2025 Alumni Ambassadors Honored

Dr. Brian Campbell earned his Bachelor of Science in Animal Science from East Texas A&M University in 2005. He obtained master's and doctoral degrees in animal science from the University of Tennessee, a master's in agricultural economics from Purdue University, and an MBA from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business.

Campbell has worked as a specialist in ruminant nutrition in 40 states and five countries. He focuses on enhancing animal production and health through improved micronutrient nutrition. He has served as a research and extension professor at Virginia Tech, a senior technical support manager for leading agricultural companies, and the head of U.S. ruminant sales and business development. He now works at ADM as the U.S. Ruminant Sales Manager. Campbell has extensively researched methane reduction, grazing practices, Silvopasture, tall fescue toxicosis, and vitamin and mineral nutri­tion for beef and dairy cattle.

Kathryn (Katy) Gilray graduated from East Texas A&M University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science. With more than 24 years of experience working with animals, she began her career as a veterinary receptionist and technician in Rockwall, Texas, later expanding her expertise in California and South Carolina. Her leadership in Beaufort, South Carolina, earned her practice multiple awards, including recognition for revenue growth, community impact and top performance within NVA/Ethos.

Currently, Gilray serves as the director of Hospital Operations at the Dallas Zoo, where she coordinates the animals' healthcare needs, supervises and supports the hospital staff, and oversees and maintains a 15,000-square-foot, fully functioning hospital building and two additional quarantine buildings.

Dr. Steve Hague graduated from East Texas A&M University in 1994 with a bachelor's in agriculture, specializing in plant science. He earned a master's in agronomy from Texas Tech University in 1997 and a doctorate in plant breeding from Texas A&M University in 2000. During his graduate studies, he discovered the solution for sticky cotton, a breakthrough that helped protect the marketability of West Texas-grown cotton.

Hague was hired as a cotton and soybean research agronomist at the LSU-Northeast Research Center. In 2006, he returned to Texas as a cotton breeder and assistant professor at Texas A&M University. In 2022, he was appointed director of the Undergraduate Research Office at Texas A&M. In 2023, Hague was hired as the head of the Department of Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences at Auburn University. Since Hague's arrival, the department has doubled its agronomy degree program enrollment, increased graduate student numbers by 30% and boosted grant funding by 20%.

Rachael Hildebrandt earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management in 2016 and her Master of Science in Business Analytics in 2019 from East Texas A&M University. Her strong foundation in business strategy and data analytics has fueled her career in the airline industry.

Since joining Southwest Airlines, Hildebrandt has assumed various analytical roles that have helped advance her career. She manages Revenue Management Strategy and Analysis, leading a team responsible for optimizing revenue on Southwest's routes to and from Hawaii.

John Paul (JP) Mulligan earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in 2003 and Master of Business Administration in 2004 from East Texas A&M University, where he balanced his passion for football with his ambition for a business career. Mulligan achieved the rank of executive director at Wells Fargo Investment Bank in Cross Asset Sales. His expertise spans structured financial products, MBS, CMBS, and corporate bonds, where he focuses on fostering relationships with middle-market institutional accounts, including banks, credit unions, and asset managers. Beyond his professional endeavors, Mulligan is deeply engaged in real estate investment, managing a family-owned East Texas rental portfolio. His passion for innovation drives his commitment to learning and applying AI and machine learning advancements.

Kimberly Powell earned her bachelor's degree in finance in 2005 and an MBA in 2007 from East Texas A&M. With 17 years of experience in financial services and asset management, Powell has built a strong reputation in her field. She currently serves as the director and head of Private Debt at S&P Global, specializing in data interpretation, policies and procedures, record keeping, issue resolution, and reporting.

Powell began her career at Markit NA in March 2007, where she held various roles, including positions on the Agent Services team and as an account manager. Before her current role, Powell was a compliance officer at Westwood Holdings Group, managing the firm's compliance program and regulatory filings. She also held compliance positions at Constellation Advisors and Hudson Advisors, further establishing her expertise in the financial sector.

