Alison Lee
Interim Director
place M110 Student Success Center
email leeal@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
Originally from Australia, Ali Lee calls Columbia, Missouri home. Alison earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College and an M.Ed. in Education Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri. She is pursuing her doctorate at the University of Missouri in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Her dissertation interests are first-year major and career exploration courses for exploring students.
With 16 years of experience in higher education, Alison has worked as an academic advisor for multiple advising populations, including military, major-specific, and currently exploring students. She also serves as an instructor and co-coordinator of the SSC 1150 DISCOVER course for first-year exploring students, which assists students in the major and career exploration process. Alison has also served with MACADA: Missouri Academic Advising Association as a Central Region Representative and is active in the University of Missouri System Advisor Development Program.
Samantha Brandeberry
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email brandeberrys@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
Samantha Brandeberry’s primary role is to guide students through the self-discovery process of exploring majors and careers and help them find a major they love. Today’s students face many challenges and Samantha uses a holistic approach to make sure her students feel supported as they navigate their academics and life in general.
Samantha earned her BS in Human Environmental Sciences with an emphasis in Apparel Merchandising & Product Development from the University of Arkansas. While completing her education, she was involved in student leadership opportunities which led her to pursue a career in student affairs and education. She completed her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from the University of South Alabama in 2018.
Since then, Samantha has been serving Mizzou Tigers in various roles including Residence Hall Coordinator, student organization advisor, Missouri 4-H faculty and of course, academic advisor.
When she’s not working, you can find her listening to Taylor Swift, hanging with her chihuahua Teddy and cat Lucy, and being crafty – most likely all three at the same time.
Brandi Estes
TRiO Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M123 Student Success Center
email bestes@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-6201
Brandi Estes is the TRiO SSS Academic Advisor for students in the College of Arts and Science and students in the Discovery Center.
TRiO Student Support Services is a federally funded program that provides exclusive, free services to a select group of students at MU. This program is designed to help eligible students from underrepresented groups meet the academic, financial and social demands of a college education.
As an academic advisor, Brandi works with undergraduate students participating in the TRiO SSS program by helping with planning their academic careers and connecting them with any other resources they might need.
Brandi previously served high school seniors through the Missouri College Advising Corps, a program that seeks to increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who enroll in, persist through and graduate from college.
Brandi received her BSEd in Secondary Education from Mizzou and her MEd in Educational Psychology from the University of Missouri – St. Louis. In her free time, Brandi enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and baking.
Cason Heath Jones
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email jonescas@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Cason Jones grew up in Columbia, Missouri. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and his Master of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of Missouri. During his time training and working as a teaching assistant for the Religious Studies department, Cason developed his love of teaching and serving students at Mizzou.
After completing his degrees and working for the Graduate School at Mizzou for three years in support roles, Cason began his career as an academic advisor in the College of Health Science in 2007 and has been an advisor at Mizzou ever since. Cason completed the Advisor Development Program (ADP) in 2020. Cason teaches a section of SSC 1150: College Success Seminar each fall and has taught professional development seminars for students in Health Sciences for several years. Cason has accumulated a wide array of valuable experiences and institutional knowledge as a student, advisor and instructor.
Kathleen Kerr
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email kerrk@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
Kathleen Kerr assists students with exploring majors and careers, understanding University general education and major curriculum requirements, and learning how to navigate college life. Kathleen is also a certified academic coach and can assist students with time management, organization, goal setting, problem solving, accountability and motivation. Kathleen is a “developer.” She sees the potential in students and works to help them actualize that potential. She specializes in first- and second-year exploring students and students in transition. She finds it important to help exploring students feel connected on campus, become active in the major and career decision-making process, and develop confidence in their choices.
Kathleen has a BA in Philosophy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota and a MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kathleen has 19 years of experience in academic advising. She has worked as an academic advisor at the University of Missouri-Columbia for many years and as an academic advisor and coach at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She also has worked in career services organizing recruiting events, conducting mock interviews, and performing resume reviews. She has taught learning strategies, major and career exploration, and introduction to college life classes. Kathleen enjoys spending time with her family (including two golden retrievers), gardening, cooking, fishing and hiking.
Samantha Thomas
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email thomassama@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
Samantha Thomas earned her B.A. in English from the University of Missouri in 2010, where she worked in the Discovery Center as a student ambassador for three years. Upon graduation, Samantha stepped away from higher education and worked in an administrative capacity for private businesses before returning to the University of Missouri. She has worked in the Discovery Center for nearly eight years, four as office support staff and three as an academic advisor.
Samantha’s primary responsibility as an academic advisor is to guide exploring students through the major exploration process at Mizzou. She also teaches a section of SSC 1150 Discover, which is another aspect of the major exploration process for exploring students.
When not working, Samantha enjoys spending time with her family, crafting and baking.
Evan White
Student Support Specialist II
place M110 Student Success Center
email whiteej@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Evan serves as a Student Support Specialist supporting the mission, vision and values of the Discovery Center, Transfer Center, Office of First-Generation Student Initiatives and the Student Success Center. Since 2019, Evan’s responsibilities include supporting positive student outcomes and supervising student employees in these offices. He facilitates communication with offices across campus, so students can successfully navigate their needs across campus. He has a passion for successful student outcomes and creating opportunities for positive student growth. Evan also teaches SSC 1150-Discover, a college orientation class for incoming freshman looking to explore major options across campus and learn ways to be successful in college.
“I love that I get to work in a position that supports such diverse student populations that, in some cases, are overlooked and underserved,” Evan says. I am grateful that we have spaces that are dedicated to supporting exploring, transfer, and first-generation students to find positive outcomes in navigating campus resources and opportunities at the University of Missouri.”
Evan earned his Bachelor of General Studies and a graduate certificate in Higher Education Administration from MU. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis. Evan is a member of multiple higher education organizations, including National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students (NISTS), NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Outside of higher education, Evan is a fan of Mizzou Athletics, the Philadelphia Eagles and the Oklahoma City Thunder. He is also passionate about music, and in another life would have been a music producer.