Search Close Search
Search Close Search
Page Menu

Meet the Student Affairs Team

Student Affairs Staff Listed Alphabetically

Michele DeSeve
Admin Manager, Student Affairs
Michele.DeSeve@umassmed.edu
508-856-2227

Michele oversees the administrative functions of the T.H. Chan School of Medicine's Office of Student Affairs. She finds great joy and personal fulfillment in supporting the needs of our students and helping make their medical-school journey a little easier. Michele has a passion for writing, formatting and proofreading, so if you need an extra pair of eyes or help “dressing things up,” Michele would be delighted to help with that too!

Michele loves spending time with her husband, two children and adorable black Labrador Retriever, Winnie, or heading to a concert or the Adirondacks. Please feel free to reach out to Michele or visit any time, even if it is just for a warm welcome and smile!

------

Michael Ennis, MD
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs/Advising
Michael.Ennis@umassmed.edu
508-856-2304

Dr. Ennis has a strong interest in medical student career development.
He is also the 2017 Recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Mentoring!
Dr. Ennis is one of the founders of learning communities at UMass and
he continues to serve as Co-Director of the Learning Communities Program. Mike has been the recipient of multiple teaching awards and was honored with Gold Foundation’s Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. He also serves as the faculty advisor to the UMass Chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society.

------

Maria Garcia, MD
Assistant Dean, Student Affairs/Diversity
Maria.GarciaMD@umassmed.edu
508-856-5484

Dr. Garcia has a strong interest in working with medical students in the roles of advocacy, academic advancement and wellness.  She works closely as faculty advisor with medical school student groups from diverse backgrounds.  She also has an interest in diversity and inclusion programming for students partnering
with the Diversity and Inclusion Office in these efforts. 

------

Anne Garrison, MD
Associate Dean for Student Affairs,
T.H. Chan School of Medicine
Anne.Garrison@umassmed.edu

Dr. Garrison has been the Associate Dean for Student Affairs since October 2021. Prior to coming to the Student Affairs team, she chaired the Core Clinical Experience Committee and was the OB/GYN Clerkship Director. She is a practicing general OB/GYN physician at UMass Memorial Health. She has a particular interest in career counseling and decision making and is dedicated to ensuring every student gets to their end goal—no matter how varied the path.

In her spare time, Dr. Garrison enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, daughter and two dogs, exercise in any form, and anything and everything Disney World.

------

Debra Leger
Project Coordinator, Student Affairs
Debra.Leger@umassmed.edu
508-856-2304

As a member of the Student Affairs team, Deb oversees advancement and promotion processes for all students. She ensures that your academic record is up to date with regard to enrollment status, collaborating closely with the Registrar’s Office and IT. Deb will help keep your schedule up to date in Peoplesoft, especially in years 3 and 4, adding/dropping electives, adding Away electives or Student Designed electives to your schedule. Your 4th year will be
very busy, and Deb will help you with graduation tracking for enrollment requirements, ready your MSPE for upload to the AAMC and certify you for Match Day.

In her spare time, Deb enjoys the outdoors, gardening, and riding her horses.

------

Lauren Opie
Project Coordinator, Student Affairs
Lauren.Opie@umassmed.edu
508-856-3789

Lauren is your very friendly campus resource for the visiting student application process (in VSLO) and onboarding. She performs ad hoc background checks, coordinates drug screening and attestations for clinical rotations, and manages the annual regulatory compliance processes. Lauren is also in charge of the 3rd and 4th year lottery for required rotations and their site assignments.

------

Tea Xharja
Project Coordinator, Student Affairs
Tea.Xharja@umassmed.edu
508-856-5827

Tea is Student Affairs' enthusiastic lead for coordination of Orientation for incoming T.H. Chan School of Medicine students, the Careers in Medicine series, White Coat Ceremony, Match Day, T.H. Chan School of Medicine Awards Ceremony, Commencement, as well as other events. Tea also advises the Student Body Committee and Learning Community House Chairs as they plan student activities, as well as coordinate student reimbursement for these events.

In her spare time, Tea enjoys spending time with my family, living room dance parties with her daughter, and all things beauty!

------

To Be Hired
Administrative Assistant III, Student Affairs

The administrative assistant will be the first point of contacct with the Office of Student Affairs, and will schedule student appointments with the ADSA. As a member of the Student Affairs team, they will support OSA processes and events, and connect students with the contacts and resources they need.

 

Office of Student Affairs 
T.H. Chan School of Medicine
studentaffairs@umassmed.edu

Main (508) 856-2285
Fax (774) 455-6640