Joya T. Hayes has tirelessly served the greater Austin community. Currently, she is a board member of Child, Incorporated (Austin’s Head Start Program), and is a 20-year board member of the Austin Area Heritage Council (responsible for Austin’s MLK March and Festival celebrations). She is also a member of the Town Lake Chapter of The Links, Incorporated and a former licensed foster parent in both Virginia and Texas. She has received over 35 community awards for her dutiful service. And her greatest reward has been her son, Robert Elijah Hayes, whom she adopted in June of 2016. Professionally, Ms. Hayes is a cum laude graduate of Huston-Tillotson University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications, and a graduate of Texas State University, where she received her master’s degree in Public Administration. Ms. Hayes has 24 years of experience in human resources, training, and organizational development, community-based programming, policy & procedure development, and executive-level planning. In July 2023 she retired from the City of Austin as the Human Resource Director.
Ms. Joya Hayes is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was initiated in the fall of 1993 as a second-generation member of the Beta Kappa Chapter at Huston-Tillotson University. At the chapter level, she has held the positions of President, Vice President, Graduate Advisor to both the Beta Kappa (Huston-Tillotson University) and Delta Xi (the University of Texas at Austin) Chapters and has chaired numerous committees and fundraisers. At the international level, Ms. Hayes has served as the South-Central Representative, and later the International Chairman, to the Graduate Advisors’ Certification Committee, where she personally trained and certified over 5,000 members of the Sorority. On the regional level, she has served as Cluster Coordinator for the Southwest/Central Texas Cluster, planned, and executed four cluster events, served as Chairman of an Undergraduate Round-up, and presented workshops at ten regional conferences, eight cluster retreats, and four Boules under the leadership of four Regional Directors.
Ms. Hayes is a proud Silver Member and serves as the 26th South Central Regional Director.
As a motivational speaker, Ms. Hayes has delivered speeches to over one million people in six states and two countries. She is a dynamic and energetic speaker known for her humor and powerful energy. She is also an extraordinary emcee and speechwriter and has written speeches for elected officials in three states.
JOYA T. HAYESPrelude
HONORS CONVOCATION PROGRAM
Archibald Vanderpuye, Ph.D., Presiding Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Stephen Burnaman, D.M.A. Professor of Music
Processional (please stand) “La Rejouissance” from Heroic Marches ................................. Georg-Philipp Telemann Stephen Burnaman, D.M.A.
Invocation
Ckyra Anthony 72nd Miss Huston-Tillotson University 2024-2025
Greetings ..............................................................................................................................................
Breyanna Jones Student Government Association Vice Presient 2024-2025
The Huston-Tillotson University President’s Jazz Collective “Overjoyed” Stevie Wonder
Introduction of the Speaker .................................................................................................................... Angel Traylor Student Government Association President 2023-2025
Convocation Address
Joya T. Hayes, MPA, ’00 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated - 26th Central Regional Director
The Huston-Tillotson University Concert Choir
“I Got a Song”......................................................................................................................................... Colin Lett Dr. Marcus Rhodes, Conductor
Special Honors and Presentations
Archibald Vanderpuye, Ph.D.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Michael Hirsch, Ph.D. Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Rohan Thompson, Ph.D. Dean, School of Business and Technology
Remarks and Announcements ...............................................................................................
Melva K. Wallace, Ph.D. President and CEO, Huston-Tillotson University
The Alma Mater Fred Waring
Benediction .............................................................................................................................................
Devin Pineda 20th Mister Huston-Tillotson University 2024-2025
Recessional (please stand) “Hornpipe”
G.F. Handel
Stephen Burnaman, D.M.A.
