Beverly has over 20 years of professional working experience as an officer in the military, a corporate manager, a partner in a private marketing firm, and currently as a college instructor and doctoral student. She holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the U.S. Military Academy, an M.S. in Engineering Management from Missouri School of Science and Technology, and an M.B.A from Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, Il.

Her professional career consists of serving as an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, an engineer and business consultant at John Deere Waterloo Works, Waterloo, Iowa, as Finance and General Manager at Frito-Lay, Plano, Texas, and as the Vice President at a private marketing company that specializes in snack foods. Currently she has been teaching for three years in the Department of Marketing and Management at Winston Salem State University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Additionally, she is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Personal Financial Planning at Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX.

She devotes time to the mentoring and development of youth through a program called, “Team-Up” at WSSU, where she works with high school students in Foster Care and teaches them about leadership in addition to working with teenagers from a district in Texas to help motivate, inspire, and guide them toward preparation and acceptance to the U.S. Military Academy, West Point, New York. She spends her free time reading, writing, and spending time with her two teenage sons, Cole and Randy.

• Scholarships:
  • AT&T Endowed Fellowship and Helen Jones Foundation
• Poster Presentation:
  • Aragon, S. J., Johnson, B., Joseph, S., Tobias, K., & McGuinn, L. (February 2011). The influence of nursing patient-centered behaviors on African American and Black female Medicare patient satisfaction. Poster presentation at The Health Disparities/Health Equity Research Summit, The WSSU Center of Excellence for the Elimination of Health Disparities and the WFUBMC Maya Angelou Center for Health Equity, Winston-Salem, NC.
• Oral Presentation:
• Aragon, S. J., & Johnson, B. D. (November 2009). The influence of nursing patient-centeredness on African American and Black female Medicare patients’ satisfaction. Oral presentation at the Faces of a Healthy Future, National Conference to End Health Disparities II, Winston-Salem, NC.
• Research:
  • Retirement Planning, Financial Counseling, Target-Date Funds
• Career Goals:
  • Pursue a career as an educator and administrator
• Awards & Recognitions:
  • Sr. Teaching Assistant to Chancellor Hance, Chancellor, Texas Tech University; West Point Admissions Representative, Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson, 30th District, Texas.

I completed a Master of Science program in Plant, Soil, and Environmental at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX August 2010.  I graduated May 9, 2008 from Southern Arkansas University with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Science, and a minor in Plant Science.  I am originally from Beaumont, TX (Gulf Coast region) and grew up showing animals and competing in horse shows.  I showed pigs since middle school, and once in high school I competed in the San Antonio Livestock Show and Exposition calf scramble and caught a calf, which got me involved in the cattle industry.

In August 2010 I began working toward a Ph.D. at Texas Tech University in the Plant and Soil Science Department with an emphasis in Crop Science, specifically Plant Breeding.  Dr. Wenwei Xu is my major advisor.  My research focus is evaluating teosinte derived lines and testcrosses for drought, aflatoxin, and fumonisin tolerance through allelic diversity.

I am a recipient of The CH Foundation Doctoral Fellowship.  Upon completing a Ph.D., my short term career goal is to work for Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. as a plant breeder.  My goal includes working with other plant breeders to identify unique sources of drought and fumonisin tolerance and enhancing agronomics and yield potential in corn hybrids.  My long term career goal is to become a lead plant breeder or research director within Pioneer, and perhaps teach at the university level.

Amalyssa Johnson completed her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2006. During her tenure as a graduate student in the Clinical Psychology program, Amalyssa studied the relationship between children identified by their peers as rejected and aggressive; and their social reasoning skills, emotionality, and emotion understanding. Amalyssa completed her research under the supervision of Drs. Gary Fireman and Jim Clopton. It was an externship during her second year in the Clinical program at Lubbock Independent School District, though that sparked Amalyssa’s interest in her current passion of psychological assessment and treatment of children with psychological disorders. Amalyssa worked for the Lubbock Independent School District under the supervision of Dr. Fireman for 2 years where she was trained in the assessment of psychological disorders and report writing. This training prepared Amalyssa for her internship during her final year of the Clinical program in the Department of Psychological Services at Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District in Houston, Texas. Amalyssa conducted assessment and therapy at the elementary, middle, and high school level during her internship. Amalyssa also received specific training in the assessment of children with autism spectrum disorders at Cypress-Fairbanks. Once entering into the workforce after graduate school, it was clear that the training Amalyssa had received in assessment and treatment of psychological disorders was more than sufficient to allow her to be successful in these domains.

