Faculty-in-Residence
Ashley Stone
Faculty-in-Residence, Armstrong Commons
"I have been excited about the faculty-in-residence program since it was first being dreamed up at SMU and am so grateful to finally have an opportunity to take on this role. I am really looking forward to helping all of the Armstrong residents find their home in the Commons and at SMU and can’t wait to learn from and alongside everyone in the community."
Ashley Stone was born and raised in rural northeast Texas, which inspires her research on critical understandings of place and rural students in higher education.
Prior to earning her Ph.D. at The University of Texas at Austin and transitioning into a faculty role she served as the Director of New Student Orientation and Student Support here at SMU. After spending three years on faculty at George Washington University, she jumped at the opportunity to return to the Hilltop as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Higher Education.
Returning to Dallas has also meant being closer to home and having more time to spend being “Aunt Sassy” to her nieces and nephews and getting to be the loudest cheerleader at their little league games. She also had the joy of bringing home her pup, Margot Mae, this past October and knows Margot is also going to love walks around campus and welcoming all of the residents back to Armstrong.
In her free time she enjoys traveling, or when she can’t get away, exploring the world through new recipes in the kitchen. She is excited to bring these culinary adventures home to the Commons. Ashley’s research explores how the places we live can shape who we are and can’t wait to meet all of the residents, learn about the places they are from, and help them make SMU and Armstrong Commons home.
Dr. Nils Van den Steen
Faculty-in-Residence, Boaz Commons
“I believe some of the most meaningful college experiences happen outside the classroom—over coffee, shared meals, or game nights that run a little too late. As your Faculty-in-Residence, I’m here to support you, cheer you on, and just be present. Whether you want to talk classes, careers, or strategies for your next tabletop adventure, my door is open. College is about growth, and my lovely wife Sylke and I hope to support you through all the highs, lows, and everything in between. You don’t have to have it all figured out—just come as you are (we’ll probably have snacks).”
Dr. Nils Van den Steen is a Clinical Professor of Information Technology and Operations Management at the Cox School of Business. Originally from Belgium, he earned a BS in Business Engineering, an MS in Operations Management, and a PhD in Business Economics from Ghent University. Nils met his wife, Sylke, in high school in 2008—two weeks later, they were dating, and they’ve been together ever since. The couple moved to Dallas in 2021 when Nils joined SMU as a visiting professor, and what began as a temporary move quickly turned into home.
As Faculty-in-Residence, Nils lives in Boaz Commons alongside Sylke and their two beloved pets: Sir Momo Wellington, a charismatic powderpuff pup, and Leia, their playful cat. He is passionate about building community and believes that college is about more than academics—it’s about growth, connection, and discovering who you are outside the classroom. Whether it’s hosting game nights, discussing life over coffee, or just being a familiar face around Boaz, he is committed to supporting students through every step of their journey.
Nils has a particular love for the crossover between economics, politics, and history, and enjoys bringing that curiosity into conversations with students. He serves as a faculty mentor for the Data Analytics Club and the Alexander Hamilton Society, and is always happy to help students explore big ideas, develop new skills, or find opportunities beyond the classroom. When he’s not teaching or mentoring, you can usually find him immersed in storytelling through tabletop role-playing games, playing board games with friends, or exploring Dallas’s food scene. Above all, he and Sylke hope to help make Boaz feel like home for every student who walks through its doors.
Dr. Maria del Pilar Melgarejo
Faculty-in-Residence, Cockrell-McIntosh Commons
"I believe connecting with others is what lights up our spirit because it is a beautiful way to discover who we are and what we are capable of. Through heartfelt connections it is possible to create, transform and grow."
