TSU Women's History Month

Jacqueline Goodwater

As the Academic Student Support Manager for the Office of Student Services in the College of Pharmacy & Health Science (COPHS), she's a driving force for student success. Ms. Goodwater's strategic initiatives at Texas Southern University, serving 7k-10k students each semester, led to a remarkable 30% increase in internal productivity and a 60% rise in program utilization. Her innovative approach, including designing and implementing a 100% virtual tutor program recognized by FOX 26, exemplifies her dedication to enhancing education.

Honored with the 'Unsung Hero' award by the City of Houston, Ms. Goodwater is not just a leader but also a trailblazer in operational excellence and community engagement. Proudly associated with the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she embodies empowerment and inspires positive change. Ms. Goodwater is a trailblazer in mental health advocacy and change management. Here's to inspiring generations of Power Women to come!

Dr. Shyrell Hobson

Dr. Shyrell Hobson, serving as the Director of Experiential Learning and Enrollment Completion at Texas Southern University since 2023, embodies dedication, passion, and academic excellence. Her leadership fosters innovation and excellence, resulting in significant growth at TSU, including a notable increase in online tutorial service usage by 162% and a 4% improvement in the university's persistence rate.

Originally from New Jersey and raised in El Paso, Dr. Hobson's academic journey began with a Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from New Mexico State University. She continued her education with a Master's in Education and a Doctorate in Sports Administration and Leadership, emphasizing her commitment to scholarly and athletic excellence.

With over 18 years of experience, Dr. Hobson is renowned for empowering individuals through coaching, athletics, and international speaking engagements. She is dedicated to unlocking potential and creating inclusive spaces for personal growth. Her impact extends globally, making her a beacon of inspiration for future generations. Dr. Hobson is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and has authored two books.

Courtney Roberts

Courtney Roberts is a sophomore Entertainment & Recording Industry Management major from Nacogdoches, Texas. In 2023, she won the $10,000 “Your Future Is Now” scholarship presented by the Black Music Collective (Recording Academy) and Amazon Music. Through the scholarship, she was one of five HBCU students invited to Los Angeles to participate in the Amazon Music Rotational program. She participated in workshops and mentoring sessions with Amazon Music executives at Studio 126. During her time in Los Angeles, she also participated in various Grammy Week events and attended the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

In addition, Roberts is employed at Universal Music Group as a Houston-based Strategic Partnerships Representative under their in-house creative agency 1824°. In this role, she’s responsible for cultivating partnership opportunities for Houston-based brands and businesses, alongside artists on the Universal Music Group roster. She plans to take all she’s learned through these opportunities and at TSU to kickstart a full-time career in areas such as digital marketing, artist relations, and/or brand partnerships.

Jasmine Drake, Ph. D.

Meet Jasmine Drake, Ph.D., a trailblazer in forensic science and academia.

As an Associate Professor and Laboratory Coordinator in the Forensic Science Learning Laboratory at Texas Southern University, she's breaking barriers and shaping the future of Forensic Science education. Not only is she the Interim Chair of the Department of Administration of Justice, but she's also a Governor-appointed commissioner for the Texas Forensic Science Commission!

Dr. Drake's journey is nothing short of remarkable. From her groundbreaking research as a Research Fellow at the Center for Justice Research to her impactful role as a Criminalistics section member for the American Academy of Forensic Science, she's dedicated her life to advancing the field and advocating for just practices in Forensics.

You may also remember Dr. Drake as a professor on College Hill: Celebrity Edition when the series featured TSU.

With a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Southern University and A&M College and a Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry from Louisiana State University, Dr. Drake's expertise is unparalleled. Her experience as a Forensic Chemist at the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and as a National Research Council Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research further solidifies her as a leader in her field.

Let's honor Dr. Jasmine Drake this Women's History Month for her contributions to forensic science, academia, and beyond. Thank you for inspiring us all

Mecole Hayes

In honor of Women's History Month, we're shining a spotlight on the incredible journey of Mecole Hayes (C/O' 15), a trailblazing alumna of Texas Southern University (TSU) who made history as the first HBCU graduate to compete on the hit television show, Big Brother.