Biology
2024 TOP RANKING GRADUATES BY MAJOR
Emanuela Marion Ilboudo
Nerisha Pillay *
Business Administration
Aidar Bodoshev *
Benito Cantu
Bolivar Bienvenido Fortuna-Rodriguez
Jasmina Henry
Tracie Morgan
Communication
Zechariah Robichaux
Cydney Marie Tobin
Computer Science
Oluwanifemi G. Kolawole
Asia Symonne Mueller
Computer Science and Mathematics
Yvonne O. Obukehwo
Criminal Justice
Camille Renee Scott
Education
Kasshundra Carr
Katherine Gray
Catherine Lizcano-Bedford
Abigail L. Luna
Jaela Maresa Rice
Tarrynce Gu’Mayne Robinson
Environmental Justice
Marcus Pete Santillanes
Kinesiology
Serenity Kalei-Rose Parker
Maria Paula Lopez *
Mario Alberto Tovar Velasquez *
Liberal Arts
Barbara Ramirez-Perez
Mathematics
Ebento Jojoe Akoi
Psychology
Jazmine Starlet Brannon
Diana Arana Diaz
Casey Marie Hernandez
Ashley Mobley
Cydnee Danelle Smith
Sociology
Jayla Micaya Jamese Rose
Cesar Abascal
Abdulwadud Abdulkadir *
Abdulwakil Abdulkadir
Lexicio Adderley
Oluwaseun Adediwura
Bolanle Adisa
Olivia Aguirre
Ebento Akoi
Ckyra Anthony *
Adrian Arellano, Jr
Joseph Armstrong II
Octavio Avila
Victoria Aviles *
Michael Bahar
Alexius Ballenger
Carmen Barahona
Sederia Barber
Christia Barefield
Breyonna Bell
Brittney Bell
Brittny Bell
Kendall Bennett
Amit Bhattarai
Aidar Bodoshev *
Tayler Bonds ^
Catherine Bonds
Roger Bonnett
Dasyn Bracks-Henderson
Jazmine Brannon
Oscar Briggs
Erica Bunton
Cheyanna Burnett-Griffith
Enrique Cacho
Danielle Campbell
Adrianna Campos
Zayvion Cannady *
Benito Cantu
Kasshundra Carr
Menina Cavazos
Tyler Champagne
Aydan-Adonis Chatman
Danae Chris-Anderson
Breana Clark
LaPrecious Coleman
Tyaija Coleman
Aaron Cosme
Alayssia Crawford
Apreyshia Crockett
Antwoine Cummings
Oluwapelumi Dada
Jada Daniels ^
Terrell Davidson
Makayla Davis
Sekeyia DeJean
Aden DeJute *
Vince Delgado
Kazimir Dewberry
Diana Diaz
Victor Ekeke *
2024 DEAN’S LIST
LaTorie Erskin
Jermaine Ervin Jr
Julia Estrada
Mark Estrada
Valerie Fernandez
Bolivar Fortuna-Rodriguez
Armani Fowler *
Audrey Fowler
Lauren Gamblin ^
Suprat Gautam
Marcus Gibson
Miguel Giovannitti
Matthew Golden
Jadyn Gray
Christina Green
Rowen Guerra
Jaleah Heggs
Jasmina Henry
Casey Hernandez
Natasha Hill
Davian Holloway
Emanuela Ilboudo *
Ayomide Isinkaye
Joy Itodo *
Bria Jackson
Ziara James
Payton Johnson
Reginald Johnson
Kadijah Johnson
Breyanna Jones
Jackson Jones
Kayla Jones
Kiaya Jordan
Helen July
Surakshya KC
Kamya Kidd
Len King
Oluwanifemi Kolawole
Darlicia Lincoln
Catherine Lizcano-Bedford
Qwaneisha Long
Nicolas Longoria
Maria Lopez *
Jessica Loredo-Carrizales
Rizen Luitel
Abigail Luna
Brandon Madyun
Clayton Mahaffey *
Johnathan Maldonado
Christina Martin
Danelle Davina McCullough
LaCresha McGill
Lebron Mcintosh
Geovaron McPhatter
Christina Mendez
Jaylan Meraz
Kirbye Mercer
Jacqueline Millender
Ashley Mobley
Tracie Morgan
Amari Moy
Asia Mueller ^
Amari Nelson ^
Sneha Neupane
Yemisi Obalade Jr. *^
Rodiat Odedele
Israel Ogbonna
Angelo Ortiz
Jonathon Ovalle
Dionne Paine
Safee Palimore-Shepard
Arun Pandey
Serenity Parker
Madelyn Patterson
Elishia Payne ^
Lonnie Pearson
Maria Perez
Kaiya Perry ^
Chazz Peters
Devin Pineda
Dominic Polidor
Charles Poole, Jr
Bikas Poudel
Shant’Jeur Pratt
Kiaylah Queen
Iman Raji *
Barbara Ramirez-Perez
Dara Reed
Jeala Rice
Zechariah Robichaux
Tarrynce Robinson II
Isabella Roblero
Alyssa Robles
Jimena Rodriguez
Melissa Rodriguez
Latrimone Romelien
Noel Rose
Grace Ross
Shaniqua Ross
Jaalin Rosser
Samantha Ruiz-Gross
Faiqah Salawudeen
Felix Salazar
Jesse Salazar *
Naidelin Sanchez Melchor
Marcus Santillanes *
Reginald Scarlett
Camille Renee Scott
Jasmine Shephard
Kailey Shivers *
Kisha Simpson
Bre’auna Smith ^
Cydnee Smith
Adrianna Smithwick
LaTanya Sotelo
Casandra Soto
Endia Sparks-Hardy
Destiny Stanford
Madison Stimpson
Mason Thompson
Bernardina Torres
Mario Tovar Velasquez *
Angel Traylor ^
Kai Turntine
Pamela Tyree
Joshua Umoru
Mariam Usman
Nicolas Viader
Ethan Walker
Zhi Wallace *
LaTecia Washington
Jeremiah Wiley
Kensley Williams
Niela Williams
Alec Worden
Jayce Wright
Jaymee Yelton
Torin Yonash
Brianna Young *
Cesar Ascencion Abascal
Abdulwadud Abdulkadir *
Abdulwakil Abdulkadir
Lexicio Adderley
Oluwaseun E. Adediwura
Bolanle Ramota Adisa
Olivia Aguirre
Ebento Jojoe Akoi
Jayla Danielle Allen
Ckyra Amari Anthony *
Adrian Arellano, Jr.
