Dr. Osaro E. Airen is a seasoned higher education and mental health professional who has worked in a variety of settings, both public and private. He is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor. In addition, Dr. Airen is passionate about scholarship. He is the co-founder and editor of two academic journals, the Journal of Multicultural Affairs and the Journal of  Faith, Education, and Community. He has also published manuscripts in academic journals and presented both nationally and internationally. 

​Lakia M. Scott, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator in the Department of Curriculum & Instruction at Baylor University. Currently, Dr. Scott teaches sociocultural foundations courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. 

Dr. Sarah M. Straub is an accomplished academic and educator with expertise in curriculum and instruction. As an Associate Professor in the Department of Education Studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, she is dedicated to promoting culturally responsive pedagogy and fostering inclusive learning environments. With a strong educational background, including an EDD in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Houston, an MBA from Stephen F. Austin State University, an MA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a BA in History, Spanish, and Political Science from the College of Charleston, Dr. Straub brings a multidisciplinary approach to her work.

Dr. Straub's research interests span critical autoethnographies, culturally responsive/sustaining pedagogy, social studies education, multicultural education, and undergraduate student research. She employs qualitative research methods to explore the intersections of culture, identity, and education, aiming to create equitable and inclusive learning environments. Her dedication to excellence in education has been recognized through various awards, including Perkins College of Education Teaching Excellence Award and the Patricia J. Larke Faculty Research Award from Texas NAME (National Association for Multicultural Education).

Dr. Sarah M. Straub is committed to promoting inclusive and transformative educational practices through her work as President-Elect at Texas NAME.

Ha’Wanna St.Cyr has a combined experience across 12 years in the elementary, secondary, and adult education fields.  Currently, Ha’Wanna is a Manager of Instructional Coaching and Professional Development with Teaching Excellence and loves building transformative relationships with adult learners that positively reflect student classroom culture, learning, and achievement.  She is also a doctoral candidate at Baylor University in the School of Education with a focus on Leadership and Organizational Change.

Lorena P. Cestou is pursuing her PhD in Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship at the University of the Incarnate Word, where she is a graduate research assistant that coordinates service-learning endeavors.  She is a first-generation Mexican American scholar.  Lorena is the first student to hold a board member position in the Texas chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education.  Prior to the pandemic, she was the coordinator for TAMIU's Discovery Gateway, an inter-cultural, intergenerational and biliterate learning center at the border of Laredo, Texas and Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas.  

Donna Druery is a Research Specialist at Texas A&M University where she works directly with educational administration and human resource development.  Her research interests include Sociology of Education; Educational Policy, Politics, and School Choice; Urban Education and Equity; Culturally Relevant Pedagogy; Family-School Partnerships.

Diana Linn is an associate professor of special education who has worked at Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas for over twenty years.  However, Linn has worked in education for over 40 years.  Previous to TAMIU, she was a teacher in general education and special education classrooms in Mexico and South Texas.  She has published articles concerning the disproportionality of English language learners in special education and the use of cultural autobiographies in pre-service teacher education programs. Linn has received numerous awards during her time at TAMIU including Scholar of the Year, Global Scholar Award, and University International Faculty Award.

Tonya D. Jeffery is an assistant professor at University of Houston-Downtown.  She received her EdD in curriculum and instruction, with a special emphasis in science education, from the University of Houston in 2012.  Dr. Jeffery’s research agenda focuses on STEM teacher preparation, self-efficacy and professional development; culturally responsive pedagogy; teaching science through the critical lens of social justice and racial equity; recruitment, retention and persistence of beginning science teachers; nature of science; and teacher identity, beliefs and practices. She also examines an evolving focal point on social justice issues at the intersectionality of gender, race and class as it relates to women in academia.   

Vicki Mokuria is a faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University. She is a lifelong educator/learner who worked as a high school teacher, parent educator, and now, on the college level. After graduating from Soka University of America’s MA program, she attended Texas A&M University and earned a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction. In addition to being a poet/scholar/educator, Dr. Mokuria is also a devoted mother and grandmother. She has won several teaching awards and published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and books. Her research interests include anti-racism education, multicultural education, and Soka education in Brazil.​

Dr. Gwendolyn Carol Webb is a charter member of Texas Name. She currently holds a joint appointment as an Associate Professor in Educational Administration and Human Resource Development, and Teaching, Learning and Culture at Texas A&M University. She is Program Chair of PreK-12 Leadership and the Associate Director of the Educational Leadership Research Center.   Her current research focuses on the perceptions of young African girls who demonstrate “Talking With Attitude,” as they are overrepresented in discipline and suspension data. She champions an integrity/strength  model that shares their voice, while affirming and helping to sustain their cultural identity and promise.