Wendy has been an academic counselor with the TAMS program since 2001, and she says this is the best job she has ever had!  “Cheering for these students as they learn, grow, and change the world is truly an incredible experience.”  She received a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs and a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from North Carolina State University.  One of Wendy’s greatest passions in life is working with students.  Before moving to Texas, she taught at a small university in North Carolina.  She served as a pre-business advisor at Southern Methodist University for three years before coming to UNT.  Before embarking on this incredible journey at TAMS, she worked as an academic counselor in UNT’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for three years.  Wendy is married, and in addition to taking care of her 200 TAMS students, Wendy is also the mother to a beautiful daughter, Chasitie, and another furry daughter, a schnauzer named Sophie.  In her free time, Wendy enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, dancing, eating chocolate, and collecting elephants.

Before joining the academic staff at TAMS in September of 2014, Sam was a Residential Counselor for three years at the Gatton Academy of Mathematics and Science in his hometown of Bowling Green, Kentucky. During his time at Gatton and TAMS, Sam has loved being immersed in an environment filled with fun, hard-working students who constantly yearn for knowledge and growth. In January 2015, his passion for the field led Sam to begin pursuing a PhD in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Gifted and Talented Education, and he plans to graduate in 2020. While working at Gatton, Sam earned his Master’s in Student Affairs (Higher Education) from Western Kentucky University. Sam earned his B.A. in History from Vanderbilt University. Outside of his office hours, Sam can often be found eating lunch with TAMSters at Maple Cafeteria (UNT's vegan dining hall), playing frisbee, softball, or basketball with TAMS intramural teams, advising the TAMS Research Organization, or marveling at TAMS students' many talents during Aid The Cause, HOPE Auction, coffeehouses, plays, and more.  

Melissa is a new academic counselor within the TAMS program. Prior to her work with TAMS, she served in several professional and graduate-level positions at UNT, including three years as a developmental education coordinator in the UNT Learning Center and two years as a graduate assistant with the Office of Disability Accommodation (now Access). Melissa received her Master of Education degree in Higher Education from UNT in 2014, her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Texas State University in 2011, and is certified to teach English Language Arts and Reading 7-12 in the State of Texas. Melissa is excited to join the TAMS team and work with students as they begin their higher education journeys. In her free time, Melissa enjoys cooking, taking Zumba classes, and taking her two dogs, Russell and Tucker, on long walks.