María del Pilar Melgarejo is passionate about creating heartfelt connections. She firmly believes there is no limit if the heart is at the center of whatever you dream of. Born and raised in her beloved country of Colombia, she holds a PhD in Literature from the University of Pittsburgh, M.A. in Philosophy and a B.A. in Social Communication and Journalism. She worked as a professor at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee for seven years, and she arrived at SMU in 2013. Dr. Melgarejo and her husband, Dr. Ruben Sanchez–Godoy, teach Latin American Literature and Culture and Spanish at the Department of World Languages and Literatures. They both enjoy creating a meaningful experience for students on campus.
Her spirited 13-year-old son, Antonio, and her creative 8-year-old daughter, Violeta, are thrilled to meet her new college friends. María del Pilar published a book on Literature and Politics in Mexico and Colombia and has several articles about literature, cinema and culture. She worked in Colombia in Human Rights and in 2020 got a certification in Life Coaching. She is passionate about wellbeing and finding a balance between mind, body and heart. She enjoys playing the ukelele, eating great food, dancing, reading fiction and non-fiction, attending music concerts, traveling and hiking. She is honored to be part of the Commons and share her passions with the students. She does believe sharing with others is food for the soul.
Dr. Kevin Gunter
Faculty-in-Residence, Crum Commons
"This role feels like a full-circle moment for me—I was an RA at SMU, and I loved building connections and creating a sense of community with students. Now I get to return to residential life in a new way, alongside my husband Dylan and our dog Bella. We’re looking forward to opening our home, sharing meals, hosting game nights, and getting to know you. I’m grateful to be part of the Crum community."
Dr. Kevin Gunter is Associate Director of the Division of Music in the Meadows School of the Arts, where he has taught for over 20 years. A specialist in piano performance and pedagogy, he works closely with undergraduate and graduate students to develop their artistry. He holds an Ed.D. in Higher Education, with research focused on how graduate programs in the arts are created. Kevin was an inaugural recipient of the SMU Moody Outstanding Mentor Award, recognizing his long-standing commitment to supporting and mentoring Meadows graduate students. Outside of his academic roles, he is an active musician and conductor in the DFW musical theatre community. Kevin serves as Faculty-in-Residence in Crum Commons, where he lives with his husband, Dylan, and their dog, Bella, a goldendoodle who is always eager to meet new people and soak up attention. You can often find the three of them walking together and documenting the local squirrel population—Bella is relentless. Kevin and Dylan enjoy video games, traveling to new cities and national parks, and their individual creative projects, including hydroponic gardening (Kevin) and carpentry (Dylan). Kevin grows a mean hot pepper. Crum’s community focus on arts as social impact aligns closely with Kevin’s work in the Dallas theatre community, as well as his role as an arts educator. He enjoys connecting students to the visual and performing arts both at Meadows and throughout Dallas. In Crum, he values the chance to bring these interests together in ways that support students and strengthen the community, and he is thrilled to take part in The Great Crumpkin.
Dr. Daniele Forlino
Faculty-in-Residence, Kathy Crow Commons
"As the youngest of nine kids, and having been an international student, I understand both the challenges and wonderful opportunities of living with students in a large, loud, diverse environment and I look forward to serving the Kathy Crow Community."
Daniele Forlino is a lecturer of Italian and serves as the Area Chair for the Italian Program. His partner, Dr. Aria Cabot is the director of the World Languages and Literatures Teaching and Technology Center at SMU.
They, along with their two children, Sofia (6 years old) and Rocco (almost 1) are thrilled to become part of the Kathy Crow family, and are eager to contribute to the intellectual enrichment of its community.
Justin Germain
Faculty-in-Residence, Loyd Commons
"I want my daughter to see the value of an examined life. What better way than having her live among undergraduates who are actually doing the work I hope she will undertake as she grows? The old proverb rings in my mind, it takes a village to raise a child. I believe that is true, and more ardently believe that the culture of the village in which a child is raised matters. SMU is an amazing village."
Justin comes to his FiR position as both an SMU alum, having completed his master’s here at SMU, and as a veteran, having served in the US Air Force and Air Force reserves for 7 years total. He comes to SMU with his five-year-old daughter, Elora, and dog Diana.
