JOHN ANDERSON
Associate Athletic Director

John Anderson was named Associate Athletic Director for Academic Services at Texas Tech University in May, 2000. In this position, John is responsible for the administration of the academic and student services programs for approximately 400+ Texas Tech student-athletes.

Anderson joined the Texas Tech athletic staff in September, 1996 and has moved through the ranks of Academic Counselor to Assistant and Associate Director, and now to Associate Athletic Director of Academic Services.

Anderson earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado. A four-year basketball player, he was named an Academic All-American in 1988 and was team captain as a senior. He earned his Master's degree from Washington State in Education Administration.

John came to Texas Tech after serving as Academic Advisor at The University of Texas at El Paso. Previous stops also include the University of Portland, where he served in a dual role in academics and marketing and promotions. From 1990 to 1992, he served as a graduate intern at Washington State and Portland State, working in compliance and promotions. John's wife, Stephanie, is also employed by Texas Tech as the Assoc. Vice President of Enrollment Mgt.

John can be reached at: john.anderson@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.

LINDSEY DUKE
Graduate Assistant

Lindsey Duke joined the Texas Tech Athletic Academic Services Staff in August, 2007 as the Graduate Assistant for our Eligibility Specialist.

Lindsey is a former Texas Tech student-athlete and earned her bachelor's degree in Sports Psychology from Berry College in Rome, Georgia. She played four years of college soccer; two years at Texas Tech and two years at Berry College.

She is currently pursuing a masters degree in Business Administration from Texas Tech and hopes to attend the Texas Tech School of Law in the fall of 2009.

Lindsey can be reached at: lindsey.duke@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 John Anderson 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.

Rodney can be reached at: rodney.lackey@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 19 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 attend 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.

ANGIE MCKINNELL
CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator, 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.

Angie can be reached at: angie.mckinnell@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.

DENISE ZDENEK
Learning Specialist

Denise Zdenek joined Athletic Academic Services at Texas Tech in fall 2008 as the Learning Specialist. She coordinates the tutoring programs, including the RAIDER APEX Program and subject tutoring. Prior to coming to Tech, Denise was an inclusion specialist and math teacher for Lubbock Independent School District. She has taught all grade levels from K-12.

Denise holds two master's degrees, one in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Anthropology from The California State University at Stanislaus, and one in Education with a concentration in special education from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Her husband, Sean, is a faculty member in the Department of English at Texas Tech. They have two sons, Liam and Pierce.

Denise can be reached at: denise.zdenek@ttu.edu.