Tag: new hire

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Academic Devleopment 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 then went on to earn a Master of Education in Kinesiology from the University of Texas at Austin, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and growth.

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.

 

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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!