Autumn Ross graduated with her Bachelor of Business Administration in 2015 and her Master of Science in Accounting in 2020 from East Texas A&M University. Ross is an experienced automotive executive and Certified Public Accountant with more than 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. She has a proven track record of successful financial management, overseeing accounting activities for multiple dealership locations and playing a key role in mergers and acquisitions. Currently, she serves as chief financial officer at Ewing Automotive Group and has previously served as corporate controller and vice president of Finance and Accounting.

Ross has worked at CarOffer, a CarGurus company, where she played an integral role in the company's growth, helping it achieve more than $57 million in revenue. She also held leadership positions at RFJ Auto Partners, East Texas Group, and Faulkner Chevrolet, consolidating financial operations and improving processes.

Courtney Kissling earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from East Texas A&M University in 2017. During her studies, she completed an undergraduate thesis on nurse job satisfaction in rural hospitals. After four years of critical care nursing, she returned to East Texas A&M to earn her Master of Science in Nursing in 2021. Kissling has been a family nurse practitioner for three years, specializing in urgent care in rural environments. She is also an adjunct professor in the School of Nursing at East Texas A&M.

Waylon Metoyer received his master's in counseling from East Texas A&M University in 2014. He has more than 15 years of experience in education related program planning and implementation, performing roles in enrollment management, student affairs, policy, and student success initiatives.

Metoyer is the director of Student Success at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. He oversees several grants and projects at the state agency, which has a budget exceeding $34 million, and implements student success initiatives throughout Texas for all public two-year and four-year institutions.

Metoyer has served on several boards, including NSU's Alumni Association and United Way of Navarro County. Among his achievements, he completed the UT Austin Governor's Center for Management Development Program, was named Arkansas Student Affairs Administrator Outstanding New Professional, received the Philander Smith College President's Award, and earned the THECB Division for College Readiness and Success Shining Star Award.

Eddie Northcutt received his bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in counseling from East Texas State University in 1988, where he was a member of Psi Chi. He earned his teaching certification from Tarleton State University in 1995 and his juris doctor, cum laude, from SMU School of Law in 2000. After law school, Northcutt practiced law in private practice from 2000 to 2012 before being elected district judge of the 8th Judicial District in 2012. He was re-elected in 2016, 2020 and 2024.

Northcutt has served on multiple boards, including the De Leon ISD and Sulphur Springs ISD Boards of Trustees. He has held local leadership positions with the Sulphur Springs Soccer Association, Hopkins County Teen Court, East Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and more. He also has served on the 220th Judicial District Juvenile Probation Advisory Board and the Hopkins County Tax Appraisal District Board of Directors.

Carissa Perry earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood development from Texas Tech University in 2013. She began her education career as a second-grade teacher, receiving the First-Class Teacher of the Year award in her first year. In 2016, she earned a master's in curriculum and instruction from East Texas A&M University while teaching middle school and coaching girls' athletics.

Perry has held various leadership roles, including mentoring East Texas A&M student teachers and conducting district-wide staff development. In 2018, she earned her principal certification, and in 2019, she became an at-risk coordinator and Head Start facilitator at Floyd Elementary. She also began her doctoral studies and participated in the Mesquite Leadership Academy. By 2020, she became an assistant principal at Henrie Elementary, where she served for two years.

Dr. Fritzi Quiñones earned her bachelor's degree from East Texas A&M in 2018 and her doctorate in physical therapy from UNT Health Science Center in 2021. As an undergrad, she presented at state conferences and was a student leader in the nationally recognized Latino American Mentorship Program. At UNT she authored a review of outcome measures with the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA).

After earning her doctorate, Quiñones joined Athletico Physical Therapy, specializing in orthopedic and pelvic health cases. She was promoted to clinic director within two years. She also mentors students and colleagues aspiring to specialize in pelvic health and leadership. Quiñones was recently featured in DFW Child magazine as a top provider for 2024 after her patients nominated her as a distinguished health provider in the DFW region.

Dr. Shannon Trejo graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with her bachelor's, the University of Texas at Arlington with her master's, and East Texas A&M University with her doctorate in educational administration in 2023. She is currently the deputy commissioner of School Programs at the Texas Education Agency (TEA), where she is responsible for developing effective resources, services, and program models to improve quality, access, and opportunity for all Texas students. Trejo joined the TEA from Dallas ISD, where she most recently served as chief academic officer.

