OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS STAFF

bbedsole@atu.edu

Dr. Blake Bedsole
Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management & Student Success

•  Ed.D., The University of Georgia, 2013.
•  M.A., The University of Alabama, 2006.
•  B.S., The University of Alabama, 2003.

Blake began his career at The University of Alabama, serving in various admissions/enrollment management capacities from 2004-2015, until he left his role as Director of Enrollment Management for the UA Graduate School to take a new position at the University of West Alabama.  Blake served as the Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management at UWA from 2015-2017 before joining the Arkansas Tech family in January 2018.  He is/has been active in the leadership of several higher education organizations including the Graduate Business Student Services Association, the National Association of Graduate Admissions Professionals, the Graduate Management Admissions Council, the American Association of College Registrars and Admissions Officers, and the Southern Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, the latter including a recent appointment as a member of the editorial board for The SACRAO Journal.  Blake and his wife Belinda have a daughter named Chloe.

 jbrock15@atu.edu

Jessica Brock
Director of Admissions

• M.B.A., University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2003.
• B.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2000.

Jessica began her career at Arkansas Tech as a student in 1996. She has worked in the capacities of Publicity and Student Recruitment Specialist, Associate Registrar, Associate Director for Concurrent Enrollment and Interim Director of Admissions. She currently resides in Russellville with her husband Matt, and children Braden, Jordan, Kaleb, and Kade. 

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.  

bgibbs@atu.edu

Brandie Gibbs
Director of one-stop student center

• M.S., Arkansas Tech University, 2009.
• B.S.B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2004.

Brandie began her career at Arkansas Tech as a student, working in the Admissions Office, giving prospective students tours of campus. After graduating with her BSBA in Management and Marketing, she took a two year hiatus from ATU to run a local retail store. Upon her return in 2006, she worked in the Admissions Office for the next five years as an Admissions Officer recruiting students from Northern Arkansas and Missouri. In the fall of 2011, she joined the College of Business to launch the College to Career Center and assist the next class of alumni. She returned home to the Admissions Office in fall of 2015 as the Associate Director for Undergraduate Recruitment and accepted her new role in spring 2020. Brandie and her husband, Nathan, reside in Dardanelle with their puppy Koda Reese.

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.

jcrouch4@atu.edu

Jana Crouch 
Associate Director for Enrollment

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

Jana joined the Office of Admissions as the Associate Director for Enrollment in April 2018, after working nearly nine years in Academic Affairs at ATU. She earned a B.S.B.A. in Management and Marketing, and an M.S. in College Student Personnel, both from ATU. She teaches the introductory course for the undergraduate Leadership minor and serves as a faculty/staff advisor to the Mary B. Gunter Emerging Leaders LLC. She is also a member of the Hydrocephalus Association and the Co-Chair of the NW Arkansas WALK to End Hydrocephalus. Jana lives in Russellville with her husband Greg, also an employee of ATU, and their son Elliot.

  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, who is an ATU Assistant Football Coach, currently reside in Russellville with their furry children, Rambo, 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.

shuggins2@atu.edu

Samantha Huggins
Assistant Director for CAMPUS Visits Experience

kbeaird@atu.edu

Kaitlynn Beaird
Coordinator of Graduate and International Recruitment

My Region: All graduate and international students
Text me: (479) 888-2421

• M.A., The University of Alabama, 2020.
• Graduate Certificate, Arkansas Tech University, 2021
• B.S., University of West Alabama, 2017.

Kaitlynn joined the ATU family in May 2020. She is the main point of contact for students interested in pursuing a graduate degree, as well as all international students. A first-generation college student, Kaitlynn received a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications with summa cum laude distinction and as an honors scholar from the University of West Alabama in December 2017, a M.A. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Alabama in May 2020, and a Graduate Certificate in Advising from Arkansas Tech University in August 2021. In her free time, she is a freelance graphic designer and enjoys attending concerts, visiting family and friends, and playing with her Australian Shepherds, Bane and Talia.

agutierrez5@atu.edu

Alida Gutierrez
ADMISSIONS OFFICER

My Region: Arkansas River Valley, Oklahoma, and Western 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.

 asheehan1@atu.edu

Allison Sheehan
Admissions Officer

My Region: North Arkansas, Missouri, and Midwestern US
Text me: (479) 888-2464

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

Allison earned a B.S. in Hospitality Management at University of Missouri-Columbia in 2012 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. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, looking for waterfalls, going to the movies, baking her way into everyone’s heart, and spending time with family and friends. 

sdavis64@atu.edu 

Sophie Davis

Admissions officer

My Region: Central Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Northeastern US
Text me: (479) 888-2487

• B.A., Ouachita Baptist University, 2021.

Sophie joined the Office of Admissions family in August 2021 after completing her B.A. in Business Administration Management from Ouachita Baptist University. In her free time she loves spending time with her family and fiancé, playing pickle-ball, crafting, and drinking coffee at midtown. 

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

• 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 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.

vacant
Administrative Specialist III

BROOKE BRILEY
ADMINISTRATIVE SPECIALIST II

• B.S., Arkansas Tech University, pending.

Brooke joined the Office of Admissions in March 2020. As part of the administrative support team, Brooke assists prospective students with the admission process. She brings with her many years of customer service experience. Brooke is extremely dedicated and is the proud mom of two sons, Benjamin and Bowen. She and her husband Billy enjoy traveling, attending sporting events, and spending time with family.

ejackson24@atu.edu

Rene Jackson

Administrative Specialist II

• AA., Arkansas Tech University, pending.

Rene joined the Office of Admissions in October 2021. She occupies the front desk on the first floor of Brown. Her extended family has a rich history at Arkansas Tech. She is working towards the completion of her Associates degree in General Education. Rene has a husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys baking cakes and running short distances.

Melissa South
Associate director for one-stop student center

• B.A., Arkansas Tech University, 2015.

Melissa earned her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism at Arkansas Tech in 2015. After several years in the banking industry, she joined our admissions team in March of 2021. Melissa assists prospective students with the admission process. She lives in Russellville with her husband Joey, their four children: Savannah, Emily, Chase, and Jace, and their dog Zeppelin. In her free time, Melissa enjoys athletic events, hiking, camping, and grilling.

JERRY 
OFFICIAL UNIVERSITY AMBASSADOR

Jerry the Bulldog serves as campus ambassador at Arkansas Tech University. He was anointed with that title by the Arkansas Tech Student Government Association on Oct. 23, 2013. Jerry returned to campus after 76 years away to represent all Wonder Boys and Golden Suns at campus events and athletics competitions throughout the academic year. The original Jerry was owned by the Young family, which has enjoyed a continuous affiliation with the university since 1917. Now, Jerry is back...and we're pretty excited! Come see us and you just might get to meet him.