Student Center & Leadership Activities
Staff Members
Dr. Angela McPherson Williams - Director,
Student Center and Leadership Activities
Dr. McPherson Williams is from Omaha, Nebraska. She has earned degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and the University of Illinois (Champaign - Urbana).
Dr. Mac has more than eighteen years of experience in higher education. She is a wife and mother, a member of the New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church, and a Diamond Life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
"I am honored and excited to have this opportunity to contribute to the positive and innovative things happening at UIW. As an alumna of the University, what better tribute can I pay to the institution that contributed to my academic growth, than to continue the legacy of excellence, honor and tradition by serving as an administrator?"
Dr. Mac works primarily with the Student Government Association/Senators, Student Organizations, Emerging Leaders, Speakers for Achievement and Success, and the Marian Student Center.
Please stop by the Campus Life Office to talk with Dr. Mac and learn more about getting involved on campus through the Student Center and Leadership Activities Office.
Chaye Pena, Assistant Director of Leadership Activities
Chaye Pena is from South Texas. She earned her undergraduate degree in Business Management from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and her MBA from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Chaye is married to Daniel and has one daughter, Penelope.
Chaye has twelve years of experience working in higher education. She most recently served as the Assistant Director of Student Activities at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. “I am a new member of the UIW community and am already impressed by the caliber of our students and their involvement on-campus and in the community. I am excited about the opportunity to work with these students and to take part in their journey at UIW”
Please stop by the Campus Life Office to welcome Chaye and get involved on campus through the Student Center and Leadership Activities Office.
Samina Maknojia - Student Organizations Coordinator
Samina is from India and earned her undergraduate and graduate degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai. She is currently enrolled at UIW in the Master of Science in Accounting program. She previously worked in India for the Hotel Express Inn as the Sales and Marketing Manager, for many NGO's, and was a leader of a Dahisar Jamatkhana Scout and Guide Open Troop. She has also voluntarily served in the management information system department for a Religious Center for three years.
Samina would love to be a teacher one day. She would like to pursue a Ph.D. in accounting and teach in the college setting.
Maria E. Edwards, Student Center Manager
Maria Edwards is originally from Victoria, TX. After high school, she enlisted in the United States Air Force and worked on building munitions. She has been all over the world, and lived in such places as Japan, South Korea, Iraq, South Carolina, and Alaska. After serving her country, she went to Victoria College and received her Associates Degree in Science. She worked with G-Force, an organization designed to promote college awareness in school-age students in Texas, as a mentor. She is now a current student at UIW to finish her Pre-Pharmacy coursework. She is a proud mom with an 8 year old son. “It is never too late to go back to school even after a ten year career in the military!”
Jaqueline H. Mendez - Greek Life Coordinator
