Student Development Center Staff

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	Dr. Edith Fernández Director Student Development Center Women's Resource Center efernandez6@utep.edu Dr. Edith Fernández is the Director of the Student Development Center which includes the Women’s Resource Center. She works closely with the Center’s Assistant Director and Coordinators to promote individual achievement and interpersonal growth through a wide range of programs and services designed to enhance the educational experiences of all students at the University of Texas at El Paso. Her career in student affairs spans many years to include over ten years of professional experience working with community college and university students in a variety of capacities such as academic counsel, admissions director and coordinator of a global immersion program. Edith’s research interests include college student's development of intercultural competencies and the role cultural immersion experiences play in facilitating growth. Edith received her Ph. D. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan, her Ed. M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a M. PA. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada and looks forward to settling into the El Paso community with her family. Edith's most memorable college experience: I was a graduate student and had the opportunity to sail around the world with a program called Semester at Sea. I visited 12 countries including Cuba, India, South Africa and Vietnam in the span of one semester. I am so blessed to have meet so many wonderful people and to have visited places that were until that moment a distant dream.
	Wendy Kane Assistant Director wakane2@utep.edu Wendy is the Assistant Director of the Student Development Center. She is primarily responsible for Greek Life, Leadership and oversees the Campus Activities Board. Wendy was born in Rhode Island and raised in Michigan. She attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo and received her bachelor's degree in Interpersonal Communication, with a minor in Women's Studies. She took some time off of school after receiving her bachelor's degree and went to work in the world of finance. She spent 5 years working as a loan officer when she decided to attend graduate school. She returned to Western Michigan University and completed her master's degree in Higher Education: Student Affairs. While working toward her master's, she worked in admissions as well as student activities. She has spent 7 years advising student organizations, in particular Greek organizations: fraternities & sororities. Her hobbies include making duct tape purses, listening to and attending Barenaked Ladies concerts, changing her hairstyle and playing with Lipuma, her 3 year old miniature dachshund. Wendy's most memorable college experience:
	Aimee Maczko, Coordinator amaczko@utep.edu Aimee M. Maczko is a Coordinator in the Student Development Center, currently overseeing Clubs & Organizations, the Rainbow Miner Initiative and LEGO, the SDC Student Employee Program. She received a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from The University of Akron in 2005. She also received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice/Political Science with a Minor in Sociology from Akron in 2003. Her passion for working within Student Affairs began in her Undergraduate years through her involvement in Greek Life, the Student Union, and her Campus Activities Board. Aimee loves football, Mike and Mike in the Morning, music, movies, traveling, attending live concerts and sporting events, and painting. Her hope is to help students find their passion, empower them, and help them to reach their amazing goals. Aimee's most memorable college experience: My favorite college memory is being part of the construction of a new Student Union. Being a part of the Student Union Team, from Student Assistant to Graduate Assistant, I was part of a team that worked with a large campus group to tear down the old Student Center and rebuild a new Student Union on the same location. Moving and sharing offices, working with student groups to locate space, seeing the construction phases from demolition to groundbreaking to grand opening. It was amazing to be part of a team that valued student input so much…when I go back and visit, I am so proud to have been part. GO ZIPS!
	Shannon Osborne, Coordinator sosborne@utep.edu Shannon Osborne is is a Coordinator in the Student Development Center, currently overseeing the Women's Resource Center. Shannon attended college in the Land of Enchantment at Eastern New Mexico University. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism and a Master of Arts degree in Communication. While attending ENMU, Shannon was the Program Advisor for Student Activities and Organizations. After completing her Master's Degree, Shannon moved to Houston, TX. In Houston, she worked as a Program Manager for a promotional company. Missing the college atmosphere and working with students, Shannon applied for the position at UTEP and is very excited she was offered the position. Shannon is committed to student success and development. Students should feel free to visit anytime. Shannon’s hobbies include making jewelry, playing board and card games, meeting new people, listening to music, swimming, running, and traveling. Her goal is to visit every state & capitol and travel to every continent. She also loves tigers, cats, laughing, singing karaoke, and most of all chocolate! Shannon is also active in the El Paso community. She serves the Networking Chair for the Young Leaders Society, is on the Board of Directors for the ENMU