With 30-plus years as a Texas educator, Trejo has served as a bilingual teacher, campus principal and central office cabinet member in four school districts. She has extensive training from respected organizations, including the Harvard Principal Center and the International Center for Leadership Education. She has served on key committees, including the National Assessment Governing Board TUDA Task Force and the National Urban District Literacy Collaborative.

Cleo House-Keller earned his Bachelor of Science in Theatre from East Texas A&M University in 2000. Since 2017, he has served as the School of Theatre and Dance director at Stephen F. Austin State University, overseeing a program with more than 200 students and 13 faculty members.

With more than 30 years of experience in theatre, House-Keller's career spans secondary education, higher education and professional practice. He has worked as an actor, director, playwright, professor and department chair, leading theatre programs in three states. The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival has recognized his award-winning work, showcasing his impact on the field. His latest play, “YaYa and the Golden Throne,” was published by Next Stage Press. House-Keller has served on the boards of multiple nonprofit organizations. He is a lifetime Texas Theatre Adjudicators and Officials member and adjudicates UIL One-Act Play contests across Texas.

Kylie McMillon graduated from East Texas A&M University in 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a minor in psychology. During their undergraduate studies, they were members of the ETAMU Honors College, where they conducted research and wrote a thesis on perceived support for first-generation college students. This research deepened their interest in higher education and led to their current role as academic advisors at East Texas A&M. In this position, they are pivotal in guiding students through their educational journey, offering support and guidance.

Dr. Rachel McShane holds a master's in English, a graduate certificate in adolescent and young adult literature, and a doctorate in English, focusing on rhetoric and composition. She also earned a graduate certificate in professional advancement in English studies from East Texas A&M University. During her studies, she served as a graduate assistant at ETAMU and taught as an adjunct at Southwestern Assemblies of God University, where she completed her bachelor's degree. Additionally, she has taught virtual dual credit courses for the University of Northern Colorado.

In fall 2024, McShane was appointed as a full-time lecturer in the Department of Literature and Languages at ETAMU. Her research focuses on the rhetoric surrounding women on trial for murder in Texas and children's/young adult indigenous literature. She has published several articles, contributed to the university's first-year writing curriculum textbook, and presented at regional and national conferences.

Evelio Villarreal received his Bachelor of Music from San Angelo State University and his Master of Music in 1999 from East Texas A&M University. After retiring as director of bands at Plano East in 2020, he continues his work as a music educator. Villarreal has taught for more than 40 years in various Texas school districts. He is an adjunct professor of music at East Texas A&M and a trustee and chair of the Education Committee for the Lone Star Wind Orchestra.

Under his leadership, the bands have earned multiple awards. The Plano East Wind Ensemble received the Sudler Flag of Honor in 2015 and was a five-time finalist in the Texas Music Educators Association Class 6A Honor Band competition. The ensemble performed in prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. Villarreal was inducted into the American School Band Directors Association in 2008 and awarded the John Philip Sousa Foundation's Legion of Honor in 2006.

Cooper Weinstein graduated from East Texas A&M with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communications. He is a Dallas-based, award-winning art director, designer and photographer. Cooper is an associate creative director at Keurig Dr Pepper and founder of Cooper, Hewitt, & Weinstein.

His work has been recognized by The One Club, Communication Arts, The Art Directors Club of New York, The Clios, The ADDYs, The DSVC Dallas Show, AIGA's Command X, Brand New, and Graphis Magazine. He has been recognized by the Delta Tau Delta fraternity as one of their 40 notable alumni under 40 and honored by the Dallas Society of Visual Communication as the recipient of the Emerging Creative Award. He has served as DSVC vice-president, chaired significant design shows and co-founded the Dallas Sheeple baseball team, supporting charity through sports.

Arley Sansom earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice with a special emphasis in leadership from East Texas A&M University in 2021. He began his career with the Terrell Police Department in January 1988 after attending Abilene Christian University and East Texas A&M University. Sansom graduated from the North Central Texas Regional Police Academy in March 1988 and has served in various roles, including patrol sergeant, detective sergeant, SWAT team leader, SWAT commander, patrol lieutenant, captain of the Patrol Division, captain of the Administrative Division, and deputy chief of police. He began his 38th year with the department in January 2025.

