Your Counselors
Our Admissions team is here to help you through the entire process, from your very first question until the day you step foot onto campus to move in!
Get to know our team and find your admissions counselor below! Book an Appointment>>
First-Year Counselors
Ariel Banda
Admissions Counselor, First-Year Students from Fort Worth and the Greater Houston Area
Name: Ariel Banda
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration with a Minor in Music Business
Favorite Thing about DBU: I love how Jesus is the center of all we do, from academics and work to relationships and service.
Favorite Scripture: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." 1 Peter 1:3-5
Hobbies: Hanging out with friends, playing and watching sports, spending time with my family, playing the guitar, and cooking food for friends.
Email: ariel@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-7246
Kelsey Whaley
Admissions Counselor, First-Year Students from Out of State
Name: Kelsey Whaley
Education: Master of Arts in Global Leadership
Favorite Thing about DBU: The people, the community, and the sunsets!
Favorite Scripture: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
Hobbies: Going to the movies, country dancing, playing sand volleyball, and being with people!
Email: kelseyw@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-7250
Anna Lilly
Admissions Counselor
Name: Anna Lilly
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration in Entrepreneurship
Favorite Thing about DBU: My favorite thing about DBU is that nobody goes unnoticed! You are more than just a number; students, faculty, and staff truly care for each other. It’s hard not to find your people here with so many opportunities to get plugged-in, through Greek Life, Student Life, intramural sports, your dorm hall, or local churches!
Favorite Scripture: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
Hobbies: Bullet journaling, painting, playing volleyball, and decorating!
Email: anna@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5491
Joyana Santini
Admissions Counselor
Name: Joyana Santini
Education: Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with a concentration in Christian Studies and Criminal Justice.
Favorite Thing about DBU: The community, the campus, and the professors.
Favorite Scripture: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
Hobbies: Go out, watch movies, seek a new adventure, spend time with loved ones, read and travel!
Email: joyana@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5664
Alexandra Zidermanis
Admissions Counselor, Freshmen
Name: Alexandra Zidermanis
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Favorite Thing about DBU: I love the people at DBU! The people make or break the college experience. I can say the professors, my coworkers, my roommates, and my friends, have made my DBU experience incredible!
Favorite Scripture: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16
Hobbies: Volleyball, hiking, and traveling!
Email: al@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5464
Transfer Counselors
William Franklin
Admissions Counselor, Transfer Students with Last Name A-M
Name: William Franklin
Education: Bachelors in Business Administration in Management
Favorite Thing about DBU: DBU genuinely wants the best for all the students who come through their door from the beginning of the admissions process, whether the student decides to come to DBU or not.
Favorite Scripture: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Hobbies: Reading, spending time with friends, trying new restaurants and coffee shops.
Email: will@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5464
Guyton Garland
Transfer Counselor, Transfer Students with Last Name N-Z
Name: Guyton Garland
Education: Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing
Favorite Thing about DBU: Christ-centered education is the focus of what we do as a University. This godly aspiration is both glorifying to God and good for the people of God as they are further equipped for the teaching and expanding of his kingdom. This is easily the most beautiful thing we do while also being the most enriching thing we do.
Favorite Scripture: “In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another:
'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;
the whole earth is full of his glory.'” Isaiah 6:1-3
Hobbies: Reading, coffee, hunting, and being around people.
Email: ggarland@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-7233
Directors
Shelby Aguilar
Director of Recruitment
Name: Shelby Aguilar
Education: Bachelor of Science in Sociology, Master of Arts in Professional Development
Favorite Thing about DBU: The people! It truly feels like a second home.
Favorite Scripture: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
Hobbies: Being outside, hanging out with friends, family, and especially my babies!
Email: shelbya@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5809
Ali Montgomery
Assistant Director, First-Year Recruitment
Name: Ali Montgomery
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Sociology
Favorite Thing about DBU: I love DBU's emphasis on Christ-like servant leadership.
Favorite Scripture: “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience” Colossians 3:12
Hobbies: Hiking, adventuring to new places, fishing, painting, camping, and being outdoors whenever I can!
Email: ali@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-5635
Harold Aquirre
Assistant Director, First-Year Recruitment
Name: Harold Aguirre
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication Theory and a Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies; currently pursuing a Master of Education in Bilingual Education
Favorite Thing about DBU: DBU is committed to mentorship. During my years here, staff, professors, and peers have challenged me to be more faithful to God. I love our focus on mentorship.
Favorite Scripture: “When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man was standing before him with his drawn sword in his hand...and he said, 'I am the commander of the army of the Lord.'" Joshua 5:13-14
Hobbies: Studying language, meeting people from other cultures, and cooking!
Email: harold@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-7228
Kim English
Assistant Director of Student Athlete Services
Name: Kim English
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, a Minor in Pre-Law, and pursuing a Master of Arts in Sports Management
Favorite Thing about DBU: I love how Christ is the center of everything we do on campus and being a part of creating someone’s life journey with Christ and their future has been the best blessing.
Favorite Scripture: “The Lord is my Rock, and my Fortress, and my Deliverer...” Psalm 18:2
Hobbies: Coaching softball, spending time with my family, and any outdoor sporting event.
Email: kimberlye@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-7247
Amanda Lynn Ferreira Bates
Assistant Director of Enrollment Partnerships
Name: Amanda Lynn Ferreira Bates
Education: Master of Arts in Professional Counseling
Favorite Thing about DBU: All the fun events
Favorite Scripture: Romans 9
Hobbies: Making flower arrangements and CrossFit
Email: amanda@dbu.edu
Phone: (214) 333-6829