Alumni Board Association, is a proud contributor of the El Paso Museum of Art and a former two time champion in the El Paso Kickball League. Shannon's most memorable college experience: I’ll never for get the day I visited with the news director at the local TV station before I started my freshman year at ENMU. One of my friends who I met at the residential halls who worked as an anchor introduce me to the news director. I presented my portfolio and showcased my resume tape from my high school broadcasting class. I was encouraged to apply for a talent position. Auditions for the anchor positions were right around the corner. I auditioned and told myself, I will be an anchor. The next week my name appeared on top of list, I accomplished my goal. A few years later, I took the initiative to apply for an internship in a top 10 market. I was accepted at two stations, and decided to intern at FOX 4 News in Dallas, at that time a #7 market, a dream come true for a broadcast journalism student!
	Erika Portillo, Coordinator edportillo@utep.edu Erika Portillo is the Coordinator for the Campus Activites Board. She was born and has lived the large part of her life overseas, but decided to settle close to her family in El Paso. She received both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Communication Studies at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. While attending NMSU, she was actively involved in many different programs, which led to her passion for student affairs. She is happily married to the love of her life, has one daughter, and another on the way! She spends her free time watching The Office, Friends and Ugly Betty. She likes to play basketball, go to the movies, and meet new people and places. Erika’s most memorable college experience: In college (Go AGGIES!), I lived with a variety of roommates. I learned a valuable lesson from each and every one of them. Some were very shy and kept to themselves, others were outgoing and the center of attention. It was in the quiet moments I shared with each of them that I learned a little about myself and realized how different life can be from others around us. I still keep in touch with the majority of them and have fond memories of the adventures we shared.
	Cristina "BB" Rivera, Administrative Clerk crivera4@utep.edu Cristina "BB" Rivera is currently a senior at the University of Texas at El Paso pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies. For the past three years she has focused her interests and research on lesbian identities along the El Paso, Ciudad Juarez border. Cristina is the current President of the Queer Student Alliance at UTEP, serves as Secretary for El Paso Sun City Pride Organization, and is on the Speakers Bureau for SpeakOut at UTEP. Cristina has many memorable college experiences, but ultimately, it has been being part of the Queer Student Alliance, The Student Development Center, and SpeakOut. She ultimately aspires to receive her masters in Queer and Gender Studies and publish her research on Latina Lesbian Identities and hopes to work for a non-profit organization for gay rights to continue to advocate towards full equality.
	Espi Candelaria, Administrative Secretary ecandelaria@utep.edu Espi is the Administrative Secretary at the best place on campus; Women’s Resource Center. Espi is the Advisor for the Sigma Lambda Gamma here on campus. She is the first person you meet at the WRC and enjoys working there a great deal. Espi has helped create Focus on the Positive events, Crafty Not Crazy Finals Week events, as well as Take Back the Night, The Clothesline Project and Table Etiquette. Espi has worked at Job Corps, S.S. Investigations and in many other places having to do with customer service. Espi’s interests include softball, football, basketball and going on trips with her family: Rene, Ashlee and Sydney. Espi graduated from Ysleta High School in 1979 and has taken classes in HVAC, interior design and basics at EPCC. Espi’s most memorable college experience: My most memorable moment was making the 9/11 flag to give tribute to the 9/11 victims.
	Christina Gomez, Administrative Assistant cagomez5@utep.edu Christina “Chris” Gomez is the Administrative Clerk for the Student Development Center. She also oversees the use of the Garage for the Campus Activities Board at UTEP. Chris was born in New York and has lived in Germany, Dallas, Chicago, and Las Vegas over the years. She graduated from Irvin High School a long time ago and has been in the fabulous City of El Paso for many years. Chris is also a Certified Medical Assistant. Her favorite past times are concerts, movies and spending time with her kids. She also loves the CBS show “Two and a Half Men” and the music of Korn. Chris's most memorable college experience: Every day is a memorable experience for me here at UTEP. I really enjoy my job and the people I work with. I do not believe I have ever enjoyed a job so much and been around such wonderful, considerate and thoughtful people, (everyone from Staff to Students) which make every day worthwhile. May God Bless us all.
	Angel Pineda, CAB Supervisor sdcga@utep.edu Angel's most memorable college experience: Thus far it has been Minerpalooza 2008! It was such an awesome event to be a part of, especially because of all the Miner Spirit that was in the air that night.
