Mrs. Amber Mitchell, Director
amitchell@rose.edu
Amber Mitchell has been working within the federal TRiO programs since 2002 when she was hired as the Academic Advisor/Tutor Coordinator for the Student Support Services program at the University of Central Oklahoma. She then served 6 years as the Coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program at that same institution.
In 2010 she was selected to serve as the Director of the newly funded Student Support Services program at Rose State College. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and a Master of Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Active within the TRiO community, she was twice elected to serve on the Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance Executive Board. She chaired the Oklahoma TRiO Statistics booklet committee for three years, served as a member of the TRiO Day committee for four years, and has chaired the Oklahoma TRiO Achiever committee. She is currently serving as co chair of the ODSA Emerging Leaders Institute.
She has two girls, Morgan and McKenzie, which consume her time and nourish her heart.
Fun Facts About Amber:
Hobbies: My favorite hobby is spending time with my family - anything is fun when we are together!
When I was a child I wanted to be: At different times I wanted to be a dancer, a Mommy, and a politician.
Favorite Dessert: Strawberry Cheesecake
Favorite Drink: I have a severe addiction to Dr. Pepper. I also love the smell of coffee, but don't drink it.
Favorite Sport: I don’t play any sports (I have zero athletic ability) but my favorite to watch is football.
Favorite Restaurant: Ted’s Escondido
Favorite Flower: Gerber Daisy
Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere with a white, sandy beach and the ocean.
Favorite Music: I like all types of music (except heavy metal) but my favorites are country, 90's and classic rock.
Favorite thing to do: Laugh!
Three adjectives to describe you: loud, energetic, loving
Jessica Waller, Academic Support Counselor
jwaller@rose.edu
Jessica Waller has been at Rose State College since October of 2008. When she first started, she was the Job Coach for the EmPower Works program, helping single parents with employability skills. In 2010, she was selected to be the Academic Support Counselor for the Student Support Services program. This is her first position with TRiO and she has enjoyed becoming a part of the community.
Jessica has prior experience with case management and helping those in need. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from the University of Oklahoma. Currently, she is working on her Master of Science degree at the University of Central Oklahoma. Jessica’s past experience includes working as a case aide at the Department of Human Services, working with disadvantaged youth and children, assisting the homeless population obtain resources to become employable, and helping single parents with life and employability skills. Her passion is to encourage and help others find how to reach their full potential in life. She believes that success can be found in believing in one’s self.
In addition, Jessica has been active on many committees in the Rose State Community including Global Oklahoma, Classified Staff Association, Professional/Administrative Staff Association, Rose State’s 40th Anniversary committee, and other short-term committees.
Fun Facts About Jessica:
Hobbies: Working out at the Wellness Center, reading books with my step-son, playing cards and board games with my husband and friends, spending time with family, craft projects, playing with my German Shepherd/Lab mix.
When I was a child I wanted to be: a marine biologist
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Television Show: Big Bang Theory, Mike and Molly, America's Got Talent
Favorite Drink: Anything with coffee - the more sugary the better!
Favorite Book: Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Favorite Sport: To watch – Football, To play – Frisbee
Favorite Restaurant: Panera Bread
Favorite Vacation Spot: NW Washington State
Favorite Music: Worship, Adele, Indie
What is one thing you would change in the world? That no child would go to bed hungry or without love.
Ms. Rebecca Esquibel, Academic Mentor
resquibel@rose.edu
Ms. Rebecca Esquibel became employeed at Rose State College in June 2006 as a work study while working on her degree. In May 2009 and received an Associates in Arts of Liberal Studies. After moving to Tennessee for two and half years she returned to Oklahoma in the Fall of 2011 and rejoined the Rose State College community as an Academic Mentor for the TRiO Student Support Services.Rebecca is currently working on her Bachelors Degree at the University of Central Oklahoma in Organizational Leadership and plans to persue a Masters of Education in Professional Health Occupations.
Rebecca tutors in the subjects areas of essay writing, psychology, human anatomy, biology, arts, spanish, study skills. She has two children: a girl, Rekiyah, an honors student in 5th grade and a boy,Pierre, an honors student in 1st grade. She stated, “My children are my driving force and encourage me to be the best and do the best in all things. I want them to have a positive role model that they learn from and use the skills they learn as a foundation to be successful in their lives.”
Fun Facts About Rebecca:
Hobbies: Spending time with my kids and doing fun outings – and shopping!
