Staff Directory

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.

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.

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)

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!

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.

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!

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. 

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bio: Dr. Ashley Purgason is a Maverick through and through, having received her BS and MS from UTA. Dr. Purgason is a toxicologist by training and received her Ph.D. from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She is also a former member of the UTA Women's basketball team. She leads a unit of professional staff in a variety of activities designed to meet student academic needs from registration to graduation.

Bio: Dr. Deidra Turner promotes continuous learning inside and outside the classroom and her own academic journey has taken her to a variety of institutions - public, private, four-year, two year, in and out of state. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from TCU. She went on to earn an M.Ed. in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in Sociology with an emphasis in Gender, Race, and Ethnicity from Texas A&M University. At each institution, Deidra strives to create connections that strengthen people and programs.

Bio: Liz received her BS from the University of North Texas and her Masters in Organizational Development from Abilene Christian University. Dedicating the majority of her service years at UTA to academic advising, Liz also supports the strategic and technology initiatives within the Division.

Bio: Kassidy received her BBA from Baylor University. She started her career in public accounting as an auditor, then transitioned to work specifically in Education. Kassidy supports DSS by providing financial analyses and insight to help the Division efficiently and effectively serve students.

Bio: Katie received her undergraduate and master's degrees from Texas Christian University and began her career in marketing communications, particularly interested in communication strategies, content writing, and clearly presenting information and ideas. Katie supports DSS and serves students by leveraging her strategic communication skills to help the Division get students the right information at the right time.

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.

About Me: I’m originally from Wisconsin, and I completed my undergraduate and graduate degrees in Minnesota at St. Cloud State University. My background is in Communication Studies, German, and College Counseling and Student Development. I spend most of my time outside work watching my teenager play soccer, hanging out with my two adorable cats, and traveling as much as possible.

About Me: My name is Lauren Minaudo, I was born and raised in the Central Valley of California and moved to Texas in 2022. I have an undergrad degree in Business Administration and a master’s degree in Strategic and Organizational Leadership from Fresno Pacific University. I have worked in higher education since 2019 first as an admissions representative and currently as an academic advisor. In my spare time I enjoy reading, gardening, and making pickles.

About Me : I am an academic advisor for Major Exploration and Undeclared students at UTA. During my education I found myself always enjoying work that results in helping others to see their own potential. As well as accepting challenges that will further growth. This led me to continue my learning and receive a masters in Higher Education Student Affairs Administration and Academic & Career Advising at the Warner School of Education. Through this program at UTA, students and I will work together to create a college experience that will provide growth and a degree that reflects on what they want to learn for their future careers.

About Me: Hello, my name is Holly Williams, and I am the Coordinator of Experiential Learning in the Office of Academic Engagement. I am a Texas native; I was born in Houston and moved to the Dallas area in 2005 where I’ve been ever since. My background is in Science and Education. I worked as an Education Program Specialist for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and most recently as an Assistant Director of Education at Sylvan Learning Center. In 2021, I earned my master’s degree in education from the University of Texas- Arlington. I love positively impacting young minds through education and leadership and hope to continue doing that throughout my career. Outside of work you will find me exploring new adventures through food and travel or spending time with loved ones.

About Me: My name is Jody Miller. I grew up in Arlington, Texas. I graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington with a Bachelor's in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice. I am a huge animal lover and enjoy spending my free time volunteering. I love doing photography for rescue organizations and our local shelter.

About Me: Hey y'all, My name is Rachael M. Aettuvallil, and I am currently pursuing a master's degree in education with a focus on special education at the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA). I hold a bachelor's degree in communication with a minor in psychology, which has given me a strong foundation in understanding diverse perspectives. I was born and raised in the UAE and have lived in four different countries around the world, which has allowed me to work in various fields in each. During my undergraduate years, I also participated in an exchange program in Malaysia, which enriched my educational experience and broadened my cultural understanding. I am passionate about helping students succeed and am dedicated to providing personalized support to meet their individual needs.