Student Success Faculty and Staff
Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Success
Chief Student Affairs Officer
Dr. Snyder serves as the Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Success, where he oversees institution-wide initiatives to make meaningful positive change in the life of Memphians and throughout the state of Tennessee. As part of this work, Dr. Snyder directs the UTHSC QEP: Community Engaged Care, a multi-year effort to enhance student learning and institutional impact around the social determinants of health.
Dr. Snyder is an applied medical anthropologist focusing on three distinct areas that impact public health. He was worked on developing interventions to drug use, addiction, and drug-related chronic illness in environments where the use of drugs is deeply embedded within the cultural framework and sense of identity. Dr. Snyder also conducts community-based projects that aim to improve patient-provider relationships, patient adherence, and the provision of culturally-appropriate health care services. Dr. Snyder’s third area of focus is on community response to crisis with particular emphasis on displaced populations as may be found following large-scale natural disasters or military conflict. Dr. Snyder has conducted fieldwork in East Africa, Haiti, the South Pacific, and with Native people in the United States.
Education
BA, Anthropology, Washington State University
EdM, Curriculum and Instruction, Washington State University
MPH, Public Health Practice, University of New England
PhD, Anthropology, Washington State University
Business Manager
Eliane Pater serves as the Business Manager for the Office of Student Success, overseeing all aspects of the business and financial operations. She has over twenty years of experience in administration, management, and finances, and over five years of experience in higher education. Her combined experience has prepared her for her role as a business manager, as well as ceremonies, events, and student support. Eliane Pater holds a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism and Hospitality Management, a Master of Science in Education with a major in Educational Leadership, and a Business Management certificate from Vanderbilt University.
Eliane Pater is a first-generation college graduate in her family and a Brazilian native. She believes that education and hard work can change the course of anyone’s life. She loves linguistics and speaks three languages fluently. She enjoys traveling, getting to know other cultures and outdoor activities such as camping and hiking.
Education:
BA - Tourism and Hospitality Management
MS - Education
Business Management Certificate - Vanderbilt University
Assistant Director of Community Engagement
Jess Guthrie is the Assistant Director of Community Engagement in the Office of Health Disparities Education and Community Engagement. Jess oversees programming related to the QEP, like the Co-curricular Certificate on the Social Determinants of Health, poverty simulations, as well as large-scale, interprofessional community health outreach events. She also oversees the Campus Cupboard, an on-campus food pantry serving the UTHSC community and partner organizations. Jess is also the campus GivePulse administrator and is always happy to help faculty and students learn more about using the platform to manage their community engagement activities.
Jess is currently a doctoral student at the University of Memphis, studying Higher and Adult Education Leadership. She previously served as theater design faculty at Simpson College, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and Illinois State University, and studied the history of protest fashion.
Education:
BA – Drama, Texas A&M University
MFA – Design, The University of Georgia
MS Ed – Higher Education Leadership, The University of Tennessee, Martin
Student Affairs Specialist – Pre-Health Scholar Program
Takisha Mack began her journey at UTHSC in 2022. As a Student Affairs Specialist in the Office of Health Career Programs (HCP), Takisha provides programming, outreach, and pipeline programs to diversify the health care professions. She also helps coordinator group and individual tours for the Office of Student Success. Previously, Takisha provided pre-college support to low-income and first-generation students with TRiO in Kentucky.
Education:
MPA - Master’s in public administration
BS - Bachelors of Science, Child & Family Studies
Education Specialist
Ashley graduated from the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education in 2007. She taught Music for 9 years in Mississippi and Tennessee. While teaching, she earned her Master of Education from Middle Tennessee State University in Supervision and Administration in Higher Education.
Ashley joined UTHSC 2022 where she previously worked as the admissions coordinator for the Physician Assistant program. She transitioned to the Office of Student Success in May 2023 as the Education Specialist for Student Conduct. In this role, she also assists students with immunization and insurance.
Associate Director of Student Life
Jennesa LaSane serves as the Associate Director of Student Life and Health Career Programs. She oversees commencement, student events. registered student organizations, Engage, and resource fairs. She also works with her colleagues to assist with tours and the Pre-Health Scholars Program. She enjoys creating welcoming environments for students and keeping them first in her work. Jennesa earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Memphis in Anthropology. She earned her Master of Science degree from the University of Tennessee- Martin in Higher Education Leadership.