Gloria O.

Gloria O serves as Dean of Students at a secondary school in Houston, Texas, managing all aspects of academics, discipline, culture, and attendance while overseeing both teachers and students. With more than 12 years of experience in education and a focus on mental health, she previously worked with students on probation for approximately eight years, many of whom also had mental health diagnoses. In 2021, at the height of the COVID pandemic, Gloria co-founded a nonprofit resource organization with a colleague to address unmet needs among Houstonians for housing, mental health support, and other resources. The organization delivers educational seminars in underserved areas, secures grants for monetary assistance with housing and bills, and organizes food, clothing, and back-to-school drives that have served over 300 individuals, including a recent partnership with Precinct 2. Gloria holds a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in journalism and writing, pursued studies in counseling, and earned a doctorate in criminology and criminal justice. She maintains certification as a Juvenile Justice Specialist and belongs to the American Society of Criminology and ACJS. She attributes her success to her passion for helping others and advises aspiring professionals to believe in themselves and pursue their ideas with consistency.