Staff

Madelyn Hunt, Dr. P.H., Associate Provost for Student Retention &
Executive Director-Center for General Studies

Frances Morris, B.B.A., Interim Director

Julie Alford, M.Ed., L.P.C., Academic Advisor, Sr.

Susan Daniel, M.S., Academic Advisor, Sr.

Mariela Jarrell, M.Ed., Academic Advisor

Melanie Psencik, B.S., Academic Advisor

Carlene Lloyd, B.S., Administrative Associate Senior

Madelyn Hunt, Dr. P.H.

Associate Provost for Student Retention/
Executive Director of the Center for General Studies

Phone: (409) 880-7548

Email: madelyn.hunt@lamar.edu

Dr. Madelyn Hunt has 36 years experience in teaching, advising, and administration at Lamar University. She earned a B.S. in Medical Technology in 1969 from Lamar University. She then went on to earn a Master of Public Health in 1972 and a Doctor of Public Health in 1985, both from the University of Texas. She is also a Millennium Leadership Institute AASCU Fellow (2002). Professional certification includes the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

Dr. Hunt became a member of the faculty at Lamar in 1973 as a professor in the Department of Biology, teaching courses in general biology, biology for non-science majors, disease and immunity, epidemiology, microbiology, and medical microbiology. From 1989 to 1993, she served as a mentor in the LU Minority Scholars Institute. In 1998, Dr. Hunt was named Director of the Center for General Studies, a Lamar University advising center that serves more than 1000 students. In 2001, she was named Executive Director of the Center for General Studies. In 2006, she was appointed Associate Provost for Student Retention. Dr. Hunt also served as the director of the university's McNair Scholars Program where she directed undergraduate student research projects. She is founder and current member of Partners in Academic Advising at Lamar. Dr. Hunt has also published extensively, participates in funded research projects, and serves as a CLIA consultant for the City of Beaumont Health Department.

Many honors have been awarded Dr. Hunt by both the university and the community, including the 2008 Lamar University Distinguished Alumni Award, Women of Excellence Award, (YWCA, 2000), Outstanding Academic Advisor Award (Undergraduate Research Organization, 1999 & 2000), and the Regents' Merit Award for Excellence in Teaching (1988). In 2002, the Center for General Studies' retention program, Monitored Probation, received state recognition as an exemplary university program and was honored with the Texas Higher Education STAR Award. Professional memberships include the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN), the Texas Association for College Teachers (TACT), and Sigma Xi.

Frances Morris

Interim Director

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: frances.morris@lamar.edu

Frances Morris was employed as Adjunct Advisor in the College of Business in 1995 before joining the staff at the Center for General Studies in 1999 as Coordinator of Academic Advising. In 2004 she became Assistant Director of the Center for General Studies and Interim Director in 2007. She holds a B.B.A. in Personnel Administration from Lamar University (1988). As Interim Director, Mrs. Morris manages the day to day operations of the Center for General Studies. Mrs. Morris also serves as budget manager for the Center, supervises advisors, and coordinates the Total Quality Management project, which is the Center's on-going customer service/quality improvement project.

In 2001, Frances Morris received recognition for completing the university's TEAM Supervisory Training Track. Professional memberships include the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN). Mrs. Morris has served as a mentor in the WINGS Mentorship Program and served three terms as a member of the Lamar University Staff Senate. Also, she is a current member of Partners in Academic Advising and served as Chair in 2001-2002.

Julie Alford

Academic Advisor Senior

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: julie.alford@lamar.edu

Julie Alford began working for Lamar University in 1991; her work experience at LU includes teaching, advising, academic counseling, and career counseling. She earned a B.A. in English in 1991 and a M.Ed. in Counseling & Development in 1995, both from Lamar University. In 1999, she joined the staff at the Center for General Studies as Retention Coordinator,managing the Monitored Probation Program, a comprehensive retention program that facilitated academic recovery for students who have been placed on academic probation or suspension. In 2002, the MP Program received state recognition as an exemplary university program and was honored with the Texas Higher Education STAR Award.

In 2007, Mrs. Alford became Academic Advisor Senior and now provides academic advisement and career guidance to General Studies students and works closely each semester with graduating seniors who are seeking the Bachelor of General Studies (BGS) degree. She advises and guides BGS graduating seniors in completing course requirements, audits degree plans, conducts exit interviews, and assists seniors in applying for graduation.

