Meet the Staff

Elizabeth Walsh

Liz Walsh

Director
she/her
216 Warfield Hall
513-529-1834
walshek@MiamiOH.edu


Bio

Liz Walsh joined Orientation and Transition Programs staff in July 2015 as Assistant Director and has served as Director since March 2021. Liz is originally from Peabody, Massachusetts and received a bachelor's degree in Communication from Western New England University in 2012 and a Master's degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University in 2014. Liz is currently working on her doctoral degree in the same program here at Miami.

In addition to her work in Orientation and Transition Programs, Liz has worked for Miami's Office of Residence Life, and has instructed several courses focused on the first-year college experience, career development, and intercultural dialogue.

Topics to Contact Liz About

  • orientation planning, programs, and systems
  • orientation for first-year students
  • orientation for change of campus students
  • graduate student assistantships, internships, and practica
  • returning SOUL applications
  • EDL 290F: The Nature of Group Leadership for Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders
  • first-year experience courses
  • anything related to your transition to Miami
  • all Orientation and Transition Programs topics and programs

Melanie Watterson headshot

Melanie Watterson

Program Associate
she/her
211 Warfield Hall
513-529-9771 

Bio

Melanie Watterson joined Orientation and Transition Programs in April 2015. Prior to joining our office's staff, she worked in Miami's Telecommunications Department; she has been a staff member at Miami since 2011. Melanie will be your first point of contact should you need to call Orientation and Transition Programs - she looks forward to helping new students and families make a smooth transition to Miami!

Topics to Contact Melanie About

  • program registration
  • program details
  • general questions about transitioning to Miami University 

Vacant


Assistant Director
214 Warfield Hall
513-529-1880 

Topics to Contact Assistant Director About

  • SOUL recruitment
  • SOUL employment
  • first-year experience undergraduate associates and EDT 310: Applications of Peer Education
  • Miami Bound pre-semester programs
  • First 50 Days
  • transfer student orientation

Andrea HowardAndrea Howard


Assistant Director
she/her
212 Warfield Hall
513-529-4012 
howar182@MiamiOH.edu

Bio

Andrea Howard joined Orientation and Transition Programs in April 2022. Originally from Scottsburg, Indiana, Andrea received bachelor’s degrees in Actuarial Science and Economics from Bellarmine University in 2019 and a Master’s degree in College Student Affairs from the University of West Georgia in 2021. Prior to working at Miami, Andrea worked with new student and family programs in various capacities - beginning as an orientation leader at her undergraduate institution. Andrea loves  welcoming new students to the Miami community and providing them with the tools, resources, and experiences pertinent to a successful transition and overall collegiate experience.

Topics to Contact Andrea About

  • SOUL selection
  • SOUL training
  • first-year experience undergraduate associates and EDT 310: Applications of Peer Education
  • Welcome Weekend
  • change of campus student orientation
Nathan Flyzik

Davis Mackelcan


Graduate Assistant
he/him
110 Warfield Hall
mackeldw@MiamiOH.edu

Bio

Davis Mackelcan joined Orientation and Transition Programs staff in August 2022. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Davis holds a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies and Political Science from Bucknell University. Prior to working at Miami, Davis worked extensively with Bucknell’s New Student Orientation program. Davis is looking forward to promoting growth and leadership among new students and learning more about the field of student affairs. 

Topics to Contact Davis About

  •  first-year experience undergraduate associate mentor program
  •  communications for new students and families