Michelle Steiner, PhD

Michelle serves as the Director of Undergraduate Academic Success. In this role, she oversees the Office of Academic Advising and collaborates with the George Mason community to positively impact the undergraduate experience.

Higher education is where Michelle has worked for 23 years, to include supervising academic advising units at University of Minnesota, University of New Mexico, and The George Washington University and overseeing a large learning assistance center (CAPS) at University of New Mexico. At Marymount University she initially directed The Center for Teaching and Learning and then oversaw the Student Academic Hub, collaborating across the Marymount community to develop initiatives focused on student retention and graduation as the Assistant Vice President for Student Success.

Michelle holds a BA in Psychology and Sociology, an MA in Psychology, and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology – all from SUNY Stony Brook. She is series co-editor of Theory & Practice for Peer Tutors and Learning Center Professionals and co-authored The Rowman & Littlefield Guide to Learning Center Administration: Leading Peer Tutoring Programs in Higher Education, as part of that series.

Family and friends are an important part of Michelle’s free time. Her son, Xavier (“X”), is in his senior year of high school, and both Michelle and her partner, Jon, are enjoying watching and engaging with the “gearing up for college” process from the parent lens. Friend time involves book club and impromptu gatherings in the neighborhood. Most mornings you can find Michelle at the gym, desperately trying to follow a rather challenging workout regimen prepared by X. Her 2 cats, Tsunami and Storm, are good company as she recovers from any given workout day.