	Deane Sosa, Campus Activities Board Intern cab2@utep.edu De's Most Memorable College Experience: My most memorable moment at UTEP was when I realized that I could make my college experience my own. It hasn’t been the typical school- work – home routine and most certainly not that crazy ‘sleep all day and party all night’ that you see in the movies either; but it has been the most fun and exciting time of my life. Being involved and doing community service was my thing and while many orgs incorporate them into their routine, I couldn’t find any particular org that did it all. And then I found Greek Life and I was in involvement heaven. I had no idea that Greeks do SO much! The longer I stay involved on campus the more I find that UTEP really goes out of its way to accommodate to students. I’ve started my own organization, found a job, and developed ‘awesome’ skills that I never even knew existed. I networked with students, faculty, and staff that have guided and influenced me to set super high goals and standers. Those same people also convinced me that with a little ingenuity and hard work (and plenty of support from them), I could actually attain them all. You see, the lesson I learned was that college isn’t about finding the right path to follow; I needed to forge my own and work to help others do the same.
	Jesus "JP" Perez, Campus Activities Board Intern cab3@utep.edu Jesus Perez is a senior pursuing a degree in Media Advertising with a minor in graphic design. He currently works as an intern at the Campus Activities Board and is a photographer for the Prospector. He is involved in many organizations such as National Communication Association, Lambda Pi Eta, and Society of United Musicians. Jesus is also active as a pledge for Delta Lambda Phi. He enjoys long walks on the beach, candlelight dinners, and is a Leo. His future plans include being an art director for an advertising agency, special reporter for local newspapers on gender communication, fashion photographer, owning his own graphic design company and a prominent activist in his community. Jesus’s most memorable college experience was working for the Campus Activities Board. In this organization he has learned that through participation, leadership, activism, creativity, and motivation he has the capacity to change himself and his environment for the better. The people he has met through CAB inspire him to grow as a person. CAB opened the doors for him to join worthwhile organizations, community service, and a fraternity. In all of this, he has found a new sense of accomplishment.
	Brenda Lepenski, Campus Activities Board Intern cab4@utep.edu Brenda Lepenski is a 22 year old junior communication major with a concentration in multimedia from Bossier City, Louisiana. One day, she wishes to create stories like Lisa Ling and work for a major television company. Brenda is originally from Juarez, Mexico but was raised in Louisiana and has lived in Nevada, Illinois, Mississippi, Louisiana and now Texas. She transferred to UTEP from Louisiana Tech University in 2008 and since then has gotten involved various school activities. She is the founder and currently the president of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Her favorite thing to do is hang out with family and sing karaoke. Brenda's most memorable UTEP experiences: Coming to a new school in a new city is something that I will never forget. I remember my first day of school to be exciting, full of anticipation and scorching hot. Another UTEP memorable experience was when I got the opportunity to interview ABC’s Sam Donaldson over KTEP radio for 15 minutes. I was star struck by his presence but later realized that “Sam” was actually a cool guy. :)
	Ludvig Silva, Graphic Design Intern sdcgdesign@utep.edu Ludvig Silva is the Graphic Designer of the Student Development Center and Women's Resource Center. He is currently majoring in Graphic Design with a minor in drawing and wants to continue his education and attend graduate school abroad. He wants to receive his Ph.D in Industrial Design and run his own Design Studio business. His hobbies are enjoying nature, drawing, listening to music, playing music, reading a good book, learning about countries, languages, cultures, food, etc. Ludvig is Located at the Student Development Center office and is always willing and able for suggestions, ideas, or any kind of comments. Ludvig's most memorable college experience: My most memorable college experience was when I met my friend Yoli, she is deaf, and thanks to her I learned a lot of sign language to the point that now I don’t need to write anymore when I try to communicate basic stuff with her. Thanks to this experience I connected to another network, it made me realize that learning another language, apart from learning the language itself with its grammar rules and sounds, you actually discover that another world exists, that another completely different abstract world of how humankind perceive things, emotions, and feelings exists. Learn another language! And better understand the world! =)
	Sam Rodriguez, SDC Graphic Design Chair sdcmarketing@utep.edu Sam Rodriguez is a junior at UTEP, working towards a degree in Public Relations with a minor in Creative Writing. Along with aiding the Graphic Design Intern, Sam is currently the chairperson for the Miner Fit Club – a Campus Activities Board health initiative that couples UTEP Students with free personal trainers. Sam is also the President of the Society of United Musicians which is a student organization devoted to providing a voice for local performers. Sam plans to follow through with graduate school before beginning a career in Student Affairs. His dream is to coordinate the Olympics. Sam’s Most Memorable College Experience: I had the opportunity to perform for 20,000+ people at Minerpalooza in 2008. One of the greatest days of my life!
