About Us
The Learning Resources Center (LRC) at CU Denver empowers students to succeed academically through free, personalized support services that promote independent learning and effective study habits. Peer Tutoring offers online and in-person drop-in sessions where students can review course material with trained tutors across a wide range of subjects. Brainfuse will connect you to professional tutors online 24/7. Study Skills Workshops provide 45-minute sessions on topics like time management, test preparation, and more strategies to help students reduce stress and improve performance. Individual Coaching connects students with learning specialists for one-on-one guidance on study habits, goal setting, and balancing academic responsibilities. Supplemental Learning reinforces classroom instruction and helps build confidence in challenging subjects. The Writing Lab supports students at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to final edits, through individualized feedback and collaborative sessions.
“Whether online or in-person, the LRC is committed to helping every CU Denver student thrive.”
Meet the Staff
Neecee Matthews-Bradshaw
Director
I am from Macon, Georgia, and have lived in Colorado since 2015. I am an enthusiastic provider of student support services and believe that every student should have an opportunity for a successful academic experience. This belief has fueled my 20+ years of teaching and tutoring. In my current position, I work to make sure students, faculty, and staff have access to the variety of resources we offer in the LRC. I’m honored to work with an amazing group of folks who have the same passion for student success.
Drew Bixby
Writing Lab Assistant Director
Drew received his BA in Journalism and English from the University of Iowa and his MA in Rhetoric/Teaching Writing from CU Denver. He has three daughters in middle/high school, a wife who is the Principal of an elementary school, a dog named Saoirse (from the movie Song of the Sea), and a cat named Doctor (named for the band Dr. Dog). When he dies, he hopes one of his kids will write his obituary and remind people that he loved crunchy peanut butter, Cholula hot sauce, tequila-and-Squirt, being barefoot, driving straight through without stopping, working-class bars with jukeboxes, and eating cereal at night. Drew loves music more than almost anything. Also: wood-burning fires and camping and the beach. He fully understands that a future where all drivers zipper merge without angst is about as likely as the U.S. converting to the metric system, but he wholeheartedly believes in it anyway. Because science. Drew is a lifelong writer and decades-long journalist. He wrote a book about Denver’s best dive bars. He will tell you that he doesn’t like writing but loves having written, though that’s not entirely true. He likes writing. It’s just hard. He is bursting with empathy for everyone who chooses or is required to do it.
Zeyna Aouad
Senior Program Coordinator
I am a CU Denver graduate and I am passionate about the intersection of education and science and believe that with the right resources, learning is attainable for anyone. In my position I support programs such as Boost and drop-in tutoring that help guide students through difficult concepts, build confidence in their abilities, and empower them to become independent learners.
Madison VanRavenhorst
Program Coordinator
I grew up in and graduated from university in Washington state before I moved to Denver in 2024. I believe in creating accessible resources and a culture that encourages using them. My role in the LRC is to support the supplemental learning program and the Boost program. My motivation in this role comes from seeing growth in our student population and greater community.
Michelle Hourihan
Senior Academic Learning Specialist
I’m from Smith River, California and have been in Colorado with CU Denver since 2015. I’m one of the learning specialists and work directly with students for individual coaching sessions as well as group learning workshops. I am a first-generation student and have been in education for over 35 years as a secondary teacher, admissions director, and now a learning specialist for the LRC.
Angelo Gallegos
Senior Academic Learning Specialist
I am a Denver native as well as a first-gen CU Denver alumnus where I received my BA in international studies and MA in geography and geospatial science. I work with students individually and in group settings to help them discover what drives their academic choices, and how to best navigate some of the nuances that come with university life.
Tyson Martinez-Dyer
Sr. Business Services Coordinator
I’m a Colorado native and a first-generation graduate. I started at CU Boulder over a decade ago and transferred to CU Denver in 2015 where I have been with the LRC team ever since. My role and responsibilities in the LRC has evolved to department finances, payroll, website/social media, HR, and front desk/office management. Colorado is my heart and CU Denver is where I find that utilizing my organization and creative skills helps make the LRC better for our students.
Jaqueline Berrum Martinez
Administrative Support Specialist
Born and raised in Colorado, I recently graduated from the University of Colorado Denver’s Business School. I’m excited to join the LRC Pro staff, where I can continue supporting students and helping them succeed in their college journey, just as the LRC supported me. Outside of work, I enjoy exploring the Colorado outdoors and finding ways to stay engaged with my local community.