Meet Our Staff
| Dale M. Williams, Ph.D. - Director |
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Hello! I’m Dr. Dale Williams, and I’m honored to serve as the Director of the Academic Advising Center. With over 25 years of experience in Higher Education, I am passionate about equipping my advisors to help students explore their interests, select the right courses, and plan for a successful future. Outside of the office, I enjoy traveling, volunteering, unwinding, and spending time with my fur babies, Venice Katt Williams and Winston Churchill Williams. I am proud to lead a team of dedicated advisors, and together, we are excited to support you on your academic journey! |
| Vanessa Brocks - Assistant Director |
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Hi Tigers! I’m Vanessa Brocks, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I attended the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) for both my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. I’ve been advising students for almost 20 years and love helping you explore your passions, choose the right courses, and plan for your future. When I’m not in the office, you can find me reading or hanging out with my friends and family members. I serve as the liaison for Fogelman College of Business and Economics. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey! |
| Stephen Cocumelli, Ph.D. - Academic Advisor II |
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Hi, my name is Dr. Stephen Cocumelli, and I am looking forward to serving as your
advisor here in the Academic Advising Center (AAC). I am a proud alumnus of The University
of Memphis, where I earned a BA in English and a MAT in Elementary Education. In 2019,
I completed my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration at Ohio University in Athens,
OH. Before entering the world of Higher Education I served as a middle school math
teacher. I have been working as an academic advisor for a little over six years -
three at The University of Southern Mississippi and the remaining here at the UofM.
Here at Memphis, I serve many roles in the AAC including the liaison for the College
of Education. In my primary role as an academic advisor, I pride myself on ensuring
students are making satisfactory progress toward graduation through appropriate course
selection. Additionally, as a first year advisor, I also assist you with learning
how to navigate the university via connecting you to campus resources and teaching
you how to track your own progress through UMdegree and the Academic Catalog.
Outside the office, I have a passion for baking and cooking. Mostly, I enjoy spending
time with my family and dogs. Your success as a student at the UofM is important to
me, so please let me know how I can best guide you as you begin your college career.
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| Stephanie Johnson - Academic Advisor II |
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Hi Tigers! I’m Stephanie Johnson, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I have a master's in counseling from UofM and a master's in health information management from UTHSC. I’ve been advising students for a number of years and love helping you explore your passions, choose the right courses, and plan for your future. When I’m not in the office, you can find me attending a Grizzlies game. I serve as the liaison for the College of Arts and Sciences. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey! |
| Ciara Williams- Academic Advisor II |
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Hi! I’m Ciara Williams, an Academic Advisor II and ACAD Coordinator, and I’m excited to support you on your academic journey. I’m a two-time graduate of the University of Memphis and have been a professional academic advisor for three years. I love building relationships with students and earning their trust in my knowledge of their fields and the university. Working with pre-nursing students is especially rewarding—I enjoy seeing them get accepted into the Lowenberg College of Nursing and move closer to becoming Registered Nurses. When I’m not advising, you can find me watching reality TV, spending time with loved ones, or enjoying all things Beyoncé. As the liaison for LCON but an expert in all degree programs, I look forward to helping you navigate your path to success! |
| Marissa Manthongkham, D.M.A. - Academic Advisor II |
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Hello Memphis Tiger Community! I’m Dr. Marissa Manthongkham, and I’m thrilled to serve the AAC team as an Academic Advisor II! My academic journey began at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, where I earned my undergraduate degree, and I am a proud recipient of the UTK 40 Under 40 Alumni Award. I then ventured to Texas to complete my master’s degree at Baylor University, and my passion for academic advising truly blossomed during my doctoral studies at Michigan State University. With nearly five years of advising experience, I love helping students begin their academic path, explore professional interests, and plan for their future. As the liaison for the College of Communication and Fine Arts, Herff College of Engineering, and ROTC and Military Students, I’m honored to support our dynamic student population. When I’m not in the office, I’m chasing after my energetic and adorable toddler, Rema. I also enjoy contributing to Memphis' vibrant musical scene as a clarinetist for Bluff City Winds. I look forward to working with you and cheering you on as you embark on this chapter in life. Go Tigers! |
