Ryan Gibbs, EdD, is Texas Tech's Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Dr. Gibbs is an alumnus of Texas Tech University 3 times over (B.A. in Political Science, 1998, Masters in Public Administration, 2000, Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, 2010). Ryan's 10 plus years in higher education includes preparing at-risk pre-college students for the rigors of college, advising and mentoring first generation to college students, teaching in the classroom, and leading a community college to 4 straight student enrollment records.
Ryan's research interests include the mission of the American Community College and the community college baccalaureate degree. Ryan has several professional honors including Who's Who Among America's Teachers and completing the Future Leaders Institute (2008) for the American Association of Community Colleges.
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 four 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.
Catherine Brooks, B.A., M.A., is originally from Abilene, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University and her Master of Arts in English from Sam Houston State University. She is pursuing a PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Tech.
Cathe has over 15 years of experience working with high school and college students. She is passionate about helping students succeed and has taught at both the high school and college level including TAKS preparation and mentoring new teachers. Certifications include Principal, K-12 English as a Second Language and Special Education, 8-12 History, and 4-8 History and English.
Facilitating curriculum delivery models and teaching in technical settings are also part of her professional background. She helped create the coursework used to teach developmental English classes for college students and created curriculum guides and course syllabi for middle school history and English courses. She served as a mentor and instructor for ITT Technical Institute and as adjunct faculty for DeVry Institute in Dallas. Most recently, Cathe has served as principal for the Cedar Crest campus of Trinity Charter Schools in Belton, Texas, a charter district serving at-risk youth.
Cathe spends as much time as possible with her three daughters and enjoys reading, cooking, and most outdoor activities.
A certified Secondary Education science teacher, Courtney received her Bachelor of Science degree in Earth Science with an emphasis on science education from Texas A&M University. Her Master of Science degree in Geography from Texas A&M focused on desert geology of the Chihuahuan Desert, Big Bend National Park.
Courtney began her career in higher education at Texas A&M University in 2002, spending five years as an Academic Advisor for General Academic Programs and as a Learning Specialist in the Center for Athletic Academic Services. As Academic Advisor, she advised and facilitated programming for undeclared and undecided freshmen and sophomores, provisionally-admitted students, and freshman learning communities. At New Mexico State University, Courtney served as Program Coordinator II for the National Science Foundation's Academy for Young Scientists and course instructor for UNIV 150 - The Freshman Year Experience.
Courtney grew up in Richmond, Texas, and she, along with her husband and new baby boy, is proud to now call Lubbock home. As a member of the Texas Tech University Advising team since 2009, Courtney is dedicated to guiding college students through this exciting period of immense personal and academic growth.
Collin Foster, M.A., B. A., began his undergraduate education as a Red Raider studying Exercise and Sports Science in 2002. 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 and a graduate assistant recruiting prospective students to the Texas Tech University College of Arts & Sciences.
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 help people from all backgrounds succeed in the university environment and beyond.
In 2011 Collin earned a Master of Arts degree in Applied Linguistics. In his free time he likes to spend time with his wife and new baby daughter (Adalyn), 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 most.
Publications
Foster, J.C. (2011, May 9). Checking your Registration Status [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/bkEqd5Ce7as.
Foster, J.C. (2011, September 15). How to complete the FOCUS assessment [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/ejgMiPpki_o.
Foster, J.C. (2011, September 20). How to run a Degree Audit [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/nDEYiYu_v0I.
Foster, J.C. (2011, September 20). How to Schedule an Appointment with your advisor [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/neU9Kbnng6c.
Foster, J.C. (2011, May 6). Linked Classes in Schedule Search Tool [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/TdDx3QZ7Ryo.
Foster, J.C. (2011, November 4). Update Addresses and Phones [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/oORBUhXrzsg.
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.
Joshua Hansen B.A., M.Ed., is originally from Lynnwood, WA. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in sport management and finance from Washington State University and his Master of Education in Higher Education in Student Affairs from Texas Tech University. He plans to continue his education, going forward through certificates and eventually a PhD.
Joshua is currently working toward publication of his thesis. He hopes to continue work in his research area of college applications and looks forward to future opportunities to research with University Advising.
Joshua fell in love working with students as a Resident Advisor at Washington State and believes University Advising provides excellent opportunities to help students in their college development. He believes in creating opportunities for all areas of their development and in giving students the keys to continue toward a successful future.
Kaitlin is excited to join University Advising in 2012! Kaitlin received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics, Environmental Studies, and Political Science from Tulane University. During her undergraduate years she developed a passion for working with college students through her work in student housing, student government, and undergraduate admissions.
