The University of North Texas at Dallas has hired Sabrina Hodge to serve as Supervisor of the newly created Trailblazer Elite program.
Trailblazer Elite provides strategic services and resources to 18-22-year-olds who are first generation students and starting college for the first time. The program is designed to promote student retention and ensure that these students successfully graduate from UNT Dallas. The program was created through a $2 million award from the 86th Texas Legislature.
Hodge brings extensive knowledge of student development, and dynamic visionary leadership after spending more than 11 years at the Dallas ISD’s Young Men’s Leadership Academy (YMLA) at Fred Florence Middle School. For the last six years, she served as assistant principal and community partnership project manager.
“We are excited for Dr. Hodge to leverage her expertise and leadership in a program as important as Trailblazer Elite,” UNT Dallas President Bob Mong said. “Her passion and dedication to serving youth in urban communities, and developing student support systems, are a perfect match for this program.”
The inaugural Trailblazer Elite cohort started in Spring 2020. Students in the program will benefit from leadership development, academic enrichment, mentorship, networking and priority access to student support services.
“Leading the Trailblazer Elite Program is a dream come true,” said Hodge, a Dallas native who grew up in Oak Cliff. “I plan to develop an innovative program centered around supportive relationships that will empower student success and increase student retention. The Trailblazer Elite program will help students identify the right resources and build a board of advisors so they are not navigating their educational journey by themselves.”
At Florence Middle School, Hodge served in various capacities, including program coordinator, science department chair and campus instructional coach before becoming a founding administrator for YMLA.
“Dr. Hodge was a valued DISD leader and previously spent time with UNT Dallas planning for a large summer event that we hosted in conjunction with local churches,” said Stephanie Holley, Vice President of Student Access and Success. “She is a student-focused, innovative professional who will contribute to our retention efforts while removing barriers that can stand in the way of graduation for our students.”
Hodge graduated from the Dallas ISD’s Law Magnet at Townview Center. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Prairie View A&M, and earned a Master of Educational Leadership degree and a Doctor of Education in Higher Educational Leadership degree from Texas A&M-Commerce.