NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION AND STUDENT SUPPORT

Professional staff

Melissa Bryant, Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support

Melissa Bryant is the Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support and has been at SMU since 2001. Prior to joining New Student Orientation and Student Support, she was the Conference & Leadership Development Coordinator for Residence Life and Student Housing. Melissa has nine years of professional experience working in higher education and specific experience advising students, building partnerships, creating programs, implementing new initiatives, and coordinating logistics. She has a Master’s Degree from the University of Alabama where she was the Graduate Assistant for Parent Orientation and Leadership Development. Melissa has a B.A. in History from Susquehanna University.

Top Five Strengths: Woo, Arranger, Maximizer, Context, Communication

Ashley Stone, Assistant Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support

Ashley Stone is the Assistant Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support and has been at SMU since March 2009. Before coming to SMU, she worked as an Assistant Director of Student Access, Transition and Support Programs at Purdue University, where her primary responsibilities were in orientation. Ashley received both her B.A. in Religion and M.S. Ed. in Student Services Administration from Baylor University. Her work with student affairs began as an undergraduate student worker for Student Activities and Student Foundation and continued as she became the Graduate Assistant for Multicultural Activities. These opportunities have cultivated her passion for diversity education and leadership development and given her experience in program expansion and implementation. Ashley grew up in East Texas and loves being back near home where she can spend time with her family.

Top Five Strengths: Ideation, Learner, Woo, Connectedness, Input