Honors College

The 2025 Resilience & Retention Conference brings together educators, administrators, and leaders to explore strategies and best practices for strengthening student persistence and success. With a focus on fostering resilience in students, enhancing support systems, and promoting positive academic environments, this conference offers a platform for collaboration and innovation. Participants will engage in insightful discussions, thought provoking panels, and keynote sessions designed to address the challenges facing today’s students and higher education institutions while equipping attendees with actionable tools to improve retention rates and student well-being. Join us as we work towards creating stronger, more supportive learning communities for all students.

Honors R&R Advising was piloted in Spring 2023 to provide Honors students with additional, high touch advising for academic and personal goals.
The R&R Advising program is completed in 3 meetings:
- Meeting 1 takes place at the beginning of the semester where I get to know you and what we would like to improve on throughout the semester. This where we will make your success plan and goals that we want to work towards during the semester.
- The second meeting takes place around midterms. This is a chance for us to evaluate your success plan, talk about your next semester, and check in on your goals.
- The third meeting is optional, but I always like to see all my students at the end of the semester. We again discuss the success plan, what you like and didn’t like about the program, and next steps for the next semester.
At the end of the day, our hope is that this program will help students feel more secure in the upcoming semester. Whether it is with academics, personal growth, time management, or just getting involved with Honors. This program is adaptable to meet each student where they are at and help them map where it is they want to go.
Texas Tech Now

Full Schedule for February 19-20 coming soon!

Now accepting reservations:
- Reservation Link
- Or call guest services at (806) 776-7000. Be sure to ask for the Resilience and Retention Conference 2026 Room Block to receive the special rate ($139/night). The deadline for the reservations will be February 4, 2026.

Assistant Director, College Success Coaching
College Success Coaching
Tyler Junior College (TJC)
Alex Alfaro serves as the Assistant Director for College Success Coaching at Tyler Junior College (TJC), where he leads initiatives focused on student resilience and long-term academic persistence. As a first-generation college student and an alumnus of TJC, Alex brings a unique "full-circle" perspective to his work, having earned an AA in Fine Arts and an AAS in Child Development/Early Childhood at the institution. He went on to earn a BAAS in Business Occupations from UT Tyler and an MS in Higher Education Administration from East Texas A&M. Today, Alex is dedicated to providing students the holistic support needed for navigating college, empowering the next generation of learners to achieve their academic goals.

Sr. Director, Red Raider Academic Success
Academic Innovation & Student Success
Texas Tech University
Brandon has been with Texas Tech since 2019, working across multiple areas of higher education, including Recruitment, Mentoring and Transition Programs, and First-Generation Student Success. He is a current PhD candidate in Higher Education at Texas Tech and looks forward to becoming a Red Raider alum. Brandon is energized by working within a highly interconnected and evolving university and finds purpose in sharing ideas, informing strategy, and bringing people together to better support student success.

Academic Advisor, Retention
Deans Office, Whitacre College of Engineering
Texas Tech University
Britiany Fraire has over six years of experience supporting students and families through key transition points in the college journey. In her current role within the Whitacre College of Engineering at Texas Tech University, Britiany leads orientation welcome staff, partners in retention efforts for students on academic probation, and helps create early connections that foster trust, belonging, and long-term success. Known for building meaningful relationships grounded in care, respect, and excellent service, Britiany has guided hundreds of students through admissions, recruitment, and advising processes. As a certified professional life coach and a successful first-generation college graduate, Britiany is passionate about empowering students to clarify their goals, access support resources with confidence, and develop the resilience needed to thrive throughout their college experience.

Director, Student Engagement
Academic Innovation & Student Success
Texas Tech University
Rachel is the Director of Student Engagement at Texas Tech University, bringing over 20 years of experience supporting college students through a variety of academic success programs. From a rural town in West Texas, she is a proud Texas Tech University alumna and a first-generation college graduate, earning the first Master’s degree in her family. Rachel is passionate about fostering a culture of kindness, collaboration, and lifelong learning, and she cherishes her roles as mother, wife, animal lover, and collaborator.

Lead University Life Coach
University Coaching & Student Achievement
Texas Tech University
Kurtis Vanderpool is a life coach, LPC-A, and writer who helps young adults find confidence, clarity, and a healthier relationship with themselves. He supports young adults through big transitions, identity questions, and building confidence from the inside out. He lives in Texas with his wife and their Husky, Moose. Learn more about his work at kurtisvanderpool.com

Resilience and Retention Conference 2026