Dr. Lauren Carter
Dr. Carter has worked in higher education for over a decade. Her experience includes student development, academic success, community outreach and well-being initiatives. She is passionate about leveraging innovative strategies to help students achieve their educational and professional goals. Using a strengths-based and future-focused approach, she strives to create holistic well-being, intellectual growth and lifelong learning programs.
Dr. Carter earned her BS in Film & Media Studies and MHR in Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma, her MS in Lifestyle Health Sciences & Coaching from UNT Health, and her doctorate in Educational Leadership, Technology & Innovation from Lamar University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends in her free time, catching up on all things Marvel and working on educational media projects.
Strengths: Futuristic, Discipline, Intellection, Strategic, Achiever
Shannon Belden, M.A.
Shannon has been working with students for 12 years. Her experience includes reading and writing tutoring, medical scribe recruiting and training, second language tutoring and university library work. She aspires to help students work toward academic success by focusing on individual strengths and weaknesses, self-care and strategic study habits. She hopes to help students build behaviors that will aid them in their lives through school and beyond. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and theatre from Texas Christian University and a Masters in linguistics from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Shannon is passionate about building relationships and supporting students as they deal with the challenges of their academic careers.
Strengths: Context, Input, Learner, Responsibility, Intellection
Grace Colby, M.Ed.
Grace serves as a Learning Specialist in the Center for Academic Performance and has worked in higher education since 2015. Her experience has includes conduct, first-year programs, leadership and service programs, risk management and fraternity and sorority life. She enjoys working with students to develop plans based on their strengths and long-term goals. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology from Tarleton State University and a Masters of Education Higher Education from the University of North Texas.
Grace is passionate about connecting with students to the resources they need to be successful in their professional, academic and personal lives.
Strengths: Restorative, Intellection, Developer, Arranger, Context
Pam Pleasant
Pam serves as a Learning Specialist in the Center for Academic Performance. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in education from Texas Wesleyan University. Pam started working in education in 1994 where she began as a teacher before moving into higher education. Her experience in higher education started as a recruiter advising on best practices for a competitive applicant to now guiding in solutions for academic success.
Pam knows the value of education and aspires to assist all students as they navigate the journey to reach their career dreams while supporting them in the challenges along the way.
Strengths: Empathy, Individualization, Communication, Strategic, Arranger
Amanda DeVaney, M.S.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Texas. With over 10 years of experience in higher education, Amanda serves as a Learning Specialist in the Center for Academic Performance, specializing in supporting students as they navigate their academic journey.
Believing that students are the experts in their own lives, Amanda takes a student-centered approach, empowering students to uncover solutions and strategies that align with their strengths. Through this collaborative approach, Amanda helps students develop both the skills and the confidence needed to tackle academic challenges and achieve their goals.
Zaria Ford, MPH
Zaria Ford serves as a Learning Specialist in the Center for Academic Performance. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Mississippi State University and her Master of Public Health from the University of Mississippi. She brings a diverse background in career coaching, classroom instruction, and student success coaching, with experience supporting community college students in achieving both academic and personal goals. Zaria is deeply committed to student development and believes that students thrive—both individually and academically—when they have someone in their corner. She is passionate about being that source of encouragement, accountability, and support, ensuring students have the tools they need to succeed. Through building meaningful relationships and showing up with consistency and care, she strives to empower students to recognize their potential and navigate challenges with confidence. Outside of her professional role, Zaria enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and engaging in opportunities to serve and uplift others in her community.
Amber Gentle
Amber serves as the Tutoring Services Coordinator in the Center for Academic Performance. She has worked with students for 10+ years and has experience in classroom instruction, Socratic small-group tutoring, orientation coordination, medical student support and clinical education administration. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Arlington with a focus in education.
Amber is passionate about continuously improving the student experience and preparing students to excel in their careers as integrity-driven professionals. She enjoys working collaboratively with students to enhance services through outcomes-based approaches.
Ashlee Shryock
Ashlee serves as the Writing Services Coordinator in the Center for Academic Performance. She has worked with students in higher education for almost a decade, with experience in teaching and tutoring writing across disciplines. Her work centers on helping students develop stronger writing practices and build confidence in their ideas. She is especially interested in how writing can be used to explore, create, and communicate, with a focus on digital and multimodal projects that encourage creativity and new ways of making meaning.
Ashlee earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in English, with a focus in rhetoric and writing studies, from Oklahoma State University. She takes a collaborative, student-centered approach and enjoys working with students to find strategies that align with their goals and learning styles. Her work is grounded in helping students develop strategies they can carry across academic and professional contexts.
Deja Groomes
Deja Groomes serves as a Writing Assistant for the Center for Academic Performance and has over three years of experience in writing tutoring. Deja received her BA in English from Texas Christian University and is currently pursuing her MA in English Literature also from TCU. Deja is passionate about assisting others throughout the writing process and being a lifelong learner.