2026 New Advisory Board Members

The Terry Foundation is proud to welcome the newest members to the Terry Scholar Alumni Advisory Board (TSAAB).

These new members were chosen through an application process hosted by the Advisory Board Selection Committee and began their three-year term at the beginning of February 2026.

The Terry Scholar Alumni Advisory Board is comprised of Alumni who have distinguished themselves in their service to the Foundation and to their fellow Terry Scholars. These individuals represent the Foundation at Terry functions, such as banquets and picnics, and participate in discussions about strengthening and supporting the Terry Community.

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Melissa Angulo (SHSU 2018)

Melissa Angulo graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2022 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education and a minor in 4-8 Mathematics. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from Grand Canyon University and looks forward to graduating in April 2026.

While at SHSU, Melissa enjoyed being an officer for the SHSU Terry Organization for three years where she was able to interact with the Terry Community and make life-long friends.

Melissa began her teaching career in Klein ISD as a 6th grade middle school math teacher where she earned Rookie Teacher of the Year. She enjoys working with students and growing professionally by presenting at Professional Developments for the district.

Melissa enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking and exploring new coffee shops.

Aresia Arthurs (TXST 2017)

Aresia Arthurs is a transfer scholar who graduated from Texas State University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Sociology. She is currently completing a Master of Arts in Technical Communication at Sam Houston State University, with a focus on marketing within the beauty industry. After graduating in May 2026, she plans to transition into a teaching role. During her time on campus at SHSU, she connected with the final Terry Scholar cohort before the program concluded on that campus.

In 2024, Aresia moved to Lewisville, Texas, and began working at the University of Texas at Arlington as an Academic Recruiter for the College of Business.

Outside of work, Aresia enjoys fitness, food, and creative arts, and is currently teaching herself how to crochet and paint on canvas. She is deeply involved in ministry at her church, where she teaches Bible study to college-age women, speaks on leadership panels, and participates in monthly community food distribution.

Aresia considers receiving the Terry Foundation Scholarship one of the most pivotal moments of her life and is excited to give back to the Foundation through her service on the Advisory Board.

Jordan Dominguez (UTEP 2018)

Jordan S. Dominguez holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of Texas at El Paso, supplemented by minors in Applied Music and Psychology. Building upon this interdisciplinary foundation, Jordan earned a Master of Education in Higher Education and is currently advancing their expertise as an MBA candidate.

A dedicated advocate for the UTEP community, Jordan has served the Southwest Region through strategic contributions to the Alumni Chapter Board and the mentorship of emerging scholars. Professionally, Jordan balances a background in the arts with rigorous academic inquiry, serving as a voice and piano instructor while conducting graduate research in entrepreneurship. This research focuses on catalyzing regional economic development and fostering entrepreneurial mindsets. Outside of their professional pursuits, Jordan is an active vocalist in local ensembles and enjoys the company of friends, family, and the occasional reality TV competition. Jordan is honored to serve the foundation in this new capacity and looks forward to a productive term.

Katia Gounou (UTD 2017)

Katia Gounou moved to the United States at the age of 16 from her home country of Côte d’Ivoire after graduating high school. She began her academic journey at a community college, earning her associate degree before transferring to The University of Texas at Dallas, where she completed a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering as a Transfer Terry Scholar.

During her time at UTD, Katia was actively involved with the Terry Foundation and later served as a Transfer Enrichment Coordinator and Undergraduate Transfer Mentor, supporting fellow transfer students.

After graduation, Katia worked in the semiconductor industry in Taiwan before returning to the U.S. She currently works at Amazon as an Operations Engineer in a project management role. She is also the founder of a nonprofit organization that supports underprivileged young girls in Côte d’Ivoire through education, mentorship, and guidance.

Katia loves to travel, cook, and enjoy time with loved ones. She now resides in Denton, TX with her husband, Chris, and is honored to serve as an Advisory Board Member for the Terry Foundation, where she is excited to give back and support the next generation of Scholars.

