LRC Staff

Dr. Lin Tang serves as the Senior Assistant Provost for Learning Resources and Undergraduate Education at UMass Amherst. In this role, Dr. Tang provides strategic leadership for the Learning Resource Center (LRC), the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS), and the Level Up Your Learning: Success Toolkit initiative, which focuses on learning strategies and student skill development. Dr. Tang brings more than 20 years of transformative experience in higher education, student success, and academic innovation.
A Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), Dr. Tang is nationally recognized for her expertise in learning strategy, student wellness, and academic achievement. For nearly two decades, she has led the LRC and OURS, guiding their evolution from a small tutoring operation into one of the nation’s largest and most comprehensive academic support and undergraduate research units. Under her leadership, these programs have become cornerstones of student success and models for best practices in academic support.
Dr. Tang’s scholarly and programmatic contributions have had a significant impact on student learning and engagement. She has collaborated on securing over $2 million in grant funding, authored the Academic Success Coaching program, founded the Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies, and developed curricula such as Level Up Your Learning: Metacognition 101 and the graduate course Helping Skills for Professionals in Higher Education. Her work integrates psychology, education, and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to improve learning outcomes and promote successful student transitions.
In addition to her administrative leadership, Dr. Tang teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels and holds a faculty appointment with the UMass CHAN Medical School, where she supports medical student learning and strategy development. She is a frequent invited speaker at national conferences and hospital Grand Rounds presentations, has served on numerous thesis and dissertation committees, and holds leadership roles in regional and national organizations dedicated to student success and academic support. Dr Tang's research focuses on metacognitive strategies, academic coaching, system-level interventions, and evidence‑based practices that advance equity and excellence in higher education. In her spare time, she loves to travel the world with her husband and two boys.

Stacie has been with the Learning Resource Center since September 2012. In her role as Director, Stacie coordinates and supports day-to-day operations of the course-based Peer Tutoring and Academic Success Coaching programs.

Much of Stacie’s work centers on program development and implementation. She uses her previous experience as a transition specialist to build programs that are effective for and accessible to the campus community.

A highlight of Stacie’s work is the training and support she provides to the peer tutoring team. Over the last few years, Stacie has focused on formalizing tutor development and aligned training to meet Level 1 and Level 2 CRLA (College Reading Learning Association) standards.

When she’s not at UMass, Stacie enjoys attempting DIY projects with her partner, James, and practicing her (very) amateur photography skills on her adorable pups, Franklin and Liberty Belle.

Deb got involved in research as an undergraduate when searching for a work-study position. She was hired into a Drosophila genetics lab and was instantly fascinated; she would work in the field for the next 30 years.

Deb joined the Learning Resource Center in September 2010 where she worked with the newly formed Office of Undergraduate Research and Studies (OURS). In her role as Director of OURS, Deb directly supports UMass Amherst undergraduate students looking for ways to be involved in research. Deb supervises and trains OURS Research Mentors and works with campus partners to help students learn about research and to actively help them find and apply to programs.

A highlight of Deb’s work is meeting with students one-on-one to help guide them to find opportunities that will help them gain skills and knowledge for their future endeavors. Another highlight is being able to work with a team of dedicated OURS research mentors who bring to the office their research experience, information, and personal experiences about the UMass Amherst campus.

When she is not at OURS, Deb enjoys the outdoors and nature.

Rebecca’s LRC journey began in September 2018 as a graduate assistant to the tutoring program. As a graduate student, she worked with Stacie to observe and train LRC tutors.

After graduating with a Master’s of Education in 2020, she worked in the nonprofit world, developing digital literacy and job readiness programming for refugee and asylum seekers.

Rebecca returned to the LRC in Spring 2023. As Associate Director of SI, she coordinates and supports day-to-day operations of the Supplemental Instruction Program in close collaboration with the executive director and SI Admin Team. Their combined efforts propel SI leaders in lifting their peers to reach their academic goals.

A highlight of Rebecca’s work is getting to know SI Leaders and seeing their growth during their time at the LRC, as well as working with an incredible team to ensure smooth program operations.

