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ATHLETIC ACADEMIC SERVICES STAFF BIOS
FELICIA MARTIN
Associate Athletic Director
Felicia Martin was named Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services at Texas Tech University in November 2008. In this position, Felicia is responsible for the administration of the academic and student services programs for approximately 400+ Texas Tech student-athletes. Felicia originally joined the Texas Tech athletic staff June 1999 as a counseling specialist for the tutorial and mentor program. She served as the Coordinator of the CHAMPS/Life Skills program from 2000 to 2003. Felicia returned to Texas Tech after five years as the Assistant Executive Director at Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association.
While at Division 1A Athletic Directors' Association, Felicia was involved in virtually every aspect of Association activities and was responsible for working directly with all Division 1A athletics departments. She assisted with programming and events for athletic administrators' leadership development and played a key role in life skills programs and education for student-athletes (1A CHAMPS Program). She was the primary administrator for the 1A CHAMPS Program of Excellence which included campus assessments and the application process. She was the Association's liaison to various organizations and affiliate groups.
Felicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology and a Masters Degree in Counselor Education from Mississippi State University.
Felicia can be reached at: felicia.martin@ttu.edu.
RODNEY LACKEY
Assistant Athletic Director / Athletic Academic Services
Rodney Lackey joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services staff as the Assistant Athletic Director of Academic Services in July 2008. In this position Rodney is responsible for assisting Felicia Martin in overseeing the Athletic Academic Service program and being the lead advisor for football.
Rodney is originally from Detroit, MI and attended Central Michigan University where he was an All-Conference sprinter and team captain. While a member of the track team, he was awarded Outstanding Minority Male Athlete of the Year and the Bill Boyden Leadership Award which is the highest award a student-athlete can receive. It recognizes a student-athlete in their final year of eligibility that is in good academic standing and whose record best combines participation in a varsity intercollegiate sport with leadership ability in campus affairs and activities. Rodney earned his B.S. in Psychology and M.A. in Counseling from Central Michigan.
Rodney has been in the profession of Athletic Academic Services for over 14 years working at Central Michigan University, North Carolina State University, University of Richmond, and most recently at Texas A&M University.
His wife, Taryn, is an academic advisor in the TTU Rawls College of Business Administration.
Rodney can be reached at: rodney.lackey@ttu.edu.
AMANDA BANKS, Ph.D.
Academic Counselor
Dr. Amanda Banks joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services staff in November, 2005 and currently serves as the academic counselor for Men's and Women's Basketball. Her primary responsibility is to support the academic progress, athletic and personal development of student-athletes. Prior to arriving at Texas Tech, Dr. Banks spent five years as a mental health counselor at Lubbock Regional MHMR.
Dr. Banks earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Texas Tech in May, 2005. She also earned her Master's (Counselor Education) and Bachelor's (Sociology) degrees from Texas Tech.
A former Track and Field standout at Texas Tech, Dr. Banks was an All-American and a two-time Southwest Conference Champion in the Triple Jump. In addition, Dr. Banks is a member of the distinguished Texas Tech Athletic Hall of Honor.
Dr. Banks can be reached at: Amanda.banks@ttu.edu.
MICHELLE BRIGHAM
Academic Counselor
Michelle Brigham joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services staff as a Counselor in October 2001. Her primary responsibility is supporting the academic achievement and degree progress of student athletes in the Men's Track and Field and Men's/Women's Tennis programs.
Before moving to Lubbock, Michelle directed the undergraduate Student Services Office and Orientation Programs for the University of Colorado-Boulder, College of Business. She has also served as an undergraduate advisor and graduation certification coordinator for the College of Business.
After graduating from Oklahoma City University with a major in Accounting, Michelle worked as a graduate counselor and recruiter for OCU from 1989 to 1996. She completed her Master of Liberal Arts at OCU in 1994.
Her husband, Keith, is a faculty member of Texas Tech's Jerry S. Rawls College of Business. They have a daughter named Kathryn.
Michelle can be reached at: michelle.brigham@ttu.edu.
SUZANNE DICKENSON
Academic Counselor
After obtaining her teaching diploma that focused on secondary education and mathematics from Micro the Teachers College in Kingston Jamaica, Suzanne Dickenson went to Abilene Christian University on a track scholarship where she had a very successful All-American career. In 1999 Dickenson finished up her B.S degree in 1999 and her master's in 2001. Her honors on the track ranged from being named on the Junior Pan American and Junior Carifta Teams after winning the Jamaican Junior Championships in the 100m hurdles. She was also a four-time runner up at the NCAA DII Championships in the 100m hurdles and a five-time all american from 1998 to 1999.
In 1999 Suzanne became the student assistant to the compliance coordinator, graduate assistant for the 2000-01 school year before being promoted to full-time assistant coach and UIL regional director from 2001-2006. In 2006 Dickenson was promoted to Director of Athletic Academic Services in order to create a new Athletic Academic Program. In 2008 Dickenson came to Texas Tech University to become the Senior Counselor for Men's and Women's Track and Field and Cross Country.
Suzanne can be reached at: suzanne.dickenson@ttu.edu.
