The team in the Academic Success Center is committed to adhering to the professional standards set forth by the International College Learning Center Association (ICLCA) in the areas of administration and management; program and curriculum design; and evaluation and research. To ensure that these standards are met and to foster professional growth and development, each team member in the Academic Success Center is required to earn and maintain Learning Center Leadership Certification, a nationally-recognized credential offered through ICLCA. This leadership certification provides validation of individuals’ expertise in the field of learning assistance through external and objective review.
Amanda M. Knapp, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Provost and Assistant Dean
Sherman Hall-B Rm 346
Phone: 410-455-3874
Email: aknapp@umbc.edu
Schedule an Appointment
ICLCA Level 2 Certified through December 2024
Dr. Knapp joined the UMBC community in May 2011 and currently serves as the Associate Vice Provost and Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Academic Affairs. In this role, Dr. Knapp is responsible for the management of the Academic Success Center, providing centralized support services to all undergraduate students at UMBC across three broad areas: Academic Learning Resources, Academic Standards and Policy Administration and Academic Advocacy. Knapp works collaboratively with the Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Academic Affairs, providing leadership and vision in the areas of student retention, academic success, and graduation. Knapp also works closely with the University’s Undergraduate Student Success Committee (UgSSC) and its standing committees to communicate, facilitate, coordinate, and lead strategies that serve as a comprehensive approach to improve undergraduate student persistence, progression, and degree completion in support of key strategic University goals and measures by removing barriers to academic success. As a first generation college student with a Ph.D., Dr. Knapp has blended a career in higher education with off-road motorcycle racing, a sport she is passionate about, to help students, “stay on track.”
Delana Gregg, Ph.D.
Assistant Vice Provost, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Sherman Hall-B Rm 341
Phone: 410-455-1875
Email:
delana1@umbc.edu
ICLCA Level 2 Certified through December 2024
Dr. Gregg joined the UMBC community in 2004 and currently serves as the Assistant Vice Provost, Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Prior to this, she has worked in other departments at UMBC, including the Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars Program, the Honors College, the Learning Resources Center and the Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. Dr. Gregg earned her Ph.D in Language, Literacy and Culture from UMBC. Her research focuses on which high-impact practices help UMBC first generation college students succeed. Dr. Gregg believes that all students can succeed and she aims to empower students to become active, responsible partners in their education so that they can achieve greater success in college and in life. Dr. Gregg works to assess the effectiveness of UMBC’s student success initiatives. Outside of her work at UMBC, you may find Dr. Gregg swimming water ballet with Fluid Movement, a Baltimore City based arts organization.
Shelly Johnson
General Associate
Sherman Hall-B Rm 347
Email: shellyj@umbc.edu
Tenley Stewart
Business Services Specialist
Sherman Hall-B Rm 347
Email: tstewart@umbc.edu
Tanay Adams
Operations and Guest Experience Coordinator
AOK Library, Room 156-1A
Phone: 410-455-2981
Email: tmadams@umbc.edu
Schedule an Appointment Here
ICLCA Certification in Progress
Tanay joined the UMBC community in 2022 and currently serves as the Operations and Guest Experience Coordinator. Prior to joining the team, Tanay worked in the Office of Multicultural Affairs as an Academic Advisor, and in Libraries as the Dean’s Office Administrative Associate at The University of Kansas. Originally from South Carolina, Tanay earned her B.S. in Political Science with the concentration in International Relations from Lander University, and then her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration at The University of Kansas. Tanay is truly dedicated to connecting with students and centering them fully in their academic experience as they begin their journeys. She is passionate about making sure students feel confident in establishing, and in achieving their own personal definitions of success during their time here at UMBC, and beyond. When Tanay isn’t in office, you can find her strolling through the aisles of used bookstores, putting together interesting tea blends, and baking the stress away to curated playlists.
Academic Advocacy
Clifton Saul
Acting Associate Director, Academic Advocacy
Sherman Hall-B Rm 358
Phone: 410-455-8805
Email: saulc@umbc.edu
Submit a Self-Referral
ICLCA Level 1 Certified through December 2025
Cliff joined the UMBC community in 2016 and currently serves as a Senior Academic Advocate. In this role, Cliff works closely with students in the College of Engineering and Information Technology (COEIT), providing support and encouragement from point of admission through graduation. Prior to his current role as a Senior Academic Advocate, Cliff worked in Residential Life at UMBC and at Wittenberg University in Ohio. Cliff earned his B.A. in Communications from Mount St. Mary’s University and his M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Akron. Cliff is passionate about holistically developing students, working with them to successfully navigate and overcome any challenge they face to graduation, leveraging their strengths along the way. Born and raised in Baltimore, when Cliff isn’t in the office, you can find him hiking local trails, supporting his favorite sports teams, and exploring Baltimore’s many fun events and delicious restaurants.
Hope Weisman
Senior Academic Advocate
Sherman Hall-B Rm 359
Phone: 410-455-8097
Email: arbhope1@umbc.edu
Submit a Self-Referral
ICLCA Level 1 Certified through December 2025
Hope joined the UMBC community in 2018 and currently serves as the Senior Academic Advocate. Prior to this position, Hope worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UMBC. Hope is also an alumna of UMBC earning her B.A. in Psychology/Sociology and M.A. in Applied Sociology. As a previous transfer student herself, Hope understands the importance of campus support, advocacy, and building a sense of community while attending UMBC. This background allows Hope to successfully navigate the unique needs of students during their transition to UMBC. When Hope isn’t in the office, you can find her grabbing a coffee at Dunkin’, exercising, or listening to true crime podcasts.