When not at the LRC, Rebecca can be found adventuring outdoors by foot or by bicycle, cooking something tasty, and enjoying time with her partner, Mark and their adorable/mischievous cat, Saffron. She welcomes gluten-free recipes (preferably with chocolate) and suggestions for trail running routes!

Cassidy Buchanan-Gauthier first joined the LRC in Fall 2023 as a graduate student in the School Counseling program in the UMass Amherst College of Education. As the Assistant Director of Academic Success Coaching, Cassidy gets to apply his education and wealth of life experience to his mission: supporting people on their journey.

It wasn’t until the age of 37 that Cassidy realized what he wanted to be when he grew up. Since that moment his entire life has been devoted to pursuing the goal of becoming a School Adjustment Counselor. As an Academic Success Coach with the Learning Resource Center, he gets to live that dream of supporting students while continuing his education.

Attaining a BA in Psychology gave Cassidy the chance to reflect on the professional and personal experiences his life has provided. In particular, the sense of meaning and purpose he found in 7 years of AmeriCorps service while helping to provide that same opportunity for others. When not having the privilege of working as an Academic Success Coach and pursuing his academic dream Cassidy savors time with his incredible wife, three sassy children, eccentric family, and a sprawling constellation of friends.

Kereth has been with the Learning Resource Center since November of 2021. In her role as Student Access Manager, Kereth specializes in connecting undergraduates with tutoring services. She also directly supports tutoring and front desk operations while services are running. In addition to supporting day-to-day operations, Kereth supervises the LRC’s front office staff and participates in the recruitment and training of tutors.

Kereth’s favorite part of her job at the LRC is collaborating with students to find out what they need to achieve academic success, whatever that may look like for them, and then putting them on the path to attaining it. Kereth firmly believes that academic support is for everyone and enjoys convincing skeptics that she is right about this.

When she’s not at the LRC, Kereth is generally distracted by her two cats, playing video games with her partner Jess, reading, or whipping something up in the kitchen.

Ryan became a part of the LRC team starting in August, 2025 as their new office manager. Although originally from Massachusetts, Ryan has lived out of state for several years. However, his journey has seen him return to his home state in 2025. He brings many years of experience in a collegiate setting to the LRC, having previously worked at the University of South Carolina and the University of Central Florida.

One thing Ryan has enjoyed most throughout his career has been overseeing and training college students, and providing a positive environment in what may likely be their first real job after high school. Ryan also brings a wealth of customer service experience to the LRC.

In his free time, Ryan enjoys video games and rooting on the local sports teams (now that he can watch them on television again). He has also dabbled with both improv and stand-up comedy on stage.

Education

BS – Business Administration – Management, University of Central Florida

Yu-Wen Wang joined the Learning Resource Center in June 2025 as the SI Program Administrator. Before joining the LRC, Yu-Wen spent seven years in the teaching field, where she cultivated a deep passion for working with students and supporting their academic growth. Her transition into the SI Program Administrator role allows her to continue that mission—providing guidance and logistical support to SI Leaders while fostering a collaborative and student-centered environment.

A highlight of Yu-Wen’s work is building meaningful connections with the SI Team, including both SI Leaders and the SI Admin group. Together, they ensure the smooth operation and continued success of the Supplemental Instruction Program.

When not at the LRC, Yu-Wen enjoys spending time outdoors—especially playing tennis and skiing. She also finds joy in studying traditional Taiwanese cuisine and experimenting with recipes that celebrate her cultural heritage.

Education

MSEd – General Education, Elmira College

BA – Foreign Languages and Literature, National Chung Cheng University

In her role as Assistant Director, Weiai works under the guidance of Director Deb Phillis to expand the accessibility, coverage, and structure of research opportunities for undergraduate students. She supports students looking for ways to get involved in research, and mentors the OURS team of undergraduate peer mentors.

She brings years of experience teaching research to students and conducting her own projects, giving her a deep understanding of both the challenges and the rewards of scholarly inquiry. A highlight of her work is developing effective, impactful research initiatives that benefit UMass Amherst students from all majors and backgrounds. She is passionate about creating pathways for students to explore, develop, and thrive through research.

When she’s not in the OURS office, Weiai enjoys hiking, tackling puzzle games, and experimenting with creative cooking.