TSU Highlights:
- First-generation student from St. Louis, MO
- Two Terms as Editor-in-Chief of The TSU Herald
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- NAACP member
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars
- National Newspaper Publishers Association

 Overcoming Challenges in a Career Path

Navigating her career path post-graduation wasn't without its challenges. Mecole emphasizes the importance of self-trust and finding mentors who believe in your potential. Mecole has gone on to be a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Intern, a Senior Policy Advisor to a Congressman in the House of Representatives, an Education Lobbyist for several national non-profit organizations, and a Political Consultant. Mecole is a policy whiz with a passion for transformation.
Mecole's journey culminated in her groundbreaking appearance on Big Brother, where she shattered records and made history.

BB Highlights:

• First HBCU grad to play Big Brother
• Top 10 Placement
• Made History as one of 6 players in the history of the game to last more than 13 hours in the iconic "Pressure Cooker" competition
• First Player to Last 65 Days in the Big Brother House Without Making Jury

Advice to Her Younger Self
Looking back, if she could tell her younger self anything before her life's journey, she would tell younger Mecole, "Oftentimes, people will try to project their insecurities or limitations on you; don't ever believe them. Whatever somebody tells you is impossible is actually the opposite."
In the full article, Mecole touches on important topics that affect women, like colorism and imposter syndrome.

Emma "Nyra" Obi

Meet Emma Obi, a first-generation Nigerian-American Afro-Beats artist from Tyler, Texas. With a heart fueled by purpose and a legacy of excellence in academia passed down by her father, Emmanuel Obi, also a proud TSU alumnus (Pharm.D.), Emma's journey is one of creativity and determination.

Emma's dedication was evident during her time at TSU, where she played volleyball for the Texas Southern Lady Tigers from 2006 to 2010, serving as Team Captain in her final year. She received three Swac Athlete of the Week Honors and the Texas Southern Volleyball Tournament MVP award in 2009.

Emma graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, a testament to her commitment to her studies. After graduation, she boldly relocated to Lagos, Nigeria, to pursue her passion for music and entertainment under the stage name Emma Nyra. 🇳🇬

In 2013, Emma's talent was recognized on an international stage when she was voted the 'Most Promising Act to Watch' at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards in New York City. Her music videos have amassed over 1 million views on YouTube and other music streaming platforms and resonate with audiences worldwide. Her associate acts include Iyanya, Selebobo, Davido, Cynthia Morgan, Victoria Kimani, and Patoranking. Emma's success transcended borders as she released several singles that took her on tours across the United States, Europe, Malaysia, Dubai, and Canada.

Emma's talents extend beyond music. She has also made a mark in the world of acting, showcasing her versatility in three films, including American Driver, Rebound, and the Re-Union, all available on Prime Video. Despite her busy career, Emma remains grounded in her role as a mother. She currently resides in Houston, Texas, where she is raising her five-year-old twins, Alexander and Alexandria.

This Women's History Month, we celebrate Emma Obi’s indomitable spirit and contributions to the music industry and beyond.

Chelsea Edwards

Chelsea Edwards is a fixture on Houston television screens and streaming devices. She’s been a reporter at Fox26 since October 2019. Chelsea first discovered her passion for broadcasting as a student in Hightower High School’s Media Academy. That is where she learned to shoot, write, and edit stories. While studying at TSU, she cut her teeth working behind the scenes through partnerships with NASA and TxDOT, which allowed her to work in productions across the country. After graduating from TSU, she worked as a video editor for Houston’s ABC affiliate. She also spent four years running an afterschool program in Klein ISD.

Chelsea decided to jump in front of the camera and left Houston for a job as a multi-media journalist with KWTX-TV in Waco. She returned to her hometown to be a morning reporter for Fox26, where she covers everything from community stories to inexpensive getaways through her “One Tank Trip” franchise. Chelsea also fills in on the anchor desk regularly.

