Brenya Twumasi, MA, JD, has emerged as a transformative leader in education, social justice, and global development, known for her ability to blend academic expertise with practical leadership. Dr. Twumasi is on the full-time faculty teaching psychology at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) in the College of Health, Community and Policy. She teaches the same subject part-time at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Moreover, Dr. Twumasi co-founded the Community and Restorative Justice Office at UTSA and contributed significantly to curriculum development and online learning platforms as an adjunct senate co-chair and certified distance learning instructor with the Alamo Colleges District. In these roles, she has inspired thousands of students, cultivating academic excellence and a commitment to ethical service. Her work has extended internationally to Ukraine, creating a curriculum and teaching as part of a global criminal justice and journalism class with the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. Honored with numerous awards, among Dr. Twumasi’s most cherished moment is receiving the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Dr. Twumasi’s professional journey encompasses a wide spectrum of roles in education, law, and business. She has worked as the chief executive officer of Tactical Ops, overseeing strategic operations and mission-driven initiatives. Today, she remains busy with unrelated state and national projects. Further, Dr. Twumasi’s entrepreneurial vision has led her to own four corporations. Three of her newly founded ventures are related to agriculture, mental health, and artificial intelligence. She also created a think tank named The Songai Institute. Business-minded with a strong work ethic since childhood, Dr. Twumasi has blazed her own trail at age 10, when she incorporated her first entity in Ghana, now named C4C: Kaleidoscope.
Early in her career, Dr. Twumasi worked as a psychotherapist, a child protection and training specialist, and a consultant for the World Bank – roles that reinforced her commitment to vulnerable populations and international development. She began her research work at the Center for Social Organization of Schools and the Urban Studies Center at Johns Hopkins University, providing the groundwork for her lifelong engagement with educational systems and social policy.
In addition to her many accomplishments, Dr. Twumasi’s commitment to community service is evident in her extensive civic involvement. She has held leadership roles with the San Antonio Criminal Justice Action Coalition, Texas Diversity Council, and World Affairs Council of San Antonio. She is a core member of the Bexar County Reentry Council and the founder of Childreach International, which supports children and families through educational and social programs. She has also provided mental health leadership for shelter hubs on military bases and trained migrant youth through specialized initiatives.
Dr. Twumasi’s professional affiliations and certifications further reflect her dedication to excellence and service. She is a member of the National Association of Women in Business, San Antonio Women in Technology, and Chi Sigma Iota Professional Honors Society. Her certifications include advanced hostage negotiation, conflict resolution, international humanitarian law, disaster mental health, public affairs in disaster management, distance learning instruction, and quality matters in online education.
Possessing a solid academic foundation, Dr. Twumasi earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and systems theory from Johns Hopkins University and a master’s degree with honors from St. Mary’s University. She pursued advanced legal studies at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, completing coursework for her Doctor of Laws with concentrations in international law, law of war, humanitarian law, corporate and criminal law, and law of the seas. Dr. Twumasi was the first foreign student at the institution to receive a full scholarship, a milestone that reflects her determination and aptitude for complex global issues.
Throughout her career, Dr. Twumasi’s scholarship and thought leadership included publications on extremism, multicultural counseling, and global conflict, as well as guest lectures and international panels on terrorism, artificial intelligence, and law. Her personal philosophy emphasizes service, empathy, and lifelong learning, guiding her approach to mentoring future leaders.