Tag: new hire

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

University Advising Center Staff Changes and New Hires

Group photo of new Academic Advisors in the University Advising Center.
Welcome to our new Academic Advisors!

The University Advising Center is pleased to share new staff updates. We congratulate fellow staff on their new titles, and welcome new Academic Advisors to the Hilltop!Headshot of Prisna Virasin, now a Manager in the University Advising Center.

Prisna Virasin continues her work as a UAC Manager. She has been an SMU advisor for thirteen years, has taught in the Writing and Reasoning Program, and is an SMU alumna.

Headshot of Samia Siddiqui. She joins the University Advising Center as a UAC Manager.
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Samia Siddiqui takes on the new title of UAC Manager. She has been at SMU for 8 years.  With 25 years of experience in the field of Education, she has served as both a teacher and an advisor, spanning K-12 and college levels. Beyond the office, Samia finds joy in diving into a great read, indulging in binge-worthy shows, and the thrill of thrifting for the best deals and gems. You never know what you’ll find!

Headshot of Dr. Alicia Mohundro, and new Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.

Dr. Alicia Mohundro is joining SMU as a Department of Economics and UAC advisor. “Dr. Mo,” as she is known to her students, comes to SMU with years of advising experience from multiple R1 universities. Dr. Mo is known for her approachable demeanor and willingness to help students navigate their academic paths. Her commitment to supporting students on their academic journeys is evident through her focus on meeting students where they are and providing individualized support to help them reach their goals. Her office is located in Umphrey Lee 301, where she offers both walk-in hours and scheduled appointments to assist students with their academic needs. Her email is amohundro@smu.edu and her office number is 214-768-7414.


Headshot of Katherine Lustig, a new Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.Katie Lustig joins the University Advising Center after spending Spring 2025 as a Graduate Assistant in SMU’s Division of Student Affairs. Prior to her time on the Hilltop, Katie worked in the education non-profit sector in Washington DC and in K-12 in Pennsylvania. Katie graduated from Duke University in 2021 and is actively pursuing her Master’s in Higher Education at SMU. She loves walking on the Katy Trail, spending time with family and friends, and doing puzzles. Her email is kglustig@smu.edu and her office number is 214-768-7442.

Headshot of Amanda Tolbert, a new Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.

An East Texas native, Amanda Tolbert was a first-generation college graduate who earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Emerging Media and Communication from University of Texas at Dallas, where she also worked as the manager of the Laboratory of Media Psychology. After her time at UTD, Amanda taught undergraduate courses and conducted research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focused on the psychological effects that result from media stereotyping of marginalized communities. Her research contributions can be found in textbooks and peer-reviewed journals, such as the Journal of Information Science and Frontiers in Psychology. 

Amanda has now returned to DFW, where she lives with her partner, teenage daughter, and two cats. She is excited to be back home and to begin working with students again! Outside of work, she enjoys watching documentaries, reading, and traveling as often as she can. Her email is atolbert@smu.edu and her office number is 214-768-7441.

 

 

 

Categories
Student Success & Retention

Office of Student Success and Retention Welcomes Dylynne Dodson as Student Success Professional!

Welcome image

Dylynne Dodson has been named the Student Success Professional in the Office of Student Success and Retention, effective September 8. Dylynne should be familiar to many on the Hilltop, having served as a Residential Community Director at SMU for three years. Dylynne has a master’s in education from Western Carolina University and received a BA in Writing from TCU.

Dylynne Dodson

As the Student Success Professional, Dylynne will help undergraduate students navigate campus resources and resolve issues as part of a coordinated effort to improve students’ experience and persist to graduation. She will provide mentorship and daily academic success coaching to students to support their academic pursuits. Dylynne will also assist with many efforts in partnership with student affairs, student financial services, academic affairs, and other campus areas.

With nearly ten years of working in university housing at the student, graduate, and professional levels, Dylynne has been passionate about building relationships from the very start. Being supported by RAs, professional housing staff, and professors during her own undergraduate career made all the difference, and she continually strives to provide similar level of care and support for students to help them thrive.

Dylynne’s firsthand knowledge of SMU students and the campus will allow her to support students and connect them to the wide variety of resources across the campus community. As a high achiever with high expectations of herself (much like SMU students), Dylynne looks forward to doing what she loves most: supporting students through the good and the bad and helping them develop into their favorite version of themselves.

Please join us in congratulating Dylynne Dodson (ddodson@smu.edu) on her new adventure at SMU!

Categories
Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Student Academic Engagement & Success

Welcome Jordon Smith, Our New Senior Academic Counselor!

J.Smith

We are thrilled to welcome Jordon Smith to the Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) team! Jordon joins us as a Senior Academic Counselor working with Football and Women’s Basketball, bringing a wealth of experience and passion for student-athlete success.

Jordon’s journey in academic support for athletes began in 2023 as an Academic Counselor at the University of Arizona. Prior to that, she served as Director of Football Academics at Abilene Christian University, demonstrating a strong commitment to the holistic development of football student-athletes.

Her dedication to the field extends further back, with experience as an Academic Graduate Assistant at the University of Arkansas. Jordon’s foundation for success was built on a strong academic background. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sport Administration from LSU, followed by a Master of Science in Athletic Leadership from Clemson University.

Jordon’s passion extends beyond the walls of ADSA. She actively participates in the National Association for Academic Advisors for Athletics (N4A) External Partnerships Working Group and holds memberships in several committees. This involvement demonstrates her dedication to professional development and collaboration in the field.

A Dallas native, Jordon is excited to be back in her home state, supporting student-athletes and their academic achievements. When she’s not championing student success, you might find her spending time with her beloved Doberman companions, Venus and Dirk.

Please join us in welcoming Jordon to the ADSA family! We are confident her experience, knowledge, and enthusiasm will be invaluable assets to our team and the student-athletes she supports.

 

Categories
Student Success & Retention

Lisa Miller named new director of the Office of Student Success and Retention

Lisa Miller is already known on the Hilltop, currently serving as assistant director and degree counselor in Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences Academic Services since 2011. She will begin as Director of the Office of Student Success and Retention effective May 22. Lisa Miller has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Before her time at SMU, Lisa worked professionally in operations at the New York University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and in academic services at the University of Central Florida and the University of Texas at San Antonio. 

As Director of the Office of Student Success and Retention, Lisa will: 

  • Supervise three full-time staff and provide day-to-day problem-solving for students trying to remain, depart, or return to SMU.  
  • Operationalize processes to identify at-risk students, strategically outreach to inspire engagement, coordinate interventions, track academic progress, and assess our institutional strengths and weaknesses in these areas.  
  • Chair a university-wide retention and financial support committee to retrain undergraduate students.  
  • Serve as a critical partner to the Office of the Dean of Students via the Caring Community Connections CARE Team. 
  • Analyze and present data obtained from exit and leave of absence surveys with various campus offices.  

When asked what she is most excited about, Lisa shared, “Excited to join Student Success and Retention! I believe communication is the key to understanding and learning what students, staff and faculty can use to help all achieve their goals. Keeping the lines of communication open, identifying and understanding others opinions, and working closely with different offices on behalf of students creates successful graduates and contributing members of society. SMU is one of those special places where this philosophy really works–everyone is committed to our students to obtain their very best outcomes possible.”  

When not at work, Lisa enjoys traveling, going to Broadway shows, listening to music from the ’70s, and watching Marvel superheroes. 

Please join us in congratulating Lisa Miller (lamiller@smu.edu) on her new adventure on the Hilltop!