Published research and writing credits include Journal of College Student Retention, Dictionary of Literary Biography, and Student Paths. Ms. Alford is also a licensed professional counselor; her areas of special interest include academic counseling and career exploration/planning. Professional memberships include the Texas Counseling Association (TCA), the Texas College Counselors Association (TCCA), the Texas Career Development Association (TCDA), the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA), and the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN). Mrs. Alford has served on the LU Staff Senate (2003-2006) and as a mentor in the WINGS Mentorship Program. She also serves as Chair of Partners in Academic Advising ( 2002 - present), a group committed to facilitating high quality academic advising for LU students by providing a forum for advisors to share information regarding advising-related issues.

Susan Daniel

Academic Advisor Senior

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: susan.daniel@lamar.edu

Susan Daniel was employed for three years as International Advisor at the University of Central Texas before joining the Center for General Studies in January 2003 as Academic Advisor. Ms. Daniel earned a B.S. in Psychology in 1998 from the University of Central Texas and a M.S. in Counseling Psychology in 1999 from Tarleton State University. Ms. Daniel provides specialized freshman services for first-time in college students including: 1) proactive advising sessions with targeted intervention strategies and follow-up, 2) academic progress monitoring, 3) one-on-one instruction, 4) confidential referrals, and 5) supportive resources based on individual needs. Also, Ms. Daniel manages the Resource Lab, a multi-resource area within the CGS including free career packets and study skills tips, reference books, computers with internet access, and DVD’s for viewing a variety of topics aimed at helping students succeed in college.

At Lamar University (LU), Ms. Daniel has served as a mentor in the WINGS Mentorship Program and served six years as a member of Partners in Academic Advising. Also, she is a current member of the Lamar University Staff Senate and Lamar University Staff Association (LUSA). Her professional memberships include the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN) and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). In October 2006 at NACADA’s National Conference, Ms. Daniel and Dr. Martha Rinker of LU’s Psychology department, co-presented findings of their study on the effectiveness of General Studies’ freshmen services. Results indicated a statistically significant number of GS freshmen (in comparison to non-participants from other LU majors) had higher cumulative grade point averages, were more satisfied with their experiences at LU, stated they were more informed about academic support resources, and had been referred to the appropriate department for assistance.

Mariela Jarrell

Academic Advisor

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: mariela.jarrell@lamar.edu

Mariela Jarrell joined the Center for General Studies in October 2008 as Academic Advisor. She earned a Bachelor of Science and Master's of Education from McNeese State University. As Academic Advisor, Mrs. Jarrell provides academic advisement to sophomores and juniors. Also, Mrs. Jarrell manages the General Studies website.

Mrs. Jarrell's professional membership include the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the Texas Academic Advising Network (TEXAAN). At Lamar, Mrs. Jarrell is currently a member of Partners in Academic Advising and LU Staff Association.

Melanie Psencik

Academic Advisor

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: melanie.psencik@lamar.edu

Melanie Psencik earned a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lamar University in 1981 and originally began work as a classroom teacher for both the Beaumont Independent School District and for the Catholic Diocese of Beaumont respectively. After teaching for several years, she worked as a consultant for the Macmillan McGraw-Hill and Scholastic, Inc. Publishing Companies. She joined the Center for General Studies in August 2009 as an Academic Advisor. Mrs. Psencik specializes in online advisement for distance education students pursuing the Bachelor of General Studies degree.

Mrs. Psencik is currently a member of Partners in Academic Advising and LU Staff Association.

Carlene Lloyd

Administrative Associate Senior

Phone: (409) 880-7570

Email: patricia.lloyd@lamar.edu

Carlene Lloyd joined the Center for General Studies in 2006 as Administrative Associate Senior. Ms. Lloyd holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Lamar University. Her job responsibilities include not only performing clerical duties for the advising center, which has over 1000 students, but also supervising student employees and providing assistance to the Interim Director, and Academic Advisors. Additional duties include receiving/returning phone calls, maintaining and keeping abreast of budget information, and typing reports/grants/forms.

For students, Ms. Lloyd provides special customer service, including assistance with dropping/adding classes, completing change of major forms, answering general questions, and scheduling advising appointments. Carlene has served in various capacities in a university setting. At the University of Texas in Austin, she served as the secretary to the Graduate Advisor and the Undergraduate Advisor in the Government Department. Also, previously here at Lamar, she was Administrative Assistant to the director of the South East Texas Training and Employment Program, which was located in the John Gray Center.