Almeta Crawford

Almeta Crawford is a loving mother, grandmother, and a legendary educator. She was a devoted wife for over 54 years. She’s a two-time TSU alumna, having earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Education. Mrs. Crawford spent 49 years in education, 39 of which were with Fort Bend ISD. She retired in 2018 after more than 30 years at Dulles High School, where she taught Gifted and Talented and AP English. The year of her retirement, Dulles High named a portion of their library in her honor and called it the “Crawford Reading Corner.” Her name is now enshrined in Fort Bend ISD history as the namesake of the district’s newest and largest high school: Almeta Crawford High School. She says it’s a pleasure to know some students and the community she served for decades voted for her to have such an honor.

                                            Women of TSU 2023

 VP Michelle Penn-Marshall

Dr. Michelle Penn-Marshall is the inaugural Vice President for Research and Innovation at Texas Southern University. Credited with launching the division, Dr. Penn-Marshall is nationally recognized as an acclaimed researcher. Her mission is to elevate the institution’s Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education status as a Doctoral University of High Research Activity. Under her leadership, TSU is growing by transforming its research capabilities and investments. Since starting at TSU in 2022, Dr. Penn-Marshall has been successful in all aspects of research and innovation by securing and expanding funding, partnering with top-tier agencies and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the research process. All are critical qualities to the institutional growth initiatives.

Her previous work as a provost, vice president of research and program officer with the National Science Foundation has provided first-hand knowledge of leading institutions and how to heighten levels of research. She knows that maintaining a high research classification brings with it top talent for the new division that will fortify TSU’s commitment toward providing data-driven solutions for urban communities and beyond.

 Julie Wenah

Julie Wenah is a respected attorney specializing in global rights, privacy and product inclusion. She earned her J.D. from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She is the associate general counsel for civil rights for Meta – the parent company of Facebook - and is organizing The Album, a collective for creative minds.

Wenah has distinctive résumé that included serving as Airbnb’s community senior counsel and acting regional counsel for Africa, counselor and policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Commerce, associate and policy intern in the executive offices of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, and a legal fellow at NASA when she was a law student at TSU. She became connected to President Obama’s staff in 2007 through her work as a field organizer and campaign coordinator for the Democratic Party in Harris County and the Obama for America Coordinated Campaign.

 Wenah, a native of Nigeria, is an advisory council member for the Tahirah Justice Center, an organization dedicated to supporting human trafficking survivors. She received a Master of Laws degree from Georgetown University and dual degrees in political science and chemistry from Lamar University. Lamar honored Wenah in 2022 with its Distinguished Alumni award. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Needha Boutte-Queen

Dr. Needha Boutté-Queen is Texas Southern University’s Acting Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. She has served as dean of College of Liberal Arts and Behavioral Sciences. Prior to that, she was department chair and professor of social work, in addition to her role as the associate accreditation liaison for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.  She began her tenure at TSU in 2006 and was an interim assistant dean of student enhancement and academic success.

A tenured professor of social work, Dr. Boutté-Queen has worked in higher education for nearly 25 years. She is a strong advocate for students and families from underserved communities, having worked in foster care and adoption settings prior to entering the academy. In each of her roles, Dr. Boutté-Queen sought to develop quality assurance and assessment processes to ensure compliance with institutional, local, state, and or federal requirements.

She served in several supervisory, trainer and consultant roles during her career. Still, she has developed many presentation topics that focus on programmatic assessment, strategic planning, cultural competence, identifying and maintaining healthy relationships, aging, and communicating effectively.

Dr. Boutté-Queen is graduate of Texas Southern University earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. She credits her undergraduate education at TSU with preparing her for graduate studies at the University of Chicago and the University of Houston, where she completed the Masters’ and Doctorate degrees respectively.

 Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts

Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts serves as the Director and head coach of the world-renowned Texas Southern University Debate Team. A former member herself, Dr. Batiste-Roberts is following in the footsteps of Debate team founder, the late Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, by introducing students to forensic arts. Dr. Batiste-Roberts earned her bachelors from TSU, and a masters in social work from Howard University. She returned to TSU to be the assistant coach of the debate team while working on a doctorate in public health from the University of Texas and starting her career as a Child Protective Services supervisor where she was the youngest and the only African-American on her team. She also worked part-time in Ben Taub Hospital’s emergency room.

She has served as a professor in the social work department since 2006. She received the Educator of the Year award from the National Association of Black Social Workers in 2014. She has led the debate team since Dr. Freeman’s passing. Under her leadership, the team had the opportunity to perform virtually at the “We Are One” Biden-Harris pre-inauguration event in 2021. On top of her work with the debate team and as a professor, Dr. Batiste-Roberts is also a published author. Her book, “The Barbara Jordan Memorial Lectures Texas Southern University: The Pursuit of Excellence in the Forensic Arts” was published in 2020.

Carol Lewis

Dr. Carol Lewis is a pioneer, innovator, and history-maker in the area of transportation research. As professor of Transportation Studies and emeritus director of TSU’s Center for Transportation Training & Research, she teaches students the fundamentals of transportation and urban transportation issues. She also conducts operational and policy-related research.

Since joining the faculty in 1992, she has conducted research for the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, and other public and private entities. Her research includes topics like regionalizing public transit for vulnerable communities, smart growth, strategic planning, and more. Dr. Lewis also spent 15 years as a manager and director of planning at METRO where she was responsible for systemwide bus routing plans and METRO capital projects including Park & Ride, transit centers and rail planning. She also worked with local TxDOT officials in planning Houston’s first H.O.V. lanes on the Gulf Freeway.

In 2019, she was appointed Chair of the Gulf Coast Rail District. She served as a METRO board member from 2002 to early 2004, and as executive assistant to Mayor Bill White for transportation planning 2005 to 2009. She’s also served as the national academic advisor for the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials. She’s on the executive committee and subcommittee on Planning and Policy Review of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine’s Transportation Research Board. And she holds positions on the Houston Galveston Area Council’s Transportation Policy Council and Transportation Advisory Committee.

Dr. Lewis holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and master’s degree in planning from the University of Iowa and the doctorate in political science with an emphasis in public policy and public administration.

Delonia Cooley

Dr. Delonia Cooley is a Professor of Marketing at Texas Southern University. She teaches principles of marketing, strategic marketing management, marketing research, managerial communications, and more to undergraduate and graduate students. She is the advisor to the top-performing, Top 10 International Collegiate American Marketing Association chapter. While in the position, she’s had the opportunity to coordinate and implement the International Marketing Exchange Excursion for undergraduate business students to travel to China.

Dr. Cooley’s research interests include health care marketing, online communities, ethnic marketing, social media and communication, distance learning and education, branding, career management, social media in career management, as well as cross-cultural behavior and advertising.  She has published two books, “Are You Making the Right Impression? Preparing NOW for Life after College” and “Be Your Best Career Architect: Here are the Blueprints!”

She received a Bachelor of Science, Master of Health Care Administration, and an MBA from the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville. She earned a Ph.D from the University of Memphis.

Michon Benson

Michon Benson is an assistant professor of English and director of the Graduate English Program at Texas Southern University.

Dr. Benson joined the Thomas J. Freeman Honors College faculty in the fall of 2018 and in fall of 2019 she was inducted into The Golden Key International Honour Society, a distinguished organization that emphasizes academics, leadership, and service. That three-fold mission is the foundation of Dr. Benson’s instructional methodology.

All Freeman Honors College students enrolled in her African American, American, and world literature seminars engage in rigorous, relationship-based, and relevant assignments that not only promote their academic development and self-esteem but also encourage peer collaboration and foster pride in the Texas Southern University learning community.