Education

PhD – Sociology, University of California, San Diego

Cortland joined the LRC as an Academic Success Coach in August 2024 and is pursuing her MEd/EdS in School Psychology through the College of Education. With a strong background in psychology and education, she is deeply committed to supporting positive change in students' academic lives.

As an assistant teacher, school psychology/counseling intern, and student ambassador, she has worked closely with diverse student populations in various educational settings, from preschool to higher education. Cortland’s experience has well-equipped her to implement evidence-based interventions that foster students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being. Cortland’s passion for supporting students shines through in everything she does, and she is excited to empower others on their educational journeys.

As an Academic Success Coach, Cortland engages in 1:1 sessions with students to explore their academic interests, successes, and challenges. She views the ASC role as a collaborative partnership, working together to create educational goals, tailored plans, and supports that enrich the student’s scholarly experience at UMass Amherst.

In addition to her academic and professional endeavors, Cortland expresses her creativity through writing and performing music (guitar and singing). She loves spending time outdoors exploring hiking trails with her dog, Bertie, local farms, kayaking, and gardening. When unwinding inside, she enjoys cooking, baking, and curling up to watch movies with her cat, Millie.

Fun Fact: Cortland was named after the ‘Cortland’ apple!

Mia has been with the Learning Resource Center since Fall 2021. For six semesters, she worked as an Office Assistant helping students access LRC services. She enjoyed fostering a friendly environment for visitors, problem-solving with students, and seeing the LRC thrive over the past few years. Her time as an OA was integral to her undergraduate experience, and she is grateful to continue working alongside such a kind and dedicated team.

Currently, Mia is the Graduate Tutor Supervisor for the LRC. She assists with day-to-day Peer Tutoring operations, conducts session observations, and leads workshops. Mia works with the Director of LRC Tutoring and Academic Success Coaching and the Student Access Manager to support the tutoring cohort.

For her graduate studies, Mia is completing her MS in Statistics. She has applied her love for mathematics and educational accessibility to both her research involvement and professional work at UMass. Outside of school, Mia enjoys pursuing creative art (especially drawing) and spending lots of time with her friends and family.

Ana started at the LRC in Spring 2022 as an undergraduate MATH-132 SI Leader and stayed on as an SI Leader for 6 semesters. She also served as an SI Peer Mentor for 4 semesters. The LRC has been Ana’s home away from home. As an international student, Ana found her community in the amazing and supportive staff and she greatly enjoyed connecting with all of the students who attended her sessions. Ana is now serving as the Graduate Supervisor for the SI program. She leads trainings for new SI leaders, observes SI sessions, and checks-in with SI leaders throughout the semester. Ana finds it very meaningful and gratifying to support new SI leaders to grow more confident in their role, so they can better support their fellow students. Ana is also generally available as a friendly face on the 12th floor to help troubleshoot any issues while services are running.

Ana is currently enrolled in the Applied Mathematics MS program in the UMass Amherst College of Natural Sciences. As much as she loves research, one of her biggest passions is teaching and supporting college students to find their own version of success. In her future, Ana aspires to be a Math professor and open up roads to de-stigmatizing academic support. In her free time, Ana loves to lift and to play with fashion and make-up.

Tianyi is the Graduate Supplemental Instruction Supervisor at the LRC. Her role is to provide ongoing support to the SI cohort by monitoring and evaluating SI Sessions, addressing SI leaders’ concerns, and helping them develop their skills. Tianyi is also a doctoral student in the College of Education. When Tianyi is not at work, she loves hiking, practicing pilates, and jigsaw puzzles.

Luis Pinto joined the Learning Resource Center in Fall 2025 as the First Year Seminar
and Success Toolkit Graduate Student. As a graduate student in Higher Education at
UMass Amherst, Luis Pinto is passionate about helping students build strong
foundations for their college journey.

Growing up, Luis Pinto was unsure of what path to take in life. Coming from a low-
income background, opportunities felt out of reach — but teachers, professors, and
advisors saw his potential and invested their time in him, even when he couldn’t see it
himself. Thanks to their guidance, he is committed to being that same helping hand for
others facing similar challenges.

