Digital and print journalism major with a minor in political science, Spring 2026

When Houston native Alfred Dozier IV (’26) arrived at UNT, he hit the ground running and hasn’t stopped since. Initially, he wanted to pursue journalism. But, as he participated in the Student Government Association and other opportunities offered at the university, Dozier realized that politics was calling him as well. 

Picture of Alfred standing in a suite outside of a bick building“It changed over the course of my freshman and sophomore years. Going into my freshman year, I was committed to journalism,” Dozier says. 

Part of his college experience included acting as president of UNT’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. This led to attending the annual NABJ convention in Chicago. He says it helped him gain a broader perspective on how journalism intersects with the political sphere.  

“Being around actual, professional, experienced journalists… it’s worthwhile.” 

At the same time, it made him reconsider his career ambitions. 

“Going to the convention made me realize, not that I don't have an extreme passion for journalism, but I don't have the same immense passion for journalism as I do for public service,” Dozier says. 

Dozier later put that passion to work while serving as president of the Student Government Association. His team sought public transportation reform for students.  

“We knew at the time that the road to getting there would be very long, arduous, and technical. We couldn’t just throw money at the problem,” Dozier says.   

With that in mind, the SGA team decided to bring awareness to the issue through a campus campaign. They also distributed a student survey that received over 1,800 responses. Afterward, they sent the data to UNT administration to help guide their decisions. 

 “We had so many student responses and student engagement,” says Dozier. “I realized that the advocacy aspect of politics is what I want in my life.” 

The North Texas in D.C. internship program was another experience that helped him find his niche in the world of civil service and public discourse. 

“Working a 9-to-5, a 9-to-6 job [in D.C.] over the course of last fall really did make me realize, okay, I want to do this,” Dozier says. “I want to do government work. I want to go into politics. I want to go into public service. But I also realized the skills I learned in journalism can easily translate into my skills in politics.” 

Since then, Dozier has often been asked whether he’ll return to Washington and work at the federal level. He says instead he intends to focus on careers within the Texas state government. 

“I love Texas. Texas is my home. I would love to work for a state representative and get experience in the state legislature when it starts up next spring.” 

At the same time, Dozier says he couldn’t have made it all on his own. Dorothy Bland, professor in the Mayborn School of Journalism, was his advisor in NABJ — and one of his biggest supporters. He first met Professor Bland at a UNT outreach program while he was in high school. 

“She's such an enthusiastic person,” he says. “She loves journalism. She loves educating the future journalists of this country. Whenever I was applying to something and needed a letter of recommendation, I knew I could email Dr. Bland.” 

Dozier also cites former Mayborn dean Andrea Miller, fellow Orientation staffers and SGA advisor Christa Coffey as major influences on his college journey. But more than anyone, he credits his mother as the person who encouraged him the most.  

“She always teaches [me and my siblings] to rely on each other, go to college, get a degree. Find a career that you're passionate about but also that does give you money so you're not broke. To always uplift each other, always educate each other,” he says. 

And Dozier hasn’t forgotten this. 

“Dr. Bland and all these people, they've always been my supporters in my corner, and it's really helped me throughout the years,” he says. “But also, thanks to them, I always make sure to try to be in other people's corners as well, especially with my friends. I’m always trying to support them, give them opportunities, pass along information and give back to my community.”