Justin began his academic journey at the University of North Texas, receiving his bachelor’s in history in 2004. He was the first in his family to graduate from college. He then completed a master’s at OU while serving active duty at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City. While in the Air Force, he led deployments to Curaçao, Montevideo, and the UK. Following his time in the military, Justin began work on his master’s at SMU. His time studying under the illustrious Patricia Rawlins, Melissa Dowling, and the late Jeremy Adams were the two most transformative experiences in his life prior to becoming a father. Later, he joined WorldTeach and went international again, living in the Amazon Rain Forest in Tena Ecuador, teaching English and learning Spanish. After teaching Latin for three years at Live Oak Classical School in Waco, Texas, he began his PhD studies at Indiana University. Justin is so happy to be back on the SMU campus and sees the FIR position as an opportunity to live out the classical examples of Aristotle and Epicurus.
You can often find Elora riding her bike (on training wheels) around the commons and telling students “Hi” as they pass. She loves Elsa, Ninja Turtles, and taking Diana on walks with her daddy. She has completely taken to living on campus and loves to “teach” in the Loyd Commons classroom after hours. Her students include her daddy, her Ninja Turtle toys, and all her mermaids. Diana has also soaked up all the attention of her new home and hasn’t met a resident yet whose lap she wouldn’t jump into given half the chance.
When Justin isn’t teaching or spending time with his daughter, you can find him in the Dedman student center working out, writing, trying to learn piano and jiu jitsu, and reading Greek. He hopes to be for his residents in Loyd what so many of his mentors have been for him over the years: encouraging others to reach their full human potential by living the examined life in public.
Dr. Joan Frances Arbery
Faculty-in-Residence, McElvaney Commons
"My son Stefano and I are over the moon about joining the FiR community and McElvaney Commons! After more than 15 years at SMU, and a whole life spent on and around college campuses, I know our lives will be greatly enriched and enlivened among SMU students. I'm thrilled to be hosting Manic Music Mondays (Triple Mac), where I'll feature the music of three bands each week and serve up whatever foods strike our fancy. If my son's picking, you can count on a lot of Panda Express (and if I am, charcuterie and cheese boards). Come by, say hi, and meet our dog Piper!"
Joan Frances Arbery is a Teaching Associate Professor in the University Honors Program. A Dallas native, she grew up in southern New Hampshire for most of her childhood, first living on a college campus there with her professor parents and seven younger siblings. After college at the University of Dallas, she pursued her Ph.D. in French and Irish literature at Notre Dame, also living and working with the Notre Dame Dublin program for a year. She began teaching at SMU in 2009. In addition to serving as one of UHP's Assistant Directors, she is the historian for SMU's Phi Beta Kappa chapter, a member of Faculty Senate, and a Fellow of the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. She's also the happy mother of 13-year-old Jude Stefano Sanchez. Together, they love traveling and road-tripping, exploring Dallas, volunteering at the food pantry, hanging out with their dog Piper, and watching lots of silly movies. They can’t wait to join the Residential Commons, where Dr. Arbery can finally channel her inner DJ on Manic Music Mondays.
Dr. Alberto Pastor
Faculty-in-Residence, Mary Hay, Peyton, Shuttles Commons
"Being a FiR will allow me to partake in energizing conversations and academic exchanges with students, and engage in social events in which I can contribute to the students’ personal growth and to the society at large by bringing my area of expertise on multilingual societies to the Commons."
A native of Madrid (Spain), Alberto Pastor has taught linguistics at SMU since 2005. His research interests are linguistic theory and sociolinguistic issues related to Spanish in the United States such as language contact, language ideologies and attitudes, and linguistic landscapes. In his classes and personal life, he tries to serve as an advocate for multilingualism and multiculturalism in the society at large. Along with his wife Martha, and their son Alejandro, they are thrilled to continue the diversity values and traditions of HPMS Commons, and to be part and foster this community.