Dr. Benson earned a Ph.D. and M.A. in African American Literature from Rice University; a M.A. in Rhetoric and Composition from TSU; a B.S. in English Education from TSU; and a B.A. in sculpture from University of Texas Austin.

A native of Houston’s historic Third Ward community, Dr. Benson has been an educator for more than 25 years, teaching high school English and serving as a middle school principal before returning to TSU in 2014.

Ingrid Haynes
Dr. Ingrid Haynes is a professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University. Dr. Haynes is founder and president of the National Literacy Professional Development Consortium (NLPDC) in Houston, an alliance designed to equip children with long-term skills in communication, reading and writing. NLPDC offers institutes across the United States to school districts, teachers, administrators and foundations to bolster literacy.

In December, she took her expertise to a national platform as a guest on Dr. Phil’s podcast – “Phil in the Blanks” – to discuss the causes surrounding America’s broken education system. She is the author of five books, including her latest offering, Vocabulary – Strategies for Struggling Readers and was a literacy professor at the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi.

Dr. Haynes is a two-time graduate of Texas Southern University, having received a master of Education in Reading and a B.S. in Elementary Education from TSU. She received her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in TESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) from the University of Mississippi.

Angela Meshack

Dr. Angela Meshack is a tenured associate professor in TSU’s Department of Health and Kinesiology in College of Education. She teaches courses in epidemiology, human sexuality, fitness for living, and consumer health as well as coordinates the health studies internship practicum. Most recently, she was co-principal investigator of a project aimed at reducing cardiovascular complications among African American HIV patients. Her research has resulted in authoring or co-authoring 45 peer-reviewed articles in various public health journals. And in the summer of 2022, she co-founded ProjectGAP, a grant-funded academic enrichment program at TSU for girls entering 6^th grade. 

Prior to coming to TSU, Dr. Meshack was a research assistant professor at The University of Texas School of Public Health where she directed smoking prevention and cessation projects using principles of behavioral journalism and social marketing. Likewise, she served as director of a violence prevention project aimed at decreasing moral disengagement among young adults. In addition to being a champion for higher education, Dr. Meshack has worked with community-based organizations to assist with implementation and evaluation of programs aimed at reducing unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV infection among African American teens and young adults.

Mariah Campbell
Mariah Campbell was born in Longview and raised in Houston. She graduated from Texas Southern University with a degree in journalism in May 2022 and went straight into the media industry. She’s currently working in the coveted Page Program at CBS/Paramount in New York City. She’s done work for the Drew Barrymore Show and The Late Show audience team, and she’s currently working with CBS Mornings. Prior to landing at CBS, Campbell completed an internship with HBCU in LA. Her journalism journey didn’t start there. As a student at TSU, she worked as a freelance writer for Hearst Magazines working on their editorial series “Project Tell Me.” That led to her being invited to write a story about Juneteenth that was published in Cosmopolitan – the magazine. She interviewed Dionne Warwick, Opal Lee – widely known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, and Dr. Clarice Freeman. She joined Oprah Winfrey on her Oprah Daily show, along with Opal Lee, to discuss Juneteenth and her experience writing the story.

While at TSU, she was an RA, director of Campus Pals, and a Freeman Scholar in the Thomas F. Freeman Honors College. She was also Miss Junior, and the 74^th Miss Texas Southern University where her platform was Destined to Inspire.  This budding history-maker aspires to produce documentaries or become a news anchor. 

Shalondria Simpson, PharmD

Dr. Shalondria Simpson earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Southern University in 2008. She is a woman who means business. She opened Advance Pharmacy in 2013. She then opened her second location, TruCare Pharmacy, in 2017. And in 2018, with a dedication to making people look and feel more beautiful, she and her twin sister opened Tru Essence Cosmetic and Medical Spa.

