she/her
Academic Affairs Coordinator
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3795
allena@rhodes.edu
(she/her)
Director of Health Professions Advising
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3451
campbellm@rhodes.edu
Melissa serves as the Director of Health Professions Advising at Rhodes College, where she has worked since August 2015, initially as the Assistant Director of Student Academic Support. She was honored as "Administrator of the Year" at the 2024 Staff Awards Luncheon.
Melissa helps students understand the educational pathways in health professions to prepare them for graduate programs. She encourages students to consider opportunities for clinical work, service, and research while also helping them reflect on their academic and extracurricular experiences and overall goals.
Beyond her professional role, she enjoys spending time with her husband, three children, and cat, as well as participating in group exercise.
Melissa is excited to serve on the staff advisory council and is committed to advocating for a supportive workplace culture that benefits all Rhodes College staff.
Physical Plant - Special Services
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3870
careyr@rhodes.edu
Robert Carey is a member of the special service staff at Rhodes College. He started work for Rhodes as a temp hire and went on to become a full time hire grounds crew member, and later moved to special service. In his spare time Robert mentors kids at the Boys & Girls Club. He is the 2022-2023 Outstanding Administrative Service Award recipient. He will help to ensure that the staff council improves communication and motivation for all Rhodes College staff.
she/her
Assistant Director for Internships & Experiential Education
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3735
flaniganj@rhodes.edu
Sharon grew up in Mississippi and later moved to Memphis. Sharon and her husband, Alonzo, have 4 daughters, 13 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren. She started at Rhodes in 1997 as a housekeeper. She works in the BCLC, keeping our campus clean and safe. She assists with events in the Ballroom and volunteers for the student pancake break during exams. In May 2020, she received the Outstanding Administrative Service Staff award at Rhodes. In 2021 and 2023 she served on the committee for the Outstanding Administrative Service Staff awards. Sharon has also been an entrepreneur in the furniture and floral business for 35 years. In her spare time she likes gardening and volunteering in her neighborhood. She believes the Staff Advisory Council can build morale and strengthen and promote a safer workplace by developing effective solutions.
Campus Safety Sergeant
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
Morale & Community Building Committee
(901)843-3880
garrettf@rhodes.edu
Vigilant security officer with over 17 years of experience organizing and overseeing safety and security in a collegiate setting. Fred started at Rhodes in 2007, and he has received several Campus Safety and Outstanding Administrative Staff Awards. In addition to his work at Rhodes, Fred loves spending time with his family, and collecting fragrances. Fred has two sons, two daughters, and a stepdaughter. He enjoys watching football, baseball and working in his yard. He believes Staff Council can make a positive impact for all college staff, improving workplace culture, morale, and collaboration to advance the Rhodes College mission.
Head Volleyball Coach
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3910
green@rhodes.edu
Manager of Talent Acquisition & Development
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Vice Chair
901-843-3129
hotardm@rhodes.edu
As the Manager of Talent Acquisition & Development, Mariah Hotard is responsible for hiring staff employees, conducting new hire staff orientation, and advising staff on job descriptions and performance reviews. She joined Rhodes College in 2021 and was recently accepted into the 10th CUPA-HR Ignite cohort (HR leadership development program). Being a Louisiana native, she enjoys LSU football and considers herself a “foodie.” Hotard loves traveling and spending time with loved ones, including her pride and joy, Winston (adorable, fun loving, Maltipoo who enjoys walking on his two hind legs). As a member of the Staff Advisory Council, Hotard is excited to support the staff community and to help cultivate a stronger campus culture. She is passionate about the council’s initiatives and knows the team will have a profound effect.
