Gateway Scholars Program - Meet the Staff

LCAE Phone Number:
(512) 471-1205

Leonard Moore, Ph.D.

Assistant Vice President for Pre-College Youth Development and Student Academic Success Initiatives
Associate Professor, Dept. of History, College of Liberal Arts
Executive Director of the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence
Hometown: Cleveland Heights, OH
B.A. in History from Jackson State University; M.A. in History from Cleveland State University; Ph.D. in American History from Ohio State University

I supervise the Longhorn Center for Academic Excellence, and TRIO Programs. Additionally, I am an associate professor in the Department of History.

"Our students are the pulse of this university. They not only learn from us, but we also learn from them. We must continue to diligently serve our students and provide them with the best opportunity to succeed here at UT and after graduation."

Ge Chen, Ed.D

Interim Director of Gateway Scholars and Assistant Vice President
B.A. Jilin Normal University in Siping, China
M.Ed, Ed.D University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas

I am the Interim Director of the Gateway Scholars Programs.

Tiffany Tillis, M.Ed

Assistant Director of Gateway Scholars
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
B.A. in Psychology from UT Austin, M.Ed. from UT Austin

I am the Assistant Director of the Gateway Scholars Programs.

"I love to help students discover their potential. I am a product of a program just like this, so I always knew that I wanted to give back to this program. It gives me great joy to give students the tools and knowledge they need to succeed, just as those things were given to me."

Emma Middleton

Administrative Associate

I assist with all the programs under the Gateway Scholars umbrella.

Rian Carkhum, M.Ed

Graduate Assistant
Hometown: Detroit, MI
B.S. in Psychology from Central Michigan University, M.Ed. from UT Austin. Will enter Ph.D. program in Fall 2008.

I work with first generation college students to increase their academic preparedness and ensure their social and academic success at UT Austin.

"Some students at UT Austin need support beyond the classroom. All of the students we work with are scholars, however they may need assistance navigating UT Austin. It is our job to reduce the size of UT for our students. Helping to change lives is the best job in the world! I love what we do!"

Darren Kelly

Graduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Mission Viejo, CA
B.S. Commerce (Finance/Marketing) from the University of Virginia, M.A. in progress at UT Austin

I work as a FIG facilitator and work together with a peer advisor to provide support and plan events in the Gateway Scholars and Longhorn Connection programs.

"I like working for LCAE because it provides an opportunity to interact directly with students and make a huge impact on helping them to have the best college experience."

Tracy Arambula-Turner, M.Ed.

Graduate Research Assistant
Hometown: Collinsville, Illinois
B.A. Sociology, University of Illinois, 1996, M.Ed. Elementary Education, Boston College, 1998, Ph.D. Higher Education Administration, The University of Texas at Austin, 2011

I advise Gateway Scholars and Longhorn Connection students as well as help with organize and plan other events in LCAE.

"I am looking forward to working with Gateway students because I come from a similar background and I see it as a great opportunity to give back to society and make a difference in the lives of students."

Melissa Martinez

Graduate Research Assistant

Spencer Platt

Graduate Research Assistant

Rose Martinez

Graduate Research Assistant

Taryn Ozuna

Graduate Research Assistant

Beth Bukoski

Graduate Research Assistant