Michelle Cantú-Wilson
President

UH degree: M.Ed. in Administration & Supervision (’03)
A little about my professional background: I’m a trustee at San Jacinto College. I serve on the National Assessment Governing Board, which oversees policy for the Nation's Report Card. I worked at San Jacinto College for 10 years as faculty and as the director of teaching and learning initiatives and special projects. I worked at Pasadena ISD for 10 years as a junior high English teacher and an assistant principal. I’m currently the vice president of education and workforce at Outreach Strategists, a public relations and strategic marketing firm in Houston.
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m most excited about learning where all our alumni are and what they are doing. I’m eager to work with our board to engage more of our alumni and use our privilege as graduates to create as many access points as we can for future students. I envision our board being Houston’s favorite teacher, creating a dynamic in our city where everyone wants to know exactly what is going on at our awesome COE and how they can be a part of the work. 

Bethaney Jones
Vice President

UH degree: B.S. in Teaching & Learning (’16)
A little about my professional background: I was an elementary teacher for six years in Fort Bend ISD. I taught math and science for third and fourth grade. I am currently serving as the assistant registrar at UH. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I am excited to continue to connect with the amazing alumni of my cherished college. I always have a good time at the events and I want to welcome more alumni to have the experience that I have had with COEAA. After graduation, we all go different places but we remain connected to our time at UH. 

Natalie Bennett
Secretary 

UH degree: B.A. in Human Development & Family Studies (’15) 
A little about my professional background: I've spent the past 10 years at Texas Children’s Hospital, where I currently serve as a family services specialist. I support families as they navigate their care journeys, helping them feel seen, heard and empowered during often challenging times. Prior, I worked as a volunteer coordinator, managing a range of programs, including our high school junior program. That experience helped shape my passion for mentorship, program development and building meaningful connections between young people and service opportunities. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m most excited about giving back to the university that played such a meaningful role in shaping who I am, both personally and professionally. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow alumni, supporting current students and helping create opportunities for community, collaboration and continued learning.

Dewayne Stafford
Treasurer

UH degree: M.Ed. in Higher Education (’15)
A little about my professional background: I serve as ombudsman at Texas Southern University, designing student-centered systems that remove barriers to persistence and graduation. Previously, I served as assistant dean and director of student success at Morehouse College, coordinator for retention and graduation initiatives at the University of Houston, and director of legal operations at OneGoal. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m thrilled to pour back into the program and institution that created so many pathways for me —  and to help the next generation tap into those same opportunities and networks. Go Coogs!

COEAA GENERAL BOARD

Mehdi “MJ” Jafar
Board Member

UH degree: B.S. in Kinesiology (’06)
A little about my professional background: I bring over 20 years of experience in the medical device and health care industry, with a focus on advanced heart failure and mechanical circulatory support. As a senior territory manager at Abbott, I’ve led successful clinical and sales strategies across complex hospital systems. My recent MBA from Texas McCombs further strengthened my leadership, strategic thinking and innovation skills, enabling me to drive both patient outcomes and business growth. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m most excited about reconnecting with fellow alumni and helping to create meaningful opportunities for mentorship, community building and professional growth. It’s a chance to give back to the College of Education, support current students and help strengthen the Cougar alumni network.

Judy Johnston
Board Member

UH degree: Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction (’00)
A little about my professional background: A good portion of my career involved supporting the federal government, in the intelligence community and the Department of Defense. As a senior leader at Booz Allen Hamilton, I created testable analytic methods, some of which were used in analyses for the President’s Daily Brief. As a senior social scientist at the RAND corporation, I served as the special advisor to the chief learning officer at the Central Intelligence Agency. Ten years ago, I founded my own business, Johnston Analytics, which has shifted its focus to industry, innovation and understanding risk.
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: Enjoying a sense of community with COE and alumni; finding ways to support the College of Ed; and mentoring and networking with new grads and students. Hopefully, someone will benefit from my experience!

Indira Ramirez
Board Member

UH degree: B.S. in Teaching & Learning (’12)
A little about my professional background: I’ve spent over 15 years in education, beginning as a bilingual classroom teacher and gradually moving into district-level leadership roles focused on instructional quality and teacher development. I’ve served as a curriculum writer, instructional specialist and now as the coordinator of instruction and professional learning for a Houston area district. One of my proudest accomplishments has been launching the district’s first instructional coaching program.
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: Serving on the COEAA board allows me to connect with other passionate alumni, support the next generation of educators and help elevate the incredible work coming out of the College of Education. I’m especially looking forward to creating meaningful opportunities for engagement between alumni, students and faculty  —  whether through mentorship, networking or shared advocacy for public education.

Michelle Tovar
Board Member

UH degree: Ed.D. in Professional Leadership (’20)
A little about my professional background: With over a decade of experience in museum and public school education, I’m dedicated to storytelling that empowers communities and promotes equity through education and history. As the director of education at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, I develop and implement educational programs that honor the legacy of African/Afro Latino American military service, focusing on social justice and equity. My leadership extends to overseeing bilingual exhibitions, community-driven programming and partnerships that bridge historical understanding with contemporary issues. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m excited to connect with fellow COE alumni. I’m especially interested in exploring how we can work together to build a stronger, more supportive community for both current students and graduates.

Diane Trautman
Board Member

UH degree: M.Ed. in Secondary Education (’89)
A little about my professional background: My career was dedicated to public education and public service. I served as a public school teacher and principal in Houston, Humble and Tomball ISDs. I also served as an assistant professor of education at Stephen F. Austin State University. In addition, I was an elected trustee on the Harris County Board of Education and was elected Harris County clerk. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I’m excited about reaching more alumni from suburban areas to attend events. I want to give back to my alma mater that prepared me so well for my future careers and to help those who decide on a career in public or higher education. 

COEAA Committee Chairs

Heather Harydzak
Programs and Activities Chair

UH degrees: M.Ed. in Special Populations (’12); Ed.D. in Professional Leadership (’14)
A little about my professional background: I currently work as an educational diagnostician in a suburban school district in the Houston area. I have been working in public education for the past 13 years and continue to believe the impact we make in our public schools will improve our communities and help build a future population of leaders and changemakers. I strongly believe in special education and have been a special educator for all of my career in public education. I also have worked as an adjunct professor at the College of Education. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: Impacting our future teachers/leaders in education and getting them connected back to the College and University when they graduate. I also hope to educate past alumni about the organization and get them more involved as well. 

Edith Pizano Zavala
Communications Chair 

UH degree: B.S. in Health (’19)
A little about my professional background: My professional background encompasses skin cancer removal surgery. I have had the honor to work with multiple Mohs surgery surgeons. Some of my career highlights include surgical training over 15 employees and being the president for the shared governance committee specialty council at work. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I am most excited as the communication chair to capture genuine moments to be had. I want to showcase the upcoming new events and participant engagement.

Chyrisse Wilson
Fundraising Chair

UH degree: B.S. in Health (’82)
A little about my professional background: As a professor at a community college, I am a visionary educator and curriculum designer. Prior to becoming an educator, I was a city official with duties of being a mayoral executive and former chief of staff to two former City Council members. 
Why I’m excited to serve on the board: I am most excited to infuse COEAA with intentionality and emotional resonance. This role allows me to co-create experiences that honor our alumni’s leadership journeys, celebrate our collective backgrounds, and build spaces of connection that build bridges to success for students. I am here to elevate the narrative and ensure every member feels seen, valued and inspired.