Mission Statement:

The Division of External Operations serves and supports Tarleton State Fort Worth,

Waco, Bryan, Online, Extended Education and Workforce Development.

Areas We Serve

Upcoming Events

Vice President of External Operations & Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth

Welcome to Tarleton State External Operations!

Dr. Rachael Capua (CAP-you-uh) is a champion for higher education whose leadership centers on expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and helping learners move from uncertainty to purpose. She is recognized for building high-impact partnerships, scalable systems, and innovative pathways that align postsecondary with workforce and regional priorities.

In 2023, Dr. Cap joined Tarleton State University, a founding member of The Texas A&M System, as Vice President for External Operations and Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth. She leads Tarleton State’s multi-site and online enterprise, providing executive oversight for the university’s extended campuses in Fort Worth, Waco, and Bryan. Her portfolio includes enrollment strategy, campus operations, workforce development, and Tarleton State Online, positioning the university to grow in alignment with student demand and employer needs. She also oversees the development of Tarleton State Fort Worth, an 80-acre master-planned campus, and serves on the President’s Executive Cabinet.

Before joining Tarleton State, Dr. Cap served as the founding Director of College and Career Success for the Tarrant To & Through Partnership, where she led the creation of educational pathways and institutional collaborations that have provided scholarships, persistence coaching, and wraparound supports for more than 8,000 students across Tarrant County. Earlier, she held roles at Texas Christian University (TCU) and the Tarrant County College District.

Woman in a purple suit with Tarleton State University logo in the background.

A Chancellor’s Scholar and graduate of TCU, Dr. Cap also earned degrees from the University of Oklahoma, Southern Methodist University, and Collin College. She serves as Co-Chair of the Higher Education Alliance for the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council for Workforce & Education, on the Steering Committee for the Texas Transfer Alliance, and on the boards of the Center for Transforming Lives and Bass Hall Performing Arts. Her leadership has been recognized through honors including Fort Worth’s Top 500 Most Influential People, Great Woman of Texas, 40 Under 40, Top 50 Latino Leader, and the North Texas Commission’s Rising Star Award.

rcapua@tarleton.edu

Division of External Operations

Division Team

Woman with glasses in a bright magenta blazer in front of a Tarleton State University seal.
Dr. Rachael Capua

Vice President of External Operations and Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth

Rcapua@tarleton.edu
Professional headshot of a smiling woman with long brown hair, wearing a black blazer and pearl necklace against a purple studio background.
Tonya Lenning

Division Coordination Manager & Executive Assistant to the Vice President

Tlenning@tarleton.edu
Woman with dark hair wearing a grey blazer, purple top, and a chunky metallic necklace.
Dr. Tiffany Carey

Assistant Vice President of Online Innovation and Special Projects

Tcarey@tarleton.edu
Professional headshot of a smiling man wearing a purple Tarleton State polo against a purple studio background.
Chris Gibbens

Director of Fort Worth Operations & Support

Cgibbens@tarleton.edu

Woman with dark hair wearing a lilac purple blazer, polka-dot top, and a metallic necklace.
Becca Long

Director of Tarleton State Waco & Bryan


Rlong@tarleton.edu
Professional headshot of a smiling woman wearing a purple blazer and pearl necklace against a purple studio background.
Shaneika Frazier

Director of Online Innovation & Workforce Development

Sfrazier@tarleton.edu
Woman with curly dark hair wearing a light purple top with lace sleeves against a purple background.
Julissa Arango MBA

Special Projects Coordinator


Jarango@tarleton.edu
Woman with long wavy blonde hair wearing a colorful patterned kimono carding and a red bead necklace.
Rhonda Freeman

Administrative Coordinator for Waco & Bryan

Rfreeman@tarleton.edu
Woman with long dark wavy hair, wearing a black blazer over a bright pink top against a purple background.
Ronique Caldwell

Editorial & Creative Services Specialist


Rcaldwell@tarleton.edu
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Dr. Saranya Graf

Assistant Director of
Strategic Partnerships & Communications

Sgraf@tarleton.edu
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Schavion Graham

Assistant Director of Educational Access & Transfer 

Sgraham@tarleton.edu

Graduate Assistants and Student Workers

Smiling woman with dark pulled-back hair, wearing a white top under a black blazer against a purple background.
Auralei Simanu

Student Worker for
Tarleton State Fort Worth

SW_asimanu@tarleton.edu
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Chase Wuistinger

Student Worker for
Tarleton State Fort Worth

SW_cwuistinger@tarleton.edu
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Clara Kolodziej

Graduate Assistant for
Tarleton State Fort Worth

SW_ckolodziej@tarleton.edu
Young man with curly brown hair and glasses wearing a purple Tarleton State University polo shirt.
Dustin Lane

Graduate Assistant for
Tarleton State Waco

SW_dlane@tarleton.edu
Woman with long wavy reddish-orange hair and a nose ring, wearing a black blazer.
Khloie Taylor

Graduate Assistant for
Tarleton State Waco

SW_ktaylor@tarleton.edu
Smiling woman with long light brown hair in a black top and silver pendant necklace against a purple gradient background.
Lily Sparks

Graduate Assistant for
Extended Ed & Workforce Development

SW_lsparks@tarleton.edu
Smiling woman with long dark brown hair in a black sleeveless top and pearl necklace against a purple gradient background.
Miranda Castanuela

Graduate Assistant for
Tarleton State Fort Worth

SW_mcastanuela@tarleton.edu
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Reagan Chandler

Graduate Assistant for
Tarleton State Online

SW_rchandler@tarleton.edu
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Samantha Garcia

Student Worker for
Tarleton State Fort Worth

SW_sgarcia4@tarleton.edu

In the News

Dr. Amy Cook, Vice President for the Division of Research, Tarleton State University.

Dr. Amy Cook Named Tarleton State Vice President for Research

Tarleton State University's class ring sculpture stands prominently on the Stephenville campus.

Tarleton State Demonstrates Continued Growth in THECB Doctoral University Peer Group

Tarleton State President, Dr. James Hurley and MCC President, Dr. Johnette McKown.

25 Years of Partnership, Progress Celebrated at Tarleton State Waco

Tarleton State graduate wears veteran sash at ceremony.

Resource Day for Veterans, Military Families Planned in Fort Worth 

Attendees gather at State of Higher Education Forum.

Higher Education Forum Highlights Power of Community Partnerships