Learning Center: Coordinator Profiles
Erica Binkerd, Academic Coordinator
Major: Respiratory Therapy
"Reliable, Friendly, Dedicated"
This is Erica’s second semester serving as an academic coordinator. She enjoys being at school, meeting new people, playing sports, and helping others. Her family and friends are a big part of her life, and she has a two-year-old niece that she absolutely adores! When she finishes school, Erica has a great interest in going to underprivileged areas of the country to provide respiratory care. Someday, she would also like to travel to other areas of the world, such as Australia, to vacation.
Dustin Blackwell, Academic Coordinator
Major: Postbaccalaureate (Pre-Med)
"Motivated, Efficient, Persistent"
Dustin is in his seventh semester with the Bepko Learning Center. As an academic coordinator, Dustin currently mentors for Human Physiology. After graduating in May 2009, he decided to come back to get his prerequisites for medical school. His ultimate goal is to specialize in sports medicine and become a team doctor for a sports team or university. Dustin is an avid runner and will complete the Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010. He is a sports and music fanatic and loves going to events and concerts throughout the year. Thank goodness for the Country Mega Ticket!
Samantha Deitz, Academic Coordinator
Major: Biology
"Philanthropic, Nostalgic, Hungry"
As an academic coordinator, Samantha mentors for Biology K103 and leads a team of dedicated mentors. She enjoys coaching volleyball, working at her family’s apple orchard, and attending concerts. Her favorite movie is The Princess Bride, and her favorite board game is Monopoly. This fall, Sam plans to enter a graduate program at IUPUI in order to continue her research in Down syndrome and to start teaching biology in an area high school.
Michael Heath, Operations Coordinator
Major: Psychology and Neuroscience
"Independent, Reliable, Hardworking"
Michael is currently serving in his ninth semester at the Bepko Learning Center! Michael has served as a resource mentor, an academic mentor for Psychology B104 and Biology K101, and currently serves as an operations coordinator. His main focus is technology and various operations projects for the Bepko Learning Center. Michael believes that the best thing in the world is music, and his favorite hobbies are traveling and camping. If Michael could do one thing for the rest of his life, it would be hiking or designing video game levels.
Chad Higginbotham, Academic Coordinator
Major: Biology and Classical Studies
"Eccentric, Dedicated, Original"
Chad is a senior in the School of Science at IUPUI majoring in biology and earning a minor in chemistry. After graduation, Chad will be attending graduate school in New York and hopes to work one day in the higher education field as a professor. In his free time, Chad likes to travel, read, spend time with friends and family, and listen to as much music as possible. Chad has served the Bepko Learning Center for the past five semesters mentoring Biology K101.
Alex Lindsey, Academic Coordinator
Major: Psychology
"Congenial, Industrious, Electric"
Alex is currently serving his sixth semester at the Bepko Learning Center. As an academic coordinator, he mentors for Psychology B104 and is constantly working to help his students succeed. Alex enjoys reading, watching football games, and anything to do with music. His favorite movie is V for Vendetta, and he is the absolute biggest Blink-182 fan on the planet. Alex's hidden talents include playing guitar and tap dancing. Alex is working on an honors thesis in social psychology this year, and he hopes to attend graduate school to become an industrial/organizational psychologist in the near future.
Whitney Milner, Resource Coordinator
Major: Organizational Leadership and Supervision
"Positive, Witty, Dedicated"
Whitney has worked at the Bepko Learning Center for six semesters, first as a resource mentor and now as a resource coordinator. She is currently a senior majoring in organizational leadership and supervision in the School of Engineering and Technology.
Anthony "AJ" Newton, Operations Coordinator
Major: Tourism, Conventions, and Event Management
"Dedicated, Lively, Positive"
Anthony Newton is a dedicated operations coordinator who ensures the functioning of the Bepko Learning Center by directing room reservation requests, helping to oversee the Bepko Learning Center Resource Desk, and leading current mentors to find success. Anthony enjoys playing the drums and guitar, watching Indianapolis Colts games, and spending time with his friends. His favorite movie is The Shawshank Redemption, and his favorite board game is Risk. Anthony hopes to visit Europe, New Zealand, and Australia in the future.
Bruno Santana, Resource Coordinator
Major: Accounting and Finance
"Hardworking, Dedicated, Problem-Solving, Respectful"
Bruno is currently serving in his sixth semester at the Bepko Learning Center. As a resource coordinator, Bruno ensures that the front desk of the Bepko Learning Center is fully functional at all times. He also guides and trains new resource mentors in their positions. Bruno's favorite board game is Risk, and he is a huge Indianapolis Colts fan.
Lindsay Stiller, Resource Coordinator
Major: Social Studies Education
"Punctual, Adaptive, Communicative"
Lindsay started her education blocks this fall and is very excited to start the program. She studied abroad in Greece last summer and had an amazing time. She is hoping to travel in Europe again soon and wants to visit Russia. She enjoys watching movies, anything to do with football, and watching HGTV. This is her fourth semester working for the Bepko Learning Center.
Anastasia Wagner, Academic Coordinator
Major: Psychology
"Motivative, Random, Exhaustive"
Anastasia has been mentoring for B104 for four semesters. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, writing music, leisure reading, and bike rides. The most important things to Anastasia are her parents, her brother, and her puppy, Charlie. This year she will be graduating and plans on getting a doctorate in clinical psychology. Someday, she would like to have an animal rescue shelter.