 The Clinical program at Texas Tech not only offered Amalyssa experience in psychological assessment but it also offered her clinical experiences working at the Canyon Lakes Residential Treatment Center, Texas Tech University Counseling Center, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, and the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lubbock. Amalyssa was also the recipient of the nationally-recognized Lilly Endowment, an Incorporated Scholarship of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, in San Francisco, California; as well as departmental scholarships each year as a student in the Clinical program. After the completion of her doctorate degree, Amalyssa pursued licensure as a Specialist in School Psychology and as a Psychologist. Amalyssa was licensed as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychologist (the license required to practice psychology in public schools in Texas) in 2006 and as a Licensed Psychologist in 2008. In 2008, Amalyssa and her husband moved to Abilene, Texas where her husband teaches at Hardin-Simmons University in the Holland School of Math and Sciences. Amalyssa's training and qualifications allowed her to work in private practice after moving to Abilene. She presently is the Clinical Director at a private counseling center. Amalyssa has worked in private practice since 2008 where the majority of her work continues to be the psychological assessment of children, namely of children with autism spectrum disorders. Her present job also allows her the freedom to conduct therapy with children and their families as well as with adolescents and adults. Amalyssa presently consults with her supervising professor Dr. Clopton regularly, as she continues to hold her training and the insight of her professors, who are now her colleagues, in the highest esteem.        

"Have a vision, do not settle for less than what you have worked hard for, and plan to succeed."

Tiffany J. Gonzalez is pursuing a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies as well as a Graduate Certificate in Women and Gender Studies. She is native from Chicago, Ill, and reared in North Richland Hills, TX. Tiffany is a first-generation Latina student, and arrived to Texas Tech University (TTU) in the spring of 2007 as an undergraduate. Prior to TTU, she was a community college student due to graduating high school early. While attending Tarrant County College, she was inducted to the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. The decision was made to transfer to a university after completing one year. She began researching universities in Texas, soon after, decided to only apply to TTU. In the fall of 2006, Tiffany received an acceptance letter, and became a recipient for a competitive scholarship known as the Presidential Transfer Scholarship. The university is located in west Texas. Lubbock is sincerely a unique city, something about it - the culture, and the people.

Upon stepping ground at TTU, she switched majors from Pre-Medicine (Biology) to History. Tiffany explained that the History professors at TTU were able to put History into perspective, and that allowed her to become passionate about America's past. The history courses offered were challenging, demanding, but spectacular. In 2009, she graduated early with a B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science. Just as she thought her higher education experience was coming to an end, the decision was made to pursue a graduate degree.

Tiffany began her graduate studies at the University of North Texas. However, she decided to transfer to TTU, and complete her Master's degree. The IS degree offered through the TTU Graduate School is a diverse program which allows students to branch out into areas that they find of interest. The program allows students to gain knowledge in areas that could be limited with a specific discipline. Since her degree is highly unique in its own, she has been able to grow, and carve paths that fit her studies. Her three areas include Ed. Psychology, Higher Ed., and History. With the supervision of her chair, Tiffany is working on a project that involves presidential gender and ethnicity issues. As Tiffany continued on with her graduate studies, she applied for competitive fellowships from the Graduate School. In the spring of 2011, she was awarded the Health and Social Services Fellowship.

In addition to being a graduate student, she has worked as a student assistant for Engineering Services at the Health Sciences Center. As a student assistant, she helped with developing an archive center for Engineering Services. Tiffany is a student-athlete tutor for the Marsha Sharp Center for Student Athletes. As a tutor, she has helped several students prepare for their undergraduate studies. She believes that being able to watch students break academic hurdles is an irreplaceable feeling. Upon completing this past school year, she accepted a job offer at a high school in Wolfforth, Texas. Besides putting herself through graduate school, writing and researching, being an educator is her calling. Tiffany enjoys spending time with her parents, and attending church regularly. Her leisure time includes enjoying a good cup of coffee, reading good books from different genres, the ambience of the outdoors, hiking mountains, and teaching her British blue shorthair cat, Draken, new tricks.

Upon expected graduation, she plans to pursue a PhD. Her research interests are women and gender, women and politics. For her future, she strives for the long-term goal of teaching at a community college, and being involved in an organization that helps first-generation students progress with their studies. Lastly, Tiffany recommends the university to any prospective graduate student because "from here, it's possible!"

I earned my Bachelor of Science degree as well as my Master of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Texas Tech University. With the mentorship of Dr. Anisa Zvonkovic, my master's thesis ("Relational Expectations of Cohabiting Couples Compared to Married Couples") included the use of a research instrument developed by Dr. Lawrence Ganong to survey a sample of undergraduate students at Texas Tech University in order to examine relational expectations held toward married couples as well as cohabiting couples. Data was collected and analyzed to determine similarities and differences between the two groups (married and cohabiting).

