ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT FOR STUDENT ENGAGEMENT
“Our goal is to provide ALL of our students with exciting opportunities to connect and grow through intentional programming that meets their needs and ambitions.”
Mary Barkley is the Budget Specialist for Student Affairs. Prior to joining the Division of Student Affairs at Tarleton State University in 2019, she worked in Business Services as a Project Manager. Mary earned a bachelor's degree in Human Resource Management from Athens State College in Athens, AL.
Jennifer Hicks is the Executive Assistant for Dr. Kelli Styron, the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Jennifer has been at Tarleton in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs since February 2006. Prior to relocating to Stephenville and coming to Tarleton, she worked in various positions for Comanche ISD from 1998-2005.
Dr. Lora Helvie-Mason works with the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and International Programs, Student Media and Student Affairs Assessment and Strategic Initiatives.
Prior to this role, Dr. Helvie-Mason served as the Associate Dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Department Head for Communication Studies, and Director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion while serving as a professor in the Department of Communication Studies, with research centering on the culture of higher education and communication used by traditionally marginalized populations to navigate that culture.
Dr. Helvie-Mason earned her bachelor’s in Agricultural Communication from Purdue University with minors in Communication Studies and International Studies. She completed her master’s degree in Communication Studies and her doctorate degree in Adult, Higher, and Community Education from Ball State University.
Dr. Kelli Styron provides her leadership and experience to the Division of Student Affairs. Styron leads the 13 departments within Student Affairs, which include:
A native of De Leon, Texas, Dr. Styron started her Tarleton career in 1995 and has worked closely with the Division of Student Affairs. She has served the Institutional Advancement and Enrollment Management divisions, led the social work, sociology and criminal justice department, and chaired the university's compliance committee for accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. She was named dean in 2011. As Vice President for the Division of Student Affairs, Styron will oversee the departments within the division.
"I am very honored and humbled to be asked to serve in this role at the university I love and where I have worked for 23 years," Styron said. "Tarleton State University is an inspiring place to interact with students, faculty and staff who care deeply about education. We offer a student experience second to none, from rigorous academics to balanced co-curricular programs. I believe in what we are doing, and I am excited to lead a division that serves an array of student needs with integrity and extraordinary professionalism."
