Meet the Team

Aranza Torres || Project Director

  • Aranza Torres

    Project Director

    Phone Number: 254-299-xxxx
    E-mail Address: atorres@mclennan.edu
    Office Location: Student Services, Success Coaching Services, 249D
    Hometown: 

    Aranza Torres...

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    I enjoy...

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    I'm excited by...

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    Quote

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    I love...

LaTasha Davis || Resource Specialist

  • Latasha Davis

    Resource Specialist

    Phone Number: 254-299-8527
    E-mail Address: ldavis@mclennan.edu
    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.

Emma Cartisano || Doctoral Intern for Student Engagement

  • Emma Cartisano

    Doctoral Intern for Student Engagement

    Phone Number: 254-299-8558
    E-mail Address:  ecartisano@mclennan.edu
    Office Location: Student Services, Success Coaching Services, 248E
    Meeting link: https://calendly.com/cartisano-mcc
    Hometown: Hackettstown, NJ

    Emma is a PhD candidate at Baylor University in the Higher Education Studies & Leadership program. She is passionate about researching student success–for graduate students and for community college students. After having faced her own basic needs insecurity, Emma is committed to advocating for resource equity and accessibility in colleges. When not working or studying, you’ll find Emma exploring local coffee shops, running, lifting heavy weights, doing calligraphy, or reading a good book.

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    I've never met a team more committed to student success and employee wellbeing. When we have a dream, people rally to make it happen!

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    I love getting to help create an office from the ground up. This is hard but rewarding work, and I love making connections and seeing our students succeed.

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    "'What if I fall?' Oh, but my darling, what if you fly?" -Erin Hanson 

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    Exploring coffee shops, running in Cameron Park, trying local restaurants 

James Burkman || Social Work Intern

  • James Burkman

    Tarleton Intern for Student Assistance

    Phone Number: 254-299-8271
    E-mail Address:  jburkman@mclennan.edu
    Office Location: Student Services, Success Coaching Services, 249B
    Hometown: Central Texas

    James is a student at Tarleton State University (here at the University Center) earning his Bachelor's in Social Work degree.

    What do you enjoy most about working at McLennan?
    Student engagement and the interactions I get to have on a daily basis. Every day is another adventure and something new and exciting and that really makes for an enjoyable day.

    What excites you most about working with the CREW?
    Working with the CREW and assisting students has given me the opportunity to not only learn but to also give back in some way. To assist students in meeting their basic needs so they can achieve their goals and dreams is a rewarding experience.

    What is an inspirational quote you like?
    “Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it.” —Rafiki, The Lion King

    What is your favorite thing to do in Waco?
    I enjoy jogging and walking the trails in Cameron Park, especially in the evenings or right before the sun goes down. My guilty pleasure in life is that I actually enjoy running during storms (as long as they aren’t too bad). I enjoy being in the Central Texas area, and growing up here most of my life I have had the opportunity to do a lot of camping and hiking. I really enjoy that as well!