Issue 19
Alumni Connect
Hasan Almekdash, PhD Higher Education Research, 2018
Photo credit: Ashley Browning
Hasan Almekdash, a Syrian native, joined the Master of Arts Languages & Cultures – Applied Linguistics program in the fall of 2012 sight unseen via word of mouth of a TTU alum and personal friend of Almekdash. During his MA academic career, he taught undergraduate Arabic classes and was an active participant in the Arabic Club. After earning his MA in 2014, and the Teaching English in International Context Graduate certificate in August 2016, he continued in the department as an Instructor while teaching ELS classes. Making connections with faculty and new friends, Almekdash discovered an interest in Geographic Information Science and higher education research which led him to pursue and complete a doctoral degree in Higher Education Research with a minor in Geographic Information Science in August 2018. He appreciates the freedom to change and grow that education in America offered to him and when he was introduced to statistics and quantitative analyses, he realized how he could affect data-driven policy analysis. His dissertation research utilizes K-12, higher education, U.S. Department of Education, geographical and census data to analyze the variables that impact students' progression in the state of Texas from independent schools to completion of four-year college degrees. His research produced an important data set on student success from kindergarten through a bachelor's degree which had never been accomplished in Texas. His accomplishments drew attention around the state and recognition by Educate Texas to improve higher education around the state as well as the Texas Tech community. He accepted a position as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Texas Tech University Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership beginning in September 2018. He will also teach courses on Research Methods to doctoral students.
Almekdash was recognized in the Texas Tech Today, August 7, 2018 issue. Click here to read the complete article.
Dane Boyles, Ph.D. Spanish, 1993
Dane Boyles received his Ph.D. in Spanish from Texas Tech University in December 1993. Currently Dr. Boyles is a Credentialed Mediator by the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association. As a credentialed mediator, Dr. Boyles provides bilingual mediation services to clients who are seeking to avoid going to court. Through mediation clients save money on exorbitant attorney fees and have the opportunity decide for themselves how they want to move forward with their lives. He specializes in court ordered mediation, pre- and post-divorce, divorce avoidance, divorce settlement, child custody & visitation modification, prenuptial agreements, property damage, civil litigation, and domestic relations. Dr. Boyle's mediation practice is called The Mediator Man where he serves Val Verde and Kinney Counties, Del Rio, Eagle Pass, and the San Antonio, Texas area. He currently lives in Del Rio, Texas with his wife Leslie.
Brian McNamara, Spanish BA, 2001
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Mr. McNamara graduated with honors from the Rawls College of Business in 2003 with a Joint MBA from Texas Tech and Universidad Anahuac in Mexico City. A former president of TTU's Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter, he graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelor's degrees in International Business and Spanish in 2001. Currently the Chief Learning Officer for the International Trade Administration in Washington, D.C., he has applied his business and language skills to support a global organization, whose mission is to grow the U.S. economy through international trade and investment. Mr. McNamara is an adjunct faculty member of the George Washington University where he has taught leadership courses in English and Spanish.
Mr. McNamara is also a published writer. In March of 2018, he published his first novel, Eminent Eclipse by J.B. Chadwicks, available on Amazon. A fictional action thriller inspired by real events, his novel takes readers on a roller coaster journey about a massive cyberattack against the U.S. In his book, he paints a vivid picture of what would happen as a result of a nationwide blackout that cripples America's utilities and industrial control systems infrastructure. His novel raises the question, How prepared are you? A hopeful future New York Times best seller, his story is very relevant in a time of political unrest, global economic turmoil, and widespread cyberattacks by countries like Russia, China, and North Korea.
Mr. McNamara resides in Virginia with his wife and daughter.
Sheldon, Lanna, Spanish BA 2012
Senior Study Abroad Advisor, Texas Tech Office of International Affairs
The most un-planned journey of my college career: Majoring in Spanish. My very first time abroad, I participated in an International Advertising program at the TTU Center in Sevilla. Three days in sunny Seville and I had fallen hard for all-things Spain. Engulfed by the culture, people and language, I quickly realized I would re-structure my academic career towards something greater than I had planned.
My curiosity for Spain was first peeked by my high school Spanish teacher, whose dedication
and passion for learning Spanish was contagious. She was the very first person in
my life who shared a glimpse of how large the world really was outside of my 400-people
farming town in central Texas.
Learning a second language is personal. It takes time, dedication and patience and
an understanding for the cultures in which you are being introduced. My family tree
is full of educators, so it was no surprise to many when I accepted a teaching job
in Madrid, Spain post-graduation. The two years I spent teaching and travelling broadened
my career path.
I committed to use Spanish in every future job and this commitment has led me directly
to where I dreamt of being: back at TTU inspiring students to join the very same program
that changed everything for me.
After travelling to more than 35 countries, I am honored to be back on campus in an
academic environment where I can continue to pursue my love for all-things Spain.
Lilly Quiroz, Dual BA Languages & Cultures-German, Journalism 2017
Intern at NPR
I am working for NPR's All Things Considered in Washington, D.C. As an intern, I have had the opportunity to produce a few segments for a news magazine that airs across the nation. Part of my job producing stories requires that I research and book guests. When covering topics that deal with Central America, I have utilized my Spanish to reach out to potential guests. As of yet, I have not used German in the newsroom. However, our show's host has suggested these language skills could become useful if there is a German or Turkish source who speaks German. I also follow German news outlets like Der Spiegel and Die Zeit. So, I find that I am usually the person pitching German-related stories for us to cover.
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