Elena Payne-Wiens serves as the Assistant Dean for Advising & Assessment for the College of Arts + Architecture. In addition to a BA in Spanish from Pomona College (CA), Elena holds a Master of Arts in Education from Stanford University. She has a background in English as a Second Language and writing instruction, and has spent many years teaching and coordinating in community colleges and universities in Washington DC, New Jersey, Florida, California, and Texas. Prior to joining the CoA+A, Elena worked for the University of Texas at Austin as an Instructional Support Specialist and TRiO Student Support Services Advisor. She is passionate about developing academic programs and services to help students become engaged citizens and creative, critical thinkers who effectively pursue their passions and goals.