Meet Our Staff
Our team consists of well-trained professional and student staff who are committed to enhancing students’ self-worth and confidence using non-evaluative, low-stakes relationships of trust. Our professional team has extensive tutoring and teaching experience, many of whom are UNT Dallas graduates. In addition, our student team are selected based on a rigorous recruitment and hiring process, which includes faculty recommendations.
Interested in learning more about the Learning Commons team? Scroll down to find out more.
Student Employees
Contact our Front Desk Assistants for help scheduling appointments or general questions about our services. Call 972-338-1755 or email lcwriting@untdallas.edu (for writing tutoring) or lcstem@untdallas.edu (for STEM tutoring).
Brenda - Front Desk Assistant
Major: Communication and Digital Media
Hobbies: watching movies, listening to music, and checking out restaurants
What I enjoy most about working in the LC: "What I enjoy about working in the Learning Commons is the nurturing environment and friendly faces."
Future Goals: "In the future, I would like to start my own animal rescue."
Brooke- Front Desk Assistant
Major: Communication in Digital Media with a certificate in Applied Gerontology
Hobbies: writing poems and spending quality time with my friends and family
What I enjoy most about working in the LC: “I enjoy working in the Learning Commons because I get to meet new people every day, and no two days are ever the same. The variety and constant interaction make it an adventure that adds to my overall college experience."
Future Goals: "After graduating from UNT Dallas, my goal is to continue growing my business and to begin working toward earning my CNA certificate."
Tabor - Front Desk Assistant
Major: Public Health
Hobbies: reading books and going to the gym
What I enjoy most about working in the LC: “I enjoy working at the LC front desk because it allows me to interact with students in a welcoming and supportive environment. I like being able to assist students, answer questions, and connect them with helpful resources. This role has strengthened my communication, organization, and customer service skills.”
Future Goals: "After leaving UNT Dallas, I plan to pursue a graduate degree in the public health field. My long-term goal is to continue developing my knowledge and skills so I can contribute to improving community health outcomes and promoting health equity."
Jay - Writing Tutor
Major: Psychology
Hobby: listening to K-pop, reading, Crafting, DIY, Drawing, and anything TMNT
What I enjoy about working in the LC: "As a newcomer, I love how nice everyone is!"
Rueben - Graduate Writing Tutor
Major: Counseling major currently in his third semester of graduate school.
Hobbies: play video games, watch horror movies, and organize things in my free time.
What I enjoy about working in the LC: "I like working in the LC because I get to make an impact on students and help them learn how to help themselves."
Future goals: "I would like to eventually have my own study and perhaps be a professor for counseling as well."
Cristina - Writing Tutor
Major: Communications & Digital Media
Hobbies: Listening to music, learning new languages, reading
What I enjoy about working in the LC: "the chaos/ the good energy of the LC"
Future goals: work with the Weather Channel or work with UMG Music.
Brandon- Math Tutor
Major: IT & Math
What I enjoy most about working in the LC: "I've always been passionate about these subjects & am excited at the opportunity to help my fellow students improve."
Future Goal: "One of my goals is to earn my PhD in Mathematics so being a tutor serves is not just a way to give back but means to learn valuable skills towards my journey."
Andrew Evans - Science Tutor
Major: Chemistry
Hobbies: Listening to music, Playing video games
Future Goals: "After graduating, I plan to transfer to UNT Denton and pursue a graduate
degree in Forensic Chemistry."
Aiana West - Math Tutor
Major: Mathematics BS with a minor in Business Foundations
Hobbies: playing basketball, baking desserts and breads, and solving puzzles
What I enjoy most about working in the LC: "...the laid-back / easygoing environment
and our commitment to helping each and every student with our best efforts."