Simpson came up with the spa concept after taking a trip to Beverly and visiting a luxury medical spa. She called her twin sister, LaShondria Simpson-Camp, a medical doctor, to share her idea. Turns out they’d been thinking of a similar business. They opened the spa together in May 2018 to offer beauty solutions without going under the knife. Services include facials and laser-skin treatments, chemical peels, fillers, body sculpting and the Brazilian Butt Lift, among other services.

Her mission is to educate people who don’t know what options are available regarding beauty treatments and physical enhancements. In her practice, Dr. Simpson counsels with clients letting each know there are effective and alternative non-invasive methods to enrich one’s natural beauty. She is there to help customers elevate self-confidence. Simpson knows beauty augmentations can be addictive, but she hopes to help customers celebrate their natural “tweaked” essence.

Dr. Tamara Sterling

Texas Southern University alumna Dr. Tamara Sterling is an innovative and transformational leader in secondary education. She was recently selected as Superintendent of Petersburg City Public Schools in Petersburg, Virginia after six years of leading Franklin Public Schools in Franklin, Virginia. Sterling’s leadership journey started while at TSU. She was elected as the executive secretary, vice president and president of SGA. Under her leadership as SGA president, TSU’s first ATM was installed in the Sterling Student Life Center, and her administration worked with the Center on the Family to establish a day care, today known as the Parent-Child Learning Laboratory.

A graduate of the TSU School of Communication, Sterling became a classroom teacher in the Houston Independent School District. Her career as a principal started with a fellowship from New Leaders, an organization that develops transformational school leaders. She later became a principal in Chicago Public Schools, HISD and Providence Public Schools in Rhode Island. Sterling is a past nominee of Principal of the Year in Chicago Public Schools and Providence Public Schools. She is the recipient of the City Year Innovation Leadership Award in Providence, RI. She earned a master’s degree from Prairie View A& M University and the doctorate in transformational leadership from the University of New England.

Dr. Sterling is the founder and owner of Accelerate Graduation, focusing on students who are over-aged to equip them with instructional support and mentoring so that they can graduate from high school. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a board member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeast Virginia, THRIVE Inc., and Smart Beginnings Early Childhood Consortium.

Ronda Harrison
Ronda Harrison, Esquire is the Assistant Dean for Academic Success and Bar Readiness at Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law. She teaches bar prep elective courses for third-year law students. She is also a certified mediator and has meditated cases for the Texas Attorney General's office and the Harris County Justice of the Peace court.

Harrison was formerly the Associate Director of Academic Assistance and Student Counseling at South Texas College of Law where she primarily worked with at-risk law students, law students with disabilities, and students of color.

Additionally, during her professional career, Harrison conducted programs relating to substance abuse, depression, and stress management. She worked on pipeline programs with high school and college students to increase the number of minority students applying and enrolling in higher education institutions. Most recently she served on the host city planning committee for the 2022 National Bar Association mid-year conference held in Houston.

Harrison currently holds memberships with the Houston Lawyers Association, National Bar Association, Association of Academic Support Educators, Academic Support Black Women's Collective, American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools.

Emma Rodgers

Emma Rodgers graduated from Texas Southern University in 1966. She co-founded a mail order business for books, which later became the retail store, Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas. Rodgers is an avid supporter of Black authors. She founded Romance Slam Jam, an African American book genre conference event and later became the first bookseller selected to be part of the U.S. Information Agency Corridors of Culture team, a delegation of American writers, editors, and literary agents that traveled to Ghana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia to share information about the craft and role of a writer in a free society. And she organized and led a trip to Ghana for students from ROPP for Girls, Inc., an enrichment program for teenage girls.

Rodgers served as a board member for TeCoTheatrical Productions, and taught classes at the annual summer day camp. She was also the director for the Dallas Civil Rights Center, a board member for Queenhyte Publishers, and an advisory board member for the Black Writer’s Alliance. In addition, she facilitated a monthly book club and served as a publicist for the annual Irma P. Hall Theater Arts Festival.

