Meet the Team
Professional Staff
Shana Bender
Director of Retention and Persistence
Holton Hall 101D | srbender1@ksu.edu | First-gen ally
Input • Empathy • Harmony • Responsibility • Intellection
Kenneth Roome
Academic Coaching and Scholar Services Manager
Holton Hall 101E | kroome@ksu.edu | First-gen Graduate
Empathy • Adaptability • Developer • Arranger • Includer
Education
B.A. Mass Communications (Emphasis in Public Relations) Kansas State University
B.A. Sociology (Emphasis in Criminology) Kansas State University
Professional Interests
I Strive to help students turn challenges into manageable next steps while also supporting coaches in developing the skills, confidence, and resources they need to do meaningful work with students. I am passionate about creating collaborative team cultures, using feedback and assessment to strengthen programs, and finding creative ways to make resources and support more accessible. Ultimately, I am interested in building people, programs, and systems that help students recognize their strengths, develop practical skills, and feel empowered to navigate their K-State experience.
Personal Interests
I am a bit of a geek and nerd in my daily life and love all things gaming, from board games and tabletop RPGs to video games. I also love to create, whether that means making something delicious for friends and family, starting a new project, or attempting a DIY project that I’m probably terrible at but will enjoy anyway. I can be very competitive when it comes to Mario Kart or mini golf, but I’ll always be a good sport when I lose. I also love traveling with my family and look forward to exploring more places and making new memories in the coming years.
I try to live by one of my favorite quotes from Neil Gaiman: “The one thing that you have that nobody else has is you. Your voice, your mind, your story, your vision. So write and draw and build and play and dance and live as only you can.” I think there is something wonderful about embracing what makes each of us unique, and I try to carry that idea with me in both my work and everyday life.
While in College...
While in college, I did everything I could to make the most of my time. I went to school full-time, worked full-time, and lived in another city, commuting back and forth each day. While at K-State, I also spent a lot of my downtime at the LGBTQ+ Resource Center, where I made some amazing friends and became involved in events throughout the school year, including free HIV testing.
I also really enjoyed my internship experiences, including serving as a Public Information Officer with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. These opportunities allowed me to explore interests outside of the classroom, meet people from different backgrounds, and gain experiences I would not have had otherwise. All of these experiences made my time at K-State unique and helped shape the person and professional I am today
Luke Matulewicz
Assistant Director
Holton Hall 101H | lmatulewicz@ksu.edu | First-gen ally
Input • Learner • Connectedness • Individualization • Ideation
Learning Center Leadership Certified - Level 2![]()
Dustin Zima
Tutoring Services Manager![]()
Hale Library 258 | dmzima@ksu.edu | First-gen graduate
Developer • Context • Empathy • Positivity • Competition
![]()

Heather Cunningham
Academic Coach
Agriculture, Education, & Engineering
Holton Hall 101E | heather@ksu.edu | First-gen ally
Connectedness • Developer • Adaptability • Positivity • Empathy
Education
B.S. Family Studies & Human Services – Kansas State University
Professional Interests
I am passionate about helping students recognize their strengths, navigate challenges, and develop strategies for success both in and out of the classroom. I enjoy creating supportive, empowering environments where students feel seen, encouraged, and capable of pursuing their goals and achieving great things. Guiding students through times of transition and moments of self-doubt is especially meaningful to me. I believe that with the right guidance and support, students can go beyond what they imagined possible and rise to meet their highest potential.
“We are all capable of more than we think.” - Mary Anne Radmacher
Personal Interests
I find joy in life’s simple pleasures such as spending time with family and friends, reading, listening to music, doing puzzles, and exploring a variety of crafts. I also enjoy taking walks in the rolling Flint Hills and capturing the quiet beauty of nature through photography. The outdoors is where I find my peace and renewal, whether I am hiking a new trail or pausing to take in the view of a spectacular Kansas sunset. I look forward to traveling more in the future to experience more of nature’s wonders and continue finding inspiration in the world around me.
While in College...
As a non-traditional student, I often battled imposter syndrome and questioned whether I truly belonged. Balancing school, work, and life responsibilities wasn’t always easy, but those experiences helped me build resilience and empathy for others navigating similar challenges. Looking back, I wish I had taken greater advantage of the resources and community available on campus, because no one has to do this journey alone. I encourage students to reach out, connect, and allow themselves to be supported. You belong here, and you are capable of more than you realize.
Mondays: Waters Hall 227
Tuesdays: Holton Hall 101
Wednesdays: Engineering Hall 1112
Thursdays: Bluemont Hall 114
Fridays: Holton Hall 101
Logan Hays
Academic Coach
Business and Health & Human Sciences
Holton Hall 101F | lthays@ksu.edu | First-gen ally
Strategic • Arranger • Harmony • Positivity • Learner
ACTP Coaching Certified
B.S. Communication Studies - Kansas State University Logan had some academic struggles that led to changing his major and being on academic warning multiple times, but ended up finding a healthy academic and social life balance that helped him graduate. He enjoyed going to as many athletic events as he could. Logan had an on-campus job that helped him realize what he wanted his career path to be and made a lot of campus community connections. Mondays: Holton Hall 101 Tuesdays: Justin Hall 119 Wednesdays: Business Building 1001 Thursdays: Holton Hall 101 Fridays: VirtualEducation
Professional Interests
Personal Interests
While in College...
Ruth Newton
Academic Coach
Arts & Sciences, Exploratory Studies, and Architecture, Planning, & Design.
Holton Hall 101C | ruthn@ksu.edu | First-gen ally
Connectedness • Belief • Harmony • Relator • Responsibility
ACTP Coaching Certified
Graduate Assistants
Estephanie Baez Vazquez
Academic Coaching
Holton Hall 101
Lindsey Farthing
Tutoring Services
Hale Library 258
Beth Land
Academic Coaching
Holton Hall 101
Miranda Richards
Tutoring Services
Hale Library 258