Future goals: "get an internship at insurance companies and building up my resume
/ portfolio to kickstart my professional career"
Professional Staff
Gustavo - STEM and SI Coordinator
Gustavo is from Dallas, TX and graduated from UNT Dallas in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a Chemistry minor. He researched antibacterial resistance to disinfectant under Dr. Frantz and chemical salts affecting bacterial growth with Dr. Yousufuddin. Gustavo was very active on campus, serving as the Lab Assistant Manager for Dr. Rodriguez, the Vice President of the Chemistry Club, and a member of Tri-Beta. Gustavo wanted to continue serving the UNT Dallas student body as a tutor to further his love of biology and to help others. Gustavo is currently finishing a M.S in Drug Discovery and Development in the College of Pharmacy at the UNT Health Science Center Summer '26. In addition to his enthusiasm for science, Gustavo is a big fan of comic books, Star Wars, and Star Trek.
Contact: Gustavo.Gomez@untdallas.edu
Paul - STEM Learning Specialist
Passionate about helping students understand difficult material, Paul has over 10 years’ experience tutoring high school, college, and graduate students in chemistry, biology, math, and writing. A UNT Dallas graduate, Paul earned a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and a minor in Chemistry and participated in published research with faculty members. He is currently researching pnicogen-pnicogen through space interactions using computational methods at SMU, and he enjoys cooking and playing the cello in his time off.
Contact: Paul.Wiggins@untdallas.edu
Caitlin - Writing Tutor Coordinator
Born in Canada and raised in the United States, Caitlin is an immigrant and was a first-generation university student. Caitlin is an alumnus of both UNT Dallas and UNT Denton, having earned her Bachelor’s in Communication & Digital Media at UNT Dallas and then earned her Master’s in Communication Studies with a Concentration in Rhetoric at UNT in Denton. As an alum, Caitlin was excited to return to her alma mater campus to serve students in the Learning Commons. Caitlin wrote her first fictional story at six years old, and she has been passionate about writing fiction, poetry, and research ever since! Aside from writing, Caitlin also enjoys theatre, playing Dungeons and Dragons, and listening to music.
Contact: Caitlin.Taylor@untdallas.edu
Erum - STEM Learning Specialist
Erum completed her bachelor’s degree in Pakistan with a major in medicine and is currently
pursuing an MPH with a concentration in epidemiology and biostatistics at Texas A&M.
She works as a Learning Specialist at UNT Dallas where she finds joy and aspiration
from fellow students and fulfillment in helping students become independent learners.
Erum researched the factors affecting sperm speed and presented in the LAS showcase
fall of 2022 under Dr. Mehdi. She is passionate about helping communities facing disparity
and designing all-inclusive policies beyond regional boundaries, race-ethnicity, and
socio-economic status. In her free time, Erum enjoys going for walks and playing badminton.
Contact: Erum.Waheed@untdallas.edu
Small column left or rightMike - STEM Learning Specialist
Mike was born in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico but grew up in Dallas, TX from an early age. He graduated from UT Arlington in 2006 with a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, the first in his family to obtain such a degree. He worked part-time at DCCCD as a math tutor and adjunct faculty member while studying to obtain his master’s degree. He’s worked full-time at Tarrant County College (TCCD) since 2009 tutoring mathematics and physics and began teaching credit level mathematics courses in 2019 as well. He enjoys helping young people learn and understand concepts in mathematics and physics. Aside from mathematics, Mike enjoys playing the guitar (acoustic and electric), riding his bicycle around the neighborhood, watching the Dallas Cowboys, reading, and swimming (if he can find a pool).
Contact: Miguel.Manzanares@untdallas.edu
William - Writing Learning Specialist
William graduated with his Masters Degree in 2021 from Baylor University with a heavy focus on developing museum exhibitions for art, history, and science museums. Multiple museums have had him do a variety of roles, but he has always been an educator who broke down abstract and difficult historical and scientific concepts to visitors and students. He now works as a Professional Writing Tutor for UNT Dallas by offering his experience in communicating difficult historical topics and conducting research to the student body. When not talking about his favorite historical topics, you can find him getting distracted by dinosaurs, doing a deep dive into his latest Dungeons and Dragons campaign, or planning a trip to see more of this beautiful world we live in.