I am currently a doctoral candidate working towards completing my degree requirements in Human Development and Family Studies under the mentorship of Dr. Nancy Bell. My research interests focus on couple relationships and societal influences. I am exploring the impact family members, peers, and religious beliefs have on decision making at the individual and couple level, focusing specifically on fertility. Along with my research, I completed my teaching practicum in the fall of 2009 under the supervision of Dr. Elizabeth Sharp. I began teaching independently as a Graduate Part-Time Instructor in the spring of 2010 and have continued teaching within the HDFS department. Since that time I have instructed approximately 200 students (6 sections) in the sophomore level course Gender Development: Life Span Perspectives.

Throughout my graduate education I have been blessed to receive various scholarships (Helen DeVitt Jones Fellowship - 2011-2012, TEACH Fellowship Recipient - 2010-2011, Mary T. Young Scholarship Recipient - 2010, Mary Staudt Goodyear Scholarship Recipient - 2007, Raiders Rojos Scholarship Recipient - 2006) and fee waivers through filling the role as a Graduate Research Assistant and Graduate Part-Time Instructor. As a master's student and first year doctoral student I also received federal grant money to provide financial assistance as I worked toward earning my degrees.

Presentations I have taken part in (individually and as a coauthor) include the 2010 Graduate Research Poster Competition at TTU (Relational Expectations: College Students' Perceptions of Couples), a poster presentation at the 2009 annual conference of the National Council on Family Relations (Work & Close Relationships: Love, Tension & Sleep When Jobs Require Travel), and a poster presentation at the 2008 meeting of the International Association for Relationship Research (Relational Expectations of Cohabiting Couples Compared to Married Couples). I also gave a presentation to the Northeast Tarrant County branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 2009 (Work-Related Travel: Effects on Health and Family). I took part as a coauthor for the presentation given at a symposium conducted at the Work Life Summit of the 2007 National Council on Family Relations annual conference (The Effects of Globalization and Work Travel: What They Mean for Your Workers and Business). In 2007 I presented my thesis at the Graduate Research Poster Competition at TTU (Relational Expectations of Cohabiting Couples Compared to Married Couples).

I am looking forward to a career in academia and would also like to work within a community based social service organization. My career goals are to become a tenure track professor continually assisting student learning by encouraging critical thinking. I want to constantly strive to be fair and respectful in order to encourage all students to feel comfortable to share their thoughts and ask questions as they relate to course material. Moreover, I plan to continue conducting research in order to assist in furthering the social sciences and make an impact within our world for the betterment of all people.

A lifelong interest in the natural world and environment around me has led me to study the impacts of anthropogenic stressors on ecological systems. This interest developed through many great experiences I had growing up in rural Wisconsin. My first exposure to the formal science of ecology began with my Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. Through this project, I worked with a wildlife biologist to develop and complete a native prairie restoration plan using volunteer labor, which I organized. This experience led me to the University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point (UWSP), where I earned my Bachelors of Science with a major area of study in biology and wildlife ecology and a minor in chemistry.

The education I received at UWSP laid a foundation for my graduate studies in Texas Tech's Department of Environmental Toxicology. Within this program, my advisor, Dr. Stephen Cox, shares my interest in using quantitative ecology to examine the effects of contaminants on the environment. I have enjoyed not only the facilities offered by this department but also the diverse faculty that includes ecologists, environmental toxicologists, and environmental chemists. The breadth of this program has allowed me to have an interdisciplinary graduate course of study. Furthermore, I have also had the opportunity to collaborate with faculty in other departments such as mathematics and biology.

My graduate studies at Texas Tech (MS and PhD) have focused on how to use theory from quantitative ecology to understand how anthropogenic stressors impact natural systems. I have studied these stressors with laboratory and field studies, and, in addition, I have used a variety of mathematical modeling approaches to synthesize empirical data and generated theoretical understanding. My master's project examined the potential impact of anthropogenic climate change on dengue vector ecology. This research has resulted in two publications and a third manuscript currently under revision.

For my doctoral studies, I am studying the effects of toxicant mixtures, such as pesticides, on natural communities and populations of aquatic invertebrates. My approach differs from traditional environmental toxicology because I am studying populations rather than individuals. My research also differs from traditional toxicology because I am studying mixtures of toxicants rather than single compounds. This project consists of a laboratory study and a theoretical modeling exercise. The potential impact of this research has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Science to Achieve Results (STAR) program and I was awarded a Graduate Fellowship after my proposal passed an external science review panel and internal relevance panel.

Upon completion of my doctorate, I would like to continue studying the impacts of anthropogenic stresses on ecosystems as an environmental scientist. I hope to develop a career as an environmental scientist within either an academic or government setting. If I work for the government, I hope to be in a research setting such as a US Environmental Protection Agency Lab or US Geological Survey Lab where I may have a direct impact on the environmental policy of our country. Alternatively, an academic career would allow me to not only conduct research but also educate future generations of environmentalists, policy makers, and others about the importance of protecting ecological systems.

