Department of Orientation and First-Year Programs

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Staff

Michelle O'Malley
Director

Michelle O'Malley arrived at Brandeis in July 2004 as Director of Orientation and First-Year Programs. She graduated from Springfield College in 1994 with her Master of Education in Student Personnel Administration/Counseling and Psychological Services and has been working in Higher Education ever since. She has worked in the areas of student activities, residential programming, leadership development, conference planning, international students, study abroad, and of course, orientation. At Brandeis she works with students and staff to plan and coordinate all orientation programs for undergraduate students. In addition, she co-advises the Roosevelt Fellows, assists her academic advisees, and has had the opportunity to design and implement first-year programs that assist in the transition of new students, including the First-Year Experience: Spirit, Mind and Body course that she developed. Michelle lives in New Hampshire with her husband, Tim, and her daughters, Abigail and Olivia.

Kerri Hennessey-Lebel
Department Coordinator

Kerri is a graduate of Endicott College, class of 2003, with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality. Prior to coming to Brandeis in the Fall of 2006 she worked in the hotel industry with the Hilton Family of Hotels for four years (no, she didn't work with Paris). Kerri is also a Waltham native who in her spare time enjoys spending time with her family, her husband Eric and her dog, Nixon.

Jenny Abdou
New Student Orientation Programs Specialist

Jenny graduated from Quinnipiac University in 2005 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology.  After being an orientation leader, community advisor, resident assistant, and career services intern, she decided that higher education and working with students was definitely for her.  Upon completing her undergraduate degree, she went on to receive her Master’s degree in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island in 2007.  She loves meeting and working with students, staff, and faculty and is really excited about being at Brandeis!  Jenny is originally from Westwood, MA and is currently living in Dedham, MA with her husband, Dave.