Meet the Team

Dr. Lee Francine Juarez (aka Dr. J) joined UNT Dallas in April 2023 as the Associate Director of Student Success, over seeing the Student Success Center and Student Success initiatives such as the Peer Success Coach program at UNT Dallas and supports a variety of retention and degree completion initiatives at the University. Dr. Juarez has experience working with a variety of student populations such as: first-generation, transfer, online, adult/post-traditional students, and student athletes. Dr. Juarez has experience being part of and working withing various institutional settings such as community colleges, the University of California college system, Predominately White Institutions (PWI), and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). She was born and raised in Stockton, CA where she attended the San Joaquin Delta Community College and graduated with an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology and a certificate in American Sign Language. She received her B.S degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Merced, graduated with a dual Master’s degree in Higher Ed and Comparative International Education and her doctorate in Higher Ed from the Pennsylvania State University, where her research focused on how Minoritized students described their sense of belonging while attending a Predominately White Institution (PWI) during COVID-19. Her research specialization is in the Sense of Belonging and Campus Culture where her goal is to promote holistic student success initiatives while building a campus culture of care.

On her time off you can find her working out, reading a good book, or exploring coffee shops in search for the best coffees (and conchas) in the DFW area. 

Veronica Salinas is a dedicated professional with a passion for student success and community engagement. Hailing from Dallas, Texas, she embarked on her academic journey at UNT Dallas in August 2017, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in General Business.

During her undergraduate years, Veronica distinguished herself as a Peer Success Coach, embodying a spirit of mentorship and support for her fellow students. Her commitment to empowering others led her to her current role as the Coordinator of Student Success, where she oversees a variety of initiatives aimed at strenghtening student achievement. In her role, Veronica assists in managing Peer Success Coaches and leading outreach efforts such as Early Alerts, Student Check-ins, and Retention Case Management.

Driven by a desire for continued personal and professional development, Veronica is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the University of North Texas. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she finds joy in attending concerts and exploring new culinary experiences at local restaurants.

email: ashley.alfaro@untdallas.edu

Hello! I am Ashley Alfaro. I am originally from California and moved to Texas with my family. I am a sophomore at UNT Dallas, and I am pursuing finance. Traveling is my passion with New York and Florida topping my list of favorite destinations! I also have a few other hobbies, I love trying out new baking recipes, building puzzles and going shopping. My goal is to travel the world, start my own business, become a CPA, and grow and learn more about business life. Wishing you all the best on your college journey and all your future endeavors!  

One of my favorite places to study is the sky-top reading room where there are not any distractions and has a beautiful view of our school! 

Trailblazer Tidbit - Make the most of the resources that the school offers whether it's attending workshops or events and using the library or tutoring services like the Learning Commons, this can enhance your learning experiences and provide the support you may need!

email: adajilsa.matos@untdallas.edu

Hello everyone! My name is Adajilsa Matos, I was born in the Bronx, New York, and raised in Houston, Texas. I am currently a sophomore at the University of North Texas at Dallas pursuing a major in the Criminal Justice field. A few of the hobbies I enjoy are working out, trying new things, and going out to eat with my family and friends. My goal is to be able to maintain, As and Bs in my courses, ensuring a high GPA that will enable me to graduate and pursue my dream career. Additionally, help others and make a positive impact in their lives.

One of my favorite things to do is being able to walk around campus and admire how beautiful nature is and being able to study on the 3rd floor of the student center.

Trailblazer Tidbit - Trailblazers, participating in college activities can be the key to building connections whether it is joining clubs, playing a sport, or joining organizations; these experiences can impact your academic and social journey positively.

email: alexis.garciatafoya@untdallas.edu

Hello there! I'm Alexis Uriel Garcia Tafoya, originally from Mexico City, raised in Garland, and now live in Mesquite. This is my sixth year at UNT Dallas, I am here pursuing an MBA. Here at UNT Dallas, I also completed a bachelor's degree in information technology with a minor in business administration.  A fun tidbit about myself is that I learned English through playing video games. In my free time, I enjoy playing the guitar, building gunpla (Gundam Model Kits), along with watching movies and anime. My future goal is to be able to launch my own cloud-based company. Let's connect and talk more about the things we have in common!

One of my favorite things to do at UNT Dallas is to hang out in the student center after class or to work on assignments.

Trailblazer Tidbit - Keep up with the UNT Dallas bulletin board and UNTD email to stay informed about future events and opportunities. Participating on campus is the most rewarding thing you can do!

email: latavia.pennington@untdallas.edu

Hello! My name is Tay, I am a native of the DFW area. I have been working since the age of 14 and one day aspire to open a counseling practice. To pursue my passion for psychology, I moved from Mesquite, TX to Corinth, TX, where I obtained my Associates of Art in Psychology from North Central Texas College. In 2023, I joined UNT Dallas to continue my education and am currently working towards my Bachelor's degree in psychology. To aid my journey, I became a Peer Success Coach at UNT Dallas in the same year. Additionally, I joined the psychology club, the BSU, and was accepted into McNair. Fun Tidbit and Hobbies about me is I enjoy learning about astrology.

One of my favorite places on campus is the McNair room just to study or hang out in.   
Trailblazer Tidbit - Networking is key and closed mouths don’t get fed!  

email: wendy.jimenez@untdallas.edu

Hi everyone! My name is Wendy Jimenez, I was born in Mexico City and have been living in Grand Prairie for most of my life. I am a transfer student from Dallas College, where I obtained my associate in arts. I’m currently pursuing a Bachelors’ in Business Administration here at UNT Dallas. During my days off from work, I unleash my creative side by designing and producing custom apparel for leisure and commission. My hobbies include going to the gym, biking, and binge-watching movies. My future goal is to start my own business venture .  

One of my favorite places to study is the sky top reading room. The aesthetic views and vibes make it a peaceful study space. 
Trailblazer Tidbit - Soak up all the knowledge, experiences, and opportunities that come your way! Don’t be afraid to try new things and expand your horizons.

email: tanya.delacruzpacheco@untdallas.edu

Hey everyone, my name is Tanya De La Cruz. I grew up in Texas and have lived in Fort Worth for most of my life. I am currently a junior at UNT Dallas. I am pursuing a major in Finance and a minor in Applied Linguistics. My hobbies include going to the gym and reading. I enjoy reading manga and some of my favorite series are Vagabond, Nana, and Vinland Saga. A fun tidbit about me is that I went skydiving last summer. It was a scary experience, but I enjoyed every minute. It was right by the beach which gave me an amazing view I will never forget. My future goals include getting an internship in finance and learning more about the opportunities in the field. 

One of my favorite places on campus is the second floor of Founders Hall. There are plenty of study spots there for groups of people and even cubicle desks open to all students

Trailblazer Tidbit- Make group study sessions. Whenever I am struggling in a class, studying with classmates has improved my learning and performance.