Creighton University

Staff Profiles

SSS is designed especially for students who are the first in their family to attend a four-year college. We take our slogan, “Encouraging Student Success,” seriously. Our staff looks forward to meeting with you to acquaint you with the program and highlight the benefits of participation in Student Support Services.

Tami Buffalohead-McGill—Director

Tami earned her Bachelor’s degree in Classical Civilization with a co-major in Political Science from Creighton University and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. She specializes in financial aid and scholarship assistance, academic advising, and problem resolution. Tami has been married for thirteen years to her husband, Jim. Her interests include scrap booking, gardening, spending time with family, and getting to know her students.

Karen Thurber—Academic Counselor

Karen received her Bachelor’s degree in Business from Nebraska Wesleyan and a Master’s degree in Education and Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Karen was the Assistant Director at Creighton's Career Center for fifteen years and specializes in resume writing, job searches, and academic counseling. As the Academic Counselor, she assists students with academic planning and monitoring, personal assistance, career planning, and graduate/professional school preparation. Karen is married and has two children. Her interests are her children and gardening.

Denise Le Clair—Writing/Reading Specialist and Assistant Director of the Office of Disability Accommodations

Denise has two degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana: a Bachelor's in English and a Master’s in Library Sciences. She also has a Secondary Teaching endorsement. As the SSS Writing/Reading Specialist, Denise helps students develop study strategies for their college courses and assists student in all phases of writing a paper, from developing a thesis to final proofreading. In addition, Denise serves as liaison between faculty and students with disabilities to assure that students receive appropriate and reasonable accommodations, such as proctoring tests and coordinating note takers. Denise’s interests are reading, knitting, and spending time with family.

Rich Jehlik—Science Specialist/Tutor Coordinator

Rich earned a Bachelor’s of Science from Iowa State and a Master’s in Biology and Physiology at the University of Missouri. Prior to coming to Creighton, Rich set up a science department and wrote curriculum for grades K- 12 on an Indian reservation in Canada.  Rich has been with SSS since the program's inception in 1980.  Rich specializes in science and provides direct academic support through tutoring and supplemental instruction. He is also responsible for coordinating the student supplemental instructors, peer tutors, and cultural events. Rich’s interests include plays, cultural events, and art.

Pat Al-Greene—Math Specialist

Pat received his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Math from Villanova and Rutgers University. He earned his Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Doctorate in Government. Pat provides academic support primarily in math, but his specialties also include sociology, political science, and astronomy. His interests include his seventeen year old son, politics, and bridge.

Sandy Cerveny—Administrative Assistant

Sandy has more than fifteen years of experience as an Administrative Assistant in higher education.  She comes to us from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa as a result of a job change for her husband.  Sandy provides support for the Student Support Services staff and students.  Sandy is the resource person that maintains all the SSS records and is the go to person when you are unsure of who you need to contact.  Sandy has been married to her husband for 36 years. Her interests are her children and grandchildren, reading, cooking, friends, aerobics, and other forms of exercise.