OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS STAFF

VACANT
Director of Admissions

awaniewski@atu.edu

Alisa Waniewski
Associate Director for Academic Scholarships

• B.S., Henderson State University, 1990.

Alisa began working for Arkansas Tech University in 1992. While at Tech, she has worked in the Office of Admissions, the Registrar's Office and the Financial Aid Office. Alisa also served as President of the Arkansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in 2000-2001. Alisa serves on many campus committees, to include: Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee, Institutional Scholarship Appeals Committee, University Honors Council, and as an ambassador for the Working and Giving Together Campaign. She and her husband, Scott, have a son, Grey, and live on Mount Nebo in Dardanelle. Alisa is the contact person for all academic and transfer scholarships.  

kthrelkeld@atu.edu

Kerri Threlkeld
Associate Director for Admissions Operations

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2016.
• A.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2013.

Kerri came to the Office of Admissions in July of 2007 after working as a Registrar's Assistant. Kerri oversees and manages admissions operations for the Russellville campus. She and her husband Jeff reside in Russellville with Peggy the corgi, and Howie the standard poodle. Kerri enjoys reading, crocheting, cooking, and traveling.

vacant 
Associate Director for Enrollment

  mjoneslawson@atu.edu

Meredith Lawson
Associate Director for Recruitment

• M.A., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2009.
• B.A., University of Alabama, 2007.

Meredith joined the Office of Admissions in February 2020, after serving as the Coordinator of Graduate Enrollment Management for the ATU Graduate College. Prior to joining the ATU family, Meredith spent five years with Southern Arkansas University, most recently as a Regional Admissions Counselor for the Dallas/Ft.Worth Metroplex. A native of Birmingham, Meredith spent seven years at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in a variety of roles. She and her husband Josh currently reside in Russellville with their furry children, Lola and Willie.

sbilley@atu.edu

Sabrina billey
Assistant Director for transfer ENROLLMENT

My Region: All Transfer Students
Text me: (479) 888-4942

• M.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2011.
• B.S.B.A., Oklahoma State University, 2005.

Sabrina joined the Office of Admissions in November 2018, after working nearly seven years in Residence Life at ATU. She earned a B.S.B.A. in Management and Accounting from Oklahoma State University and a M.S. in College Student Personnel from ATU. She is a member of Junior Auxiliary of Russellville and serves on the Promotion and Events Council for the Russellville Area Chamber of Commerce. She and her boyfriend Daniel reside in Russellville with their dog Max.

Allison Sheehan

Assistant Director for CAMPUS Visit Experience

• M.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2022.
• B.S., University of Missouri-Columbia, 2012.

Allison earned a B.S. in Hospitality Management at University of Missouri-Columbia in 2012 as a First-Genereation college student and began her career with events and catering in her hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. She moved from St. Louis to Batesville, Arkansas in 2018 to begin a career in Admissions. Allison and her husband, Wonderboy Assistant Football Coach Nick Sheehan, moved to Russellville in July 2020 to further their careers with Arkansas Tech. She continued her education and earned her M.S in Student Affairs Administration with a certificate in Advising in 2022, which allowed her to proudly say she is an ATU alumna. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, looking for waterfalls, going to the movies, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband currently reside in Russellville with their daughter Avery Grace and dog Watson.

agutierrez5@atu.edu

Alida Gutierrez
ADMISSIONS OFFICER

My Region: Arkansas River Valley and Northwestern US
Text me: (479) 888-2697

B.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2020.

Alida joined the Office of Admission staff family after completing her B.S. in Health Information Management at Arkansas Tech. She is no stranger to Admissions and brings a wealth of knowledge, having served as a student worker and tour guide for four years. Alida was also a Student Ambassador, Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant and served on the Student Services Conduct Board during her undergraduate career. In her free time, Alida loves to hammock, hike, travel, and spend quality time with friends and family.

gbrooks1@atu.edu

George Brooks
Admissions Officer

My Region: Southwestern Arkansas, Texas, and Southwestern US
Text me: (479) 888-2487

• M.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2022.
• B.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2021

George joined the Office of Admissions staff in the Spring of 2023 after completing his M.S. in Student Affairs and Administration and his B.S in Mathematical Education. George was a 3 year starter for the Tech Football team and was a Captain his last 2 seasons. He is from Allen, Texas and enjoys spending time with friends and family. 

