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The Student Learning Programs team is part of the Stanford Center for Teaching and Learning

Questions about the Stanford Learning Lab? See our Stanford Learning Lab and CTL FAQs


Our Mission

Our programs are designed to teach transferable academic skills, create a safe space to take intellectual risks, and help all students become self-directed learners. Through our professional and peer-led services, we hope to provide you with the tools necessary to help you achieve your academic goals—no matter where you are in your learning process.

Our Philosophy

We take a student-centered approach to our services, acknowledging that a variety of factors within and beyond the classroom can influence student learning. We also strive to promote a growth mindset, the idea that all learners can improve themselves with sufficient effort and guidance.

Student Learning Programs Overview

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Our Professional Staff

Tim Randazzo

Tim Randazzo

Senior Director, Student Learning Programs
Tim provides leadership and strategic direction to CTL’s Student Learning Programs. Before coming to Stanford, Tim worked in several positions supporting student learning at UC Berkeley, including Coordinator of the McNair Scholars Program, an undergraduate research program providing research opportunities and mentoring to low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students. Tim received his Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley, where his doctoral research focused on U.S. immigration and refugee policy.

Contact: randazzo@stanford.edu


Jae Chung

Associate Director, Student Learning Programs
Jae received his Ph.D. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from Stanford University, where his doctoral research focused on cardiovascular development and cancer genomics. Jae has launched mentorship and TA support programs and was the Residential Academic Director for the Leland Scholars Program at Stanford before coming to CTL. Jae has worked with Stanford students since 2012 and is committed to helping students reach their academic goals.

Contact: chungjae@stanford.edu

Provides: Workshops, Consultations
Manages: Academic Coaching ProgramsPeer Learning Consultant Program, Academic Skills Programs, Additional Calculus for Engineers (ACE), ADHD/LD Support Program


Yvonne Ngo

Yvonne Ngo

Assistant Director for Tutoring & Student Learning Programs
Yvonne supports the Subject Tutoring and Language Conversation Partners programs at CTL. Prior to Stanford Yvonne was a Tutor Coordinator at UC San Diego supporting both the subject tutoring and metacognitive tutoring programs. She is passionate about supporting students in reaching their academic goals and mentoring student professionals. Yvonne holds a BS in Biochemistry from UC San Diego and a MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. 

Contact: yyngo@stanford.edu

Provides: Workshops, Consultations
Manages: Tutoring Program, Foreign Language Conversation Partners Program, ADHD/LD Support Program


Melissa Tamas

Melissa Tamas Headshot

Assistant Director for Neurodiversity and Learning Programs
Melissa Tamas (she/her) is the assistant director for neurodiversity and learning programs in the Center for Teaching and Learning. She holds a doctorate in developmental psychology and clinical psychology and has completed advanced training in neuropsychology and neurodiversity (ADHD, learning differences, and autism). Before coming to Stanford, Melissa worked with youth and families with challenges related to ADHD, autism, learning differences, anxiety, and depression, providing coaching, assessment, and support. She also taught college courses in psychology. In her free time, she enjoys horseback riding, hiking, dance, choir, and cheering on the Stanford Women’s Basketball team. Melissa is very excited to join the CTL team and support neurodiverse students in achieving their academic goals.

Contact: mtamas@stanford.edu 

Provides: Academic Coaching, Workshops, Consultations


Thien Crisanto

Academic Coach, Student Learning Programs
Thien Crisanto (she/her) is an Academic Coach at the Center for Teaching and Learning. Holding a Ph.D. in Plant Biology from UC Berkeley, she specialized in bioenergy and microalgal genetics. As an undergraduate transfer student, she majored in Cellular and Molecular Biology while conducting experiments related to marine solutions for climate change. Thien also earned an AA from the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, and worked as a fashion designer and merchandiser before transitioning to scientific pursuits. Her coaching passion stems from a commitment to enhancing retention and diversity in education, demonstrated through extensive experience with students in various professional and academic programs. She is most excited to collaborate with Stanford students to foster resilience and find their passions. In her free time Thien enjoys road tripping with her animals, music composition, costume crafting, and surfing in her native California. 

Contact: crisanto@stanford.edu 

Provides: Academic CoachingWorkshops, Joint Advising and Coaching Support, Consultations
 


Rhean Sun

Academic Coach, Student Learning Programs
Rhean Sun is an Academic Coach in the Center for Teaching and Learning. She offers workshops and individualized coaching to help undergraduate and graduate students develop the skills necessary to reach their academic goals and become lifelong learners. Her favorite topics to discuss include procrastination, motivation, and resilience, but she enjoys speaking with all students about their diverse academic experiences. Rhean holds a BA in English from Stanford University and an MFA in Fiction Writing from the University of Amherst, Massachusetts.

Contact: rheansun@stanford.edu

Provides: Academic CoachingWorkshops, Joint Advising and Coaching Support, Consultations
Manages: Communications Division


Jessie Schwab

Academic Coach, Student Learning Programs 
Jessie Schwab (she/her) is an Academic Coach at the Center for Teaching and Learning. She received her Ph.D. in Psychology from Princeton University, where her research focused on how young children learn language. Jessie is passionate about using her knowledge of psychology and the learning sciences to help students more successfully learn and thrive in college and graduate school. She has previously taught courses in psychology, education, and writing at Harvard University, and she also spent several years in Residential Advising at Princeton and Harvard. She is now excited to join the Stanford community and to help Stanford students develop their learning skills and reach their academic goals.

Contact: jfschwab@stanford.edu

Provides: Academic CoachingWorkshops, Joint Advising and Coaching Support, Consultations
Manages: Joint Advising and Coaching Support, Peer Academic Coaching Division


Rachel Stumpf

Academic Coach, Student Learning Programs 
Rachel Stumpf is an Academic Coach at the Center for Teaching and Learning. She has worked within a variety of education contexts, including K-12 education, higher education, and instructor professional development programs. Before coming to Stanford, she worked as an Education Specialist at the University of California, Davis, where she led programs for graduate student instructors. She earned her Ph.D. in Education from the University of California, Irvine, and her research has focused on students' transition from high school to college writing, as well as professional development in teaching. She is currently working towards an Associate Certified Coach Credential, and she is excited to partner with students to identify strategies that will help them to meet their academic goals. In her free time, Rachel enjoys baking, hiking, and finding new areas of California to explore.

Contact: rastumpf@stanford.edu

Provides: Academic CoachingWorkshops, Joint Advising and Coaching Support, Consultations
Manages: Academic Skills Web Resources, Curriculum Design Division


Aladrianne Young

Aladrianne Young

Student Programs Manager, Student Learning Programs Aladrianne Young supports the administration for the Student Learning Programs at CTL. Aladrianne received her Bachelor’s degree in Africana Studies with a minor in Biological Sciences from Mount Holyoke College, and is currently completing her Master’s Degree in Learning Design & Technology from San Diego State University. Before joining CTL, Aladrianne served in various student services roles at Stanford to support both visiting and matriculated students within the university. 

Contact: aeyoung@stanford.edu 


Our Student Staff