Lucy Dawson
Associate Director
Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars
lld09a@acu.edu

Lucy is the Associate Director of the Office of International Students and Visiting Scholars (OISVS), with a focus on immigration advising for F-1 and J-1 international students and scholars as well as ACU faculty and staff. Lucy grew up loving languages and cultures.  She studied abroad at a German University for a year, and spent about 7 years studying and working in China.  She loves walking alongside others in their cross-cultural journey and helping them navigate the ins and outs of life here.  She holds a BA in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and an MA in Intercultural Studies from Wheaton College.  Lucy loves playing piano, hiking in the  mountains, and learning and laughing with anyone gathered around her table, which may include her husband, Martin, 3 college-age children and 3 English springer spaniels.

Veronica Summers
International Student Services Specialist
tvdw09a@acu.edu

Veronica serves as the International Student Services Specialist and Advisor for the International Students Association. She was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines where her parents were missionaries for several years and moved to Abilene in 2009 to attend ACU. Veronica graduated from ACU in 2012 with her Bachelor’s degree in Family Studies and will soon be completing her Masters in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Bible and Communications. She loves working with international students and learning about different cultures and is always eager to help students as they transition and adjust to life in the United States.

Thurmond Metters
Educational Coordinator for TRIO- Upward Bound
thurmond.metters@acu.edu

Thurmond Metters serves as the Educational Coordinator for TRIO Upward Bound program. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from ACU in 2005, and is currently in the process of completing his Masters of Social Work degree. Thurmond married the “love of my life” Camile in 2010, and together they have 3 boys: Jacques Kane (21), Thurmond Jr. (5), and Lincoln (2).

Kelsey Leverett
Development Advisor for TRIO- Upward Bound
kelsey.leverett@acu.edu

Kelsey serves as Development Advisor in TRIO Upward Bound. She graduated from ACU in 2015 with her bachelors degree in political science with an emphasis in criminal justice. She has served the Abilene community as a police officer and a victim advocate at Noah Project. She is currently in graduate school studying counseling psychology. Kelsey is passionate about serving others and loves this aspect of her job. She loves walks with her dog, Remington, and all things Disney.

Gayla Herrington
Director of TRIO- Talent Search
gdh02a@acu.edu

Gayla Herrington is the director of TRIO Talent Search (Federally Funded Grant through ACU) and is a first-generation college graduate (ACU class of 1988) and child of poverty herself, she now has a Master’s in Technology Education and undergraduate degrees in Business and Computer Science education. She spent 12 years as a classroom teacher. She loved teaching in the classroom but is thankful for the opportunity to partner with Abilene Independent School District to benefit more students. She is married to Don and has three children and four grandchildren.

Kimberly Crockett attended San Angelo State University, and for the past 16 years she worked as an Office Manager in a doctor’s office. As Administrative Coordinator for TRIO Talent Search, she is responsible for all student records, all office management, and making sure the advisors have the available supplies to work with students in schools. She is married to Philip and has three children and three grandchildren

Randy Scott, Sr.
Middle Schools Advisor for TRIO- Talent Search
rls96j@acu.edu 

Randy Scott is a college advisor in the middle schools for the TRIO Talent Search program. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Abilene Christian University. He has worked with children in Abilene for many years and has been with TRIO Talent Search since 2005. He enjoys seeing the students succeed in all they do. He is married to Ruthie and has two children and seven grandchildren.

Joshua Hunter
Advisor for TRIO- Talent Search
jjh14a@acu.edu  

Joshua Hunter is a college advisor to the High School students for the TRIO Talent Search program. He has his Bachelors of Science in Social Work from Abilene Christian University. He is working toward getting his Master’s in Social Work. He has done internships in Communities in Schools and Hendrick Pathways. He believes God can use your gifts, talents and abilities however he wants and that pursuing higher education is a way to cultivate those gifts while you chase your dreams.

Anna Kleen
MSW Intern- Academic Coaching
axk15a@acu.edu

Anna graduated this year with her bachelors degree in social work. She is going directly into graduate school to continue her education in social work and will graduate in May of 2021. She will be serving as an intern this year for UAP and is thrilled to begin in the fall. She is excited to grow her professional skills and is happy to have the opportunity to help students at ACU succeed. She enjoys spending time with her friends, discovering new music, and taking trips to the beach.

Mariesha Shaw
MSW Intern- Bridge Students
mrs13g@acu.edu

Mariesha serves as a Financial Aid Counselor in Wildcat Central at ACU. She was born and raised in Mckinney Texas and graduated from ACU in 2018 with her bachelors in child and family services. She is currently in graduate school working on her masters in social work. She is passionate about working with students of all backgrounds to help them be successful in their studies while navigating life on a college campus

Cameron Jolley
Student Worker- Bridge Students
caj18a@acu.edu 

Cameron is from Fort Worth Texas and beginning his junior year at ACU. Studying Communications with a concentration in Public Advocacy along with a minor in Professional Writing. He is passionate about helping his fellow peers feel welcomed on campus and finding their place in the ACU community. Along with feeling welcomed, he strives to provide information on all the different organizations and resources that are available at ACU. Cameron wishes to work in public advocacy and help those who struggle in more ways than one. Having been involved in many different organizations all over campus, he is very excited to be working in the department in order to meet many different walks of life and help assist students when needed.

Arnold Yanni Charles
Student Worker- OISVS
ayc17a@acu.edu 

Arnold Yanni Charles is a Political Science honor student, minoring in business, english, philosophy and public service. He is a Indian-Sri Lankan that grew up in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and has one of the most colorful personalities you will ever come across. He wishes to become an international lawyer, secure a position in the United Nations and change the world. Arnold is the epitome of extroversion and will go out of his way to meet someone new or indulge in a new experience. He is exhaustingly active all over campus, involved in several student organizations and the Student Government Association. Always being the “international kid” he has learned to love being exposed to various cultures and hence he quickly found a home in the OISVS. Arnold is driven by Love, Passion, and Ambition. He hopes to share his drive with his community of fellow international students.