Academic Success Center Directory

The Academic Success Center is your portal to achieving academic success! We make every effort to assist students in meeting their academic goals across a wide variety of subject areas.
Hours of Operation

Monday  8am - 5pm
Tuesday  8am - 5pm
Wednesday  8am - 5pm
Thursday  8am - 5pm
Friday  8am - 5pm

Appointment times may vary outside of
the regular schedule

Locations

Academic Coaching
Ransom Hall 206
602 W. Second St., Arlington, TX

Academic Support Programs
Library 415
702 Planetarium Pl., Arlington, TX

TRIO Student Support Services
Ransom Hall 206
602 W. Second St., Arlington, TX

ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER LEADERSHIP

Candice Calhoun-Butts, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice Provost, Retention and Completion

Image of Candice Calhoun-Butts

Bio: Dr. Calhoun-Butts serves as the Assistant Vice Provost of Retention and Completion in the Division of Student Success. She has 20 years’ experience in higher education and served in many capacities including leadership and administration, orientation, residence life, academic advising, enrollment management, research, and teaching. Dr. Calhoun-Butts is committed to advancing excellence in education, fostering innovation, and nurturing an inclusive environment.

Jennifer Luken Sutton, Ph.D

Director of TRIO - Student Support Services

Headshot of Jennifer Luken

Bio: I have worked at UTA for 20 years (since Fall 2001, my first job was a student assistant for TRIO Upward Bound Programs). My favorite part of my job is meeting students and getting to make connections. As a former TRIO student and first-generation graduate, I can relate to students and share advice.

Catherine Unite

Director of Academic Support Programs

Headshot of Catherine Unite

Bio: It is a privilege to work every day with a diverse student body and staff who are passionate about learning and life - which inspires me. “Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” (Socrates)

Adriane Jones

Associate Director, Academic Testing

Director, Academic Coaching

Adriane Jones
 

TRIO STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Eileen Ferbend

Office Coordinator

Headshot of Eileen Ferbend

Bio: I have been with TRIO SSS 10 years. I enjoy working with the diverse student population at UTA and seeing our TRIO students succeed!

Davy Em

TRIO Success Coach

Davy Em

Bio: As a TRIO Upward Bound Alumna, I was the first in my family to pursue and graduate from college with the help of my TRIO Advisors. As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the challenges of navigating the college system and the barriers that may arise as students go through their educational journey. I have an unwavering commitment to help students realize their academic potential and is excited to contribute my knowledge and skills to help students accomplish their goals.

Carly Rastandeh

Tutor Coordinator

Carly Rastandeh

Bio : I have worked in tutoring services since 2013. I am passionate about learning, and I find great joy in sharing that passion with our UTA tutors and students!

Samantha Donoso

TRIO Success Coach

Samantha Donoso posing for camera

Bio: I began my work with the UTA community as a peer mentor and tutor for the IDEAS center (UTA’s Title V grant). As a UTA alum and current graduate student, I am proud to be a TRIO SSS Success Coach and enjoy engaging with our diverse student population. 

 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT PROGRAMS

Christina Miller

Associate Director

Headshot of Christina Miller

Bio: 8 years of service. What I like most about my job is everything I learn from the students we work with.

Erica Gott

Tutor Coordinator

Headshot of Erica Gott

Bio: I’ve been with UTA for 8 years in this department. Prior to that I worked as a tutor for the UTA Athletics Tutoring department for 2 years and was a student from 2005 to my graduation in 2009. My favorite thing about this job is working with such a diverse population. I love learning about the foods of different cultures.

Hayden Roney

SI Coordinator

Hayden Roney

Bio: I have worked at UTA for close to 4 years – 2 years professionally, 2 years prior to my graduation. I love to see students and staff alike grow, change, and become more confident in their abilities and themselves!

Monica Franco

PLTL Program Manager

Headshot of Monica Franco

Bio: I have been at UTA for 1 year. The students I serve are directly responsible for why I love this job. I hope in a small way I have made a difference in the students’ lives as they have done in mine.

Ayomide Oyefeso

PLTL Coordinator

AO

Bio: I joined the Mavericks family in October 2022 and currently serve as the Peer-Led Team Learning Coordinator after being an educational advisor with TRIO Pre-College Programs. My interests lie in academic success, student retention, and career coaching. As a graduate student at UTA, I am pursuing an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy Studies. I am passionate about promoting self-advocacy among students and being their advocate.

 

ACADEMIC COACHING

Vacant

Associate Director

No Photo Available

Morgan Hutto

Business Analytics Analyst I

Bio: Hi! I joined UTA in January 2022! I love helping students reach their goals of obtaining a college education. I believe that everyone should be able to pursue continuing education if they wish and love being a piece of their journey!

Brittany Bolden

Academic Coach

Brittany Bolden

Bio: Hello Mavericks! My name is Brittany Bolden and I serve as an Academic Coach in the Academic Success Center. Before transitioning into this new role in October 2023, I served as an Academic Advisor in the University Advising and Engagement Center. What I love most about working with students is seeing you all achieve and overcoming obstacles. I encourage students to reach out for help when they need it whether it’s from your professors, classmates, and/or other campus resources. Fun fact about me: I’m currently working on my masters in social work and a masters in educational leadership and policy studies, and I enjoy playing the Sims 4 in my spare time.

Michelle Villaceran

Academic Coach

Bio: I have been with UTA since 2015 initially as a student. Later, I began my UTA career with the Office of Student Accounts in 2019 where I spent two and a half years working with students in Student Financials. I thoroughly enjoy helping students succeed and reach their goals no matter the obstacle we may face together. Everyone deserves a chance of success.

Katrina Williams

Academic Coach

Katrina Williams

Bio: Hey MAV FAM! My name is Katrina Williams and I serve as an Academic Success Coach in the Academic Success Center. I’ve been in this role since February 2022 and I’m a proud alumna of The University of Texas at Arlington. I’m what you would call a sparkplug! I use my light to help students discover the strength and gifts they already have living inside of them. My favorite part about working with students is seeing them have the light bulb moment, when they really start to believe that they can accomplish their goals.

Destiny Perez

Academic Coach

Bio: I have been at UTA for almost three years now. I appreciate the various types of students and backgrounds that I work with. The experience I have gained from working here has given me greater insight and allows me to grow and build valuable relationships with our students

Sophia Vieyra

Academic Coach

Bio: Hello Mavericks! My name is Sophia Vieyra and I am from Mesquite, TX. I completed my bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and I am pursuing my master's degree in HR Management. I have been working at UTA since April 2022. I started as an Academic Advisor in the University Advising & Engagement Center and then became an Academic Coach in the Academic Success Center. My goal is to make each student the best version of themselves. Success looks different for everyone. We each have to define what success looks like to us. Fun Fact: I love horror movies, true crime series, etc.

Luis Munoz

Academic Coach

Luis Munoz

Bio: My name is Luis Munoz, and I am an academic coach here at UTA (please call me Luis). I was born and raised in Irving, TX. I completed my undergraduate degree in History from UTA and currently working on my master’s degree in educational leadership and policy Studies at UTA. In my spare time, I enjoy spending my time with family and friends, watching sports (fav. football, basketball, and soccer), and being in the great outdoors. My philosophy is all about communication and relationship building. With that being said, I encourage you to not only focus on academics but also become involved in campus activities and organizations. If you have questions or need to talk, don't hesitate to contact me (email is best). I am more than happy to guide you through your college experience.