Assistant Dean for Student Services Melissa Adams increasing student support in the College of Liberal Arts

Charlotte Tuggle | 7/1/2022

The Office of Student Services in the College of Liberal Arts has made a strategic move to strengthen the support of Auburn CLA students from the first campus visit through career placement.

Melissa Adams, former director of student services and longtime academic advisor, has been chosen to strategically lead the office of student services to align with Auburn’s strategic plan and Auburn’s Quality Enhancement Plan, AUBURNACHIEVE, to elevate the Auburn experience and further student outcomes. As assistant dean for student services, Adams will facilitate the development of student support programs from recruitment to career services.

“This new position allows for greater collaboration between all student services areas and academic departments within the College of Liberal Arts to enhance the student experience,” Adams said. “Through student services, students have resources accessible to them at every stage of their academic journey. Our goal is for our students to have an exceptional experience while at Auburn in the College of Liberal Arts and find success upon graduation.”

Student Services in the College of Liberal Arts includes units that focus on recruitment, academic advising, student support programs and career services.

Recruiters engage prospective Auburn students and provide tours and information pertaining to college programs. Advisors lead students through the completion of degree requirements and connect them with educational activities that support their career goals. Student support programs include activities that engage students with the college community and promote academic success. And Career Services provides students with opportunities for professional development, to learn effective job search techniques and to interact with employers.

With the restructured student services, Adams said students can better access and take advantage of all the office offers.

“The main goal of the restructuring of Student Services is to provide overarching services that cover the entire student experience from recruitment to advising, student support and career services,” Adams said. “Bringing all services under the same umbrella increases the accessibility of services to current students and allows students to move seamlessly between needed services.”

Moving forward, Adams will focus on building and evaluating programs, increasing student engagement and fostering collaboration between units.

Prior to this role, Adams served as the director of student services for the College of Liberal Arts, overseeing academic advising, recruitment and orientation. She holds both a M.Ed. in Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Adult Education from Auburn University. Her doctoral research focused on high-impact practices and first destination outcomes of liberal arts graduates.

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Charles Israel said Adams’ experience and research uniquely positioned her to direct a strategic investment in student success.

“The College of Liberal Arts has created this position with a vision to improve students’ experience, academic success and career preparedness. Dr. Adams is the perfect leader to bring these units together,” Israel said. “As Assistant Dean, she will bring a new coherence and synergy to existing student services, allowing us to work more seamlessly with our students wherever they are in their academic journey and better utilize the resources of our experienced and supportive student services professionals.”

For more information about CLA Student Services, visit here.

Tags: Students Career Services