The President’s Commission on Equity and Inclusive Excellence first group of Student Affiliates were inducted in the Fall of 2021. They are an integral part of the campus community in supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. They represent the voices of students, and provide support for PCOE₂ initiatives, as catalysts for change.

Meet the 2021 PCOE₂ Student Affiliates

Rafika Islam

Rafika Islam (she/her/hers) is a sophomore at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She is currently majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Through PCOE₂, Rafika would like to implement a few ideas such as offering a training course or conference to influence and guide students to be more inclusive, an event or club to offer how to protest safely, and to collaborate with different organizations and offices on campus such as BSU, MASA, Office of International Affairs, and many more. Alongside PCOE₂, Rafika is active on campus as a Peer Leader at the Office of First-Year Experience, Vice President of ASA, and a club member of Coalition, FAE, and Psychology club.

Cary Farrow

One Idea I’ve been contemplating is anti-sexism workshops for the student body. I’ve read a lot about how rape culture and sexual harassment propagate in environments of sexism. Usually, microaggresssions present before even more problematic behavior. My thinking is that workshops that teach students about everyday sexism and strategies to do better can do a lot to lower risk.

Stephanie Gooding

I would like to include the idea of what having these hard conversations that make us all vulnerable actually look like. We cannot get better unless we know what we are doing wrong. Discussing individuals at intersectionality is of great importance to me since we do not fit into tidy little boxes, so I would like to be involved in ideas to create that atmosphere for those conversations.

Holly Green

Holly Green is a junior majoring in Business Administration, with a concentration in Human Resource and Supply Chain Management at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She is a non-traditional student having worked for several years in different sectors before discovering her passion for human resources. Holly aspires to complete a Master of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law (MJ-LEL). She is a Peer Leader with the Office of First Year Experience working as a scheduler/administrative assistant, a member of following organizations: the Cisneros Institute for Emerging Leaders, National Society of Leadership and Success, and student chapter of the San Antonio Human Resource Management. Holly is interested in being a student facilitator in diversity, equity, and inclusion, as she has previously assisted in creating DEI training materials and programs for the hospitality and retail sectors in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Holly has two quotes she lives by in her life- “Trust your own instincts, go inside, follow your heart. Right from the start. Go ahead and stand up for what you believe in. As I’ve learned, that’s the path to happiness”-Lesley Ann Warren & “All dreams come true; if we have the courage to pursue them”-Walt Disney

Dylan Merten

Dylan Merten is a Junior at Texas A&M University San Antonio. He is currently majoring in History, while minoring in Political Science. Dylan’s idea for PCOE₂ is to meet with leaders of certain student organizations such as BSU, MASA, CSA, and many more as to see how PCOE₂ can help make the University be a more welcoming place for everyone. Another idea Dylan has in mind is to have open floor discussions with students, faculty, and staff as to hear on how we can bring inclusion and equity within our University, as well as give awareness and advice to others, such as bullying, health, and more. Dylan is very active in campus, not only working at Disabilities Student Services, but also is involved in the President’s Leadership Class, History Club, where he has served as vice president since Fall 2020, and Catholic Student Association.

Jennifer Ovalle

Jena Ovalle is a senior English major at Texas A&M University at San Antonio. She honorably served as a Combat Medic in the U.S. Army. Her greatest aspirations for PCOE₂ are to help inspire our community, families, and friends to further embrace inclusion. She hopes to continue being an advocate for others and herself, leaving behind an admirable legacy. She plans to attend Graduate classes fall of 2022.

Faye Suficiencia

Faye Suficiencia is a sophomore majoring in political science with a minor in legal studies. She serves as the Director of Diversity and Inclusion for Student Government and sits as its representative for the PCOE₂ and Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council. She hopes to bridge becoming an ambassador with SGA’s Diversity Commission to better equip herself in advocating for the students. Originally from Mindanao, Philippines, Faye is passionate about public service and hopes to become a human rights lawyer, eventually combining her interests in public policy, higher education, and diversity & inclusion.