SMU Campus Pastors

Taylor Bass

Team Lead | taylor.bass@anyfocus.org

Taylor graduated from UT Arlington in 2021 with a BBA. Having lived around Dallas his whole life, he feels honored and driven to help build God's kingdom here. He first worked with FOCUS as a pastoral apprentice at UT Dallas. Since then, he has helped pastor our community at SMU. What he finds most fulfilling in life is helping young men encounter Jesus for the first time. Then teaching them to play disc golf.

Renee Akagha

Campus Missionary | renee.walters@anyfocus.org

Renee first became involved in FOCUS back in Fall 2013 at Collin College where she quickly felt a part of the family of hooligans there. She later graduated from UTA in 2018 with the longest degree name (B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in Human Behavior and Intercultural Communications with a minor in Psychology). Renee is excited to continue on the SMU team for the 2026-2027 school year!

Angel Warden-Palmer

Campus Missionary | angel.wardenpalmer@anyfocus.org

Originally from Grand Prairie, TX, Angel moved to San Francisco where she would eventually receive her BFA in Dance and minor in Religion and Philosophy at Dominican University. While dancing in college, she had the opportunity to virtually study FOJ with a FOCUS grad and that experience deepened her love for Jesus and other people. During her junior year, Angel sensed that God was asking her to trust Him with her dance career and follow God’s voice to apply for the apprenticeship, working first at Collin College and now on staff at SMU!

TANIA VOLOSEN

Campus Missionary | tania.volosen@anyfocus.org

Though born in Romania, Tania and her family moved to Dallas in 2000. Following the steps of three of her older siblings, Tania attended UTD and graduated in May 2022. While pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Tania got plugged into FOCUS where she began to experience God’s love and transformative grace through the community of believers. After graduation, Tania worked for an accounting firm for a total of almost two years; however, throughout those two years, she felt the Holy Spirit move her toward considering ministry with FOCUS. Tania is so thrilled to be partnering in the work of making and maturing disciples at SMU! Outside of adoring God, people, and his word, Tania enjoys going for runs, kayaking, and hammocking with a good book.

Asa Miller

Campus Missionary | asa.miller@anyfocus.org

Asa graduated from SMU in 2025 and now serves there as a minister with FOCUS. He is passionate about helping students encounter Jesus and grow in close, authentic Christian community. Asa first sensed a call to ministry while serving as a counselor at Kanakuk, a Christian youth summer camp. It was there, while sharing the Gospel, that he discovered discipleship to be a deeper purpose for his own relationship with Christ.