Sara Pink has worked at the Sevilla Center since 2004 and has served in her current role as Director since 2018. She was originally inspired by a life-changing high school study abroad program in Japan and considers herself privileged to continue to accompany students and faculty on their journeys in the field of transformative education.  
Sara holds undergraduate degrees in Honors Business, Finance and Spanish from the University of Texas at Austin, a Master’s Degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, and a PhD in Spanish from Texas Tech University, where she wrote her dissertation on the Sevillian poet Luis Cernuda.  When she’s not leading Red Raiders in their adventures in and around Sevilla, she enjoys spending time with her family and the simple pleasures of life in Sevilla, such as strolling around the beautiful city and going out for tapas.  

Favorite tapas: Pescaíto frito and patatas bravas

Favorite travel destination in Spain: any beach town in the province of Cádiz  

Phone: (806) 834-4768/+34 954 54 21 30   
Email:sara.pink@ttu.edu 

Jonathan Deen, PhD

Assistant Director 

Jonathan started teaching Spanish at Texas Tech in 2008 and joined the Sevilla Center team in 2011.  As a TTU Sevilla alum, returning to Sevilla to help provide the same life-changing experiences for other Texas Tech students has been a dream come true.  In addition to his administrative responsibilities, his position allows him to share some of his greatest passions: teaching language and culture, leading educational travel, and volunteering classes for health and wellbeing.   
Jonathan graduated from Texas Tech with a BA in Spanish and Communications, then stayed on to complete his MA and Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese literatures.  Jonathan enjoys all Spain has to offer, especially the Spanish great outdoors; everything from the beautiful beaches to the diverse array of mountain trails for hiking.  

Favorite tapas: Manchego cheese and espinacas con garbanzos 

Favorite travel destination in Spain: Zahara de los Atunes, Cádiz   

Phone: (806) 834-7368/+34 954 54 21 30  
Email:jon.deen@ttu.edu  

Myriam Rubio 

Program Coordinator

Myriam Rubio started working at the Sevilla Center in 2010 as a Language Assistant and assumed her current position as a Program Coordinator in 2017. She holds an BA in English Philology (English Literature, Linguistics and Culture) from the Universidad de Sevilla. In 2017 she headed to Lubbock to join the Spanish Graduate Program at Texas Tech, an experience of which she has very fond memories.   
After earning her Master’s Degree in Spanish Literature and Cultural Studies in Lubbock, she returned to the Sevilla Center in 2019. As a local sevillana, she could not be more excited about helping and guiding students to explore and learn the Spanish language and culture and build an enriching experience in Sevilla.   
Travelling is among her most valued experiences, although she also enjoys Sevilla’s vibrant lifestyle and warm atmosphere. She also loves crocheting and could not live without music!   

Favorite tapas: Ensaladilla and Croquetas.   
 
Favorite travel destination in Spain: Barcelona and Granada  

Phone: +34 954 54 21 30  
Email:myriam.rubio@ttu.edu  

Lidia McDonald

Program Coordinator

Lidia McDonald has been working at Sevilla Center since 2018. Before that, she was an intern from the Universidad de Sevilla and as a Language Assistant in 2017 at the Sevilla Center. Lidia developed a passion for the Study Abroad field after studying abroad herself at the University of Leicester in the UK. She wants to help other students have a similar experience as she did.   
Lidia holds an undergraduate degree in English Literature and Linguistics from the Universidad de Sevilla. She also has a graduate degree in Secondary Education, specializing in English Language. When Lidia is not attending to students, she enjoys traveling to different countries and learning about their history and culture. She likes to spend time outdoors, basking in the sun with her friends and family. She is also a big fan of  Eurovision Song Contest.  

Favorite tapas: Croquetas and Gambas al Ajillo  

Favorite travel destination in Spain: Cádiz and San Sebastián 

Phone: +34 954 54 21 30

Email: lidia.mcdonald@ttu.edu  

 

Study Abroad Office

Lanna Sheldon

Administrator of the TTU Sevilla Center

Lanna has traveled to more than 40 countries and has lived and worked in Madrid, Spain and Sydney, Australia after backpacking extensively throughout Europe and Asia. Her love of travel was sparked by her two Study Abroad programs at the TTU Sevilla Center, where she studied international advertising, completed an internship and earned her degree in Spanish.

Lanna graduated in 2012 with degrees in Electronic Media & Communications and Spanish, and a minor in English. Her experiences at Texas Tech have opened opportunities for her around the globe.

Lanna is passionate for people and for travel and enjoys seeing that same passion in her prospective students as they embark on their journeys abroad to Spain.

Lanna was recently featured in an College of Media and Communications Young Alumni Spotlight. Read the alumni spotlight to learn more about Lanna.

Phone: (806) 742-3667

Email:lanna.sheldon@ttu.edu