August 28, 2001

JENNIFER JONES NAMED INTERIM DIRECTOR OF MULTICULTURAL STUDENT AFFAIRS AT SMU

DALLAS (SMU) -- Southern Methodist University's Office of Multicultural Student Affairs will have an interim director this fall. Jennifer Jones, manager of conference and guest services, will assume the position effective September 1.

Jones has served as the National Pan-Hellenic Council advisor to six historically African-American fraternities and sororities on campus since 1994. As interim director of Multicultural Student Affairs, Jones replaces Ainsley Carry, who recently accepted a position as director of student support services at the University of Arkansas.

In her new position, Jones will provide leadership and administration to the programs and services SMU offers its multicultural students. She will serve as a resource for African-American students, advise multicultural student organizations and individual students, manage the departmental budget, and supervise a team of professional, paraprofessional and support staff.

Jones earned a bachelor's degree in sociology in 1993 and a Master of Liberal Arts degree in 1999, both from SMU. She has served as manager of SMU's conference and guest services since 1997. Prior to that, for six years she was an area manager responsible for facilities management of six SMU buildings housing first-year students.

"While we regret to see Ainsley leave SMU, we are very fortunate to have someone as capable as Jennifer already on campus to help us fill the void left by his departure," said Jim Caswell, vice president of Student Affairs. "Jennifer is someone who can easily transition into the Multicultural Student Affairs office because of her knowledge of the campus and of the students here at SMU."

Dee Siscoe, assistant vice president for student affairs and dean of student life, will chair a screening committee through the fall with hopes of naming a permanent multicultural student affairs director by January 2002.