Staff

If you have any general questions or concerns, please e-mail ugadvise@bryant.edu. You may also call the Undergraduate Advising Office at 401-232-6210 to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor.

We are located in the M-wing (MRC 201) of the Unistructure on the first floor.

Our office hours are from 8:30am to 6:30pm Monday through Thursday, and from 8:30am to 4:30pm on Fridays. We are closed on the weekends.

Get to know our staff!
 

Lori Johnson, Assistant to the V.P. of Academic Affairs
ljohnson@bryant.edu

I earned a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Social Work from Saint Mary’s College and a Master of Science in Administration from the University of Notre Dame. My master’s level work focused on the stewardship and administration of not for profit institutions. In January of 2004, I started as Director of Undergraduate Advising at Bryant, and in 2007 I was promoted to Assistant to the Vice-President of Academic Affairs. My role now encompasses not only the administration of the advising program, but also oversight of the Study Abroad Office and the Office of Records and Registration. Before beginning my tenure at Bryant, I served in a number of professional roles. Early in my career I worked as an advisor and academic coordinator at the University of Notre Dame in the Upward Bound Program. And, prior to my appointment here, I was the Assistant Director of First Year Studies at Saint Mary’s College.

I chose education as a profession because I get a tremendous amount of satisfaction working with students. Advising and study abroad both provide opportunities to work with students on a one to one basis. I enjoy being a part of the process of student learning and development, and I especially like helping students assess their interests, figure out what they’re good at and set ambitious goals. In my free time you’ll find me traveling, reading (current events, politics, biographies and fiction – I especially love a good mystery!), at the movies or keeping fit.

 

Aaron Dashiell, Assistant Director-Academic Services for Student Athletes
adashiel@bryant.edu

I am a graduate of the University of Maine (2000, 2002) with a Masters in Higher Education. I was a two time All-American free safety on the University of Maine football team in 1998 and 1999. I have been working at Bryant for a total of 7 years and spent two years working as an Academic Advisor with the Rutgers University Football team, in Piscataway, New Jersey. I am a certifying officer for the Bryant University Varsity Athletic teams, ensuring that all student-athletes are deemed eligible for competition by NCAA standards. I am also the primary academic advisor for all student-athletes and the academic liaison between athletics and the faculty here at Bryant. I was born in New Jersey and currently reside in Worcester, Massachusetts with my wife Joanne and son Theo.

 

Joanne Sciuto, Assistant Director
jsciuto@bryant.edu

Greetings from the Undergraduate Advising Office! I have worked in Higher Education for over 25 years assisting students in various capacities in achieving academic success. I received my Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development from the University of Rhode Island and my Masters in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University. I was previously employed at Northeastern University in the Cooperative Education Department. In my present role as Assistant Director, I am here to guide and assist students as they navigate their educational experience through careful academic planning, achievement of career goals and discovering their place in a global arena.

When I am not here supporting the Bryant student community, I can be found at any of the areas numerous tennis courts. I love the game of tennis, and I hope to one day attend all four Grand Slam events! I have traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and Europe, and I presently make my home in Lincoln, RI with my husband and 2 daughters.

 

Margrete Jean-Louis, Academic Advisor
mjeanlou@bryant.edu

I received my BS from Bennett College in Greensboro, NC and my MS in Education from The College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. I’ve been an academic advisor for 10 years. A big piece of being an academic advisor is to act as a catalyst for students. We’re the tool that is used to guide students along their journey at Bryant. Students come to Bryant with endless potential and talent, and we help them to develop and enhance it, throughout their academic career at Bryant. Academic advisors not only assist students in fulfilling their degree requirements, but make it a thoughtful, challenging and fulfilling four years as well. It is so rewarding to me, to see the full cycle of change when Bryant students arrive as first-year students, through the maturity, self-realization and decisiveness that takes place by the time they’re seniors. It’s truly gratifying to see graduating seniors I’ve advised through the course of four years, walk through the Bryant Archway at commencement with such bright futures ahead of them and seeing the pride and accomplishment they’ve recognized within themselves on that special day!

Things I enjoy doing outside of work are spending time with my 6 and 7-year old sons, husband and dog. I also enjoy photography, playing the piano, reading mystery novels, and watching suspenseful movies.

