Meet the Team

Aranza Torres || Project Director

  • Aranza Torres

    Project Director

    Phone Number (call): 254-299-8516
    Phone Number (text): 254-527-6171
    Meeting Link: https://calendly.com/atorresgutierrez/crew-resource-meeting
    Office Location: Student Services, Success Coaching Services, 249D
    Hometown: Waco, Texas

    Aranza Torres, LMSW (she/her) is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico but who claims Waco as her home. Aranza has 10 years of social work experience working with diverse and often vulnerable populations. Aranza has been active in the Waco community participating in local organizations, events and engaging in work that promoted local community wellness alongside organizations that include; Hispanic Leaders Network, Waco Immigrants Alliance, United Way of McLennan County, La Puerta, and Habitat for Humanity. Aranza currently serves as Project Director for Student Resources at McLennan Community College, managing the Basic Needs Grant. In this role Aranza oversees all Basic Needs programming on the campus—often seeking innovative ways to address student needs. In her free time Aranza enjoys spending time with her 4 dogs, reading and working on puzzles.

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    I love working at MCC because I can see and know how much other staff and faculty care about our students and the work we are doing. MCC is one of Waco’s most undervalued resources, I LOVE to see alumni out in their businesses and with their families they are a wonderful example of what a great institution MCC is.

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    I love the team I work with. We are creative, innovative and often challenge each other. We make things happen and that is just amazing to see.

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    "Creating is an act against dying." Sandra Cisneros

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    I love all our local restaurants, we have some great hole in the wall places that are incredible. I love food.

LaTasha Davis || Resource Specialist

  • Latasha Davis

    Resource Specialist

    Phone Number (call): 254-299-8527
    Meeting Link: https://calendly.com/ldavis-mcc/30min 
    Office Location: Student Services, Success Coaching Services, 248D
    Hometown: Waco, Texas

    LaTasha Davis received her Associate of Arts from McLennan Community College in 2008 and her Bachelor of Science from Tarleton State University in 2010. Her employment includes having served as a Veteran Case Manager for Caritas of Waco, as a Case Manager for the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network, and as a CPS Case Manager for the Department of Family and Protective Services in Waco. LaTasha brings valuable and relevant work experience to this position, including assisting clients in learning how to cope with mental/physical illness, substance abuse, poverty, unemployment, homelessness, and food instability/insecurity.

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    Where do I start? I enjoy my coworkers and engaging with the students. MCC’s leadership team is supportive of staff and cares about our needs. I do enjoy the professional development class opportunities, workshops, and informational sessions. Not to mention the scenery, the campus is beautiful.

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    Being able to assist students and help connect them to the resources they need. It’s rewarding to be their support system and help them navigate through college and the real world.

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    "People who are truly strong lift others up. People who are truly powerful bring others together.” Michelle Obama

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    I love going to Cameron Park Zoo, Cameron Park Skate World and Practically Pikasso with my children. I’m a foodie so I love trying new local restaurants. I enjoy wondering downtown, looking at the new murals and visiting local shops.

Sadie Graham || Master's Social Work Intern for CREW

  • Sadie Graham, BSW

    Tarleton Master's of Social Work Student- Intern

    Email: SaGraham@mclennan.edu
    Meeting link: TBA
    Office Location:  CREW, Student Life Center, Room 111
    Hometown: Waco, Texas
     
    Sadie earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Tarleton State University in August 2025. An MCC alum, she started MCC and worked in the student services center as work study and benefited from the Success Coaching, TRIO, and Food Pantry services, making it especially rewarding to see her journey come full circle. Originally from Waco, she enjoys adventuring through Cameron Park and exploring the ethical dimensions and potential benefits of artificial intelligence systems. Her academic and professional interests center on policy and legislation drafting, with a focus on creating equitable frameworks for emerging technologies. In her free time, she enjoys creative writing, playing video games, spending time with her husband and their two dogs, and fish keeping.

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    I love the people! I greatly enjoy working with both staff and students.

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    The helpful community and personal impact we facilitate.

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    "No matter how dire a situation may be, the situation will always change." - Myself, inspired by the writings of Viktor Frankl.

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    Exploring Cameron Park, visiting the river walk, dining at Slow Rise, attending local shows and events in downtown.


Monica Zavala || Master's Social Work Intern for CREW

[IMAGE]

  • Monica Zavala

    Tarleton Master's of Social Work Student- Intern

    Email: 
    Meeting link: TBA
    Office Location:  CREW, Student Life Center, Room 111
    Hometown: TBA

    Bio:

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?

    What is an inspirational quote you like?

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?