When I was a child I wanted to be: A backup dancer in Music Videos
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate! Red Velvet Cake & Ice Cream
Favorite Drink: Cherry Pepsi and Fruit Smoothies
Favorite Food: Mexican and Latino Foods
Favorite Flower: Rose
Favorite Color: Purple
Dream Vacation: Travel in Spain
Favorite Music: R&B, Hip Hop, Pop – New and Old, Classical…basically anything that has a good beat and lyrics that are meaningful or funny.
Likes: Love all things fashion, huge movie buff, taking pictures, road trips, gaming, girls night, listening to music, crafts, party planning, and graphic designing
Three Adjectives that describe you: personable, compassionate, meticulous
Skylar Snowden, Academic Mentor
ssnowden@rose.edu
Skylar Snowden graduated from Choctaw High School in 2010 then started college at Rose State in the fall of that same year. She has since transferred to the University of Central Oklahoma and is majoring in Chemistry-Health Science. She enjoys all of the math and sciences and tutors in biology, zoology, chemistry, and math through calculus I.
Fun Facts About Skylar:
Hobbies: reading, driving, watching current science videos on Science Dump
When I was a child I wanted to be: bee keeper
Favorite Food: spaghetti
Favorite Drink: Mountain Dew Baja Blast and Snapple Diet Peach Ice Tea
Favorite Book: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Favorite Television Show: Big Bang Theory, Lost, The Office, Parks and Recreation
Favorite Restaurant: Taco Bell
Favorite Car: VW Microbus
Favorite Vacation Spot: Oregon
Favorite Music: Sister Hazel
Elexandria Murchinson, Academic Mentor
emurchinson@rose.edu
Elex Murchinson started her college career in the fall of 2007 at Rose State College majoring in social work and counseling. While at Rose State College she was active in numerous clubs and organizations. She had the opportunity to serve as the President of both Phi Theta Kappa and the Study Abroad Club.
In the spring of 2010, she transferred to the University of Oklahoma where she continued to study social work. In transferring she was awarded the Transfer Leadership Class (TLC) scholarship. She later joined the Transfer Student Advisory Board (TSAB), where she served as the Community College Representative. May of 2012 she graduated with her BA in Social Work. She plans to start working on her masters in the fall of 2012.
She tutors math up to college algebra, history, biology, humanities, english literature, and the social sciences.
Jeremy Tanequodle, Academic Mentor
jtanequodle@rose.edu
Jeremy Tanequodle was hired as an Academic Mentor in 2012. Newly graduated from Rose State College in May of 2011 with an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts, Jeremy served as a Rose State Ambassador and also served as Vice President of the Rose State College Student Senate.
As an Academic Mentor, Jeremy specializes and tutors in English, biology, history, and speech.
Currently, he is serving on the Transfer Leadership Council scholarship at the University of Central Oklahoma, pursing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations.
Jeremy has worked with several community service programs such as Habitat for Humanity, the Regional Food Bank, and The Spero Project. His ultimate goal is to help and encourage people to find their success.
Fun Facts about Jeremy:
Hobbies: Spending time with my family, watching sports and movies, playing guitar and listening to music.
When I was a child I wanted to be: I’ve always wanted to be meteorologist.
Favorite Food: Spaghetti.
Favorite Sport: Basketball or college football.
Favorite Team: Oklahoma City Thunder. Thunder up!
Favorite Movie: Lord of the Rings- Return of the King.
Favorite Drink: Diet Mountain Dew.
Favorite Season: Fall.
Favorite Music: Rock, jazz, and electronica. I really do like all forms of music though.
Favorite Dessert: Ice Cream
Favorite Color: Purple
Three adjectives that describe you: passionate, caring, dedicated
Cody Taylor, Academic Mentor
ctaylor@rose.edu
Cody Taylor graduated from Choctaw High School with the class of 2010. After graduating, Cody began pursuing an electrical engineering degree at Rose State College where he studied mathematics and physical science. During the summer of 2012, Cody transferred to the University of Oklahoma to finish his degree.
Although, he enjoys going to concerts and spending time outside, there are few things Cody enjoys more than discussing current events and topics of science. Cody enjoys and is able to tutor in math through calculus and physics.
Fun Facts About Cody:
Hobbies: tinkering with electronics, listening to music
When I was a child I wanted to be: a firefighter
Favorite Food: potato soup
Favorite Book: The Moral Landscape by Sam Harris
Favorite Television Show: Big Bang Theory
Favorite Music: folk
Favorite Subject: Physics