 

Stephanie Perry, Academic Advisor
sperry6@bryant.edu

I received a BS in Psychology with a concentration in Mental Health Services from Worcester State College (2004) and an M.Ed in School Counseling from the University of Massachusetts Boston (2007). Prior to Bryant, I was an academic advisor in the College of Business at Northeastern University and worked in disability services at UMass Boston. I started working at Bryant in October 2009 and have enjoyed every minute. I advise students across all majors and class years and work with students who study abroad in the UK & Ireland. It is fulfilling to assist students, help them realize their potential and guide them as they achieve their academic and personal goals.  I find advising students to be especially rewarding because I know I am in a position to make a difference.

When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Steve, and playing with our two dogs, Dodger and Fenway. As you might have guessed, I am a big Red Sox fan and make the effort to visit a different stadium each year to watch them play. I am a fan of all Boston sports teams. I also enjoy reading, watching movies and vacationing in the Cape each summer.

 

Chris DaCosta, Academic Advisor
cdacosta@bryant.edu

I earned a BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island and a MS in Counselor Education with a concentration in Student Development in Higher Education from Central Connecticut State University. During my time at CCSU, I worked as an academic advisor and career counselor. I began working at Bryant during the summer in 2011 and have absolutely enjoyed every second of it! My only goal is to assist students in reaching and exceeding their own! Between the motivated students, knowledgeable faculty and supportive staff, Bryant truly is the epitome of a collaborative community.

Working in higher education is rewarding, particularly when working with our student population. Outside of Bryant I like to keep myself busy with other things I enjoy. As a native Rhode Islander, you can find in various locations around the state ranging from restaurants in Providence, beaches in Newport, or basketball courts in Tiverton (my hometown). You can’t beat RI in the summertime! I love playing/watching basketball, football, tennis, and soccer and I am immensely proud of my Portuguese heritage and family. When it’s time to relax I’ll either have my running shoes laced up or a pen and paper in hand.

 

Krystal Ristaino, Academic Advisor
kristain@bryant.edu

I attended Quinnipiac University and received my BS in Marketing in 2005 and continued my education at the University of Rhode Island where I received my MS in Human Development and Family Studies.  Upon graduation in 2007, I began working at Bryant as an Area Director.  For four years, I worked with first-year to senior level students who resided on campus.  In December 2011, I transitioned over to the Undergraduate Advising Office where I was able to continue my work supporting and developing our students. I really enjoy the work that I do and value all of the wonderful people I work with.

When I am not working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.  My hobbies include cooking, reading, watching football and relaxing at a beach.  I also enjoy trying new restaurants in the area, so feel free to give me some suggestions.

 

Pam Duguay, Office Coordinator

I received my Secretarial Certificate from Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Providence, RI. I have been employed at Bryant University for approximately 13 years. As Office Coordinator, and one of the first points of contact in the office, I am responsible for helping students with questions and concerns they may have and directing them to the appropriate person or office for guidance. I am depended upon to help maintain a productive and smooth work environment. What I enjoy most about my job is the interaction with students, staff, and faculty. I derive pleasure from helping others.

When I am not at work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, working on puzzles, traveling when I can, and playing with and walking my dog Kodi. I especially enjoy spending time at our lake house in the summer reading a good book!

 

Kris Shepherd, Academic Advising Assistant

My work experience has always been in higher education because I love the sense of community in the academic environment and the enthusiasm and energy of the students. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Plymouth State University, Plymouth, NH, I established a career in admissions. I have been at Bryant since 2002 and in the Undergraduate Advising office since 2006. The Undergraduate Advising office has that energetic atmosphere of helping students. My position as Academic Advising Assistant includes providing support to the Academic Advisors, scheduling appointments for students, processing transfer credit, and coordinating validation exams and Math and Language placement exams. When not at Bryant, I enjoy cooking, bargain shopping, and outings with my family to the beaches of Cape Cod and the city of Boston.

 

Jennifer Tolson, Evening Receptionist

I received a Bachelors degree in Marketing from the University of Cincinnati. My husband was transferred eight years ago which brought our family to Rhode Island. I grew up in Cincinnati and worked as a math tutor in an elementary school. I currently have three teenagers in College, and I enjoy working with students in the academic field. I have worked at Bryant for two years as the Evening Receptionist in Undergraduate Advising. I am responsible for setting up appointments for students with their advisors, answering the phone and fielding students’ questions, pulling student records for appointments and processing transcripts. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling back and forth to Cincinnati to visit my extended family.