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.
Front Desk Assistants
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).
Angela
Major: Criminal Justice
From: Red Oak, TX
Interests: K-Pop, True Crime, and reading books
“When I was a new student, the Learning Commons was the first place I came when I was lost and confused, and people helped me. I want to be able to help students in the same way.”
Clara
Major: Political Science
From: West Dallas
Interests: writing and True Crime
“I like working in the Learning Commons because it takes me out of my comfort zone because I’m naturally a reserved person.”
Kate
Major: Criminal Justice
From: Desoto, TX
Interests: writing poetry, dancing, and reading or watching conspiracy theories
“I enjoy working in the Learning Commons because everyone has been helpful and makes me feel we
lcome.”
Student Tutors
Email lcwriting@untdallas.edu (for writing tutoring questions) or lcstem@untdallas.edu (for STEM tutoring questions).
Kristy – Math Tutor
Major: Education: Math 4-8
From: Dallas, TX
Interests: reading, arts and crafts, and hanging out with family and friends
“I chose to work for the Learning C
ommons because I want to help people excel in their education. It’s also good practice for my future career. I like working here – the people are nice and it’s a good community.”
Valeria – Math Tutor
Major: Education: EC-6 Bilingual
From: Mexico
Interests: TV, reading, and puzzles
“I chose to work in the Learning Commons because I wanted to help students, and it’s a way for me to practice my skills for becoming a teacher.”
Professional Staff
Gustavo
Paul
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 Learning Specialist
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 become a Writing Learning Specialist. 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. In her free time, Erum enjoys going for walks and playing badminton.
Contact: Erum.Waheed@untdallas.edu
Administrative Support Staff
Elizabeth – Interim Director
Part of the Learning Commons staff since 2017, Elizabeth has utilized her passion for writing, teaching, and resource development to tutor writing and train tutors, and in 2023 she transitioned to Interim Director. Her favorite part about working for the Learning Commons is seeing her students and her team grow and thrive personally, academically, and professionally. Elizabeth holds a BA in English from Dallas Baptist University and an MA in TESOL & Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College, and she has taught ESL to university students in Asia and to immigrants and refugees in Dallas. In her free time, Elizabeth loves to hike and explore nature.
Contact: Elizabeth.Adams@untdallas.edu
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