STUDENT AFFAIRS NEW STAFF AND PROMOTIONS ISSUE - October 2013
This past April, Dr. Myron Pope (Vice-President of Enrollment Management) took on the additional duty of serving as the interim
Vice-President of Student Affairs. In late August, he was appointed as Vice President for Student Affairs and now oversees a
reorganized division of Students Affairs.
The division includes Student Life (Volunteer and Service Learning, Campus Activities, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Fraternity
and Sorority Life, and Student Conduct), Student Support Services (Academic Retention and Outreach, Academic Advisement,
First Year Experience, Disability Support Services, Violence Prevention Project, and Career Services), Student Admissions
(Undergraduate Admissions, Student Success Program, Recruitment and Scholarships, and Upward Bound), Enrollment Support
Services (Registrar, Enrollment, Call Center, Technical Services, Veteran Student Services, Articulation, Graduation Support
Services, Degree Certification, and NCAA Eligibility), Student Financial Services (Financial Aid, Bursar, and Federal Work
Study/Scholarships), Wellness and Sports (Wellness Center, Sports, Fitness, and Health Programs, Recreation Services, and
Counseling Services), and Office of Global Affairs.
Barry Lofton - Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Mr. Lofton holds 25 years of extensive experience in higher education in the area of college student personnel/administration (TRIO programs, Multicultural
Student Services, Financial Aid, and High School/College Recruitment). Mr. Lofton is a graduate of Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas where he
received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees. He enjoys volunteering his time at agencies such as Big Brothers Big Sisters and The Urban
League of Greater OKC. He is a huge basketball fan and absolutely loves the OKC Thunder and the New York Knicks Mr. Lofton is a proud graduate of Oklahoma
City Northeast High School.
Pamela L. Edwards – Director, TRiO Upward Bound Classic
Pam is a graduate of Langston University where she earned a BA in English Education and is currently finishing a Masters in Urban Education. She has worked in
higher education for over 20 years (UCO, Langston University and Wichita State University). She really enjoys working and assisting culturally and racially diverse
populations. Pam enjoys reading non-fiction books and catching a movie from time to time. She occasionally travels across the U.S. to experience different
regional cultures, food, music, history, art etc.
DeShawn Watson – Coordinator, TRiO Upward Bound Classic
DeShawn earned a BA in Political Science at UCO. He is currently working on his Master degree in Public Administration here at Central. He lived and worked in
Japan for 5 years as an English Conversation teacher. He is interested in different cultures and loves meeting new people. He loves food in general. Some of his
favorites are Japanese, Mexican, Thai, Korean, Indian and anything spicy.
Melissa Jo. Scott - Academic Support Counselor, TRiO Upward Bound Math/Science
Melissa has a Bachelor of Arts, English with a minor in Theater, from Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She enjoys mentoring and tutoring teenagers.
Melissa loves to read and cheer on the UCO Bronchos and the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Rosario Riley – Director, TRiO Upward Bound Math/Science
Ms. Riley holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. Ms. Riley currently serves as President-Elect for
Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (state TRiO organization) and Secretary for the Southwest Association of Student Assistance Programs (regional TRiO
organization). Ms. Riley is a bucket list advocate, avid recycler and loves to laugh. If you need it, she probably has it in her purse or desk drawer. Rosario has a
fondness for a variety of cultures as she has lived in 4 different countries, grew up in a multicultural home and likes to watch Korean dramas, British comedies and
Filipino game shows.
Julie Smith - Employer Relations Coordinator, Career Services
Julie is the primary contact for employers that are looking to recruit UCO students and alumni for full-time and part-time positions. She is responsible for
initiating, cultivating, and maintaining quality relationship with employers.
Sharra Hynes - Executive Director VSLC/Assessment, Volunteer and Service Learning Center
As Director of the Volunteer and Service Learning Center, Dr. Hynes oversees the departmental functions and responsibilities of service learning initiatives, social
justice programs, volunteer and community engagement programs, student service organizations, and Central Pantry. In addition, Hynes will lead the Division of
Student Affairs in its assessment and planning efforts.
Kenedie McAdams - Part-time Coordinator VSLC/Off Campus Life, Volunteer and Service Learning Center
Kenedie works 20 hours per week doing social media management, Social Justice and other programming work, and manages our Bronchos with Kids program.