After graduation, Kaitlin moved back to her hometown of Seattle to pursue this passion through a career in higher education. She received her Master of Arts degree in Student Development Administration from Seattle University, where she also worked in academic program coordination and financial aid, and interned in academic support services roles. During her time at Seattle U she developed an interest in student empowerment and academic decision-making, which led her to University Advising here at Texas Tech.
In her free time, Kaitlin enjoys reading, exploring the city, and otherwise enjoying the sunny Lubbock weather.
Katie H. Cooper, BS, is originally from Fayetteville, Georgia. She attended the University of Georgia studying Drawing and Scientific Illustration and then earned her Bachelors of Science from Georgia College and State University in Psychology. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Education here at TTU in Special Education with an emphasis in Behavioral Analysis.
Since 2002, Katie has worked at various camp and conference centers as a counselor, adventure trips leader, and high ropes/challenge course facilitator. Those unique experiences inspired her to pursue a career in creatively helping young people find their paths. She began working at Texas Tech in 2010 as an Administrative Assistant in the College of Architecture and was inspired to become an Academic Advisor within the university setting. She looks forward to progressing through her Master’s degree and utilizing that academic knowledge to benefit the students she advises professionally.
Katie is involved in the Mentor Tech Program and enjoys volunteering for various community and campus events. As an advisor she looks forward to helping students find their best-fit majors by encouraging them and providing many resources to aid them through the decision-making process.
In her spare time Katie enjoys painting and drawing portraits, baking bread, visiting the TTU Rec Center for aerobics and Zumba classes, taking her boxer, Dagny, to the dog park, and going on adventurous trips with her husband, Rusty (who is the coordinator for the Outdoor Pursuits Center here on campus).
Binit Singh Bhatia, MBA, B.Tech, received Bachelor of Technology in Information Technology from Amrita University, India. In 2011 Binit graduated with a Master of Science degree in MIS from Texas Tech University.
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.
Hi! My name is Paige Phillips. I am a senior studying nutrition from Austin, Texas. When I was touring the campus my junior year of high school a current student came up to my parents and I and asked if we needed help finding anything. It may sound silly, but at that moment I KNEW I would be coming to Tech. Also, I LOVED the “college town” feel and the unpredictable weather. I am part of the College of Human Sciences and the Honors College. I am a member of the Chi Omega sorority, Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society, Rho Lambda Honor Society, and the College of Human Sciences Recruiters. After I graduate (in one short year) I will hopefully be enrolling in Pharmacy School.
My name is Rocio Rodriguez and I am a junior microbiology student with minors in chemistry and anthropology, from Brownsville, TX. I chose Tech because it fit my expectations of a solid, affordable university education in a great community. I am a member of the Honors College, secretary for SACNAS, and an undergraduate research student. After graduation, I plan on attending graduate school (or medical school!) and studying global public health with a concentration in infectious diseases. One of my favorite things about Tech is the tradition. I always get goose bumps every football game when the Masked Rider leads the football team out to the field. I am proud to say I am a Red Raider! If you would like to know more about my experience here at Tech, you’re welcome to email me at GoCAS@ttu.edu!
My name is Sydney Stinnett and I am from Anson, Texas. I am currently a Human Development and Family Studies major and a first generation college student. I chose to come to Texas Tech University thanks to my cousins, who attended Tech; I visited the university with them and immediately fell in love with the university. I am involved in two groups here at Texas Tech, called HOSA and the Pre-Nursing Association. Through these groups I work on volunteering in the community. With my HDFS major, I am also working on getting my prerequisites for nursing school. After I have finished my prerequisites, I plan on applying to the nursing school here at Texas Tech University.
Major: Political Science
Minor: Legal Studies
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Amber is a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies. She is from Lubbock, Texas and graduated from Lubbock High School in 2007. Some of her interests include music, travel, dance, and community involvement. Amber has been named to the Dean's and President's list. After graduation, Amber plans on attending law school in Texas.
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Austin, Texas
Ashley is a junior majoring in Accounting and obtaining a minor in Legal Studies. She graduated from James Bowie High School in Austin, Texas in 2009 with highest honors. She is a member of the Honors College and Rawls College of Business where she stays actively involved. With an interest in tax law, Ashley plans on attending law school in either Texas or the east coast to become a tax attorney.
Major: Public Relations
Hometown: Colleyville, Texas
Kristen is a senior Public Relations major from Colleyville, Texas. She graduated from Grapevine High School in 2008, and she is now the president of Alpha Chi Omega, and was an intern at Susan G. Komen. Kristen has been on the President's list every semester, and her future goals include being a successful lawyer.
Hometown: Corsicana, Texas
McKenzie is a junior Public Relations major and Business minor from Corsicana, Texas. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega and the Texas Tech Honors College. She enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with friends and family. She has been on the President’s and Dean’s list each semester and plans to attend law school after her undergraduate career to study Oil and Gas Law.