Tiffany Martinez (UT-Austin 2004)

Tiffany Martinez graduated from UT Austin in May 2008 with a BS in Communication Studies- Human Relations and a Concentration in Business Foundations. She spent 7 years working in nonprofits, with Big Brothers Big Sisters and with the Texas Exes as a Scholarship Coordinator. Through her work with youth, she learned that the right place for her was in the classroom, so she attained her teaching certification and is now in year 11 as a teacher.

She moved from Austin to San Antonio in 2023, and has enjoyed exploring her new city. She plays slow-pitch co-ed softball, and loves staying active and meeting new people at the fields. She also loves listening to live music and watching sports. (She and her husband are proud half season ticket holders with the Spurs as of this year. Go Spurs Go!)

Tiffany honors her commitment to give back through serving as a Terry Alumni San Antonio Chapter Officer, volunteering with the homeless community, and by coaching academic teams at her school.

She looks forward to supporting the Terry Foundation through this new and exciting role on the Advisory Board.

Sana Merchant (UTD 2013)

Sana Merchant earned a Master of Health Administration from The George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Studies, with a minor in Business Administration, from The University of Texas at Dallas.

Sana is a healthcare strategy and program management leader with experience advancing enterprise initiatives across large, complex health systems. She partners with executive and clinical leaders to translate strategic priorities into actionable programs that improve access, operational efficiency, and clinical performance.

Sana currently resides in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex with her dog, Oliver. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, attending performing arts events, and traveling with family and friends.

Maricarmen Palomares Garcia (UNT 2018)

Maricarmen Palomares Garcia graduated from the University of North Texas in 2022 with a BS in Emergency Administration and Planning. She currently works for the Irving Police Department as the Emergency Management Specialist. Her work focuses on private/public relationships regionwide to prepare the City from large-scale disasters. Since the start of her career, she has responded to two tornado disasters and one federally declared severe storm incident. Currently, Maricarmen is excited to be involved in the public safety planning efforts for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Additionally, Maricarmen has been awarded the Regional Service Excellence Award by the North Central Texas Council of Government in 2024 and 2025 for her involvement in the planning of a full-scale active shooter exercise & her service and commitment to building a strong foundation for regional emergency preparedness in the region especially among young emergency managers.

Maricarmen currently lives in Dallas, TX and when she’s not working, she enjoys traveling, reading, and hosting craft nights! Beyond her career, Maricarmen is an advocate for animal welfare, dedicating her free time to fostering kittens in need through a local non-profit.

Alexis J Ramos MD (UTSA 2013)

Alexis Ramos earned her undergraduate degree from UTSA in Biology while participating as a UTSA Terry Scholar and serving as community service chair. She also had the opportunity to study abroad while in college.

During medical school at UT Health San Antonio, she found a passion for primary care and preventative medicine. She served as the Administrative Chief Resident for her Family Medicine Residency and is now working as faculty for UT Health San Antonio Family Medicine as an Assistant Clinical Professor. She is also the Assistant Clerkship Director for the Long School of Medicine Clerkship. She has a passion for community engagement and underserved communities. She loves teaching students and residents about patient centered healthcare and serving the San Antonio community.

When she’s not working, she enjoys writing, painting, and spending time with her Shiba Inu pup, Tsunami.

Andrew Riali (UT-Austin 2014)

Andrew Riali graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a major in aerospace engineering focusing on space flight in 2018. During undergrad, Andrew was an active member of the Terry Scholar Student Association serving as the social media Director, Vice President, and President.

Andrew has worked at Northrop Grumman in Virginia since graduation and is currently the Flight Assurance Manager for the NASA Science Mission Directorate’s HelioSwarm and UVEX programs.

Previously, Andrew was the Lead Mission Assurance Engineer for Northrop Grumman’s HALO program that will be one of the first two elements of NASA’s Gateway, the first ever space station that will orbit the moon. He also supported 9 Cygnus missions that re-supplied the International Space Station and served as the lead Mission Assurance Engineer for the NG-14 and NG-16 missions where he got to work on console during their launches.

