Staff
Click here to view the OPA Org Chart
Jennifer S. Hughes, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost, Office of Planning and Assessment
Email: jennifer.s.hughes@ttu.edu
Jennifer Hughes is Assistant Vice Provost for the Office of Planning and Assessment (OPA) at Texas Tech University. She earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Research from Texas Tech University in 2015, a Master of Science in Communication from Illinois State University in 1996, and a Bachelor of Science in Speech from Northwestern University in 1995. Jennifer's dissertation explored faculty compliance in academic assessment practices, specifically studying the ways in which assessment professionals collaborated with faculty members to achieve compliance. Jennifer's philosophy for working alongside faculty is informed by her dissertation research, and she takes a collaborative and supportive approach to accreditation compliance. Currently, Dr. Hughes is working on preparing for Texas Tech's 2025 Reaffirmation of Accreditation.
Hometown: Lanark, Illinois
Click here to learn more about JenniferBryson Carroll, MA
Associate Director
Email: bryson.carroll@ttu.edu
Bryson joined the Office of Planning and Assessment in February 2021 as a Senior Administrator and became Associate Director in May 2023. He supervises and assigns task to senior administrators, provides training and consultation to faculty and staff on assessments and reporting cycles, and assists with documentation for SACSCOC, THECB, and other institutional reports.
Bryson completed his M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas Tech University in 2017. He previously worked for the U.S. Census Bureau in their Partnership Program for the 2020 Census, focusing on community leader engagement, database management and data analysis. Outside of work, Bryson enjoys time with his wife and daughter, eating great food, gardening, and playing games.
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Kenny Shatley
Senior Administrator, Faculty Credentialing
Email: kenny.shatley@ttu.edu
Kenny Shatley has been at Texas Tech University since 2007 where he got his B.A. in English. Since then, he has served in various offices across campus serving in different positions from the Office of International Affairs to, now, the Office of Planning and Assessment. Kenny is the Senior Administrator for Digital Measures, including HB2504 and faculty credentialing compliance.
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Emily Knox
Senior Administrator, Institutional Assessment
Email: emily.knox@ttu.edu
Emily Knox has been at Texas Tech since 2016, earning three degrees - a Bachelor’s of Science in Agricultural Communication, a Master’s of Science in Agricultural Communication, and a Master’s of Science in Personal Financial Planning. She has served in various positions across campus during her time at Tech. She began working in the Office of Planning and Assessment in 2020 as a web design graduate assistant. Emily now works as the Senior Administrator for Institutional Assessment. Outside of work, Emily enjoys reading, spending time with family, and traveling.
Hometown: Lubbock, Texas
Sandra Castillo
Senior Administrator, Academic and Non-Academic Assessment
Email: sandra.castillo@ttu.edu
Sandra graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Spanish from Texas Tech University in 2013. She also earned a Master's in Higher Education from Texas Tech University in 2020. Sandra has served in various positions across campus during her time at Texas Tech. She previously worked for Student Engagement, and The Learning Center. Outside of work, Sandra enjoys spending time with her family and pets. She also enjoys reading, working on sewing projects, and game nights.
Hometown: Canadian, Texas
Aurelia W. Crider
Business Coordinator
Email: aurelia.w.crider@ttu.edu
Aurelia W. Crider earned her degree in Zoology with a minor in Music from Brigham Young University. She has traveled the world and country with her family living in a variety of cultures and areas from Hong Kong to Canada to Pennsylvania to finally Texas. She owned her own Piano Studio, teaching piano and music theory to people of all ages for many years. She has four children: the oldest two are students at the University of North Texas (Psychology and Music Education), and the younger two are still at home. Most recently, Aurelia worked as the Registrar and Attendance Clerk at Commander William C. McCool Academy in Lubbock. During her free time, she officiates for UIL and Club swim meets in West Texas. She is an avid knitter and really misses the mountains.
Hometown: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Rigdon Yates
Student Assistant
Email: riyates@ttu.edu
Rigdon Yates began working at the Office of Planning and Assessment in March 2024. He is a Junior perusing a Bachelor’s degree in Biology with a minor in Chemistry. Rigdon is on the pre-dental path and hopes to one day become an orthodontist.
Hometown: Sunnyvale, TX
Sawyer Wilkinson
Student Assistant
Email: sawwilki@ttu.edu
Sawyer Wilkinson began working at the Office of Planning and Assessment in April 2025. She is currently a freshman perusing a bachelor’s degree is Agricultural Communications. With this degree she hopes to get a career in Marketing or Journalism being an advocate for the agriculture industry.
Hometown: Ponder, TX
Office of Planning and Assessment
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Address
Administration Building, Suite 237, Box 45070 Lubbock, TX 79409-5070 -
Phone
806.742.1505 -
Email
opa@ttu.edu