About

Staff

OAMI

“OAMI has meant a sense of family for me. Like a home away from home.” – OAMI Student

We have an open door policy. Each of us is here because we have an individual passion and commitment to developing students. We look forward to seeing you soon!

 

  • Sharon R. Burch, M.A.

    Assistant Director, Program Manager
    sharbu@umich.edu

    Sharon focuses on student development and success through her role as program manager for SuccessConnects. She brings a wealth of higher education experience including pre-college outreach, admissions, and program development. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education from Michigan.

  • Gloria Derr Taylor, M.Ed.

    Director
    gtz@umich.edu

    Gloria directs the organization vision, and designs, develops and implements strategic plans to meet the mission goals of the office. Gloria brings experiences in student recruiting, student and program development, and fiscal management to execute the role of director.

  • Angela Espinosa-Gould

    Administrative Assistant
    ayespino@umich.edu

    Angela has 15+ years of experience in the realm of administrative assistance. Additionally, as a Southern California transplant, she brings with her the experiences of growing up in the diverse cultures of Los Angeles. Outside of the office, Angela enjoys being a foster mother.

  • Hector Galvan, M.A.

    Program Coordinator, Success Coach
    hgalvan@umich.edu

    Hector coordinates Arab Celebration, La Celebración, Native Student Celebration, Dance for Mother Earth Powwow, and advises our sponsored student organizations. He is a recent graduate of U-M and EMU; his Masters Degree is in higher education specializing in student services.

  • Joey Goddeeris, B.A.

    Marketing Coordinator, Success Coach
    jgoddeer@umich.edu

    Joey Goddeeris is a Success Coach and resident videographer in OAMI. He graduated from U of M in 2015 with a BA in Screen Arts and Cultures. His passion for student development has led to multiple years serving as a mentor in OAMI, during undergrad and afterwards.

  • Lumas J. Helaire, Ph.D.

    Associate Director
    lhelaire@umich.edu

    Lumas oversees OAMI operations, directs MCLIC, coordinates evaluation of GEAR UP and the annual MLK Symposium. With over 15 years of experience at UM, he brings positive youth program design, development, and fiscal management to execute the role of associate director.

  • Alan

    Alan Hernandez, B.A.

    Success Coach
    alanher@umich.edu

  • Adan Hussain, M.A.

    DIRECTOR OF FIRST-GENERATION INITIATIVES
    adanah@umich.edu

    Adan researches and coordinates efforts to promote first-generation student success at the University of Michigan. Adan's focus and interests are in diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education. He received his MA in Higher Education at The Ohio State University.

  • Carole Lapidos, MSW

    Program Coordinator, Success Coach
    lapidos@umich.edu

    Carole is a Success Coach and supports M-Connect as well the First Generation Family Engagement Committee. Carole has over twenty-five years of program development experience.

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    James Logan B.A.

    Program Coordinator, Success Coach
    jamielog@umich.edu

    James is a Success Coach and supports M-Connect, the Student Cohort Liaisons, and the Detroit Promise Cohort. After graduating with his BA in Sociology from Michigan in 2008, he's held roles in admissions, recruitment, and program coordination at the Ross School of Business and as an entrepreneur.

  • Male

    Gregory Thomas, M.A.

    Program Coordinator, Success Coach
    gothomas@umich.edu

    Greg serves as the Program Manager for the Men of Color Leading in the Classroom (MCLIC) program, Assistant Coordinator for the annual U-M MLK Symposium, Success Coach with SuccessConnects, and assist in managing the production of the Black Celebratory. He holds a Masters Degree in Higher Education.

  • female

    Chandani Wiersba, B.A.

    Program Coordinator, Success Coach
    cwiersba@umich.edu

    Chandani is a Success Coach and coordinator of the Asian/Pacific Islander celebration. She is passionate about coaching, celebrating, and empowering students to help them feel that they belong at the U of M and that they can be successful in college and beyond.

  • Christine Wylie, M.A.

    Assistant Director, Program Manager
    cwylie@umich.edu

    Christine has been with the University since 1978 and brings over 25 years of higher education experience to OAMI. She serves as the Michigan-Pursuing Our Dreams (M-POD) transfer Program Manager and Chair of the Student Academic Multicultural Initiatives (SAMI) committee.

  • chelsa

    Tianxiao Zhang, M.A.

    Research Associate
    chelszh@umich.edu

    Tianxiao works on research and evaluation projects at OAMI. She collects and analyzes institutional data and provides evaluation support to OAMI programs. Her research interests are diversity, social justice, and policy in higher education.