Institutional Effectiveness - Meet The Team
Dr. Janice Hicks has served in various academic affairs and student affairs capacities at several types of institutions including universities, community colleges, and a medical center. In 2016, she earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in higher education administration with emphasis on community college leadership and teaching and learning in the academy. Her research centers on local, state, and federal higher education policies and their impact on college readiness, access and success for historically underrepresented populations. Her dissertation was titled, “The Lived Experiences of African American Achievers in Developmental Education.” The purpose of her work is to close educational equity gaps in institutions of higher learning. She received her Bachelors of Science in educational psychology with a minor in counseling education from Mississippi State University and Masters of Science degree in student affairs administration from the University of Central Arkansas. She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated since 2005 and dog mom to her fiesta Chihuahua, Nova Scotia. Originally from Mississippi, Dr. Hicks recently moved to Odessa, Texas and currently serves as the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Odessa College.
Email: jhicks@odessa.edu
Connie May, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, joined the Odessa College in 2006. A native to West Texas, Connie holds an Associates in General Studies from Midland College, a Bachelors in Business Administration and a Master’s in Business Administration, both from the University of Texas at the Permian Basin. She has a passion for community college student success. In her spare time, she enjoys being a lifelong learner, world traveler, and community service volunteer.
Email: cmay@odessa.edu
Mireya Jacuinde, Executive Director of Student Learning Resources, has been working at Odessa College since 2019 and started as an Academic Success Coach. Originally from the Panhandle, Mireya earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and her Master’s degree in Communication Studies from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, TX. During her graduate studies, Mireya worked as a recruiter for the College Assistant Migrant Program (CAMP) where she gained a greater passion for higher education. She currently enjoys the dog-mom life with her partner, Lanora, to their dog, Layla.
Email: mjacuinde@odessa.edu
Blair Roberts, Senior Research Economist, has been with Odessa College since 2010. He specializes in working with labor market and workforce data for the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. Blair graduated from Baylor University with a Masters in Economics, as well as graduating from the University of Texas of the Permian Basin with a Masters of Education. Blair also has a Bachelors of Science in Economics from Texas A&M University. Blair has been an educator for over twenty-five years, teaching Economics, and Government at Waco La Vega, Midland High, Robert E. Lee High, Odessa High and Odessa College. Blair also worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas as an Economic Education Specialist. Blair grew up in Odessa, Texas graduating from Odessa Permian. In his free time, Blair enjoys reading books about history and geography as well as playing Beatle songs on the guitar.
Email: broberts@odessa.edu
Ana Melendez, Executive Director of Data Services, joined the Odessa College family in July 2009. Originally from El Paso, Texas. Graduated from University Autonoma Juarez, Mexico (UACJ) with a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineer. She has served previously as Director of Data Management Services, Assistant Director of Information Services, and Program Analyst. She loves traveling, spending time with her three children, husband, and siblings. She loves outdoor sports and running. She has participated in 5km and 10km races in the Permian Basin.
Email: amelendez@odessa.edu
Shannon Kahle, Research Analyst, joined Odessa College in July of 2020. She grew up in Pennsylvania and completed a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at Penn State, a master’s degree in Communications & Culture at Georgetown, a masters in Counseling Psychology at the University of Akron, and a PhD in Communications and Social Theory at Penn State. She has worked in educational research for more than a decade and is very happy to be at Odessa College. She currently lives in Ohio with her husband and enjoys reading (mostly nonfiction), writing, traveling, getting out into nature, and spending time with family.
Email: skahle@odessa.edu
Brandy Lopez, Administrative Assistant to the Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness, I joined Odessa College in 2013 and my journey started in our Learning Resource Center. I am originally from New Mexico, Brandy has earned 4 Associates degrees from Odessa College, and has also earned her BAAS degree in Leadership & Management-Entrepreneurship from Odessa College. She is currently working on her Master’s degree in Business-Executive Leadership from Liberty University. In her journey she has grown great passion for Higher Education and helping our students be successful. In my free time I love to travel, kayak, outdoors activities, and gardening.
Email: blopez@odessa.edu
