Kimberly Bethea, Ph.D., Director and Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education

Kimberly has a sincere passion for supporting students in their academic pursuits.  Working as an educator for over twenty years, she has taught students at the middle school, high school, community college, and university levels.  As the Director of the Academic Resource Center, Kimberly’s primary responsibility is providing programs and services that assist all Duke undergraduate students in realizing their highest academic potential.

Kimberly earned her Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Mathematics Education from the University of Maryland, College Park.  She holds a Master of Science degree in Mathematics from Howard University in Washington, DC and a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Jackson State University in Jackson, MS.  Her professional interests include the transition from high school to college, college student success, professional development, and learning strategies.  Away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her family, serving in her church, and exploring the Triangle region which she now calls home.

Joanna Chang, Ph.D., Learning Consultant

Joanna received her Ph.D. in Musicology from Duke University in 2022. In the past decade, Joanna has taught graduate and undergraduate courses, served as a TA at Duke, and worked as a Graduate Consultant at the Thompson Writing Studio. These roles have prepared her to help students improve study habits, maximize learning efficiency, balance work/study life, and weigh immediate and future plans. She has worked extensively with international students in supporting their academic goals, whether it be developing confidence and precision in communication, navigating cultural gaps, or understanding US academic conventions and expectations in writing and research.

Reed Colver, M.A., Associate Director & Learning Consultant

Reed is from Philadelphia, PA and Durham, NC. She has lived around the globe, with significant time in Australia working in International Education, when she wasn't surfing, sailing or kayaking. Reed's first job out of college was working for a Deaf theater company. She also has a background in intercultural education, leadership, and training; is a coach and facilitator; and has both professional experience and personal interest in the performing arts. After her around the world voyaging, Reed returned to Durham, NC where she balances her time between work, dancing, time on the water, and the amazing people that are her family.

Suzanne Crifo, Ph.D., Peer Education Manager

Suzanne was raised in Glen Rock, New Jersey. She earned a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where she studied both mathematics and music. After graduating, she lived for a year in Mobile, Alabama as a volunteer working as a case manager for individuals in emergency situations and as a team member at L’Arche. Suzanne earned both her M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics from NC State. She is passionate about making STEM accessible to everyone and supporting the professional development of undergraduate students. When she is not in the office, you can find Suzanne doing some sort of fitness activity such as running or yoga with her husband and dog, Luna.

Bayley K. Garbutt, Ph.D., Senior Learning Consultant

Bayley is originally from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands where his family moved shortly after he was born in Fayetteville, NC. He earned his BA in Psychology from the University of the Virgin Islands. He and his wife Tiffany moved to NC in 2010 for graduate school, where he earned his MA in Psychology from North Carolina Central University and his Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from NC State. Bayley has taught undergraduate courses in general psychology, educational psychology, experimental psychology, psychology of learning, and intro to statistics at NC State, Wake Tech, and NCCU. Bayley is no stranger to Duke, having worked as a graduate research assistant in the Office of Assessment and Professional Development in Student Affairs in 2014. Most recently Bayley served as a learning consultant for the Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Doctoral programs in the Duke University School of Medicine. His research interests include scale development, race and language variation, and learning skill assessment. In his free time, Bayley enjoys going on road trips and hiking with his wife and kids, Benjamyn and Evelyn, listening to music, and building scale science fiction model kits.

Nicholas M. Irion, M.Ed., M.Div., Learning Consultant and Student Engagement Coordinator

Nicholas is a native of Buffalo, New York. He earned a BA in Music Education from SUNY Buffalo State. He also earned a Master of Educational Leadership from Michigan State University, with a concentration in school leadership and student development. Nicholas also earned a Master of Divinity from Duke University. He has experience working and teaching on the K-12 and Undergraduate levels. These experiences have led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Auburn University. He is currently in coursework at Auburn, critically evaluating scholarship, policy and practice to promote equity, access, and social justice. His interests also include student success, motivational strategies, and students of color experience in higher education. Before coming to Duke, Nicholas worked in several leadership capacities at SUNY Buffalo State, focusing on educational pipeline programs, career development, and mentoring. Outside of the office, you can find him with his Church family, mentoring one of his many mentees, hanging with close friends, and/or on his grill at home.

Sonya Jones, M.A., Peer Tutoring Program Coordinator

Sonya Jones became a member of the ARC staff in the Fall of 2016. She has been working at Duke for more 8 years, and working with students is the best part of her job. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Crisis Counseling, and has her Masters in Human Services Counseling: Marriage and Family, and all components of those degrees aid her in providing optimal service to the students here at Duke University. Sonya is also an Academic Advisor and enjoys the connecting with students on a deeper level and helping guide through their academic journey. Beyond the walls of Duke, you find Sonya doing community service with her sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., singing in her church choir, or playing in the backyard with her husband and two dogs, Ghost and Coco.

Darla Swann, Ph.D., Learning Consultant

Darla received her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Psychology); her M.Ed., at the University of Virginia (Educational Psychology); and her B.S. at Virginia Tech (Business Management). Her ARC activities include academic coaching, consulting, and conducting workshops. She is a licensed psychologist. She was a first-gen student. Her interests include balancing academic demands with non-academic interests; adjusting to college life; navigating interpersonal issues; the development of learning skills; resilience in the face of everyday challenges; health-related behaviors; and difficult life experiences as unique and valuable. Her interests also include working with and supporting first-generation students, and students with health or neurocognitive issues (e.g.; ADHD, LD, ASD) to help them thrive in their college studies. She's excited about traveling, enjoying the outdoors, connecting with others, and watching her inspiring identical twin boys grow.

Isaac Waldstein, Ph.D., Learning Consultant

Ian Shepard, B.A., Staff Assistant

Sarah Marion, B.A., Graduate Assistant for Peer Education

Austin Maduka, B.S., Graduate Assistant for Peer Education