When Dr. Mary Bryant, V’95 (pictured above, at center), began her role as Executive Director of the Office of Students last May, she embarked on a team-building exercise with her staff. One of the ideas that emerged from this activity was to rename the office as “the Office for Students.”
“Our office is here to serve the students,” said Bryant. “One of our primary goals is to oversee their welfare and needs during their years on campus. It seemed fitting to adjust our name accordingly.”
And the change has gone far beyond a simple name alteration. Under Bryant’s leadership, the Office for Students has hired three new employees to serve as student advocates.
Dr. Dana Lehman
As part of the University’s ongoing efforts to address mental health and wellness, Dr. Dana Lehman of Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is now providing counseling services to students at Penn Vet.
Lehman is stationed on-site at the School several hours each week in the evening to accommodate student clinical schedules. If this special pilot program is successful, CAPS hopes to expand such services to other graduate schools in the future.
“Student mental health is an area of growing concern, and I’m thrilled that Penn Vet is taking the issue so seriously,” said Lehman. “Being at Penn Vet allows students immediate access to services they might not be able to utilize otherwise. I’m excited to be part of the Penn Vet community, and of this innovative program.”
Lehman is a graduate of the clinical psychology program at Widener University. She is the former director of the Eating Disorder Day Treatment Program at the Belmont Center for Comprehensive Treatment and maintains a private practice in Center City Philadelphia.
Nichole Moore, Associate Director of Financial Aid
As Associate Director of Financial Aid, Nichole Moore advises prospective and current students and their families on ways to make a Penn Vet education financially manageable, while also overseeing billing accounts and nancial assistance programs.
Moore has worked at the University of Pennsylvania for 26 years in Student Financial Services, helping students and their families with billing, nancial aid, and loans. She also was responsible for reviewing nancial aid applications for need-based university and federal aid funding.
“I am thrilled to bring my knowledge of Penn’s nancial aid programs to Penn Vet,” Moore said. “My goal is to ensure that a Penn Vet education is not out of reach for those who are interested.”
When she’s not working at Penn Vet, Moore graciously shares her expertise with others. She volunteers at a West Philadelphia community development center, where she hosts FAFSA completion nights and gives presentations about the nancial aid process.
Mike O'Brien, Academic Manager
Mike O’Brien joins Penn Vet as Academic Manager, responsible for key aspects of the School’s curriculum including enrollment and grading. In addition, he schedules all classes and laboratories and maintains student transcripts and class rankings.
Before joining Penn Vet, O’Brien served as Program Assistant in the Of ce of Winter & Summer Sessions at Rowan University. There, he worked closely with the Of ce’s executive director to plan and implement student events and programs leading up to and taking place over the summer term.
Beyond working in higher education, O’Brien also has held positions in IT support and still has a penchant for technology. In addition, he is quite skilled at generating school spirit, having served as Scarlet Raptor—the mascot of Rutgers University in Camden.
“Throughout my career—whether as a Peer Mentor, IT Consultant, or Program Assistant—I have always enjoyed supporting students,” O’Brien said. “I look forward to getting to know the students of Penn Vet and working to make their years here as seamless and enjoyable as possible.”