| Marcus Sorensen - Academic Advisor II |
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Hi! I’m Marcus Sorensen, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I received my bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific back in California, which is where I am from. I got my master's degree here at the UofM in 2019. I’ve advised students for almost five years, and my experience comes from teaching and advising college students here in Tennessee, China and Mexico. I plan on getting my doctorate degree from MTSU in Higher Education and hope to advise and support students for the rest of my career. When I’m not in the office, you can find me with my wife Dr. Kate Sorensen, who is an Associate Professor of Accountancy here at the U of M, with my son and daughter, reading just about anything I can get my hands on, or playing disc golf. I serve as the liaison for International Students and the College of Professional and Liberal Studies. |
| April Crum - Academic Advisor I |
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Hi Tigers! I’m April, and I serve as an Academic Advisor I! My college journey began at Purdue University in Lafayette Indiana where I continued my Masters in Higher Education program and graduated in 2021. I've worked in multiple higher education roles throughout the last 4 years, and have found my passion in undergraduate advising. I love helping students determine what their strengths are, and how we can best mold that to your academic journey while planning for the future. I serve as the liaison for the School of Public Health! When I’m not in the office, I love being active with my dogs, exploring all that Memphis has to offer, and traveling! I look forward to working with you and hope to be your biggest cheerleader during this exciting start to your college career. Go Tigers! |
| Brookelynn Lopez - Academic Advisor I |
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Hi! I’m Brookelynn Lopez, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I attended The University of Memphis and earned my Bachelor of Science in Education in 2019 and my Master of Arts in Teaching in 2021. I served as a Physical Education Teacher in Millington and a 5th Grade Math and Science teacher for Shelby County Schools for 3 years before joining our team here in the AAC. I’ve been advising students for 1 year and love getting to work in higher education and build positive relationships with my students. I enjoy helping them plan for their future by choosing the right courses and helping them explore their passions. When I’m not in the office, you can find me rewatching my favorite TV shows for the 5th time or snuggling with my two dogs, Juno and Duke. I serve as the liaison for the College of Health Sciences. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey! |
| Matthew Mende - Academic Advisor I |
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Hello there! I’m Matt Mende, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I attended undergrad at West Virginia University and graduate school at Canisius University. I’ve been advising students for 4 years and love helping you explore your passions, choose the right courses, and plan for your future. When I’m not in the office, you can find me enjoying live music or playing with my cat, Charlie. I serve as the liaison for Pre-Health and Pre-Professional. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey. |
| Quinlan Rhodes - Academic Advisor I |
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Hi! I’m Quinlan, and I’m excited to accompany you on your educational journey! I've been an advisor I at the Academic Advising Center since October 2024. I earned a bachelor's degree in psychology with a minor in art from the University of Mississippi. In 2015, I graduated from the University of Memphis with a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. Before I became an academic advisor, I worked as a freelance writer and mental health therapist. As your academic advisor, I will serve as a guide, sounding board, and cheerleader. When I’m not in the office, you can find me spending time with my family, painting, reading, and writing. I serve as the liaison for the School of Communication Sciences and Disorders. I look forward to getting to know you as you pursue your academic and career goals! |
| Rebekah Comer - Academic Advisor I |
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Hi! I’m Rebekah Comer, and I’m excited to be your advisor here in the Academic Advising Center. I attended Mississippi State University where I earned my bachelor's degree in Secondary English Education before moving on to Mississippi College where I earned my Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction. I’ve been advising students since November of 2024 and love helping you explore your passions, choose the right courses, and plan for your future. When I’m not in the office, you can find me reading a new novel, watching documentaries, or seeing a play or musical. I serve as the liaison for the Kemmons Wilson School and the Helen Hardin Honors College. I look forward to working with you and supporting you on your journey! |
