Launchpad Student Success Center

Meet Our Advising Team

DIANA BAKER Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Nursing, Interdisciplinary Studies (LIST), Professional Studies, Communication, Environmental & Sustainability Studies Email: DBaker@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-3373 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Go to class, you might learn something new. Engage in activities, you might make some lifelong friends. Pay attention to deadlines, you won’t have the anxiety that goes with procrastinating. Name one hobby that you have... My favorite hobby is kayaking to waterfalls. What is one stress buster that you use? I practice a lot of holistic methods like deep breathing, meditation and yoga. These help to ground myself in stressful situations. When I’m feeling overwhelmed I stop and remind myself to take a deep breath. What do you like most about Tech? I enjoy the beauty of the campus. Many people on campus are friendly and helpful. Everyone has the same goal of doing what’s in the student’s best interest.
TENIKA BURGESS Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Fine Arts (Music, Art, Music Ed, and Art Ed), Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Multidisciplinary Studies, Special Education, Secondary Education, Exercise Science, Psychology Email: TNBurgess@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-6336 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Allow yourself to make mistakes but LEARN from them so that NO experience is wasted because discovering what you DO NOT want to do most likely will lead you to what you DO WANT. Name one hobby that you have... Theatre including storytelling, applied theater, and creating. What is one stress buster that you use? Time outdoors with family. What do you like most about Tech? The people and the beautiful campus close to nature and bigger cities.
VICKI DAVIS Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Manufacturing Engineering Technology & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Mechanical Engineering Email: VDavis@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-6846 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Ask questions early and often. Figuring things out on your own is an important skill, but so is knowing when you’re stuck and who to talk to about it. You have a whole team of professionals here to help, so take advantage of these resources! Name one hobby that you have... I’m a roller skater. Note: I did not say a good* roller skater.* What is one stress buster that you use? I keep a glitter jar at my desk. When I get overwhelmed, I shake it up and watch the flakes float back to the bottom. What do you like most about Tech? The quality of the education. As a Tech grad myself, I can attest to the stellar preparation I received to be an effective thinker and communicator on the job.
DANYELLE HAWKINS Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Computer Science & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Computer Science Email: LDHawkins@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-6281 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Set goals. I believe each student needs a few short- and long-term goals to work toward. Once you know your schedule, get organized, make a plan, and start working on completing your goals. Name one hobby that you have... My family and I enjoy kayaking when we can find time. We visit different rivers in middle Tennessee. My husband and son fish from their kayaks. My daughter and I just float and take in the beauty of the day. What is one stress buster that you use? I find I am most at peace when I am outside. After a day at work, I love to sit on the back patio and listen to nature. I also spend time curating my flowers and garden. What do you like most about Tech? I love how Tech's buildings, greenspaces, and people create an educational ambience that surpasses all other Universities.
Susan Cadle Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Agriculture, Human Ecology, Design Studies, College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Undecided, Chemical Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Chemical Engineering Email: SCadle@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-6277 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Enjoy every minute of your college experience. The time will go by very fast. Name one hobby that you have... Traveling is so fun! Even when things happen that are not planned, it allows me to learn something new. What is one stress buster that you use? Organizing my space. If I feel my things and thoughts are out of order I will regroup, rethink, and redo. What do you like most about Tech? Isn’t the campus beautiful?! There are a lot of places to see and be at Tech.
JENNIFER SPIVEY Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Civil and Environmental Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Civil and Environmental Engineering, Exercise Science & Physical Education Students with Last Names M-Z in: Electrical and Computer Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Electrical and Computer Engineering, Basic Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Basic Engineering Email: JSpivey@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-3838 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Get involved, use all the resources available to you, & make the most of your college experience! Name one hobby that you have... I started crocheting years ago in college, but have recently bridged into pattern testing for crochet designers. It's interesting to see all the pieces/steps that go into creating the finished product of a crochet pattern/book and ensuring directions are clear & correct for future makers who may use the pattern eventually. What is one stress buster that you use? Spending time outdoors and mindfulness are two techniques that help me keep stress in check. What do you like most about Tech? I really appreciate the welcoming atmosphere and our beautiful outdoor spaces here on campus.
KASSI THOMAS Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, English, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics, Physics, Sociology, Political Science, Wildlife & Fisheries Science, International Business & Cultures Additional Programs Advised: Undergraduate Special Non-Degree Seeking and Transient Students Email: KThomas@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-6841 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? ‘This too shall pass’ – the good AND the bad! Enjoy the present by getting involved in your community, and don’t get overwhelmed by the day to day. Name one hobby that you have... Does rote memorization of the entirety of iMDB for the purposes of being a future “6 degrees of Kevin Bacon” Champion count as a hobby? What is one stress buster that you use? Comedy podcasts – laughter can be the best medicine. What do you like most about Tech? I love how student-centered the campus is. As a student, I always felt supported, listened to, and respected. As a staff member, I’m here to do the same for you!
KAYLA WILSON Advisor First-Year Programs Advised: All students in: Accounting, Basic Business, Business & Information Technology, Business Management, Economics, Finance, Marketing Students with Last Names A-L in: Electrical and Computer Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Electrical and Computer Engineering Email: KLWilson@tntech.edu Phone: (931) 372-3834 Office Location: Volpe Library 180 BOOK A MEETING WITH TECHCONNECT First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.	More about me... What advice would you give to a new student? Stay flexible and be okay with not having your entire future figured out right now. Use this opportunity to explore everything you’re interested in and remember that you have an awesome team of advisors here who would love to assist you in getting things more figured out! Name one hobby that you have... Tubing What is one stress buster that you use? Journaling. Getting my thoughts out of my head onto paper gives me clarity and helps me to see that my problems are smaller than I thought. What do you like most about Tech? I spent some of the best years of my life as a student here.