Macie Reese has been named the new program manager for undergraduate studies for Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. She officially stepped into her new position on Sept. 10.

Reese, who will be based in CASNR's Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center, joins a group of professionals in the CASNR Dean's Office charged with recruiting and retaining the best students for the college, said Cindy Akers, CASNR's Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs. Reese will be responsible for undergraduate programs, degree plans, transfer credits, commencement, awarding of undergraduate degrees, advising, and assisting the associate dean for academic programs.

"I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources," Reese said. "As a TTU graduate, I couldn't be more excited to be back on campus helping undergraduate students achieve their educational dreams."

Prior to joining the CASNR staff, Reese served as associate director of application systems, and earlier lead academic advisor in Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center's School of Health Professions, Admissions and Student Affairs. Recent honors for Reese include School of Health Professions Dean's Ambassador Award (2017) and the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Distinguished Staff Award (2017). The Shallowater native received her bachelor's degree in human development and family studies from Texas Tech.

Other members of CASNR's Student Success Center staff include:
• Stephanie Legako (2016); Academic Specialist for Student Retention. A licensed marriage and family therapist, she received her bachelor's in psychology from Texas Tech and master's degree in human development and family science from Oklahoma State University. Prior to joining Tech, she served as a therapist at Blomquist Hale Employee Assistance in Logan, Utah; and lead therapist at Capstone Counseling in Logan, Utah.
• Everardo Macias (2016); Coordinator of Diversity. The Dallas native will recruit high school students and transfer students for CASNR through a targeted effort, as well as develop and coordinate information and printed literature emphasizing the college's diversity, its programs, centers and facilities. He received his bachelor's degree in sociology/criminology and Spanish from Texas Tech.
• Cindy McCullough (2012); Coordinator of Scholarships. Prior to taking her position, McCullough served as Coordinator of College Relations in the Student Success Center. Earlier, she worked in Tech's Department of Animal and Food Sciences and Tech's Office of the Provost.
• Pam Urnosky (2001); Administrative Assistant. The Tennessee native will be assisting in administrative areas related to Student Success Center student travel and CASNR's Matador Institute of Leadership Engagement (MILE) program for undergraduate students that seeks to develop participants' personal and professional skills, while exposing them to the key issues affecting local, state, and national agriculture and policy. The program is designed to provide participants with a competitive edge when seeking career opportunities after graduation.

The Dr. Bill Bennett Student Success Center is named for long-time member of the Department of Plant and Soil Science's emeritus faculty Bill Bennett. Bennett joined the Texas Tech faculty in 1968, and was a trailblazer in raising money for scholarships to increase recruitment of students, in addition to spearheading creation of the college's Ambassadors for Agriculture and Agri-Techsans programs.

In other action, CASNR officials announced that Kathy Stonum will join the Dean's Office staff as a senior administrative assistant, starting Sept. 11. She will be working closely with CASNR's new Associate Dean for Research. Prior to joining the CASNR staff, Stonum served as a coordinator with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, and as a research aide at Texas Tech. The Missouri native received her bachelor's degree in animal production from Texas Tech.

CONTACT: Cindy Akers, Associate Dean for Academic and Student Programs, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Texas Tech University at (806) 742-2808 or cindy.akers@ttu.edu

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