Since his undergraduate years, Luis Pinto has been deeply involved in serving his
communities. At Holyoke Community College, he worked in the Student Engagement
Office, where he fostered connection and involvement. At UMass, he continues
supporting students in a variety of roles, which include participating in art installations
that spark dialogue about the environment, serving as an Orientation Leader, and
working as a clerk assistant in the Humanities and Fine Arts Advising Center.

Outside of UMass, Luis Pinto enjoys spending quality time with friends and family,
playing video games, exploring arts and crafts, and building models.

Education

Bachelor’s degree – Liberal Arts, University of Massachusetts Amherst
Associate’s degree – Liberal Arts, Holyoke Community College

Ian Mei joined the LRC as an Tech Lead in November 2024 and is pursuing his B.S. in Computer Science at UMass Amherst, where he is also exploring a business minor. With experience in full-stack development, Ian is passionate about both the technical and human sides of learning, and he is dedicated to helping students build confidence and reach their academic goals, driven by the wonderful team's dedication to supporting students. The collaborative spirit and shared passion for educational enhancement make the LRC a dynamic environment where Ian thrives in leading innovative initiatives.

As Tech Lead, Ian is actively involved in developing and maintaining tools that streamline LRC operations, ensuring a seamless experience for both staff and students. Currently, he spearheads creation and overhaul of the LRC website, as well as the Success Toolkit pages.

Outside of academics, Ian enjoys swimming, going to the gym, and exploring new projects that combine creativity with technology. He also loves spending time with friends, traveling, and finding new food spots to try around campus.

Fun Fact: Ian is also the President of the Taiwanese Chinese Students' Association on campus!

Akshitha joined the LRC in Fall 2022 and began her journey as a Supplemental Instructor (SI) Leader over the course of six semesters. She also served as an SI Peer Mentor for four semesters. As an SI Leader, she enjoyed leading sessions and creating a welcoming, supportive space where students felt comfortable asking questions and building confidence in their abilities.


She now serves as the Graduate Supervisor for the SI program. In this role, Akshitha observes SI sessions, helps lead training for new SI Leaders, and supports various administrative aspects of the program. Being able to stay connected with the leaders and the administrative team in the SI program has been one of the most fulfilling parts of her graduate experience thus far!


Akshitha is currently pursuing a one-year M.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology and conducting research in Professor Lila Gierasch's lab. She plans to continue her academic journey by pursuing a Ph.D. in Biochemistry. Outside of academics, Akshitha enjoys going on long walks, listening to music, and spending time in Boston with her family and friends.

Ilya joined the Learning Resource Center in Fall 2024 as a peer tutor supporting many engineering courses. He enjoyed helping students to understand their course content and watching them improve their skills each week.

Now Ilya is an Academic Success Coach, guiding students past academic hurdles while they aim for success. Having gone through the UMass Engineering program, Ilya is well equipped to understand where students are on their academic journey, and what they can expect moving forward.

Outside of school, Ilya likes hiking, biking, and skiing. Additionally, he likes playing video games, figuring out how computers work, and when craving sugar, will make a couple trays of cookies.

Leo has been with the LRC for four semesters as a Peer Tutor. He also served as a Peer Mentor and Academic Coach for the 2024—2025 school year, as well. Being part of the LRC has been a foundational part of Leo's undergraduate experience, allowing him to develop his teaching skills and reinforce technical knowledge.

Now as a graduate student, Leo continues working as an Academic Coach, while also taking on new responsibilities as the Graduate Tech Lead. He maintains the interior database for the LRC and manages the website, ensuring easy access for LRC employees and students.

Leo is a member of the UMass Marching Band in the trumpet section. He also enjoys video games, card games, and pickleball in his free time.

Sophie works as the LRC’s social media assistant, and has been with the LRC since January 2024. As the social media assistant, she runs the LRC’s Instagram account (go follow us @umass_lrc !!) and takes pictures of different LRC happenings and events around campus.


The favorite part of Sophie’s job as the social media assistant is getting to learn about and take pictures of each and every staff member of the LRC. Born and raised in the North Shore of Massachusetts, Sophie loves going to the beach, painting, and walking with her dog, Edgar. One of Sophie's favorite activities is travelling! This past summer, she went to Greece, Germany, and Switzerland.