Deante' Moore ('19) knew he had to see a counselor when he lost his scholarship after failing courses during his freshman year in his major, biology. Those sessions he took at UNT changed his life. He now wants to be a counselor to help others.

Moore, who grew up in Pflugerville, went on to earn his degree in psychology and currently is working toward his master's degree in counseling. When he enrolled in counseling courses, it was the first time he thought about his mental health and it opened his eyes to what he had been missing.

"I appreciated the guidance and the space and being able to connect with people on a different level," he says.

His favorite class was Cultural Diversity Awareness Counseling, which he identified with as a Native American and a Black man.

"I felt seen and represented in different areas," he says.

Charmaine Conner ('20 Ph.D.) was his favorite teacher who, like Moore, is Black with native ancestry and shared his love for art, incorporating it into her lessons.

As a member of the Gila River Indian Community Akimel O'odham and Tohono O'odham tribe, Moore first joined the Native American Student Association in 2018 and now is vice president. As an undergrad, he was a member of Active Minds, a mental health organization, and Mixed Greens, which connects students with biracial backgrounds. He now serves on the executive committee of the Coalition of Black Counselors, which promotes mental health resources for the Black population. He's also served as ambassador for American Indian Heritage Day in Dallas and as a mentor for the United National Indian Tribal Youth.

Due to Moore's hard work, he's earned scholarships from his tribe and he recently won the $6,000 grand prize in the Frame Your Future scholarship contest, sponsored by Church Hill Classics, for his self-portrait using symbols of his Black and Native American cultures.

His advice for other students?

"Have a lot of courage," he says. "And don't be afraid to ask for help."