2025 COI Great Grads Spring

Ph.D. Information Science

Deama Khader, a doctoral candidate in the Information Science program, has built an academic career focused on archival studies, ephemeral documents, and semiotics, with a special interest in street art.
Deama has maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her graduate studies and has contributed extensively to research in her field. In 2022, she published an article titled “Terminally Ill Documents: The Lasting Impacts of Ephemera” in the Document Academy and presented her findings at the organization’s conference. She also participated in a panel presentation at the 16th Bridging the Spectrum Symposium in 2024. Later this year, her academic essay, “Palestinian Art: Cultivating Lost Gardens,” will be published in Antennae: The Journal of Nature in Visual Culture.

Her academic journey began at North Central Texas College, where Deama completed her foundational coursework before transferring to UNT to earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Science. During her undergraduate years, she worked as a student assistant in the Visual Thinking Lab under Dr. Brian O’Connor. Her experience digitizing a large-scale vinyl collection and engaging in research projects under O’Connor’s mentorship inspired her to pursue a Ph.D. immediately after completing her undergraduate degree.
In addition to her research, Deama has gained hands-on experience in the field. She served as a registrar intern at the Kimbell Art Museum in 2023 and currently works as a studio lead and archivist at the Ambreen Butt art studio. In this role, she helped curate and edit Butt’s first monograph, What Comes to My Lips (2023), and has traveled with the artist for exhibition openings and book launches. She is also actively archiving Butt’s work, preserving press releases, art reviews, catalogues, and exhibitions dating back to the 1990s.
Deama has also engaged in academic instruction, guest lecturing for courses in aesthetics and cultural heritage stewardship at UNT. Despite balancing multiple professional and academic roles, she considers her dissertation to be her proudest achievement. Her research examines Palestinian street art as a case study for documenting and preserving ephemeral art, contributing to the limited scholarship on Palestinian cultural heritage.

Jumping directly into a Ph.D. program without completing a master’s degree presented challenges, but with the support of her mentor and dissertation chair, Dr. O’Connor, and a diverse committee of scholars, she has thrived. Deama’s committee includes Dr. Suliman Hawamdeh, Dr. Irene Klaver, Dr. Laurie Bonnici, Dr. Ndirangu Wachanga, Dr. Jodi Kerns, Dr. Kay Baird-Harris, Dr. Ana Roeschley, and Dr. Rich Anderson, each of whom has played a role in shaping her research.

Looking ahead, Deama plans to apply her expertise in archiving, digitization, and semiotics to preserve cultural heritage and ephemeral art at risk of erasure. While her current work focuses on Palestinian art, she aims to expand her research to other politically and culturally significant border regions where art serves as a critical medium of expression.

As an artist herself, Deama has found a unique intersection between art and information science, using her skills to bridge the gap between archival research and creative expression. Through her work, she hopes to continue exploring new methods for documenting and preserving cultural narratives that might otherwise be lost to time.

BS Info Science, Data Science Concentration

Houston Parker, a first-generation college student at the University of North Texas, has defied the odds to achieve academic excellence in the field of data science. Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Information Science with a concentration in Data Science, Houston was inspired by his uncle, a systems engineer, who introduced him to the field. He was drawn to the career’s flexibility, particularly the potential to work remotely while maintaining a strong family presence.

Houston's academic achievements include making the President’s List twice and the Dean’s List once in just three semesters. He maintains a 3.9 GPA while balancing full-time coursework and employment. His skills and dedication have led him to become a finalist in the Association for Information Systems (AIS) national competition and a first-place winner at the 2025 Rice Datathon.

Houston’s journey to higher education has been marked by significant challenges. He experienced homelessness for two years as a child, endured severe head and spinal injuries when he was fourteen and twenty, and has balanced full-time work while pursuing his studies. Commuting from Frisco to UNT, he has navigated the pressures of academic and professional life with determination. Despite these obstacles, he remains steadfast in his ambition, recently applying to Georgia Tech’s Online Master of Science in Analytics (OMSA) program.

Looking to the future, Houston is committed to using his knowledge and skills to uplift others. He emphasizes the importance of paying it forward, recognizing the challenges that come with balancing multiple responsibilities. His passion for data science is fueled by his deep empathy and a desire to create solutions that help people, even if his efforts come at no cost.
What sets Houston apart from his peers is his unwavering curiosity, integrity, and dedication. He values showing up, making an effort, and fostering meaningful connections. His resilience and drive serve as an inspiration to others, proving that with perseverance and passion, success is within reach.

M.S. Learning Technologies

For Tejomai Rapala, pursuing a master’s degree in Learning Technologies at the University of North Texas was more than a career move—it was a calling.

