New housing and residence life executive director enjoys first week at MSU
Contact: Sasha Steinberg
STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Bulldog spirit at Mississippi State’s recent MVNU2MSU event couldn’t have left a better impression on Dei Allard.
As newly appointed executive director of the university’s Department of Housing and Residence Life, Allard witnessed the excitement and energy of over 2,300 new and returning students and more than 270 volunteers who assisted them with moving into campus residence halls this past Saturday.
“MVNU2MSU was quite a success because campus partners, volunteers and workers were friendly and ready to help students and their families,” said Allard, who officially joined the Bulldog family Aug. 7.
Anticipating a productive fall semester, Allard comes to MSU after serving as associate director of housing and residence life at the University of North Florida, where she is completing her doctoral studies with a focus on educational leadership. She succeeds Ann Bailey, an MSU higher education administration doctoral alumna who retired in May after nearly 17 years of service to the university.
A Florida State University psychology bachelor’s and higher education master’s graduate, Allard also has worked at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Appalachian State University and Ball State University.
“Dei is poised to be an exceptional leader for our outstanding team of housing and residence life staff and students as we chart the next steps in our growth and development with a focus on student learning, success and engagement,” said MSU Vice President for Student Affairs Regina Young Hyatt in welcoming Allard to the state’s leading university.
In addition to her duties at MSU, Allard will lend her higher education leadership expertise while serving as chairperson for the 2019 Southeastern Association of Housing Officers conference.
For more information on MSU’s Division of Student Affairs, visit www.saffairs.msstate.edu; the Department of Housing and Residence Life, www.housing.msstate.edu.
MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.