Dr. Elizabeth Teagan is the director of the department of University Advising which includes the University Advising Center; the TTU DISCOVERY! Program, a process for undecided, uncertain, and undeclared students; the TTU PEGASUS Program for First Generation College (FGC) students; the TTU Prelaw Program; the minor in Legal Studies; TTU students who are undecided (ASUD); Pre-Engineering (PREN) students; and the prospective student advisors (college recruiters) on behalf of the College of Arts & Sciences. She specializes in designing and implementing academic programs that address transition and retention issues in a multicultural setting. Dr. Teagan has developed academic programs for student populations ranging from Honors students to First Generation College (FGC) students from low-income backgrounds and student athletes to non-traditional students.
Dr. Teagan values the undecided and exploring status of the first-year student in diverse campus communities. She believes that students and universities are best served by working with students to learn about moving from being dependent learners to being interdependent learners in intentional learning environments. Dr. Teagan is a Freshman Seminar class instructor and has observed its positive impact on students.
During her tenure in higher education, Dr. Teagan has served students as an academic services administrator, academic advisor, tenured professor, and intercollegiate coach with nationally ranked teams. In each role, developing student-first programs for colleges and universities has been the core. Before coming to Texas Tech, Dr. Teagan was at the University of Massachusetts where she researched cognitive and moral development and received her doctoral degree through the School of Education.
Joshua Ryan Barron, B.B.A., M.B.A., is the Associate Director of the University Advising Center. He believes that, with deliberate effort, people and organizations can positively impact every person and situation they encounter. Therefore, Joshua focuses his efforts on equipping, organizing, empowering, and supporting the University Advising Center staff as they serve students.From his work in information technology and knowledge management, consulting with global organizations, and investing in one-to-one mentoring of students, Joshua's experience has proven beneficial in affecting change. Joshua is interested in the dynamics that produce positive changes within individuals, teams, and systems of people; especially the effects of technology on these processes. A native of Lamesa, Texas, Joshua graduated from Texas Tech University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and earned his Master of Business Administration in Organizational Strategy and Management Information Systems from the University of Texas at Dallas. Joshua is currently in the midst of pursuing a Ph.D. in the discipline of Technical Communication & Rhetoric, focusing on influencing positive change in the lives of high school and new college students through the transitional period from high school into the university environment. Away from the office, Joshua is heavily invested in his family (an amazing wife, their three energetic children, and the smartest Westie in the west) and several community organizations that support positive change in the lives of the people they impact.
Jodi Gonzalez, B.S.W., M.P.A., was a First Generation College (FGC) student who earned a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Lubbock Christian University and a Master of Public Administration Degree from Texas Tech University. She is originally from the state of Washington but has lived in Lubbock for the past 19 years. Jodi previously served as a Counselor for Youth-At-Risk and as a Graduate Research Assistant for Texas Tech University. As part of the Advising Center team, Jodi has served as the and the Assistant Coordinator and Coordinator of the TTU PEGASUS Program for FGC students. She now serves as an Academic Advisor and Assistant Director, responsible primarily for the TTU PEGASUS and TTU DISCOVERY! programs. Jodi is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Family and Consumer Sciences Education, with a specialization in Higher Education Administration.
Deb Conrad, BA, M.Ed., received her Bachelor of Science degree in Personnel Administration from Mercer University in Atlanta, GA in 1983. She completed her Masters in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education Administration in 1993 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. Deb is currently pursuing a second graduate degree, and anticipates graduating in 2010 as a Master of Education in Counselor Education. Deb has worked in higher education for 20 years. Deb is a First Generation College (FGC) student and is committed to equal access to higher education for all students. Her passion is to make a difference for students and believes that personal issues impact academic progress. For students, it is all tied together. Deb has served as an advisor throughout her career in higher education with both the Veterans Affairs Office and Financial Aid for 15 years.
Jane Truett, B.S., has been an academic advisor at the University Advising Center since 2001. A graduate of Brownwood High School, she was a First Generation College (FGC) student, received her Bachelor of Science from Texas Tech in Early Childhood through the College of Human Sciences, and worked as a substitute teacher in Idalou, Texas, before coming to the University Advising Center.
Jane is the mother of Blake and Kent, who are both Texas Tech graduates. Jane's husband, Rynn, is a TTU graduate and farms cotton in Idalou. In her spare time Jane enjoys cooking and spending time at the family ranch.
Laura Bosh, B.S., M.S., is a First Generation College (FGC) graduate with two degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences from New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Prior to coming to Texas Tech, Laura worked for non-profit organizations that focus on youth at risk and families in crisis.
As an Academic Advisor, Laura is passionate about working with First Generation College (FGC) students and helping them pursue their educational dreams. In her spare time Laura enjoys riding her bike, cooking, and spending time with her husband, Jarrid, and three dogs named Bella, Cash, and Oliver.
Nickki Smith, B.A., M.P.A., is a First Generation College (FGC) graduate from Mineral Wells, Texas, who now calls Lubbock her home. She graduated cum laude in August 2007, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Political Science and again in May 2009, with a Master of Public Administration from Texas Tech University.