Joseph Bernard Armstrong
Octavio Augusto-Gutierrez Avila
Victoria Aviles *
Michael Ismail Bahar
Alexius Bryanna Ballenger
Carmen J. Barahona
Sederia Nicole Barber
Christia De’Shone Barefield
Breyonna Lynette Bell
Brittney Helen-Marie Bell
Brittny Bell
Kendall O. Bennett
Amit Bhattarai
Aidar Bodoshev
Tayler Alyse-Rose Bonds ^
Catherine Bonds
Roger Cyril Bonnett
Dasyn Dain Bracks-Henderson
Amber Bradford
Jazmine Starlet Brannon
Oscar Aidan Briggs
Erica Nichole Bunton
Cheyanna Makai Burnett-Griffith
Enrique Javauz Cacho
Danielle Renee Campbell
Adrianna Campos
Zayvion Keshon Cannady *
Benito Cantu
Kasshundra O. Carr
Menina Carla Cavazos
Tyler Blake Champagne
Aydan-Adonis Nathaniel Chatman
Danae Don-Marie Chris-Anderson
Ebonee Clark
Breana Alyse Clark
Tyaija Makaih Coleman
LaPrecious Coleman
Aaron Matthew Cosme
Alayssia Anya-Maye Crawford
Apreyshia Lashay Crockett
Gustavo Crowder
Antwoine Cummings
2024 HONOR ROLL
Oluwapelumi M. Dada
Donald Everett Dallas
Jada Janae Daniels ^
Terrell Deshawn Davidson
Makayla Denisse Davis
Shenita Davis
Sekeyia Ashanti DeJean
Aden James DeJute *
Vince Delgado
Kazimir Jashae Dewberry
Diana Arana Diaz
Victor Ikedinachi Ekeke *
LaTorie Erskin
Jermaine Isaiah Ervin Jr.
Shana Etheridge
Mark Anthony Estrada
Julia Estrada
Valerie Fernandez
Bolivar Bienv Fortuna-Rodriguez
Armani Antwonette Fowler *
Audrey Jeanine Fowler
Lauren Kirsten Gamblin ^
Teyanna Marie Gary
Stephanie Marie Gatica
Suprat Gautam
Marcus Dewayne Gibson
Miguel Kla Giovannitti
Matthew Robert Golden
Jadyn Gray
Christina M. Green
De’Anna Griffin
Rowen Santiago Guerra
Jaleah Heggs
Jasmina Henry
Casey Marie Hernandez
Natasha Hill
Davian Malik Holloway
Emanuela Marion Ilboudo *
Ayomide Vanessa Isinkaye
Joy Oneh Itodo *
Kadijah Yvonne Johnson
Reginald Johnson
Kristal Joiner
Helen D. July
Surakshya KC
Kamya Chanell Kidd
Len King
Oluwanifemi G. Kolawole
Darlicia Lincoln
Catherine Lizcano-Bedford
Qwaneisha R. Long
Nicolas Andres Longoria
Maria Paula Lopez *
Jessica Axel LoredoCarrizales
Rizen Luitel
Abigail L. Luna
Christina Marie Martin
LaCresha McGill
Naidelin Sanchez Melchor
Christina Leticia Mendez
Cynthia Mendietta
Jaylan Ashleigh Meraz
Kirbye Janay Mercer
Marisa N. Miller
Ashley Mobley
Tracie Morgan
Julisa L. Munoz
Amari Malik Nelson ^
Sneha Neupane
Yemisi Cyncere Obalade *^
Rodiat Nadege Odedele
Israel Ogbonna
Angelo Ortiz
Jonathon Aden Ovalle
Dionne Nicole Paine
Safee Palimore-Shepard
Arun Pandey
Serenity Kalei-Rose Parker
Madelyn Salina Walker
Patterson
Elishia JaeSean Payne ^
Lonnie Eugene Pearson
Maria Perez
Kaiya Symoine Perry ^
Chazz Edward Peters
Devin Rashaud Pineda
Dominic Lee Polidor
Charles J. Poole Jr.