Amy Rogalsky - Operations Director, Student Affairs
Amy supervises the divisional areas of graphic design, marketing, and research. She also advises on strategic planning, priorities for future programs and activities
and policy development, as well as leads the division in developing and implementing professional development opportunities. She serves the division as Student
Ombudsman for confidential, neutral, and informal independent resource for student concerns and conflicts.
Jake Hillemeyer- Assistant Registrar for NCAA Academic Eligibility
Jake serves as the Chief Eligibility Certification Officer for NCAA compliance for academic athletic eligibility. He advises student athletes, coaches, athletic staff,
and academic advisors regarding academic eligibility requirements.
Stevie Johnson – Coordinator, Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Student Support Services serves first-generation, low-income, and students with disabilities by providing free tutoring, mentoring, academic and life skills
workshops, cultural activities, research opportunities, and graduate school visits. Chez oversees the annual financial literacy symposium, Finance Central,
partnering with MidFirst Bank to bring finance tools to campus and the community. Student Support Services serves first-generation, low-income, and students
with disabilities by providing free tutoring, mentoring, academic and life skills workshops, cultural activities, research opportunities, and graduate school visits.
Chez Redmond – Project Director for Student Support Services - Traditional
In addition, Chez oversees the annual financial literacy symposium, Finance Central, partnering with MidFirst Bank to bring personal finance tools to both campus
and the community.
Nora Contreras – Project Director for Student Support Services – STEM
Nora facilitates the Grad Prep curriculum which prepares students for graduate school admissions procedures, exams, and interviews, as well as opportunities for
students to attend both in-state and out-of-state graduate school visits.
Pam Platz - Academic Advisor II, Academic Advisement
Pam is the academic advisor for these majors: Art (Studio and Art History), Art Education, Dance, Dance Education, Design (Graphic Design, Interior Design), Music
(Music Theatre, Percussion, Piano, String, Vocal, Wind), Music Education (Instrumental, Vocal),Theatre Arts (Design & Technology, Performance),
Theatre/Communication Education. In addition, Pam will also focus on finding new ways to assist our Student Veterans.
Whitney Jones – Academic Advisor II, Academic Advisement
Whitney advises these majors: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education (Mild-Moderate Disabilities and Severe-Profound/Multiple
Disabilities) and Speech/Language Pathology. Alongside her advisement duties, she is also the official trainer for newly hired advisors.
Stacey Steinmetz- Academic Advisor I, Academic Advisement
Stacey advises Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry ACS Certified, Chemistry Health Sciences, Clinical Lab Science/Med Tech, Science Education (Biology, Chemistry,
General, Physical Science, Physics) and Pre-Professional Programs (Pre-Chiropractic, Pre-Dental, Pre-Medical, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Optometry, PrePharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician's Assistant, Pre-Radiology, Pre-Veterinary Medicine).
Katrina Shaklee- Executive Director - Wellness Center
Katrina oversees all programming aspects of the Wellness Center.
Danielle Dill - Director, Health & Fitness , Wellness Center
Danielle oversees all Health & Fitness programs at the Wellness Center.
Jeff Boyland - Director, Sport & Recreation - Wellness Center
Jeff oversees all Recreation programs at the Wellness Center.
Leigha Pemberton - Manager, Olympic/Paralympic Training Site - Wellness Center
Leigha manages the Olympic and Paralympic activities and events of the Wellness Center.
Whitt Carter - Communications Specialist, Wellness Center
Whitt handles Wellness Center public relations and communications.
Jared White- Intramural/Informal Recreation Specialist, Wellness Center
Jared facilitates the Intramural/Informal Recreation area of the Recreation Services program.
The Counseling Center is now part of the Wellness Center.
Dr. Bruce Lochner - Director, Counseling Center - Wellness Center
Oversees the provision of brief counseling/ therapy services for students with troubles ranging from development issues to problems with family and friends to
serious psychological concerns.
Dr. Suzanne Garrett- PT, Temp - Wellness Center
Provides individual and group counseling services for university students with wellness as a unifying theme to maximize personal development and well-being
Dr. Diane Genther - Staff Psychologist, Wellness Center
Oversees program services to include: individual and group counseling, substance abuse counseling, consultation and outreach activities.
Ken Elliot - Counselor, Wellness Center
Provide direct services through individual and group counseling, substance abuse counseling, consultation and outreach activities.
Lisa McKellar- Admin Secretary II PT, Wellness Center
Performs secretarial and administrative support duties.
Connie Weis - Admin Asst II PT, Wellness Center
Provides complex secretarial and administrative duties for department.
uco.edu/studentaffairs