Thursday, Nov 06, 2025 • Drew Davison : Contact

Shamarah Tezeno has always been driven to serve.

She served her country, spending six years in the Army as an avionics mechanic working primarily on Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. Now, she is pursuing a mission to serve her community as a social worker.

As a student at The University of Texas at Arlington, which has one of the nation’s leading schools of social work, she recently took part in the University’s 8th annual Veterans Resource Fair.

Tezeno is expected to graduate in fall 2027.

“UTA stood out because the social work program is highly ranked. That was a big factor for me,” said Tezeno, who went to high school at nearby Fort Worth Southwest. “And the veteran community here is strong. Being a veteran creates an instant connection with fellow veterans, and we help each other maximize the benefits available to us.”

It hasn’t taken Tezeno long to feel at home on campus. She has already signed up to mentor fellow veterans through the Veteran’s Edge Peer Mentor Program and is part of the Leadership Honors Program.

Related: UTA researchers to study soldier ingenuity with SJTs

With Veterans Day approaching on Nov. 11—a time to honor all who have served in the military—we sat down with Tezeno to learn more about her journey, from flying helicopters to helping others.

Let’s start with your background. Why did you enlist in the Army?

Tezeno: What drove me to the Army was stability, travel and stepping out of my comfort zone. It was a phenomenal experience. I wasn’t familiar with the military at all—no ROTC, no family background. But my recruiter was great and pointed me into aviation, as it was a little more relaxed than some parts of the Army. I thought, “OK, I’ll get to work on helicopters and maybe fly.” And I did.

How would you describe a Black Hawk and a Chinook to people who have not been around these machines?

Tezeno: The main difference is size. The Chinook flies smoother and carries more cargo. Maintenance-wise, you have more space to work with, though some components are harder to reach. The Black Hawk is tighter but many parts are easier to access. Each has pros and cons, but overall, the Chinook is a smoother flight.

What was the most memorable part of your service?

Tezeno: Definitely going to Korea. Experiencing that culture, making friends from all over the world and stepping out of my comfort zone. A lot of people never get the chance to do something like that.

Related: UTA deploys VR to boost veterans’ mental health

How has the transition to UTA been?

Tezeno: It’s been great. There are so many organizations, volunteer opportunities and ways to connect. I couldn’t have asked for a better university.

Why did you choose social work?

Tezeno: My goal is to work in mental health—counseling and therapy. Social work gives me the flexibility to help different populations, whether it’s children, families, or older adults. It’s about serving the community—helping people access resources, volunteering, and creating the same sense of camaraderie I had in the military.

Learn more about UTA’s Military and Veteran Services at uta.edu/veterans.

About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)

Celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of the thriving Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 280,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.