	Julian Casillas, Leadership Development Intern sdcleadership@utep.edu Julian Casillas is a Junior Organizational and Corporate Communication Major with a minor in Secondary Education. He is currently the Leadership Development Intern for SDC and in charge of leadership seminars, workshops and more importantly university-wide leadership conferences such as Leaders in Motion and Shape Your Life, Shape Your Future. He plans on pursuing a Master’s in Student Affairs Administration at Michigan State University. He has also been involved in the Student Government Association, Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity and has been employed at the University Career Center, New Student Orientation and as a Peer Leader for a high school college readiness program in the College of Education. When he's not running around he enjoys spending time with his brothers, the Lambda Men, and sipping on a short caramel apple spice at kid’s temperature at Starbucks. Julian's Most Memorable College Experience: Being able to start and coordinate a regional leadership conference for middle and high school level students, the West Texas Student Leadership Conference. It was first a small event and has grown with attendance and support the last couple of years providing affordable and quality leadership training to the greater El Paso region. I’m really excited to call SDC my home for as long as they’ll keep me!
	Ambar Calvillo, Women's Resource Center Intern wrcintern@utep.edu Ambar Calvillo is currently a UTEP Organizational and Communication major with a minor in Graphic design, seeking to graduate in a tasteful four years. She is an avid moviegoer and a coffee/chocolate connoisseur. Ambar's most memorable college experience: I had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer at KTEP for a semester. I had Sunday nights to myself, programming, saying the weather and brief community announcements on air, I felt like a professional!
	Jesus Smith, Rainbow Miner Initiative Intern rmi@utep.edu Jesus Gregorio Smith is a junior student at UTEP seeking a degree in psychology with a miner in philosophy. Hoping to do more research on human sexuality and sexual relationships, Jesus jumped at the chance to be the intern for the women's resource center and now is currently the chair of the Rainbow Miner Initiative, UTEP's very own safe place on campus for queer students. In addition to being the president of LGBTQI, a student lead organization on campus dedicated to the outreach and spread of knowledge about GLBT issues pertaining to El Paso, Jesus is also active as a pledge for Delta Lambda Phi, UTEP's first gay, bisexual, and progressive men's fraternity. It is Jesus's hopes to not only present a more well balanced view of queer issues to the community at large, but also to promote change and progression for a better tomorrow.
	Elisa Espinoza, Women's Resource Center Intern wrcintern2@utep.edu Elisa Espinosa was born and raised in Mexico City, and now she is a full time student at UTEP with a major in Multidisciplinary Studies, her three concentrations are: Communication Studies, Foreign Languages and Business. Besides working at the Women’s Resource Center she currently the President of Alpha Xi Delta women’s Fraternity. Elisa has a strong interest in intercultural studies and enjoys learning languages and different cultures. Her hobbies include photography, reading philosophy books and listening to music. Elisa’s most memorable college experience: The opportunity to study in Germany during my college years was the most memorable experience so far. It opened my eyes to other cultures and it changed my perspective about the world.
	Andre San'Chez, Greek Life Intern greek2@utep.edu
	Austin Campbell, Greek Life Intern greek@utep.edu Austin Campbell was born and raised in the preponderant city of El Paso, Texas. He is majoring in mathematics with a minor in physics hoping to pursue a career in High School teaching. He actually does not have a love for piggies, but is a large fan of bacon. He is currently the president of the super eminent Fraternity Alpha Kappa Lambda. Boys hope to be like him when they grow up, and men wish to be him. His hobbies include playing soccer, basketball and speed reading the phone book. He tends not to finish anything he star Austin's Most Memorable College Experience: My most memorable moment was the day that I was pinned into my fraternity.
	Jesus Valles, Student Assistant sdcsa1@utep.edu Jesus Valles was born in Cd. Juarez and raised in Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico and in El Paso, TX. A first generation immigrant, Jesus is hoping to be the first college graduate in his family. He is a Communication Studies Major with a Minor in English and American Literature, focusing on Performance Studies and Dramatic Literature. He is a six-time Pi Kappa Delta National Champion in Oral Interpretation events and a three time National Championship Runner- Up at the American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament. He is also a member of Delta Lambda Phi National Social Fraternity. He is thankful for all the opportunities that the Student Development Center has provided him and hopes he can continue his collaboration with all of the caring and brilliant people at SDC/WRC who embody a pedagogy of love. It is his hope that he can grow to be an activist for the queer, the undocumented, and the marginalized in a country that so often forces us to be silent. Jesus's Most Memorable College Experience: Thus far, I think my most memorable experience has been having the ability to perform spoken word poetry at queer events hosted at the University.

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Visit us at:

Student Development

Center

106 Union West

El Paso, TX

79968-0630

Phone:

(915)747-5670

Fax:

(915) 747-7400