Sociology student named outstanding Black student leader

“This collaborative effort to address youth and young adult homelessness will have a collective impact on our community and improve outcomes by addressing a critical housing need that influences educational and long-term success,” Piel said. With so many moving parts to all of these projects, it might be easy to feel overwhelmed. As executive director of SARAH, Vela often has to make difficult decisions that will have a lasting effect on the community of San Antonio. But she feels prepared, thanks to her studies at UTSA. She recalls one memorable experience right before her thesis. Before defending her thesis, Vela had the opportunity to sit in on Professor Heywood Sanders’ class to hear examples of past presentations. Always wanting to be prepared, Vela took a seat in the back and was ready to take notes on how to present her thesis perfectly. “Dr. Sanders was talking about past thesis presentations, and he said ‘Well, we have someone here that’s going to be presenting pretty soon. Why don’t you come up here and do it for the whole class?’”

Vela laughs now as she recalls the thrill that shot through her. “I wasn’t prepared. I wasn’t ready. But I just did it,” she said. “I draw from that experience all the time when I’m faced with something that’s unexpected, or I suddenly have to give a presentation or talk to the media. It was an impactful life moment for me.”

To finish off UTSA’s inspiring Black History Month celebration that featured renowned speakers and impactful conversations, the university’s Multicultural Student Center for Equity & Justice selected a recipient for the Outstanding Black Student Leadership Award. Senior sociology major Chriara Stevenson was named this year’s recipient. “Chriara was selected because of her multiple years of leadership in student organizations, including president of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and vice president of the Black Law Student Association,” said Vincent Perez, stereotypes; fatherless, broken home, and a product of an ‘angry Black woman.’ Instead of acknowledging discontent, I repurposed these attributes as my testimony. I will break those generational curses to help everyone in need, despite any social, racial, economic and/or political affiliation.” UTSA created the Outstanding Black Student Leadership Award to honor Black students who have excelled in the classroom and developed a better sense of community on campus across cultural and ethnic lines through campus involvement and leadership activities.

“Students can self-nominate or be nominated by faculty, staff or students. Applications are sent to a selection committee who use a rubric review and score each application and select the award recipient,” Perez explained. “This year we received multiple nominations, highlighting the plethora of student leaders we have at UTSA.”

Stevenson, who will graduate with her B.A. in sociology, strives to obtain a Master of Social Work and a Juris Doctorate degree. “Having had experience with social workers first hand, I understand the importance of this role in society,” she said. “My goal, ever since I can remember, has been to help others who have been in similar situations as I have growing up.”

“Both degrees will equip me with the tools to save families prior to monumental decisions that affect their livelihoods."

program manager of the Multicultural Student Center for Equity & Justice. “Chriara’s nomination showcased her leadership abilities, service to the community and dedication and commitment to serving and helping others.” A Houston native and first-generation college student, Stevenson believes this award solidifies that she is on the path to breaking the barriers she has seen growing up. “As an African American woman, we are faced with two barriers: being Black in a predominately white society and being a woman in a patriarchal system of oppression,” Stevenson said. “Often forgotten in the rage of Black male injustice, our frustrations are often ignored. In the past, I struggled with bitterness because I fit into all the Black She’s specifically invigorated to help families continuously torn apart by mass incarceration in the United States — especially those in the African American community. Stevenson said many of these cases result in child protective services barging in with little regard for what is best for the families in question. “Both degrees will equip me with the tools to save families prior to monumental decisions that affect their livelihoods,” she said. - Valerie Bustamante | UTSA Today