Patrick - STEM Learning Specialist
Patrick recently graduated from Texas Wesleyan, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry and math. He's passionate about helping students with the sciences, mainly biology and chemistry. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, programming, and playing with his 4 cats.
Angela - Writing Learning Specialist
Angela was born and raised in Dallas Texas, she recieved her B.S. In Criminal Justice from UNT Dallas in 2025. Angela is also currently pursuing a master degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology. She hopes to also one day go to law school and practice immigration law. Angela has two years of experience as a writing tutor as well as ESL, and enjoys helping students practice and develop their writing abilities. Her favorite hobbies to participate in outside of work include listening to crime podcasts, collecting stationery and engaging with rabbits.
Manuel - STEM Learning Specialist
Born & raised in Dallas, Texas, USA, Manny is a career educator and public servant. He is a proud alumnus from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) with a B.S. in Mathematics. His career is focused on tutoring 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year mathematics, Senior Academic Advising, and Placement/Academic exam administration. He will return to school to get his master’s degree. In his free time, he is a Military Sci-Fi artist, a NASCAR fan, and an aficionado of well-made movies of all genres. Manny also enjoys good music & great food with family and friends.
Ben White - STEM Learning Specialist
For a very long time, Ben has appreciated mathematics, even going to a special STEM middle and high school. Later he would graduate with a bachelors degree in mathematics from UNT Dallas. With his interest in the topic, he wants to study financial math in order to become an actuary, but for the here and now, he wants to help tutor people struggling with math. He really appreciates that work and values patience with people and the learning of new things. In his free time, Ben enjoys the occasional card game or a round of chess but can usually be found enjoying a computer game.
Administrative Support Staff
Dr. Scott Sands
Since 2002, Scott has been a tutor, teacher, or learning center administrator, working everywhere from Washington to Florida to Utah and Texas. He holds a Ph.D. in English Studies from Illinois State University where his dissertation focused on writing centers and academic support, and an MFA from Georgia College and State University, where he concentrated on writing scripts and multigenre experimentation. In his free time, Scott enjoys baseball, Star Trek, and musical theatre. Scott loves working in education because every day is a chance to learn something new.
Anya - Learning Commons Coordinator
Anya grew up in Grand Prairie and is one of 13 siblings! Anya earned her Associates of Science from DCCCD in 2012, and graduated from UNT Dallas in 2016 with a Bachelors of Arts in Mathematics and a minor in Sociology. Anya is glad to be a part of a growing university, and is dedicated to helping students build and hone a strong Mathematical foundation to build on and finesse throughout their academic and professional career. In her off time, Anya loves spending quality time at home with her 3 kids and husband. She also enjoys doing puzzles, completing home projects, watching TV, and sitting around the fire.
Contact: anya.reck@untdallas.edu
Shailen - Administrative Specialist
Shailen grew up here in Dallas, a few minutes from UNT Dallas’s campus. She graduated
from Texas A&M University with a BA in English Literature with a focus in Creative
Writing. Shailen also holds an MFA from Arcadia University in Creative Writing: Poetry.
She ultimately hopes to better serve and inspire the community she grew up in, and
UNT Dallas is representative of that community. In her free time, Shailen enjoys
creative writing, drawing, and lyric improvisation.
Contact: Shailen.Scott@untdallas.edu
Yareli - Administrative Assistant
Yareli was born and raised in Dallas, TX. She received her Associates of Arts from
Mountain View College in 2017, and graduated from UNT Dallas in 2022 with a Bachelor’s
degree in Liberal Arts & Sciences with a minor in Spanish. Yareli is dedicated to
helping the growing student body by addressing their needs. She enjoys spending time
with her fur babies and doing pottery.
Contact: Yareli.Santamaria@untdallas.edu