For Stephen Silva-Brave, earning his bachelor's in social work from The University of Texas at Arlington is about more than completing his courses. It is a triumph over seemingly insurmountable odds.
In 2016, at the age of 32, Silva-Brave was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the live due to excessive alcohol use.
"I was faced with the reality that I was near death," he said. "I knew my only choices were to give up or make that a turning point."
He chose the latter. Through changes to his diet as well as his mindset, Silva-Brave changed course and lost 150 pounds on his way to recovery. He'll be one of the 4,500 Mavericks crossing the stage Friday, Dec. 15, during UTA's fall commencement ceremony at Globe Life Field, with his next step being the pursuit of his master's in social work at UTA.
"This shift wasn't just about physical health; it was a mental and spiritual shift, too," he said. "Now, I'm living a life I could have never dreamed of."
Silva-Brave says his UTA experience helped him overcome his struggles. As he was exercising and attending meetings, he remembers the mental hurdles he faced.
"I was thinking, 'What is the point? Why am I doing all of this for myself if it isn't going to serve a purpose for others?'" he said. "UTA—and the School of Social Work, more specifically—helped me find my purpose."
Silva-Brave is an active member of UTA's Native American Student Association and an enrolled citizen of the Sicangu Lakota Nation, also known as the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. He was elected as the communications director for the inaugural Texas Democrats Indigenous Peoples Caucus and is a member of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) TX Rematriate, an organization that helps find and rescue people who have gone missing and educates and advocates on the behalf of the victims of the MMIW crisis. While at UTA, he also teamed up with a faculty member to make a Native American studies course available to Texas public school students.
Today, he is living a life he never dreamed possible, inspiring others going through their own challenges all while working tirelessly on advocating for the end of violence against Native people, especially Native women.
"Every day is an opportunity to rewrite your story," he said. "I'm living proof that with dedication, support, and belief in oneself, overcoming obstacles like cirrhosis, alcoholism or any life challenge is achievable."
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Commencement
Nearly 4,500 students at The University of Texas at Arlington are scheduled to graduate as fall 2023 commencement ceremonies kick off at 9 a.m. Friday, Dec. 15, at Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Drive, in Arlington. These newest Maverick graduates will become part of a 270,000-graduate UTA alumni network that helps yield a $28.8 billion economic impact on North Texas
The schedule of ceremonies is as follows:
- 9 a.m. College of Business, College of Liberal Arts and School of Social Work
- 2 p.m. College of Education, College of Engineering, College of Science and the Honors College
- 7 p.m. College of Architecture, Planning and Public Affairs, College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the Division of Student Success.