In 2003, the Emma Award, which honored excellence in romance-action literature, was established in her honor. She was also the recipient of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Golden Soror of the Year in 2016 and the Emma Rodgers Learning Laboratory was dedicated at Bishop Arts Theater in 2009.

Veronica Ajewole

Dr. Veronica Ajewole received her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Southern University. Today, she’s an assistant professor of pharmacy practice in the Joan M. Lafleur College of Pharmacy and Health Science at TSU. Dr. Ajewole is a board-certified oncology pharmacist with clinical pharmacy practice privileges at the Houston Methodist Hospital Cancer Center in the Texas Medical Center. It is there where she implemented medication therapy management program for cancer patients on oral chemotherapy to improve overall clinical outcomes and address cancer health disparities.

TSU recently received a 5-year $8.63 million grant award from the National Institute of Health’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to establish a Center for Biomedical and Minority Health Research (CBMHR) where Dr. Ajewole will serve as the director of the Community Engagement Core. Likewise, Dr. Ajewole and her team received a Susan G Komen community grant to establish a breast cancer screening and prevention center at TSU.

Additionally, she and her team will implement a project titled “Development of predictive model and social determinants-based interventions for aggressive prostate cancer among Africa-Americans” with a grant from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Minority Research Grant Program.

Her teaching expertise is in diverse oncology-related topics. She is a seasoned clinical preceptor and mentor for students and residents alike. Dr. Ajewole is an author of numerous publications in peer-reviewed journals and a reviewer for similar articles. She has offered several poster and platform presentations in local and national conferences.

Keristan Champaigne

Keristan Champaigne is committed to giving young women a safe space. She is a Residential Community Coordinator and Building Manager, with responsibility for the freshman female dorms at the Texas Southern University Towers since 2017. That same year, created Girl Code, a safe space moderated by herself and her resident advisors, where the young ladies can talk about whatever they want with no filter and no judgment with professional staff. They select topics such as relationships, friendships, love, loss, student organizations and more, and give them a platform to speak candidly. Everything discussed in Girl Code stays confidential.

In addition to providing that much needed platform for the young ladies at the Towers, she is the co-chair of the pageant committee for the Mr. and Miss Residential Life and Housing pageant, and the talent developer for the Mr. and Miss Texas Southern University pageant. She holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and psychology and a masters in human science – all from Prairie View A&M University.

Princess Jackson

Houston native Princess Jackson is a sophomore radio, television, and film major at Texas Southern University. She’s been making history since she was a young girl. Jackson and her mother founded her nonprofit, Sock Out Poverty, Incorporated, in 2013. She was just around 10 years old. Jackson was compelled to do something when she saw many in downtown Houston’s homeless population who had blankets and taking shelter under cardboard, with no shoos or socks. Sock Out Poverty was her way of giving back one step at a time. The mission is to provide socks, clothing, and other material goods to men, women, boys, and girls who are in need or less fortunate. She and her family go to different shelters around the city, and to the streets, and give socks to people in need.

Her work has been featured on the Steve Harvey Show, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, local news stations and local newspapers. And someone in Washington DC took notice. This year, she was named the recipient of a Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award. She’ll travel to Washington D.C. at the end of the year to accept the award.

Dr. Lesia Crumpton-Young

Dr. Crumpton-Young attended Texas A&M University where she earned her bachelor’s master’s, and Ph.D. degrees in Industrial Engineering. She holds the distinction of being the first African American woman to earn a Ph.D. in Engineering from Texas A&M, and she’s one of the first African American women in the U.S. to reach the rank of full professor in engineering. She also earned an M.B.A. from Tennessee State University. Prior to becoming President of TSU, Dr. Crumpton-Young excelled in several leadership capacities – Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs for Morgan State University, Vice President for Research and Institutional Advancement at Tennessee State University, and Program Director at the National Science Foundation and much more.

In 2022, President Crumpton-Young was selected to serve on the United Way of Greater Houston Board of Trustees. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Greater Houston Partnership.