Kyndal atkinson
Admissions Officer

My Region: Southeastern Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Southern US
Text me: (479) 888-2526
Email: katkinson2@atu.edu

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2022

Kyndal joined the Office of Admissions staff in the Spring 2023 after completing her B.A. in Secondary Speech Education. While in college, Kyndal was a member of the Arkansas Tech Theatre and also served as a transfer orientation leader. She is from Springdale, AR and enjoys painting, hiking, and hanging with her friends and family.

jwright42@atu.edu 

Jordan Wright

Admissions officer

My Region: Northeast Arkansas, Tennessee, and Northeastern US
Text me: (479) 888-2214
Email: jwright42@atu.edu

• B.S.B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2022

Jordan joined the Office of Admissions in August 2022 after completing her bachelor's in Business Administration from ATU. Jordan was a four-year member of the ATU Cheerleading team and also served as an orientation leader. Originally from Pottsville, AR, Jordan enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her family and friends. 

rwright22@atu.edu 

Rachel Wright

Admissions officer

My Region: Northwest Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Midwestern US
Text me: (479) 888-8020
Email: rwright22@atu.edu

• B.A., University of Arkansas, 2020

Rachel joined the Office of Admissions in September of 2022 after one year in Undergraduate Admissions at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. A native of Pottsville, AR, she graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication in May 2020. While in college, Rachel was a member of both the University of Arkansas and Arkansas Tech University cheer teams and served as an intern within the U of A Athletics Department.

sshen@atu.edu

Shannon Shen
Administrative Specialist III

• A.A., Nursing, Hungkuang University, Taiwan, 1991.

Shannon and her husband, Ernest, moved to Russellville in 2000. Shannon joined the Admissions Office in 2007 and processes admission applications and assists prospective students with the admission process. Shannon loves the River Valley and currently resides in Russellville with her husband, Ernest, and their two children, Gloria and Ethan.

 mwilt@atu.edu

MEAGHAN WILT
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST III

• M.L.A., Arkansas Tech University, pending.
• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2020.
• B.F.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2020.
• A.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2019

Meaghan recently earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at Arkansas Tech. She joined the Office of Admissions in September 2020. Meaghan processes admission applications and assists prospective students with the admission process. In her free time, Meaghan is an avid writer and reader, loves to travel, and enjoys spending time with her two nephews.

jcrouch@atu.edu

Judy Crouch
Administrative Specialist III for International admissions

Judy is a long time resident of the Russellville area with strong ties to the community and Arkansas Tech University. Judy has many years of volunteer service with area schools and youth organizations. She has also dedicated the past 15 years to Tech as Administrative Specialist with over 10 years in international admissions. With her experience and enjoyment of student interaction, Judy is excited to help expand the international program and welcomes the opportunity to help international students succeed at Arkansas Tech University.

awhitbey1@atu.edu

Alex Whitbey
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST III

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2021.
• A.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2016.

Alex grew up in the Russellville area. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Creative Writing from ATU in 2021. Alex joined the Office of Admissions in February 2022, where she processes admission applications and assists prospective students. In her free time, Alex enjoys hiking, writing, and spending time with her dog Sirius.

VACANT

Administrative Specialist III

klopez1@atu.edu

Kacie lopez
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, pending

Kacie moved to the Russellville area in 2016 and is currently earning her Bachelor of Arts in English here at ATU. She joined the Office of Admissions in March 2022, where she is eager to assist prospective students with the admission process. In her free time, Kacie enjoys reading, writing, and going for scenic drives with her husband.

ktelford@atu.edu

Brooke Telford

Administrative Specialist II

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, pending.
• A.A., Central Texas College, 2021.

Brooke and her family moved to Arkansas in 2019 after living in Virginia, while her husband served in the U.S. Navy. She recently joined the Office of Admissions in May 2022, and is excited to help prospective students. Brooke likes spending time outside with her son Ellis and dog Kiwi, exploring new places with her family, and enjoying delicious food!

JERRY II
OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY AMBASSADOR

Jerry Charles Young II took office as campus ambassador at Arkansas Tech University on Oct. 1, 2022. Jerry II succeeded Jerry Charles Young I, who restored a tradition that had been lost for 76 years and became ATU's first modern Jerry when he was introduced as campus ambassador on Oct. 26, 2013. Jerry I remained in the role of campus ambassador until his retirement on Oct. 1, 2022. Jerry II attends a variety of campus, community and alumni events as a living representative of the "Fight On!" spirit that defines Arkansas Tech.