Tag: new staff

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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.

 

 

 

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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
Student Academic Engagement & Success

Welcome Victoria Martini

Headshot of Victoria Martini
Victoria Martini

Please join us in welcoming Victoria Martini to the Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) team! Victoria has joined as the new SAES business manager. In her role, she will assist SAES staff and campus partners by answering budget-related questions, assembling job descriptions and postings, writing policies & procedures, and providing general administrative support. Victoria shared that she is always happy to help! Very approachable, she can help you work through any budget or operational issue you are facing.

Victoria graduated from San Diego State University in 2020 with a degree in business administration and management. Since then, she has worked for several companies, building her business acumen. She brings an impressive set of skills to SMU, including strong organizational methods, creative problem-solving and excellent communication.

In her role, Victoria is looking forward to being part of a collaborative campus workspace alongside others who are passionate about education. She will work closely with SAES leadership to manage budgets and support division operations. And she is keen to expand her business administration skillset.

Outside of work, Victoria enjoys spending time with friends, trying new restaurants, walking around Uptown and traveling.

Welcome to the Hilltop, Victoria! We are excited to have you here.

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Academic Development of Student-Athletes (ADSA) Professional Advising Student Academic Engagement & Success Student Academic Success Programs

Welcome John Easton

Headshot of John Easton
John Easton

Please join us in welcoming John Easton to the Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) team! John has joined as the inaugural assistant provost for Student Academic Engagement and Success. In this role, he will lead cross-campus collaborations to improve undergraduate academic success for first-year and transfer students, support the launch of professional advising at SMU, develop additional opportunities for summer academic bridge and academic recovery courses and provide operational oversight of Academic Development of Student Athletics (ADSA).

John is bringing with him nearly 25 years of experience at SMU. He currently serves as associate chair, chief undergraduate advisor and program director of the Master of Science in environmental engineering in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Lyle School of Engineering. Additionally, he is a clinical professor, teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in Environmental Engineering. John received his Ph.D. in environmental health engineering, along with an M.S. in civil engineering, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He holds a B.A. in biology from the University of Kansas.

In his new role, John says he is looking forward to “working with all of the great people! The SAES team, administration, faculty colleagues, and (of course) students and student-athletes! Student engagement and success is “my jam,” and I’m thrilled to be working to support those programs and projects.” Of the students, he mentioned that “it’s a privilege to work alongside such driven, smart, and dedicated young people. They’re going out to change the world!”

John is super engaged at SMU along with his family. His wife also teaches in the Lyle School and his son has two SMU degrees and was a member of the Men’s Swimming and Diving team. Since all of the kids have left the nest, John and his wife are rediscovering their love of travel, reading, puzzles and games. And they are staying in touch with our kids by playing a weekly Dungeons and Dragons campaign, which he says has been great fun.

Welcome to SAES, John! We are excited to have you on board.

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

Welcoming Brandi Primm as Our New SAES Degree Counselor

We are excited to announce that Brandi Primm transitioned to the Division of Student Academic Engagement and Success (SAES) as our new Degree Counselor on June 2.

Brandi brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student support. Most recently, Brandi has been serving as an Academic Advisor at SMU, and she brings more than two decades of experience as a counselor and educator in both K–12 and higher education settings. Her background includes extensive work with early college high school programs, student support services, and academic advising. Brandi holds a Master of Science in School Counseling from Texas A&M Commerce and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies from Stephen F. Austin State University.

In her new role, Brandi will serve as a key academic resource for both pre-major students and declared majors in the Simmons School of Education and Human Development. She will be responsible for maintaining student academic records, assisting with degree certification, evaluating transfer work, and supporting students and advisors through the completion of general education requirements and timely graduation. The SAES Degree Counselor plays a critical role in ensuring a smooth and successful academic journey for our students, and we are thrilled to welcome Brandi into this important position.

Please join us in congratulating and welcoming Brandi Primm to her new role!

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

University Advising Center welcomes new Coordinator

Photo of Anthony Cesario, the new University Advising Center Coordinator. Photo is in the University Advising Center with a Mustang Mascot character in the background as you enter the University Advising Center.
"Welcome Mustangs!"

The University Advising Center welcomes Anthony Cesario as the new office coordinator. Anthony joined the University Advising Center on November 11th during the peak of Spring 25 enrollment and has hit the ground running!