Alison Larsen
Senior Academic Advocate
Sherman Hall-B Rm 353
Phone: 410-455-8682
Email: alarsen1@umbc.edu
Submit a Self-Referral
ICLCA Certification in Progress
Alison joined the UMBC community in 2021 and currently serves as an Senior Academic Advocate. Prior to joining the team, Alison worked in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at UMBC as a Senior Financial Aid Counselor. Alison is also an alumna of UMBC, earning her B.S. in Biological Sciences with a Minor in Management of Aging Services, B.A. in Psychology, and M.A. in Management of Aging Services. Alison is passionate about student success and helping students achieve their goals both in and outside of the classroom. She believes that the best way to empower students is through knowledge. When Alison is not helping students at UMBC, you can find her outside, hiking with friends and family, reading, or trying out a new recipe.
Academic Learning Resources
Ira Fabri
Associate Director, Tutoring Services
Library Rm 146
Phone: 410-455-3905
Email: fabri@umbc.edu
ICLCA Level 2 Certified through December 2024
Ira joined UMBC in September 2017. She currently is the Associate Director of Tutoring with the Academic Success Center. Prior to coming to UMBC, Ira worked at American University (Washington, DC) as the Supplemental Instruction Coordinator and then the Assistant Director of Learning Resources. Ira moved to the US in 2006 from Italy, where she taught English at middle-school level and Cinema History at the University of Turin. Ira has an M.A. in English from the University of Turin in Italy, and an M.A. in International Communications, which she earned from American University. Ira believes that education provides all students the opportunity to discover and realize their potential, and she supports them through modeling positive behaviors and kindness. Outside of the office, Ira has various hobbies, but her favorite ones are definitely to make music and go swing-dancing with her husband Tom.
Micah Havens
Coordinator, Computing Success Center
Library Rm 156-1E
Phone: 410-455-3257
Email: mhavens1@umbc.edu
ICLCA Certification in Progress
Micah joined the UMBC community in 2020 and currently serves as the Coordinator of the Computing Success Center. Prior to this, they held other positions at UMBC, including working at Event & Conference Services, and working as a tutor for the Computing Success Center. They earned a B.S. in Computer Science from UMBC. Micah is passionate about the intersection of education and computing, including exploring ways that computing can create new pedagogy as well as computing education itself. Outside of the office, they can be found building electronics projects, reading, and learning new skills online.
Beck Hertl
Coordinator, Tutoring Services
Library Rm 156-1D
Phone: 410-455-1285
Email: beckhertl@umbc.edu
ICLCA Certification in Progress
Beck joined the UMBC community in 2017 and currently serves as a Tutoring Services Coordinator. They earned their B.S. in English Composition from Towson University, and started their professional career as a Library Services Specialist with the Reference department of the Albin O. Kuhn Library & Gallery. One of their favorite parts of that role was providing academic research assistance and instruction to first-year students. Beck is passionate about supporting the academic needs of students (and our amazing tutors!) as they challenge themselves to grow as scholars and lifelong learners. Outside of work, they like to spend time with their partner and two cats. They’re also a pretty crafty person, with current projects ranging from practical home improvement fixes to artsy oven-bake clay creations.
Elaine MacDougall
Assistant Director, Writing Center
PAHB Rm 425
Phone: 410-455-2816
Email: efick1@umbc.edu
ICLCA Level 2 Certified through December 2024
Elaine began her career at UMBC in 2011 and currently serves as the Director of the Writing Center. Prior to this, she taught English Composition at many higher learning institutions, including CCBC, McDaniel College, Carroll Community College, and Stevenson University. Elaine is a proud alumna of UMBC and she earned M.A. in Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in the Language, Literacy, and Culture program at UMBC. Students are the center of Elaine’s job and she loves to hear their stories, their experiences, and their needs. She wants students to know that we are co-creators of knowledge and we are all here to learn from each other. Teaching and practicing yoga is a big part of Elaine’s life—it influences how she teaches in higher education and it helps her to be more appreciative of and empathetic to everyone.
Deborah Webb
Assistant Director, Supplemental Instruction
Sherman Hall-B Rm 343
Phone: 410-455-2467
Email: debwebb@umbc.edu
ICLCA Level 1 Certified through December 2025
Deb joined UMBC in March 2011 and currently serves as the Assistant Director of Supplemental Instruction (SI PASS). She has worked in higher education in administrative and teaching roles, most recently as the Coordinator of Tutoring at Anne Arundel Community College and the Coordinator of Supplemental Instruction at UMBC. Deb has also taught a variety of Math courses, ranging from developmental Math through Pre-Calculus. Deb has earned an A.S in Industrial and Digital Electronics from CCBC, a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from UMUC, and an M.Ed. in Instructional Technology from UMUC. Deb is very passionate about providing resources and opportunities that inspire students to build confidence in their abilities, accomplish their personal goals, and continue to grow as citizens who make a difference in the lives of others. When she is not in the classroom or the office, Deb finds joy in spending time with her grandchildren, painting, reading, and making jewelry.
11/11/2024