Associate Director of Instructional Technology
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901.843.3430
kimbrell@rhodes.edu
Payroll Manager
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3144
nesmitht@rhodes.edu
Tina NeSmith, Payroll Manager, is a citizen of Cherokee Nation, a mother, a grandmother, and a finance professional with 23 years dedicated to Rhodes College. She grew up in Southern California, where she enjoyed surfing, amusement parks, and the mountains. As a young woman, her family returned to the Cherokee Reservation in Oklahoma to take care of her grandfather, during which time she met her husband, Tom, of 45 years and had two children. In the 1990s she relocated to Memphis, TN, and has lived in the Evergreen District of Midtown since. Tina enjoys riding her bike to work through Overton Park, visiting the Memphis Zoo with her grandkids, camping, and frequenting her favorite Memphis music venue Lafayette's. As a part of the staff council, she hopes to be helpful in identifying training opportunities to enhance college operations and improve efficiency.
Administrative Assistant II
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3550
Nevillev@rhodes.edu
Valarie Neville is an Administrative Assistant II in the Strategic Initiatives Division where she assists the team with administrative activities and coordinates various administrative processes and projects. She has been at Rhodes 2+ years. She is originally from Kansas City and relocated with her husband to Tennessee in 2018. Valarie has two daughters, six grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. In her spare time, she loves to travel and has a passion for exercise and walking. She believes the Council is an important initiative and can make a positive impact in the Rhodes Community.
Head Women's Golf Coach
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3940
poseys@rhodes.edu
Crew Leader, Housekeeping
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3870
shippm@rhodes.edu
(she/her)
Executive Director of Development Operations and Donor Relations
Senior Planned Giving Officer
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3740
soulen@rhodes.edu
Nicki leads the team responsible for Advancement data acquisition, management, and integrity, Advancement reporting and business process analysis, prospect research and identification, and stewardship. She also serves as the college’s subject matter expert supporting the planned giving program at Rhodes. Nicki is a 1993 graduate of the college and the parent of a member of the class of 2025. Nicki is also a member of the Rhodes chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, where she serves on the membership committee. Outside of her work at Rhodes, Nicki is the parent of twins and a rescue dog named Emmett. She is passionate about travel and is an avid reader. Nicki is a member of Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she is part of the Social Justice ministry team and facilitates Sacred Ground, a dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Nicki is honored to be a representative to the inaugural Rhodes Staff Advisory Council and looks forward to the work we will do together.
(she/her)
Director of Admission
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Chair
X3225
starlingm@rhodes.edu
Megan, Class of 2002, returned to serve in the Office of Admission in 2009. She first served as an Assistant Director of Admission, primarily responsible for traveling and recruiting students from specific areas of the country. In her current role as Director, she continues to recruit students, but is also responsible for the bigger picture in admission practices as well as empowering the world’s best admission counseling team. In 2013, the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling honored her with the Rising Star Award. She was recognized by Rhodes as the Outstanding Staff Member at the 2017 Campus Life Awards. Megan and her husband, Justin (also ’02), stay busy with three children, who will often be spotted on campus. They see Rhodes and its community as a second home! The Starlings spend lots of time in Overton Park, where Megan enjoys going for runs after work. Free time is hard to come by, but soaking up all that Memphis has to offer, including its amazing food and cultural events, is a priority.
Megan was likely among the first to express interest in the Staff Advisory Council, giving voice to essential members of the Rhodes community. She is excited that staff will have a formal body to provide advocacy and collaboration.
Video Producer
Rhodes Staff Advisory Council Representative
901-843-3712
vandrimmelene@rhodes.edu
Ethan van Drimmelen produces videos to recruit students and advance the college’s reputation. He started at Rhodes in 2019 and received the honor of “Supervisor of the Year” at the 2023 Campus Life Awards. Ethan received this award through involvement in the Rhodes Student Associate program, mentoring student employees. In addition to his work at Rhodes, Ethan is passionate about home improvement and learning handy skills on YouTube. Ethan is the proud father of 3 kids. His ‘family circus’ includes a rescue dog named Shiloh. Ethan enjoys woodworking and gardening. He believes the Staff Advisory Council can make a positive impact for all college staff, improving workplace culture, morale, and collaboration to advance the Rhodes College mission.