Academic Achievement Center Tutor Biographies
AAC tutors are outstanding Lawrence Tech undergrad and graduate students. Tutors are hired based on their academic achievement, faculty recommendations, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills. AAC tutors have knowledge of the University community and are usually involved in various extracurricular clubs and activities.
 |
Qassem Alabbas is from Saudi Arabia, where he completed his Associate's degree in Industrial and Chemical Laboratories at Jubail Industrial College. Qassem also completed year of coursework at Michigan State University before transferring to LTU to work toward his Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. Qassem has been tutoring math and engineering at the AAC since January 2008, and also tutors for the high school tutoring program. Qassem has been a pre-course leader for calculus 1 for two semesters. |
 |
Anhar Alhaithami is junior majoring in Media Communication. Anhar joined the AAC tutor in 2009 and tutors Arabic. Anhar is from Dearborn, Michigan, where she still lives. She enjoys photography, writing stories and poems. In her free time, Anhar likes to go shopping and hang out with family. |
 |
Anthony Biberston lives in Port Huron with his wife and three children. He earned his Associates degree at St. Clair County Community College (SC4) in Port Huron before transferring to LTU. He is currently a senior in the architecture program and will be tutoring in a variety of the aspects of the program including Revit, Structures 1 and 2 and Building Systems 1. When he isn't working, tutoring or driving, he enjoys hanging out with his kids, playing video games, painting, music, playing video games, debating the value of a good towel with strangers, reading and playing video games. He also has several other hobbies. This is largely due to the fact that whenever someone says, "Hey, check this out!", and he does for more than five minutes, he calls it a hobby. He also has become seriously addicted to referring to himself in the third person and blames Facebook. |
 |
Ashley Croft is from Redford, Michigan, and will be a senior in the Molecular and Cell Biology program. Ashley started tutoring at the AAC in fall semester 2008. She enjoys playing video games, ice hockey, and a handful of musical instruments. Ashley is a member of SODA, the Society of Dramatic Arts at LTU. Ashley is currently working as a research assistant for the Department of Natural Sciences at Lawrence Tech, but will return to tutoring in fall 2009. Ashley tutors chemistry and biology, and leads the pre-course for University Chemistry every semester. |
 |
Bruce Culver is an architecture tutor who started at the AAC in June 2009. He is a senior majoring in architecture, and previously attended California Polytechnic University. Bruce has interned at the Van Tine/Guthrie Studio of Architecture in Northville, where he performed a variety of functions. Bruce is from Troy, Michigan, and enjoys many kinds of activities in his spare time, including tennis, golf, snow skiing, photography, salsa dancing, and church. |
 |
Levente (Levi) Dojcsak is a physics and math major at Lawrence Tech, and was hired as a math and physics tutor at the AAC in August 2009. Levi is currently Vice President of the Society of Physics Students, is an Honors student, is on the Lawrence Tech Dean's List, and is the recipient of a Lawrence Tech academic scholarship. Levi was born in Hungary and is fluent in Hungarian, and in his spare time likes to comb the internet for potential desktop images of dragons. |
 |
Kim DeRoo joined the AAC staff as a writing tutor in October 2008. Kim is originally from Zeeland, Michigan, where she still works on the weekends. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Architecture degree at Lawrence Tech in May 2009, and is now a graduate student working toward her Master's in Sustainable Architecture. In her spare time, Kim enjoys reading, hanging out with friends, NASCAR, and playing video games. |
 |
Paul Downen is from Berkley, Michigan and joined the AAC as a MCS and EE tutor in the fall 2009 semester. He is senior at LTU majoring in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Computer Engineering, and will graduate spring 2010. Paul has researched in computer science at Harvey Mudd College in California and also worked as a computer engineer for industrial applications. He is a member of the Lawrence Tech math club, and has interests in programming languages, music, games, and an array of geeky things. |
 |
Caleb Fletcher is a graduate student in the architecture program at Lawrence Tech. He hold an undergraduate degree in criminal justice and worked in the field for about 8 years before returning to school. Caleb is originally from Utah but has lived in Washington State and Louisiana as well. Caleb lived in Louisiana the longest, so that is where he usually tells people he's from. Caleb's hobbies include entertaining his beautiful son and hanging out with his super smart wife. Caleb wants Lawrence Tech students to know,"If you every need help in architecture, come sit down and we will see if we can figure it out together. I am not tutoring at the AAC because I know everything or wish to teach, I am here to learn." |
 |
Shasta Gibbs is from Petosky, Michigan and attended North Central Michigan College before transferring to Lawrence Tech. Shasta initially joined the AAC staff as a front desk assistant, but became a math tutor as well once word got out that she had been awarded the Lawrence Tech "2009 Calculus Student of the Year" honor. Shasta is a junior working on a dual degree in Architecture and Civil Engineering. Her interests include soccer, dance, and volleyball. Shasta went to Greece in May 2009 as part of Lawrence Tech's study abroad program in architecture. Shasta hopes to eventually own her own architecture firm. |
 |
Deanna (Dee) Hewitt is a sophomore majoring in Architecture. Dee joined the AAC staff in August 2009 as an architecture tutor. She will be tutoring Revit, AutoCad, Photoshop, Illustrator, and other software programs used in the College of Architecture. Dee is involved with Lawrence Tech's SPAM (Students Planning Events Monthly). In her free time, Dee likes to go shopping and hang out with friends, or play sports such as softball, racquetball, and tennis. |
 |