While working on Cygnus and HALO, Andrew obtained a master’s degree in Space Systems Engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.

Andrew and his wife Brianna welcomed their first child in September of 2025 and are excited to be first time parents. Andrew enjoys playing and watching sports, DIY projects, video games, traveling, and photography.

Joy Siler (TWU 2016)

A 2016 Terry Scholar, Joy Siler graduated from Texas Woman’s University with her Bachelor of Science in History and went on to earn her Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Baylor University. She has worked at numerous museums and currently serves as the Administrator of the Cedar Hill Museum of History, advocating for local historic preservation and engagement with community memory.

Joy loves to read fantasy and historical fiction, baking copious amounts of goodies for her friends, and often relaxes by cross-stitching.

Patrick Nicholas Staha (UT-Austin 2001)

Nick Staha is an Acquisition Officer for the U.S. Army. He manages programs to develop and procure warfighting technology. Nick currently serves as a visiting fellow at Salesforce, where he is focused on software acquisition strategy and digital transformation.

Originally from Wichita Falls, Texas, Nick earned both a Juris Doctor and a BBA from The University of Texas at Austin. While a student, he was chairman of the Senate of College Councils, a member of the President’s Student Advisory Council, and a writer for the Daily Texan. In 2021, he joined the advisory council for the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Study of Core Texts and Ideas.

Along with his wife, Sara, and young son, George, Nick is a resident of University Park, Texas, where he supports local school initiatives, attends the Citizen’s Police Academy, and plays tennis.

Julie Trinh, AIA, NOMA (UT-Austin 2008)

Julie Trinh, AIA, NOMA, is a licensed architect with an incessant enthusiasm for fostering the growth and development of young professionals. She is an advocate for promoting a more equitable, diverse, and inclusive setting for both the built environment and the workplace.

Her portfolio highlights projects in commercial, retail, hospitality, and sports entertainment. Major completed works include a variety of scales of work, from an expansion to the Houston Dynamo FC stadium to 609 Main tower in Houston, TX, as well as the award-winning NBA Golden State Warriors’ Chase Center Arena in San Francisco, CA.

Julie was previously awarded the Sho-Ping Chin Women’s Leadership Grant and served on the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards committee for development of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). She currently serves as an active member of the National Organization for Minority Architects and Houston Chapter of the AIA, recently serving as a lead to the Women in Architecture Equity Series and Women of Color Steering Committees.

Outside of architecture, Julie is an alumni of The University of Texas at Austin, a Terry Foundation Scholar, and Gates Millennium Scholar. She is often sighted reading non-fiction, making banana pancakes for her ever-growing toddler, or folding an endless pile of laundry.

Matthew Winter (UTD 2018)

Matthew Winter is a 2018 UT Dallas Terry Scholar. In 2022, he graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics and took his first steps into my professional career as a data analyst at Globe Life Insurance. After that, he worked a one year internship for his church, helping build the Christian college community in the North Dallas area. After his internship ended, he continued his employment with Netherland, Sewell, and Associates, an oil consulting firm based in Downtown Dallas. In his work as a petroleum analyst, Matthew grew his technical knowledge of data and computers, helping to build data workflows and automate several taxing tasks. He found a curiosity for cybersecurity and studied extensively in his free time, competing in CTF competitions and completing several online courses.

After applying to several master’s programs in cybersecurity, he was awarded the NSF SFS Scholarship to attend Johns Hopkins, where he began coursework in January 2026. He will continue studying and participating in research there through Spring 2027.

Outside of academics/work, Matthew enjoys several hobbies such as piano, rock climbing, and chess. He participates in the Johns Hopkins student lab band as a pianist as well as in local chess competitions.

The Advisory Board recruits new members each fall. If you are at least 3 years out from graduation, we hope you will consider applying to join this group of Terry Alumni Leaders in service to the Foundation.

Please feel free to send questions about the Advisory Board to Amber Masso at amasso@terryfoundation.org

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