Sansom was appointed chief of police in 2024. He holds a Master Peace Officer license and has completed thousands of Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) training hours. He is a TCOLE firearms instructor and ATV safety instructor with numerous awards and commendations. Sansom is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy.

Gregg Strickland earned his Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in 2022 and his Master of Science in Marketing and Business Analytics in 2023 from East Texas A&M University. He is a highly committed and dynamic technical sales professional with extensive expertise in Kubernetes, virtualization, software defined storage/networking, cloud-managed services and cybersecurity.

Strickland currently serves as an application platform sales specialist at Red Hat, supporting sales efforts for enterprise accounts in the TOLA region, exceeding $3 million per quarter. His previous roles include field sales engineer at Broadcom Storage Networking Division, where he drove significant business from large accounts like Walmart and Toyota, and global account manager at Dell Technologies, where he managed large teams and achieved over 120% sales growth year-over-year.

Diego Acosta received his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from East Texas A&M University in 2013. His passion for mathematics has always driven him, and East Texas A&M provided the perfect environment to develop that passion. The math courses, such as calculus and linear algebra, shaped his problem-solving skills, which he applies to his work today.

Acosta currently works at Channell Commercial Corporation. He began as a powder coat operator, then moved to assistant planner and later became a full-time planner in the Plastics department. After two years in customer service, he now works in cost accounting, leveraging his math skills and operational experience.

Italo Cruz obtained a bachelor's degree in construction engineering with a minor in business from East Texas A&M University in 2015 and completed a post-graduate program in virtual design and construction at Stanford University's Center of Integrated Facility Engineering.

As the digital technology/VDC manager at AECOM Hunt, he oversees strategic innovation and technology implementation. This program encompasses the utilization of BIM, drones, 360 cameras, and laser scanners to enhance project delivery and quality on a national scale. Cruz has also played a pivotal role in training new drone pilots in the Part 107 certification program.

Cruz started his career with the Old Parkland Campus project and later worked on SMU projects as a field office engineer and quality manager. He is an active speaker at industry events and a Drone Deploy advisory board member. He was nominated for the 2024 ENR Top Young Professionals award.

Amy Hays earned her master's degree in computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence from East Texas A&M University in 2021. She is an instructor in the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems at East Texas A&M. After two decades in the IT industry, including 15 years at a Fortune 500 bank, she returned to academia to help prepare students for secure, high-performance enterprise computing careers.

She teaches at the RELLIS Academic Alliance in Bryan, Texas, while pursuing research in the SPIES Lab at Texas A&M University's Department of Computer Science and Engineering. Her research focuses on cognitive and network security. She is working on a Multidisciplinary Research Initiative (MURI) project, which includes the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the Air Force Academy. She recently presented to NATO through the MURI project and published in “Nature Human Behavior.”

Robert Pitt earned his bachelor's and master's degree from East Texas A&M University. He has dedicated 27 years to his work as a National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) specialist in Dallas, Texas. Robert is a senior environmental scientist and team lead with Bartlett & West, Inc. He is a certified wetland and stream delineator, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permitting specialist, and Federal Highway Administration traffic noise modeling expert and mentor. He also performs community outreach, public involvement and project research for the Texas Department of Transportation and other states.

Throughout his career, Pitt has worked on more than 300 roadway projects. He has proposed hundreds of associated roadway traffic noise walls for major roadways, including U.S. Highways 75 and 80 and Interstate Highways 35 and 820. In his current role, he recruits and hires potential employees and has helped employ recent ETAMU graduates.

Dr. Khanh Truong earned a triple major in chemistry, biology and mathematics in 2013, followed by a master's in chemistry in 2015 from East Texas A&M University. He pursued medical education at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York. He completed his family medicine residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center, where he served as chief resident. Truong then completed a fellowship in sleep medicine at UT Southwestern.

He has been featured in the Texas Academy of Family Physicians (TAFP) Resident Member Spotlight and has participated in the TAFP Resident Leadership Experience. His research interests include health equity and sleep disorders. He is double board-certified in sleep medicine and family medicine.

Truong is an adjunct faculty member at UT Southwestern Medical School, where he mentors medical students during their family medicine rotations. He co-authored a chapter in a sleep medicine-related book and has presented at multiple conferences.