Born and raised in Coppell, Texas, Anthony graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in American Studies in December of 2023. Prior to joining SMU, he has held various customer service roles and was a summer camp counselor. Anthony enjoys listening to music, writing, exploring parks and nature trails, and binging Buffy the Vampire Slayer whenever possible. He is very excited to work in the realm of higher education.

Please join us in welcoming Anthony to the Hilltop and the UAC!

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Student Academic Engagement & Success University Advising Center

University Advising Center announces Staff Change

Headshot of Gerralynn Mckenna with the Southern Methodist University Campus as the out of focus background.

The University Advising Center is pleased to share that Gerralynn McKenna is continuing her work in our office as our newest Academic Advisor. She has gracefully stepped in to her new role and advising students for Fall 24 and beyond.

Before her new position, Gerralynn came to SMU in June of 2023 to serve as Coordinator for the UAC. Prior to her time at SMU,  she taught elementary special education for 4 years, and moved to Dallas from Albuquerque, New Mexico with her husband. She continues to enjoy hiking, being outdoors, spending time with family and friends, and reading. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome to her new position!

Categories
Hilltop Scholars Honors and Scholars Student Academic Engagement & Success

Logan Swafford joins Honors & Scholars

Logan Swafford (they/them) is pictured with a grey short sleeve shirt, round glasses, and a short haircut. They have a colorful tattoo of a woman's face with tear drops falling from her eyes and surrounding her face in traditional tattoo style. Beside them is a black and white Great Dane dog.
Logan (left) and Thunderstorm (right)

Logan Swafford (They/Them) is the coordinator for both the Hilltop Scholars Program and Honors & Scholars. Originally from San Antonio, Logan moved up to Denton to attend the University of North Texas as a first-generation student where they received a bachelor’s in both Communication Studies and History, with a minor in LGBTQ & Women Studies. While there Logan became a member of the service-focused fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, where they completed over 200 volunteer hours and servant leadership became their guiding philosophy and frame for their personal and professional path. After graduating in 2020, Logan continued to hold a variety of positions within the non-profit and education world, often focusing on their passion of community engagement and leadership development.

Outside of the office, Logan enjoys spending time playing a variety of video games, reading/listening to fiction books, and playing with their 3 dogs (Charles the Corgi, Nirvana the GSD, Thunderstorm the Great Dane) and Wednesday the tortoiseshell cat.

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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! 

Categories
Student Academic Engagement & Success

The Office of Engaged Learning Welcomes New Staff

The Office of Engaged Learning is excited to welcome two new staff members to the team, Alisha Bailey and Olivia Prioleau.

Headshot of Alisha Bailey

Alisha serves as Assistant Director for Pathways to Business and Industry Program. Before transitioning to OEL, she served as Program Manager in SMU’s Lyle School of Engineering, where she led the engineering outreach camps for K-16. Alisha received her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Spelman College and her Master of Science in Environmental Sciences from Alabama A&M University. Prior to obtaining her master’s degree, Alisha worked as a sixth and seventh grade mathematics teacher in Houston, TX, before transitioning back into the science field. Through her master’s program, her knowledge and focuses were fisheries, aquaponics, and water management research and by studying abroad in Nanjing, China, she broadened her skills in GIS. Alisha worked for the government in the environmental health field as an Environmental Compliance Specialist for several years in Atlanta, GA. Outside of work, Alisha is continuously dedicated to service by volunteering at Ronald McDonald House Dallas, as an advisory board member with Women Leading Technology, serves on the Board of Directors for The GEMS Camp, a proud alumna of Leadership ISD Dallas County Civic Voices Fellowship, and a member of Junior League of Dallas.

Headshot of Olivia Prioleau

Olivia Prioleau serves as the new Project Specialist, coordinating the Big iDeas and Mustang Mentors program. As a Charleston, South Carolina native, Olivia received her B.A. in Journalism and Communications from the University of South Carolina and will be graduating with her M.Ed. in Higher Educational Leadership from Texas Christian University in May of 2024. During her two years at TCU, Olivia served first-year leadership programs, student organizations, and large-scale programs in her role as the Graduate Assistant in the Student Activities Office. She is excited for her new journey at SMU and to serve more students on the Hilltop.

Please join us in welcoming Alisha and Olivia!