Bikas Poudel
Shant’Jeur Pratt
Kiaylah Imani Queen
Iman M. Raji *
Barbara Ann Ramirez-Perez
Dara Denese Reed
Jeala Maresa Rice
Zechariahm Robichaux
Tarrynce Gu’Mayne
Robinson II
Isabella Jazmine Roblero
Alyssa Michelle Robles
Melissa O. Rodriguez
Jimena Rodriguez
Latrimone Mahalia Romelien
Noel Rose
Grace Lauren Ross
Shaniqua Ross
Jaalin Amaya Rosser
Samantha Jo Ruiz-Gross
Faiqah Salawudeen
Jesse James Salazar *
Felix Salazar
Marcus Pete Santillanes *
Reginald Paul Scarlett
Camille Scott
Kailey Shivers *
Kisha KaShaun Simpson
Danaysia T-Lynn Sinegal
Bre’auna Necole Smith ^
Cydnee Danielle Smith
Adrianna Smithwick
LaTanya R. Sotelo
Casandra Raquel Soto
Endia J. Sparks-Hardy
Destiny LaTrice Stanford
Ebony Nicole Sterns
Madison Nicole Stimpson
Mason Osiris Thompson
Joshua Keith Tibbs
Bernardina Torres
Mario Alberto Tovar-Velasquez *
Angel Lacara Traylor ^
Kai Aaron Turntine
Pamela Tyree
Joshua O. Umoru
Mariam Usman
Nicolas Viader
Ethan Hunter Walker
Madelyn Selina Walker-Patterson
Zhi Moniq Wallace *
LaTecia Trasha Washington
Jeremiah Alan Wiley
Kayla Y. Williams
Kensley Amore Williams
Niela Monae Williams
Ronnie Ray Williams
Alec Eric Worden
Jayce Alexander Wright
Jaymee Marie Yelton
Torin Patrick Yonash
Brianna Mamie Young *
HONOR SOCIETIES
Alpha Phi Sigma (Pi Gamma Omicron) (Criminal Justice)
Antoinette Y. Green
Cynthia A Mendieta
Danielle Morman
Julissa Munoz
Dionne Paine
Gabrielle Pruitt
Camille Renee Scott
Lorreyna Shaw
Alec E. Worden Advisor
Lorraine Samuels, Ph.D.
Beta Kappa Chi (Science)
Oluwaseun Adediwura
Bolainie Adisa
Eebto Akoi
Surakshya KC
Grace Kolawole
Sheamese Masters
Danelle McCullough
Yvonne Obukehwo
Senenity Parker
Monteaja Taylor
Joshua Umoru Advisor
Wenxian Tan, Ph.D.
Delta Mu Delta (Business)
Aidar Bodoshev
Bridgette Ferguson
Turquoya Hernandez
Bolivar Fortuna Rodriquez
Alexus Terry Advisor
Rohan Thompson, Ph.D.
Golden Key International (General)
Enrique Cacho
Julia Estrada
Casey Hernandez
Kristal Joiner
Helen July
Ashley Mobley
Yvonne Obukehwo
Dionne Paine
Madelyn Patterson
Samantha Ruiz-Gross
Camille Scott Advisor
Shawanda Stewart, Ph.D.
Kappa Delta Pi (Education)
Amber Elizabeth Addison-Scott
Abigal Luna
Shawana Krulan
Nicholas McDermott
Jaqueline Millender
Chukwunyerem Otuonye
Jeala Rice
Amber Elizabeth Scott
Breya Thompson Advisor
Jesse Rivers J.D., Ed.D.
Pi Gamma Mu (Social Sciences)
D’Ivaon Anthony
Alexandra Castillo
Anessa D. Dussette
Camiah Dashae Garvin
Skye Amarie Melina Jackson
Kaiya Symoine Perry
Deona La_Shawn Roberts
Jayla Micaya Jamese Rose
Destynei Thomas
Graciela Myrna Naru Vazquez
Kenzi Jean Williams
Brianna Mamie Young Advisor
Michael Hirsch, Ph.D.
Psi Chi (Psychology)
Victoria Aviles
Alexandra Castillo
Ashley Mobley
LaQuisha Parker
Kaiya Perry
Samantha Ruiz-Gross
Jasmine Shephard
Brianna Young Advisor
Debra L. Murphy, Ph.D. Co-Advisor
Eric Rogers, Ph.D.
Sigma Tau Delta (Eta Tau) (English)
Julia Estrada
Jackson P. Jones
LaQuisha M. Parker
Camille Scott
Kisha K. Simpson
Ja’Tavia D. White Advisor
Julie Hudson, Ph.D.