My love for creating art began to emerge as a high school student in my hometown in eastern Tennessee. I discovered that art making gives me the opportunity not only to work with my hands to create objects of beauty, but also allows me to become a more keen observer of the world around me. Upon entering the university setting, I was guided by several art professors who took a real interest in both my success as an artist and as a human being. One such professor was Mindy Herrin, M.F.A., tenured professor of Jewelry Design and Metalsmithing at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, Tennessee.

As a young student pursuing my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Professor Herrin imparted to me the technical and design skills essential to creating mature, developed artwork. She also challenged me to become a better person and a better artist.

Professor Herrin is an alumnus of Texas Tech University, having received her undergraduate degree in 2001. Therefore, when she spoke highly of the Texas Tech Jewelry and Metalsmithing department, headed by Professor Robly A. Glover, I decided to give Texas Tech serious consideration whilst I was deciding where I would attend graduate school. Upon visiting Texas Tech, I was thrilled to find the Jewelry/Metals facilities in the 3D Art Annex to be state of the art, unrivalled by any I had seen. The deciding factor in my choosing Texas Tech as the institution at which I would receive graduate level training, however, was Professor Rob Glover's experience, knowledge, and dedication to his students. His guidance as both professor and mentor has been invaluable to me; I have grown more as both artist and person in the last two years than I once thought possible.

Under Professor Glover's guidance during my first two years as a Master of Fine Arts candidate, my research has focused on the relationship of ornament to the body. It is my aim to investigate how adorning one's body with jewelry and other adornment can empower both wearer and viewer. I am also interested in utilizing my art to investigate universally relevant themes of life, death, and the relationship men and women have to the natural world around us. My most recent body of work includes a variety of works fashioned out of seedpods and other natural ephemera collected here in West Texas. While studying here at Tech, I have had my work displayed in several shows including the Rising Eyes of Texas Juried show in Rockport, TX and Bring It, Georgia State University and Texas Tech M.F.A. Exchange Show in Atlanta, Georgia. Most recently, my work was included in Fluxation, a juried student work presentation at the annual conference of the Society of North American Goldsmiths in Seattle, Washington. I have also been the recipient of the Alan B. White Merit Scholarship and the Helen DeVitt Jones Art Scholarship.

In addition to my scholastic endeavors, I have also served as the graduate coordinator of the Saturday Morning Art Project, a community enrichment project that provides local area high school students the opportunity to be exposed to a variety of art workshops taught by Texas Tech art professors. Teaching young people about the importance and relevance of art is extremely important to me. My art professors have had a very profound positive impact on my life and teaching is one of my joys. One of the best things about my experience at Texas Tech is the opportunity to serve as a graduate part time instructor, teaching Beginning Jewelry/Metals to undergraduate students. This real world teaching experience will prove essential when I am applying for jobs in the future. 

I am scheduled to graduate with a Master's in Fine Art from Texas Tech in Fall of 2012. The skills that I have garnered during my time here will give me the tools necessary to pursue my goals of being artist, educator, and well-rounded citizen. Coming to Texas Tech is one of the best decisions I have made thus far in my life journey.

I am a first year PhD student in the Wind Science and Engineering program at Texas Tech University. I grew up in Corpus Christi, TX and earned by B.S. with honors in civil engineering at Texas A&M University at Kingsville in 2005. A year later, I completed an M.S. in civil engineering at the University of Washington. I came to Lubbock by way of Seattle, Washington where I was a professional engineer in structural design for over five years.

As a structural engineer, I've taken part in the design of a variety of structures: single and multi-family residences, commercial developments, and seismic rehabilitations of existing buildings. A handful of each have either been LEED-certified or recognized as historic structures.

Once admitted to Texas Tech, I was offered (and subsequently accepted) both a stipend provided by the WiSE program along with a fellowship award from the CH Foundation. My goal is to explore a shift in my career aspirations and education. My mentor, Dr. Sang-Wook Bae, has been helping me develop specificity in my research plan.

I would like to study hazard mitigation policy in an effort to become a leading figure in emergency management for urban communities. My professional engineering experience has allowed me to become acutely familiar with the various design standards that are essential to practicing engineers. My future research aims to elevate this awareness by incorporating it into an interdisciplinary exploration of public policy, community development, and risk management. It is my belief that innovative design in the 21st century will become more conscious of the communities in which structures are built or retrofitted. The communities I refer to are those in natural disaster-prone regions. This cannot be performed successfully, however, without a well-acting method in which public policy highlights a natural hazard-conscious methodology to benefit both developer and citizen.

It is this element that I aim to explore as I pursue a PhD in Wind Science and Engineering at Texas Tech.