Managing Director, Office of Planning and Assessment 
Email: jennifer.s.hughes@ttu.edu

Jennifer Hughes is Managing Director of 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

Senior Administrator, Academic and Non-Academic Assessment
Email:  kara.page@ttu.edu

Kara works with the Texas Tech University Office of Planning and Assessment as the Senior Administrator of Program Assessment. Her primary responsibilities are consulting with faculty and staff regarding their educational and support service assessments and managing the assessment reporting software, Nuventive Improve. She also assists with the ongoing accreditation efforts for the university.

Kara is a doctoral candidate in the Educational Psychology program at Texas Tech University. Her research interests include Career Adaptability, Self-Efficacy, and Career Optimism. Kara completed her Master of Public Administration at East Carolina University in 2008 and received her B.S. in Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2004. She is also a certified teacher of Art and English Language Arts in Oklahoma and in Texas. She has previous TTU experience working with the College of Education as the Interim Director of Assessment and Accreditation. Kara has also served as a Graduate Instructor in the Teacher Education Program within the College of Education. Before Tech, she had 7 years of teaching experience in public, private, and outdoor schools.

Hometown: Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Senior Administrator, Institutional Assessment
Email:   bryson.carroll@ttu.edu

Bryson joined the Office of Planning and Assessment in February of 2021 as a Senior Administrator over institutional assessments including NSSE, TechQuest, and ETS Proficiency Profile. He also manages the collection and reporting of Core Curriculum Course Level Data.

Bryson completed his M.A. in Communication Studies from Texas Tech University in 2017. He also received a B.A. in Communication Studies and a B.A. in Spanish from Texas Tech University in 2015. Before joining OPA, Bryson taught Public Speaking as a Teaching Assistant during his M.A. and then online as an Adjunct Instructor. 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. Prior to Texas Tech, Bryson lived and worked in Lima, Peru. Outside of work, Bryson enjoys spending time with family, playing games, and traveling.

Hometown: Lubbock, Texas

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

Student Assistant
Email:  bemadura@ttu.edu

Benjamin Madura began working in the Office of Planning and Assessment in August 2020. Previously he attended South Plains College and graduated with an Associate's Degree of Science in 2019. Currently Ben is pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Biology and is expected to graduate in 2022. He then plans to attend medical school following graduation.

Hometown: Lubbock, Texas

Student Assistant
Email: abeimer@ttu.edu

Avery Beimer began working in the Office of Planning and Assessment in August 2021. She is currently a freshman pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Animal Science-Business with a certification in Equine Studies. She has been barrel racing her whole life and is a member of the Texas Tech Rodeo Team.

Hometown: Farmersville, Texas

Student Assistant
Email: olivia.london@ttu.edu

Olivia London began working in the Office of Planning and Assessment in September 2022. She is currently a senior pursuing a bachelor's degree in Public Relations and Strategic Communication Management with minors in Media Strategies and Creative Media Industries. She previously held two positions in the community service organization Miller Girls and is currently a communications intern at Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. She is also a member of the Association for Women in Communications.

Hometown: El Paso, Texas