Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

DIRECTOR: MARK MYERS  

ABOUT ME 

Welcome to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­! 

I'm Mark, a higher education professional who's been working in this field since 2019. My journey started in Pennsylvania and has taken me through various communities—Toronto, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, Tampa, Beaufort, and Meadville—before I settled here outside Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­. 

My academic background includes dual Bachelor's degrees in Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and Communication Arts from Allegheny College, followed by a Master's in Higher Education Administration from Columbia College. Currently, I'm pursuing my Doctorate in Educational Innovation at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, which keeps me connected to the learning experience from both sides. 

Having worked at several institutions across different regions, I can honestly say Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ stands apart. There's something distinctive about the culture here—the collaboration between faculty, staff, and student leaders creates an environment that's genuinely supportive. I'm passionate about leveraging that culture to help new students and families navigate their transition to university life successfully. 

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY 

My philosophy centers on leading with kindness while maintaining high standards. I believe meaningful change happens through authentic relationships and inclusive practices. Whether I'm working with anxious first-year students or collaborating with colleagues on new initiatives, I prioritize creating spaces where people feel valued and supported. 

BEYOND THE OFFICE 

You'll probably find me exploring Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­'s river region with a cup of room-temperature coffee in hand (a quirk that never fails to puzzle my colleagues). I enjoy planning adventures and discovering what makes each community unique—something that's served me well in my nomadic career path. 

MEMBER OF NSFT SINCE: March 2022 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, ORIENTATION & TRANSITION PROGRAMS:

JENNA SIMS  

ABOUT ME  

I'm Jenna, and I'm passionate about helping students navigate their college transitions successfully. Originally from New Jersey, I spent several years in Virginia's higher education scene before making my way to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­. 

My background is a bit of a unique mix—I started in STEM with a Biomedical Engineering degree from Virginia Tech in 2022, then shifted into student affairs with my Master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs in 2024. That combination gives me an interesting perspective when working with students, especially those trying to figure out their academic path or feeling uncertain about their major. 

During my time at Virginia Tech, I worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with the Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Diversity (CEED), which really opened my eyes to the importance of creating inclusive spaces where all students can thrive. I also spent a summer as a NODA Intern working with Parent and Family Programs at San Jose State University, which solidified my love for orientation and transition work. 

What draws me to this field is seeing that moment when a nervous first-year student starts to feel at home on campus, or when a family realizes their student is going to be okay. There's something special about being part of those early college experiences that can set the tone for someone's entire university journey. 

Now at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, I'm excited to welcome new students and families while also mentoring our student leaders. Watching our student staff create meaningful experiences for incoming Jaguars—and seeing their own growth in the process—is one of the best parts of this work. 

LEADERSHIP PHILOSOPHY 

I believe that each student brings unique strengths and perspectives to the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ community. My approach centers on empowering students to embrace their authentic selves while providing the support and resources they need to achieve their academic and personal goals. 

BEYOND THE OFFICE 
When I'm not collaborating with students and families, you might be surprised to learn that I have a twin sister! This personal experience has shaped my understanding of individual identity within shared experiences—something I bring to my work with all students at AU. 

MEMBER OF NSFT SINCE: June 2024 

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, FAMILY PROGRAMS: NEW POSITION, POSTING SOON!

ABOUT THE ROLE  

The Assistant Director of Family Programs is a key leader within the Office of New Student & Family Transitions, playing a central role in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s student retention initiatives and Strategic Enrollment Management plan. This position provides strategic vision and oversight for all family engagement initiatives, collaborating with campus and community partners as well as developing student leaders who contribute to family engagement. The Assistant Director develops and implements comprehensive, data-driven programs and communication strategies that transform families into active partners, enhance student success, and strengthen long-term retention.

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT 1: POSITION POSTING SOON!

ABOUT THE ROLE  

This position manages the daily administrative support operations of the Office of New Student & Family Transitions, including (a) planning, organizing, and managing the administrative staffing resources including the orientation reservation system, (b) serves as receptionist for the office operations including direct customer service to prospective students and their family members, (c) assists with budget planning and oversight, including purchasing and payroll for orientation leaders; and (d) supports program/event management for orientation, family weekend, and other programs managed by the office.  This position supervises 2 student assistant employees (e.g., recruits, hires, trains, manages, oversees time and absence), serves as the Director’s administrative assistant (e.g., coordinates Director’s schedule and other staff schedules), works on various projects and tasks, and is responsible for many aspects of the budget, including planning, oversight, and purchasing.  The position also manages our employee records.