Meet the Staff
Kerri Ressl '98, '10, M.Ed.
Director
Kerri Ressl currently serves as the Director of The Leadership Center at UT Arlington. She has been with the University for over 10 years and brings extensive student development and alumni affairs experience having served with the UT Arlington Alumni Association and the Office of Development. Prior to that, she was part of the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth’s Development and Marketing team. She received both her BA in Communications and her M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Policy from UT Arlington. Kerri has been a leadership facilitator and trainer since 2000 presenting locally and nationally on topics such as True Colors, Resume Writing, Communication Skills, and Mission Statement Writing. Kerri is a member of UT Arlington’s 1895 Society, the Nedderman Society, and the UT Arlington Alumni Association. She also participates in Junior League of Arlington. Kerri's favorite leadership quote is a Chinese Proverb that says "A leader without followers is someone just taking a walk."
Loretta Pequeño-Griffin, M.A.
Associate Director
Loretta Pequeño-Griffin currently serves as the Associate Director of The Leadership Center at UT Arlington. A social worker by training, she holds a B.A. in Sociology and Women’s Studies from Loyola University of New Orleans, and earned an M.A. in Administrative Social Work and Public Policy from the University Of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. Loretta spent over 10 years working in the not-for-profit sector working with homeless services in Chicago and advocating for policy changes for working families. Before coming to UT Arlington, she was the Volunteer Coordinator at Xavier University of Louisiana. She relocated from New Orleans to the Metroplex during Hurricane Katrina and supervised the disaster case management program at the Salvation Army DFW Metro Area Command. She enjoys working with students as they embark on their leadership journey and supporting them as they encounter both the highs and lows of leadership. Loretta believes that the best leader is one who is self-aware and comes to the table with a good handle on both their strengths and challenges. She lives in Arlington with her husband Brian Griffin and their precocious kitty cat, Cleophus.
Timalina scott
Administrative Assistant
Timalina Scott is an Administrative Assistant for The Leadership Center University at UT Arlington. Prior to joining UT Arlington in October of 2008, she worked at a global leader in motion & control technologies corporation in Tucson, Arizona. As Administrative Assistant for The Leadership Center, Timalina brings over twelve years of administrative assistant experience to the UTA organization. A Philadelphia native and a member of International Association of Administrative Professionals, she is interested in the arts and enjoys baking creative cakes,painting, swimming and watching pro football and has quickly learned that being a huge fan of the Oakland Raiders isn’t necessarily a good idea in this part of the country.
Bonnie Rodriguez
Administrative Assistant
Bonnie Rodriguez is the Administrative Assistant support for The Leadership Center and Student Activities. She has been with the department since 2007. She has been active with all the departments including Greek Life and University Events and enjoys working with student leaders from across organizations. Working with student leaders has made her more aware of the importance of an education and encourages all students to finish the academic journey they have started. Bonnie has been an Administrative Assistant for over 25 years, having worked with American Airlines and Mansfield ISD. She has also been a stay-at-home mom raising two kids, her son who is in the Coast Guard and her daughter who is in high school.
Joey usher
graduate Assistant
Joey is originally from Richardson, TX and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice from The University of North Texas. He is the Graduate Assistant for The Leadership Center while working towards his Master’s in Social Work at the UT Arlington School of Social Work. Prior to joining UT Arlington, he worked in government based social service delivery in Dallas, Texas. Joey co-facilitates the EDAD 1130 Foundations of Leadership course and advises the UTA Volunteers and the Leadership Center Student Fellow. He also assists with technical and administrative duties.
Cindy Roman
Accountant
Cindy is responsible for daily departmental fiscal management for The Leadership Center, Fraternity & Sorority Life, Campus Activities & Community Programs, University Events, Homecoming and Student Activities departmental accounts within the Division of Student Affairs. She has been with UT Arlington since 2004 and had previously resided in Chicago, Illinois while working as an executive assistant for a vice president in a major steel corporation for ten years. She also serves on the University Parking Appeals committee and the Division of Student Affairs External Funding committee. Cindy enjoys working with our students and her door is always open for anyone who needs guidance or just a safe place to talk. She also enjoys volunteering her time at University programs, events, and community wide when the need arises. She and her family reside in Grand Prairie with their three dogs, Baby, Prince and Gypsy.