“Dr. Massie-Burrell is an experienced and dynamic individual who will provide leadership and coordination for Universitywide programs and efforts that will support a higher degree of student success and retention,” said Dr. Stephen Simpson, provost at FSU.

In her new role at FSU, Massie-Burrell will be responsible for a variety of critical initiatives, including developing and implementing an undergraduate retention and advising plan and programs to improve University retention and graduation rates, as well as promoting and facilitating more collaboration between FSU’s Academic Affairs division and Student and Educational Services. Massie-Burrell will also focus on assisting students in finding the appropriate staff and faculty resources to address issues that might challenge their ability to continue with their education.

Massie-Burrell has spent her first few months at FSU meeting with a variety of colleagues and students, as part of assessing FSU’s current issues and challenges relating to retention and graduation rates.

“I have found that we have a very welcoming community at FSU, so I’m looking forward to building upon the strong institutional practices that currently exist,” she said. “Once I learn more about what we do, I can share my expertise and collaborate with our faculty and staff to establish new academic and co-curricular programming goals.”

Prior to joining FSU, Massie-Burrell served as director and learning specialist at Towson University’s Academic Achievement Center. She has a doctorate in counseling and personnel services from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a master’s degree in human resources and behavioral management from Johns Hopkins University. She was the recipient of the 2010-2011 Outstanding Research in Developmental Education from the Maryland state affiliate of the National Association of Developmental Education.