GRAPHIC: Picture of Aliya Beavers, director of the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. In the background, the image is blurred with an orange overlay. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers. — Aliya Beavers is the director of the Office of Student Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers.

Q&A: Aliya Beavers

By Stephanie Perez Last updated Apr 4, 2022 288 0

Aliya Beavers, director of the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, is one of the women featured as part of The Signal’s #HawkHerStory coverage, celebrating Women’s History Month. This special coverage focuses on the stories and perspectives of the various women within the UHCL community.

Read The Signal’s Q&A with Beavers below and see the other Q&As conducted with students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni here.

Q: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, on both a personal and professional/educational level?

A: I have lived in Texas for three and a half years and moved here from the Midwest which is where I spent most of my life. I moved to Texas after I accepted the role of SDEI director. I love spending time with my family and being the fun aunt. Some of my favorite people are my besties who I have known over half of my life and we will always travel to see one another. To relieve stress and for my personal health, I teach Pilates and Indoor Cycling and I like to go on walks to support my mental health as well. I am passionate about doing equity and inclusion work and one of my favorite parts of the job is supporting students and watching people learn, develop and grow in their diversity, equity and inclusion process. I hold a PhD from Michigan State University in Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education and will continue to promote social justice work in my professional career.

PHOTO: Picture of Aliya Beavers, director of the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers. — Aliya Beavers is the director of the Office of Student Diversity Equity and Inclusion. Photo courtesy of Aliya Beavers.

Q: What are some activities you enjoy doing?

A: I enjoy traveling (especially now that we are on the other side of the pandemic). I enjoy listening to audiobooks while walking or on long drives and I keep up with all things pop culture including TV shows, movies, music, and “the stars”.
Q: What are three things you can’t live without?

A: One: a sweater or cover up, I am cold natured. Two: an emergency snack, hanger is a REAL thing and I take it to a whole new level when hangry 😊 Three: my social connections which include my besties and family-my parents and my grandmother are some of my favorite people.
Q: What advice would you give to other women and young girls? Is there anything you would like our readers to know?

A: Support other girls and women. Society is already set up in a way that promotes competition and pits us against one another. Instead of feeding into that, uplift each other and celebrate the successes of girls and women. When one of us wins, all of us win.