Samantha Brandeberry
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email brandeberrys@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
Use this link to schedule an appointment
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 audiobooks, hanging with her chihuahua Teddy and cat Lucy, and quilting – most likely all three at the same time.
Ike Howdeshell
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email ihowdeshell@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Use this link to schedule an appointment
Born and raised in St. Louis, Ike ventured out of state for college, earning a BA in political science from the University of Rochester. He then worked for two years as an admissions counselor at his alma mater before returning home to pursue an MEd in secondary education at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. While an UMSL student, Ike taught a semester in China, loved it, and spent thirteen additional years there! He taught both high school and university abroad, but most enjoyed his time advising students on future study in the US.
In 2023, Ike and his wife welcomed a son and decided to return to Missouri to raise him. Because of his passion for helping young people find their way, Ike decided to pivot away from classroom teaching and into one-on-one academic advising. MU’s Discovery Center was the perfect fit as it allows him to work exclusively with Exploring students as they discover what Mizzou has to offer and what they have to offer the wider world. In his free time, Ike can be found playing his guitar poorly and exercising infrequently.
Cason Heath Jones
Academic Advisor – Exploring Students
place M110 Student Success Center
email jonescas@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Use this link to schedule an appointment
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 taught professional development seminars for students in Health Sciences for several years before joining our team. 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
Use this link to schedule an appointment.
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 has experience in academic coaching 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 an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Kathleen has more than 20 years of experience in academic advising. She has worked as an academic advisor at the University of Missouri-Columbia for many years and then 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.
Alison Lee, Ed.D.
Senior Academic Advisor
place M110 Student Success Center
email leeal@missouri.edu
phone (573) 884-9700
With 19 years of experience in higher education, Alison has served in academic advising roles supporting a range of student populations, including military-affiliated students, major-specific cohorts, and students in exploratory studies. She currently serves as an instructor and co-coordinator of DISCOVER, a course for first-year exploratory students designed to support intentional major selection and career development. In addition, Alison has served as a Central Region Representative for the Missouri Academic Advising Association (MACADA).
Alison holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Columbia College, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri. Her research interests focus on first-year curricula for undeclared students that support major and career exploration.
Tahna Long
TRiO Academic Advisor
place 102 Student Success Center
email tblong@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Tahna Long, MA, is an Academic Advisor for TRiO Student Support Services at the University of Missouri. Prior to joining TRiO, she spent more than 18 years in higher education serving as a college instructor, professional writing tutor, and Writing Center Coordinator, dedicating her career to helping students find their voices and recognize that they belong in higher education.
She earned her Master of Arts in English with emphases in Folklore/Ethnography and Disability Studies from the University of Missouri. Outside of her academic advising and work with students, Tahna is a creative writer currently putting the final touches on her young adult novel, Banished Monkey Island. A longtime member of the Columbia community, her favorite local spots are 9th Street and MU’s own Ellis Library.
Christin Correll, Ed.D.
Director, Office of Academic Pathways
place M110 Student Success Center
email christin.correll@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Dr. Christin Correll serves as the Director of Academic Pathways, where she oversees the Transfer Center and the Discovery Center. When asked about her approach to her work at MU, she said:
“My work is deeply personal to me. As a proud Mizzou alum who navigated college as a first‑generation transfer student, I bring that lived experience into everything I do. It shaped how I see students, how I support them, and why a student‑centered approach guides every decision I make.
I’ve spent more than 20 years in higher education with a focus on academic advising and student success. I completed my doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis at Mizzou, and that academic journey continues to influence the way I lead and collaborate.
In my role, I guide our strategic plan, build partnerships across and beyond campus, and assess the outcomes of the services we provide. I believe that meaningful support comes from truly understanding students, their stories, their goals, and the barriers they face. My motto has always been simple: students should know they have a village behind them as they navigate their college experience. That commitment to a student‑centered, community‑driven approach is what fuels my work every day.”
Kristen Rizzo
Student Support Specialist II
place M110 Student Success Center
email kristenrizzo@missouri.edu
phone 573-884-9700
Rizzo joined Mizzou as a Student Support Specialist after spending nearly 30 years in education, first teaching middle school math and later high school algebra. She began her teaching career in New York before moving to Texas, where she spent much of her career.
When her family made the move to Missouri, Rizzo saw an opportunity to begin a new chapter while continuing the part of teaching she valued most: helping students find their path. Mizzou already felt a little like home. Both of her daughters attended the university, with one graduating in 2024 and the other is preparing to graduate in the spring of 2027.
At the Discovery and Transfer Center, Rizzo works with students in a variety of ways, from helping them connect with advisors and resources on campus to introducing prospective transfer students to Mizzou and from coordinating events to leading student employees. Her years in the classroom taught her that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to supporting students. Everyone communicates, learns and responds differently, and she tries to meet students where they are while giving them the honest guidance they need to move forward.
Rizzo brings that same mix of empathy, encouragement and straight talk to students and families. She believes supporting young adults means not only helping them find answers, but also helping them develop the confidence to advocate for themselves and take ownership of what comes next.
Outside of work, Rizzo enjoys spending time with her amazing husband of over 20 years, spending time outdoors, working out and tending to her ever-growing collection of houseplants.