ÎÞÂëרÇø

Angelika Leskovskaya

Armstrong Commons

Angelika is a Clinical Professor in the ITOM department at the Cox School of Business. For the last year, she has been working on developing a framework inspired by a business approach and designed to help students build a life strategy - so they can lead with clarity, confidence, and energy in school and beyond. And she wants to share it with those who are open to learning! Angelika enjoys traveling and exploring new places around the world, running, hiking, paddleboarding, and even surfing.

Samira Fazel Anvaryazdi

Boaz Commons

Samira is a clinical professor in Information Technology and Operations Management at the ÎÞÂëרÇø Cox School of Business. She holds a Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering from Wayne State University (WSU) as well as two master's degrees - one in mathematical statistics from WSU and another in pure mathematics from Isfahan University. Before joining ÎÞÂëרÇø, she served for six years as a teaching faculty at the Olin Business School, Washington University in Saint Louis (WashU) and also held the position of Visiting Assistant Professor in Statistics and Industrial Engineering at Louisiana Tech University for one year. Her research interests focus on scheduling through stochastic programming and robust optimization techniques with applications in healthcare systems engineering and business problems. She enjoys playing volleyball, piano, travelling, and watercolor painting. Her life is tied to her playful fur babies (Sugar and Fanny).

Mónica Fernández Martins

Cockrell-McIntosh Commons

Mónica Fernández Martins holds a Ph.D. in Spanish and Portuguese Literatures and Cultural Studies, as well as a Master's degree in Hispanic Linguistics from Texas Tech University. She earned her undergraduate degree in Translation and Interpreting from Universidad Alfonso X El Sabio in Madrid, Spain. Her research interests focus on Iberian Studies—particularly the intersections of gender, class, nation, and identity in 19th-century Spain and Portugal—as well as Translation Studies and Spanish as a Heritage Language.

Michelle Glasby-Millington

Crum Commons

Michelle Glasby-Millington is a Professor of Practice in Screenwriting and the Internship Coordinator in the Division of Film & Medial Arts. She earned a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Film Production from Howard University and a B.A. in Spanish from the University of Pennsylvania. Dance training and performance have led her to countries throughout Latin American and the Caribbean. Prior to joining ÎÞÂëרÇø in 2023, Michelle lived and taught screenwriting in Barbados for nearly ten years. Her creative work centers stories about Black culture around the world. She, her husband, and twin 19-year-olds enjoy travel immensely, exploring new people, and learning more about the world.

Arianna Avalle

Kathy Crow Commons

Arianna is a Visiting Assistant Teaching Professor of Italian with a passion for all things Italian culture - from cinema and media to food, travel, and digital culture. Her work explores how identity comes to life through storytelling, social media, television, and even what we eat. When she's not teaching, she loves cooking authentic Italian food, reading, traveling, and spending evenings at the opera or a musical. As a former First year Experience Mentor at Texas Tech's Honors College, she always loved helping students build connections and find community, and she's excited to continue that through the Connect Faculty program!

Jessica Garrett

Loyd Commons

Dr. Garrett is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Univ Department. She is an adventurous scholar and passionate educator, blending her communications, education, and cultural studies expertise to tackle pressing global issues. Her research spans mental health, international engagement, and intergenerational trauma. Beyond academia, she’s an avid hiker and a lover of family time.

Chante Brantley

McElvaney Commons

Chante Brantley is a Clinical Professor of Law at ÎÞÂëרÇø Dedman School of Law and the Founding Director of the VanSickle Family Law Clinic. She is passionate about helping students build confidence, navigate new experiences, and form meaningful connections both inside and outside the classroom. Her teaching philosophy centers on "growth over perfection," encouraging students to embrace opportunities, foster community, and stay open to learning. A Dallas native, Professor Brantley values conversations with students about life, leadership, service, and professional development. Outside of work, she enjoys working out, gardening, juicing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.

Rodrigo Lopez

McElvaney Commons

Rodrigo Lopez was born in California but grew up in Mexico for most of his childhood. After completing his graduate studies at the University of North Texas, where he focused on Mexican literature and language learning, he joined ÎÞÂëרÇø in 2023. He now serves as the Coordinator for First-Year Spanish, a role that allows him to support students as they begin their journey with the Spanish language and to help shape engaging, meaningful learning experiences across the first-year Spanish program. Outside of teaching, he enjoys reading, watching movies, playing golf, and spending time with his loved ones.

Yuriko Ikeda

Mary Hay, Peyton, Shuttles Commons

Dr. Yuriko Ikeda is originally from Mexico City, Mexico. She earned her Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies from Texas Tech University. After graduation, she taught at Marian University in Indianapolis, Indiana, for eight years. Her teaching experience consists of twenty years of instruction at three universities, a community college, and two high schools. She has experience designing and teaching all levels of language courses, Spanish for Specific Purposes, and literature and culture courses. Her research interests include apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic literature, detective fiction, Spanish for Specific Purposes and Spanish for Heritage Speakers.

Gema Lopez Hevia

Morrison-McGinnis Commons

Dr. Gema Lopez Hevia is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Spanish in ÎÞÂëרÇø's Department of World Languages and Literatures. She joined ÎÞÂëרÇø in 2022 and teaches Spanish as a second Language and Spanish as a Heritage Language, helping students explore language, culture, identity, and communication in creative and meaningful ways. Beyond ÎÞÂëרÇø, Gema loves hiking, reading, and traveling.

Corey Jones

Virginia-Snider Commons

Corey is an ÎÞÂëרÇø alum who once lived in VS many years ago. As a student there, he was involved with program council and other activities, studied abroad, and graduated with a communications degree. He's since worked extensively in the advertising and communications industries for brands and agencies. This is his 3rd year teaching advertising at ÎÞÂëרÇø, and he is thrilled to be back on campus working with the next generation of leaders in the world. Corey enjoys practicing capoeira, cooking BBQ, and playing board games.

Leon Turner

Ware Commons

Leon Pettigue Turner, DMA, is an Assistant Professor of Practice (voice), teaching applied lessons and vocal pedagogy. He is also an active recitalist. He currently serves as Chair of Voice in the Meadows School of the Arts at ÎÞÂëרÇø and as a member of the Faculty Senate. Dr. Turner's research, "Phonotrauma or Flawed Scheduling?: The Voice Disorders of Contemporary Commercial Music", focuses on techniques of contemporary music and their effect, if any, on the human voice. The topic was inspired by years of teaching students whose primary interests were commercial music of all genres. During those years, Dr. Turner became curious about the myth that vocal sound effects performed in contemporary commercial music cause injury to the voice. He has a true passion for developing voices to perform music of all genres from opera to hip-hop.