DENISE HOOD
Coordinator of Academic Records
Denise Hood joined the Athletic Academic Services staff in August, 2003. Her primary obligation is to coordinate the associate director, seven academic counselors, three graduate assistants and ten student assistants. She is also responsible for the annual Student-Athlete Awards banquet, student-athlete grade reports, the Academic Services Policy and Procedure Manual, and budget issues.
Denise has been an employee of Texas Tech for 21 years. She previously worked in the Texas Wine Marketing Research Institute in the College of Human Sciences. She and her husband, Dennis, have two daughters; Ashlee and Amber, who both graduated from Texas Tech.
Denise can be reached at: denise.hood@ttu.edu.
MATTHEW JORDAN
Eligibility Specialist / Academic Counselor
Matthew Jordan joined the office of Athletic Academic Services in September, 2005. His primary responsibility is to ensure satisfactory progress towards degree and initial and continuing eligibility for all sports. He also serves as the academic counselor for the Baseball program.
Prior to joining the athletic department, Matthew worked as an academic advisor for the College of Mass Communications. Matthew earned his undergraduate degree from Big 12 rival, Baylor University, in 1998 with a degree in business management with marketing minor. He earned a Master's degree in Physical Education from Texas Tech in 1993.
Matthew can be reached at: matthew.jordan@ttu.edu.
VICTORIA SIMONOFF
Academic Counselor
Victoria Simonoff joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services staff in November 2005. Her primary responsibility is to ensure satisfactory progress towards degree for junior and senior Football student-athletes.
Victoria graduated from Springfield College in 1999 with a degree in Psychology. While at Springfield College, Victoria was a member of the Women's Volleyball team. She then went on to Miami University (OH) where she received her Master's in Sport Behavior and Performance and Sport Organization.
Victoria was born and raised in Weston, Connecticut.
Victoria can be reached at: victoria.simonoff@ttu.edu.
HAFEEZAH ABDULJAAMI
Learning Specialist
Hafeezah Abduljaami joined the Texas Tech Academic Services staff on September 28, 2009 and currently serves as the Learning Specialist. Her primary responsibility is to ensure academic progress towards degree for student athletes.
Hafeezah is originally from New York City where she earned her BFA from FIT and a professional certificate of Administration from NYU. She has been an educator and facilitator for Head Start, Girl Scouts of America, elementary and junior highs schools and various after school agencies. Her passion for education and community endeavors allowed her to develop enrichment classes for New York Public Libraries, Fort Wadsworth, Staten Island College and Saint Vincent's Hospital to name a few.
Hafeezah relocated to Lubbock, Texas in August 2005. She developed and facilitated classes for the Garden Arts Center, Maxey Community Center and the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center. Hafeezah spent four years with the Lubbock Independent School District working primarily with special needs children. In 2007, she began the pursuit of a Master's degree at Lubbock Christian University. She successfully completed her Master of Arts in Teaching on May 2, 2009. Hafeezah is highly spirited and believes that all students can be successful.
Hafeezah can be reached at: hafeezah.abduljaami@ttu.edu.
HERB HOPKINSON
Assistant Learning Specialist / Tutor Coordinator
The Texas Tech Athletic Academic staff was excited to welcome Herb Hopkinson as the Assistant Learning Specialist/Tutor Coordinator in October 2009. Herb's main responsibilities include coordinating and administrating the subject-based tutoring services and assisting in the general tutoring services. With this newly created position, Herb's main goal is to provide the best tutoring services for the student-athletes he can while ensuring every student-athlete that needs help is able to receive it.
Herb was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and moved to Florida at a young age. While in Florida, he attended the University of Florida and earned his B.A. in Sport Management and later attended the University of South Florida to earn his M. Ed. in College student Affairs. While at USF, he worked in the Academic Enrichment Center in Athletics where he helped coordinate the tutorial services and advise the men's baseball team. During his final year, he helped guide the men's baseball team to its highest GPA in team history and highest among baseball teams in the Big East Conference.
Herb can be reached at: herb.hopkinson@ttu.edu.
JUSTIN PAYSINGER
CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator
Justin Paysinger joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic staff in October 2009 as the CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator. Justin is responsible for providing Texas Tech student athletes with quality programs and events that will help attain personal, professional, academic, and athletic success during their college careers. These programs and events will also help to establish the necessary life skills Texas Tech student athletes will need for life after college. Justin also serves as the Academic Counselor for both the Men's and Women's Golf teams. He is dedicated to providing his student athletes the necessary support needed to earn a college degree and experience academic success.
Justin was born and raised in Los Angeles, California and attended San Jose State University where he earned his M.A. in Sport Management and his B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development. While attending graduate school, Justin took on the role of CHAMPS/Life Skills Graduate Assistant. As Center on the SJSU football team, Justin was a four-year starter for the Spartans. Along with being a stand out offensive lineman, Justin served as President from 2007-2009 for the SJSU Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). During the fall 2008-spring 2009 academic school year, Justin was elected President for the Western Athletic Conference SAAC.
Justin can be reached at: Justin.Paysinger@ttu.edu.
HILARY SANDERS
Graduate Assistant
Hilary Sanders joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services staff in January 2009. She graduated from Texas Tech University in 2008 with a degree in Exercise and Sport Sciences and a minor in Human Development and Family Studies. Hilary is from San Angelo, TX and is currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Sport Management.
Hilary can be reached at: hilary.sanders@ttu.edu.
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