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Vicki Hill, Director, earned her B.A. in English from the University of California at Berkeley and her Ph.D. in English and American Studies from the University of Buffalo. A 1991 M Award recipient, she has served as director of SMU's First-Year Writing Program and chair of the university-wide Task Force on the First-Year Experience. Vicki is committed to creating conditions that encourage undergraduates to get the most out of their academic experiences at SMU. She enjoys reading contemporary fiction, attending live theater (especially in New York!), traveling to new places, and supporting the Mustangs. |
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Patricia Feldman, Associate Director, earned her B.A. in English from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, and her Master's in Postsecondary and Adult Reading from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to becoming Associate Director of the A-LEC, she was director of SMU's Reading & Learning Center and of the North Lake College Center for Independent Study. A recipient of the M Award, she is especially interested in helping new students—both first-years and transfers—get off to a strong start at SMU. With four generations of her family living in Dallas, Pat's favorite pastime is having fun with her five grandchildren. She loves cats, chocolate, murder mysteries, and beaches anywhere in the world. |
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Sue Bierman, Associate Director, received her B.S., M.S, and Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Her major fields of study are Psychology, Counseling, and Higher Education Administration. Before joining the A-LEC staff in January 2007, Sue was an Assistant Professor and Coordinator for Student Services at Butler University. Sue has taught courses in Psychology, Statistics, and Student Success and Ethics. She has worked in Residence Life, Student Activities, and Athletic Advising. Sue enjoys playing tennis, attending the grand slam events, and rescuing dachshunds.
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Ann Shattles, Assistant Director, received her B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Dallas and her M.A. in English from SMU. Before joining the A-LEC staff, she taught Rhetoric and Honors Rhetoric in the SMU English Department and worked as a member of the Writing Center faculty and editor of Criteria, SMU's Journal of First-Year Writing. Ann is one of the supervisors of the A-LEC/RLSH ARA program, as well as an adjunct member of the Honors Program faculty. |
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Jane Preston, Assistant Director, received her B.A. in Geology and M.S. in Educational Administration from Texas A&M University. Before joining the A-LEC staff in July 2003, she was a Graduate Assistant in Campus Programming and Leadership Development at Texas A&M and Graduate Assistant in the Center for Athletic Academic Services, also at Texas A&M. As the first one in her family to go to college , Jane is passionate about helping students, especially first generation college students, never feel lost like she was in college. She enjoys puzzles, problem-solving, her husband and 3 cats, anything outdoors and MUSTANG sports. |
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Adreana Julander, Assistant Director, received her B.S. in Mathematics from Southern Utah University and her M.S. in Statistics from Texas Tech University. Before joining the A-LEC staff in January 2007, she served as an instructor at Weatherford College and at SMU, and as an A-LEC tutor. |
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Alexa Taylor, LPC-S, Assistant Director, Learning and Attention Disorders Counselor, received her B.S.
from Oklahoma State University and her M.S. in Counseling Psychology
from the University of North Texas, and, in January 2002, received her Texas LPC license (Licensed Professional Counselor). Before joining the A-LEC staff in 2001,
she worked as a Neuropsychology Therapist at the Baylor Institute for
Rehabilitation, and with children at the Lena Pope Home, and completed a year-long practicum with SMU's Counseling and Testing Center. Outside of work, you'll find Alexa on a hiking or mountain biking trail or in the garden. |
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Deirdre Joseph, Academic Counselor, holds a B.S. in Psychology and M.Ed. in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Southern Mississippi. While completing her M.Ed. she worked as a graduate assistant in the Student Academic Enhancement Center. After graduation, she accepted an internship at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in the athletic department. Before joining the A-LEC staff, she worked as an Athletic Academic Advisor for the University of North Texas. Deirdre enjoys exercising, going to the movies, and traveling. |
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Matthew Robinson, Academic Counselor, recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma with an M.Ed. in Intercollegiate Athletic Administration, following a B.A. in Sociology, also from Oklahoma. At OU he worked as a learning specialist, primarily with at-risk students, and as a housing manager with Oklahoma's Division of Student Affairs. Matthew found his way to Oklahoma from California and has enjoyed living in the South. He and his family enjoy hanging out at the lake and participating in athletic events. |
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Glenn Pfenninger, LPA, Learning and Attention Disorders Counselor, received his B.S from Texas Christian University in Psychosocial Kinesiology and then went on to gain his M.S. in Psychology from the University of North Texas in 2007. Prior to coming to SMU, he worked with the college population as a housing counselor at UNT and also honed his entrepreneurial skills starting his own business as a private sport performance consultant. Glenn is currently working towards completing his Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Sport and Exercise Psychology from UNT. He enjoys attending sporting events, playing golf and spending time with family and friends. |
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Debra Shapira, Learning Skills Specialist, received her B.S. in Social Work and M.S. in Clinical Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and earned her LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) license in 2006. Prior to joining the A-LEC, she worked at Northeastern Illinois University as a counselor and program coordinator for Project Success, a special program for at-risk students. She has also worked at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY as a developmental counselor. She is especially interested in helping students to become better, more efficient learners. Outside of work, Debra enjoys reading, cooking, traveling, exercising, and spending time with her family, friends, and her pocket Beagle, Charlie. |
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Elsie Umeh, Academic Counselor, received her B.S. in Psychology from Texas Christian University prior to completing her M.Ed. in Counseling from the University of North Texas in May 2009. As part of her M.Ed., Elsie completed an internship with UNTŐs Career Center and the Academic Readiness office. She also worked as a residence hall director at UNT, serving predominantly first-year students. Elsie is most interested in helping students find their niche and become successful in the college environment. Outside of work, Elsie enjoys spending time with her family and friends, catching a good football game, shopping, and reading. |
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Rhonda Wilborn, Administrative Coordinator, oversees the payroll and business office functions of the A-LEC, supervises clerical staff, and provides practical support to numerous A-LEC activities. |
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Brian Argenbright, Assistant to the Director, manages the A-LEC's front desk operations, assists the Director with university-wide reports and studies, provides technical support for all A-LEC computers, coordinates data management, and keeps daytime tutoring in smooth working order. Brian also provides primary administrative support for ORACLE, a one-credit study skills class, and is the source of the friendly voice and smile that greet visitors to the A-LEC. Brian is currently attending SMU while working towards a degree in Religious Studies. |
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Becca Gibson, Student Athlete Academic Services Intern, earned her B.A. in Communication from Washington State University in 2007 and is currently working on her MEd in Higher Education at Dallas Baptist University. Before joining the A-LEC staff in July 2007, she was a member of the Washington State University rowing team and worked in the Academic Resource Center. She enjoys playing softball and watching college basketball and football games. |
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