University in 2017 after moving from Southern California to take a postdoctoral position at the Tower Center. Dr. Lemi holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and taught courses on racism and political science at SMU for two years. Originally from Union City, California, which has a diverse Asian American and Hispanic community, she shared insights about her upbringing and the cultural influences that shaped her identity as a Mexican and Filipino American. Dr. Lemi discussed her experiences navigating racial identity and the educational landscape as she transitioned from high school to college, eventually pursuing a Ph.D. She expressed appreciation for the supportive faculty at San Jose State University, which played a crucial role in encouraging her to apply for graduate programs. At SMU, Dr. Lemi found a welcoming environment and engaged with students who were curious about the subjects she taught. She emphasized the importance of inclusivity and diversity in academic settings and is currently running her own consulting business, focusing on research and evaluation for mission-driven organizations. Reflecting on her time at SMU, Dr. Lemi described it as transformative and expressed gratitude for the connections she made within the university community while advocating for the importance of academic freedom and integrity in the face of external pressures
