As a freshman, Alexa Douros was sexually assaulted. The psychology major, now a senior, finds healing in sharing her story and helping other survivors. As an online volunteer with the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, or RAINN, Douros provides crisis support for as many as 20 individuals a month. “Every single survivor you’re able to help — it’s so rewarding,” she said.

In addition to her job as a student manager at the Coffee House, Douros also works at the Center for Advocacy, Resources and Education on campus to educate fellow students about sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking.

Exposed to mental health issues from a young age, Douros now knows she wants to do direct counseling with trauma survivors as well as work to improve sex education through policy reform. In the fall she will start graduate studies in mental health counseling and therapy.

Douros reflected on what it meant to be named an Aggie Hero: “What goes along with courage and bravery is resiliency,” she said, “and that’s something I’ve been practicing my whole life.”