Megan Hollowell joined the AAC as a Spanish tutor in fall 2009. She enjoys reading, scrap booking, and doing crafts and puzzles, as well as playing with her dog, Daisy, who is a Silky Terrier. Megan is a member of the Spanish Club and the Society of University Leaders (SOUL) here at LTU. Additionally, she volunteers for different organizations and likes trying to make a difference in the world. Megan believes that helping others and getting a good education are extremely important, and that being involved with school and showing school spirit is extremely important. Go Blue Devils! |
 |
Keith Marks is from Elma, New York and moved to Michigan three years ago to attend Lawrence Tech. He is currently an Architecture and Interior Design dual major and plans to graduate in the spring of 2012. Keith has received honors in his IDS1 and IDS2 studios, as well as an honorable mention in the freshman Cardboard Chair Competition. He plans on studying for a semester in Florence, Italy next fall where he intends to travel around Europe during his stay. He enjoys snowboarding, soccer, playing his guitar, and long walks on the beach. After graduation, Keith plans on getting his masters degree in Architecture and eventually opening his own firm. |
 |
Drushan Mavalankar is originally from Ahmedabad, India, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Pune. Drushan is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Automotive Engineering at LTU. He has experience working in the industry as a production engineer at several Indian automotive companies, and is now involved with LTU's University Formula Zero team. In his spare time, Drushan likes to discuss philosophy, play table tennis, and read and listen to music. Drushan tutors math, physics, and engineering, and is also a tutor for the high school program. Drushan additionally serves a pre-course leader for math and engineering courses. Drushan will complete his Master's degree in December 2009. |
 |
Ryan Munevar was born in Omaha, Nebraska and is currently a sophomore majoring in English and Communications. He is a writer, specializing in Magical Realism. His favorite books are "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, "Ham on Rye" by Charles Bukowski, "Fight Club" by Chuck Palahniuk, "Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter" by Mario Vargas Llosa, "I am Legend" by Richard Matheson, and "American Gods" by Neil Gaimon. Ryan joined the AAC tutor staff in fall 2008 and tutors Writing, ESL, and Philosophy. |
 |
Karam Naeem is a graduate student in Mechanical Engineering, working toward his PhD in the field. He joined the AAC staff as a math and engineering tutor in August 2009. Karam has a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree in mechanical engineering, both from the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq. Karam is interested in renewable energy and green building technology, as well as hybrid automotive technology. |
 |
Anthony Ruffini is studying Computer Science at LTU. He tutors math and computer science. He has studied in Germany and would like to work as a computer programmer somewhere in Europe. He lives in Oak Park, only a short distance from campus. Some of Anthony's interests include computers, reading, writing, biking, and swimming. He rides his bicycle to school and back when weather permits. Anthony will graduate from Lawrence Tech in December 2009. |
 |
Laura Saler will be a sophomore pursuing a dual major in Architecture and Interior Architecture. Laura is from Farmington Hills, Michigan, where she currently resides. In her free time, Laura plays club volleyball with the women's team at Lawrence Tech, and enjoys going out to eat with friends. Laura joined the tutoring staff at the AAC in February 2009 as a writing and ESL conversation tutor. |
|
|
Abhishek Singh is originally from Delhi, India and attended public high school there. Abhishek completed his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical and Automation Engineering at Indraprastha University in Delhi. He is now in his second year at LTU studying for a Master's of Science in Automotive Engineering. Abhishek has industry experience both overseas and in Michigan, and is involved with the Formula Zero organization at LTU. Abhishek tutors math and physics, and is also a hig school tutor. Abhishek will complete his Master's degree in December 2009. |
 |
Andrew Smith joined the AAC staff in August 2009 as a math and writing tutor. He is a sophomore majoring in computer science. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Andrew has lived in many other places, including North and South Carolina, Maryland, California, and Okinawa, Japan, while serving with the United States Marine Corps. Andrew is a member of Blue Devil Development, the Lawrence Tech video game design club, and has a passion for creating games. Andrew's other interests include reading, movies, military history, and keeping his cat happy. |
 |
Karthik Sridharan joined the AAC tutoring staff in fall 2008 as a mechanical engineering and physics tutor. He is currently pursuing his Master's degree in Automotive Engineering at LTU. Karthik is from Chennai, India, where he completed his Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2007. Karthik has previous experience as a customer support executive in Chennai, and his interests include automobiles, Indian and rock music, playing and watching sports, and tv shows such as "Family Guy" and anything on the History Channel. |
 |
Ben Wheeler is a Computer Engineering major at LTU, and is originally from Clarkston, Michigan. Ben's hobbies include listening to music and going to shows, learning to play the bass guitar, and PC gaming. Ben has been a math and English tutor at the AAC since fall 2007, and also leads pre-courses every semester for math and English. Ben will graduate from Lawrence Tech in December 2009. |
 |
Jeff Wolka is from Clinton Township, and is a junior majoring in Media Communication. He joined the AAC as a Media Communication tutor in November 2009. He has a video production diploma from Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, and an associates degree from Macomb Community College. Jeff enjoys producing and editing just about any video possible. Jeff likes computer gaming, hanging out with friends, and watching sports in his free time. He is also part of the WLTU Quest Project, which creates promotional videos for LTU. |