Growing up in a rural part of India, Tejomai witnessed firsthand the barriers that prevent many children from accessing quality education. Inspired by her mother, a teacher who traveled six hours each day to reach students in remote villages, Tejomai realized early on the transformative power of education—and the potential for technology to bridge the gap for those left behind.

“I saw how much those children wanted to learn, but simply didn’t have access,” Tejomai said. “With my background in computer science, I saw how artificial intelligence could personalize and deliver education even to the most remote corners of the world.”

That realization led her to UNT’s College of Information, where she enrolled in the M.S. in Learning Technologies program with a concentration in Artificial Intelligence in Education and Learning Analytics. She said the program felt as though it had been “crafted just for her,” combining her tech expertise with a newfound passion for inclusive learning.

During her time at UNT, Tejomai distinguished herself academically and in service. She received multiple scholarships, including the Hsiao-Pei Yang Memorial Scholarship for excellence in research and three consecutive awards for her work at the Discovery Park Learning Technologies Library.

Tejomai’s drive to make a difference extended beyond campus. As an intern for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, she contributed to curriculum development across age groups and earned certification as an Adult Mental Health First Aider. Later, she interned with UNT’s Division of Strategy and Innovation as a Learning Analysis and Digital Research Data Intern, co-authoring a research paper as part of the Teach North Texas Project.

Recently inducted into Phi Kappa Phi, one of the nation’s most prestigious honor societies, Tejomai is ranked among the top 5% of students in UNT’s inaugural in-person Learning Technologies master’s cohort. She also logged more than 80 hours of community service, earning a Volunteer and Leadership cord for her dedication to giving back.

But her path to success wasn’t without obstacles. From adjusting to a new country and culture to navigating systems without prior guidance, Tejomai faced—and overcame—numerous challenges with resilience, grace and the support of her UNT mentors, advisors and peers.

“I’ve learned that asking for help is not a weakness—it’s a strength,” Tejomai said. “It’s what helped me grow into someone who can now lead and lift others.”

In addition to her academic and professional achievements, Tejomai served as Vice President of Swagath, a student organization for Indian graduate students, and helped launch the LTEC Student Organization to bridge the gap between online and in-person learners.

Looking ahead, Tejomai plans to use her skills in instructional design, digital learning and AI to improve educational access in underserved areas. Her mission: to create adaptive learning systems that meet students where they are—geographically, emotionally and intellectually.

“What sets me apart isn’t talent—it’s courage,” she said. “I was told I couldn’t do this. But I believed in my purpose and kept going.”

Tejomai credits her faith, family, mentors and community for helping her succeed, and she closes this chapter of her journey with gratitude and a message for others.

“To every student who thinks they’re not special or smart enough—you are more powerful than you know. Believe in your spark. Keep going. The world needs you.”

B.S. Linguistics

Collin Sanford, Jr., a Bachelor of Science candidate in Linguistics at the University of North Texas, has made a lasting impact through his academic excellence, leadership, and passion for competitive gaming. Specializing in computational linguistics with minors in Spanish, French, and music, Collin’s journey at UNT has been marked by achievement and grit.

Collin’s fascination with language and communication led him to pursue linguistics, while his interest in the intersection of technology and language drew him to computational linguistics. His decision to minor in Spanish came naturally, having earned top scores on both AP exams in high school, and his passion for learning inspired him to add French. Music has been a lifelong pursuit for Collin, who has played the alto saxophone since fifth grade.

Throughout his time at UNT, Collin has demonstrated academic excellence, maintaining a near-perfect GPA. His leadership has extended beyond the classroom as the president of the North Texas Smash Club, a student-run organization for competitive gaming. Collin has been instrumental in organizing events, coordinating team travel, and establishing UNT’s first collegiate tournament at UNT Dallas, bringing multiple universities together for competition.

Despite the rigor of his coursework and leadership responsibilities, Collin has overcome personal challenges, including the loss of a family member during his freshman year. He credits his resilience and dedication for allowing him to balance academic and extracurricular commitments successfully. His role in managing conflicts within the Smash Club and navigating university policies has further refined his leadership and problem-solving skills.

Beyond UNT, Collin has utilized his leadership abilities in his summer role as a job coach, assisting individuals with disabilities in learning various job skills. His diverse skill set includes fluency in English, Spanish, and French, as well as musical proficiency in saxophone, piano, and voice.
Collin’s legacy at UNT extends across academics, esports, and student engagement. Recognized for his contributions at a UNT football game, he has worked closely with the esports and athletics departments to enhance student activities. As he looks ahead to his future, Collin plans to leverage his expertise in linguistics and leadership experience to make an impact in his chosen field.