During her academic and professional careers, Nickki has been involved with various behavioral research projects focused on the college undergraduate population. Beyond her skill with people, Nickki is particularly adept in organizational improvement processes, assessments of success, and the sustainment of new initiatives. This blend of personal and organizational competencies provides Nickki with an insightful perspective and approach to students' own challenges to know themselves and integrate successfully into the new environments of their university, colleges, and academic majors.
As an Academic Advisor and Assistant Coordinator of the TTU DISCOVERY! Program, Nickki focuses on providing students with the deliberate opportunity to explore, and strives to maximize their use of available tools to successfully find best-fit majors. Nickki has a great passion for Texas Tech Football, fishing, dancing, home improvement projects, and spending time with her fiancé, John, and their two dogs, Abby and Kat.
Tony Claremont, B.S., M.A., is a First Generation College (FGC) graduate from San Angelo, Texas. He graduated summa cum laude in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and graduated in 2006 with a Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology from Sam Houston State University. Previously, Tony worked for both not-for-profit and non-profit organizations in community psychiatric rehabilitation as a caseworker and as a supervisor of caseworkers.
As an Academic Advisor and Asisstant Coordinator of the TTU PEGASUS Program, Tony is interested in assisting FGC students with maximizing and achieving their potential as well as learning to cope with and overcome the unique stressors they face.
In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with his wife and playing video games.
Dolores Parrish is the Coordinator of Administrative Services of the University Advising Center. Dolores has been with Texas Tech University since 1998 and with the University Advising Center since 2004. Dolores is a First Generation high school graduate from Northview High School in Covina, California. In May of 2007 Dolores became a First Generation College (FGC) graduate upon earning her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Management from the Rawls College of Business Administration at Texas Tech University.
Dolores is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies.
Binit Singh Bhatia, B.Tech, received Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from Amrita University, India in 2007.Binit is currently enrolled in Master of Science in Computer Science here at Texas Tech and working towards his Master's Thesis specializing in Peer-to-Peer multimedia streaming solutions.
In his spare time Binit likes to listen to music, watch movies, read books, explore new technologies and free/open source software and spend time with family and friends.Binit aspires to become an entrepreneur and hopes to start his own company some day.
Jake Tiehen is currently enrolled as a Senior in the Electrical Engineering program at Texas Tech. He plans to graduate in August 2010, and would like to pursue a career in power systems.
Born and raised in Kingwood, Texas, Jake chose to attend Texas Tech after visiting his sister, a 2007 graduate of the TTU Health Sciences Center. In his free time outside of work and school, Jake enjoys the outdoors,playing sports and hanging out with friends.
Jessica Ezell is a First Generation College graduate from San Marcos, Texas. She graduated cum laude from Texas Tech University in May, 2009 with a B.A. in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education. She is also working on her post-baccalaureate teaching certification for early childhood through 6th grade. Jessica's goal is to first teach at the elementary level and eventually become a school counselor at either the elementary or middle school level.
Jessica has been a TTU PEGASUS Program Mentor since May, 2008 and a PEGASUS Program Assistant since October, 2008. She is currently a PEGASUS Program Assistant and Universal Mentor. She enjoys sharing her experiences as a successful FGC graduate with younger FGC students. In her free time, Jessica enjoys reading, eating, cooking and spending time with family, friends and her dog, Kira.
Vishnu Vaddamani, B.E., M.S., received became a Bachelor of Engineering in Civil Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Sciences in 2007. Vishnu is currently enrolled in the Master of Science in Management Information Systems program with an emphasis in Business Intelligence, with plans to graduate in 2010.
Before working for ACTT as a graduate assistant, Vishnu worked in the Business Intelligence Architecture and Competency Group of Satyam Computer Services LTD, India for one year. Away from office and school, Vishnu enjoys playing cricket, tennis, and the PS3 with his friends.
Andi Erskine, B.A., is a proud graduate of Texas Tech University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in May 2008, and she is currently pursuing a Master of Education degree in Counselor Education.
Originally from El Paso, Andi has called Lubbock and Texas Tech University her home since 2004. She has previously worked for TTU at the Office of Annual Giving where she built relationships with alumni and raised funds for Texas Tech. Andi enjoys sharing her experiences as a Red Raider and graduate of the College of Arts and Sciences with prospective students. She is excited to assist students as they explore the many opportunities offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.
Collin Foster, B. A., began his undergraduate education as a Red Raider studying Exercise Sports Science in 2004. A close inspection of priorities and long term goals led him to transfer to Wheaton College, from which he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Education and Ministry in 2006. Prior to joining the Advising Center team he served as a substitute teacher for Lubbock ISD.
Collin has a long history of mentoring high school and college students in group and one-to-one settings, and is passionate about helping others here and abroad. His international travels have enriched both his knowledge and his appreciation of many peoples and cultures. Collin draws on these exciting experiences as he works to to help people from all backgrounds succeed in the university environment and beyond.
In his free time Collin likes to play guitar, study theology and meet international students to learn more about their cultures. Collin plans to relocate to North Africa as a relief worker; meeting needs and extending hope to those who need it the most.