Dr. Alida Liberman
Faculty-in-Residence, Morrison-McGinnis Commons
"I believe that philosophy is for everyone: that wondering, asking questions, and discussing important topics makes your life better and richer. I will strive to make MoMac an open, non-judgmental, and friendly environment where these sorts of conversations can occur. Some of my most meaningful interactions with students have been outside of the classroom, through advising the SMU Philosophy club and teaching study abroad with SMU-in-Oxford. As a FiR, I am delighted to continue to build relationships with students in ways that let us get to know each other as whole people."
Alida Liberman and her husband Josh are delighted to join the Morrison-McGinnis community as Faculty-in-Residence. They look forward to meeting new people, sharing lots of good food and good conversation, and helping to make the residential commons feel like home for all students. Alida is an Associate Professor of Philosophy and Altshuler Distinguished Teaching Professor at SMU. She grew up in New Jersey, received her Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of Southern California, and worked at the University of Western Ontario and the University of Indianapolis before joining the faculty of SMU in 2018. Alida’s research focuses on theoretical ethics, practical ethics, and feminist philosophy. She has published papers on a wide range of topics (including promises, vows, endorsements, resolutions, conscientious refusal in medicine, police violence, sexual ethics, effective altruism, and philosophical pedagogy) and presented her work at over forty conferences. Alida strives to get clear about conceptual issues both for their own sake and in order to apply these concepts to real-world problems and practices. Alida cares deeply about teaching, and is a member of the board of directors for the American Association of Philosophy Teachers (AAPT). She regularly facilitates Teaching and Learning Workshops for the AAPT and helped to develop their first workshop focused on inclusive pedagogy. In 2022, Alida received the national David W. Concepción Prize for Excellence in Philosophy Teaching, and her paper “In Defense of Doing Philosophy ‘Badly,’ or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Imperfection” won the 2024 Lennsen prize for best paper on the theme of philosophy teaching published in the previous two years. She recently guest edited a special issue of AAPT Studies in Pedagogy on the topic of teaching in hostile contexts. Alida is the president of the SMU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). Alida enjoys cooking vegan food (especially beans), going to the theater (she and Josh have been subscribers to Meadows events for years), acting in plays and improv comedy shows, reading (especially speculative fiction), hiking and exploring nature, and bird-watching. She looks forward to sharing these passions with the MoMac community, and to supporting and mentoring MoMac residents as they pursue their own passions and goals both inside and outside of the classroom and the Commons.
Dr. Cathy Lysinger
Faculty-in-Residence, Virginia-Snider Commons
"I am thrilled to live in the VS community with you! There will be frequent opportunities to hang out in my apartment and/or on the fabulous VS patios together. Over snacks, meals and lots of conversation, we will navigate your first year on campus together and make it as fun and motivating as possible! My hope is that each of you feels welcome, comfortable, seen, and safe at SMU. I look forward to helping you find your way in the countless opportunities there are to engage with faculty and peers on campus."
Catharine Lysinger is Professor of Practice in Piano Performance and serves as Chair of Piano Studies. She has BM(Southwestern University), and MM and DMA (University of Houston) in Piano and considers the instrument to be her third child, even moving her Steinway into the Virginia-Snider lobby to share with all! Music and the arts is a central passion and focus as it is for her family. Sophie, a Music Education major (Voice and Choral Education)at SMU will be living in VS, too. Abby, has completed two degrees in Vocal Performance (Opera, Choral) from the University of Michigan and the University of Houston. She is a professional singer and teacher in Houston and visits home often. Abby and Sophie's Dad, Michael, is Director of the Meadows Chorale. Once a Lysinger, always a musician! As Faculty-in-Residence, Sophie and Cathy live in Virginia-Snider Commons with Paisley(aka PaiPai), their perfectly adorable 9 pound chihuahua-terrier bundle of fluff. College is an important time for learning about the world around us, personal growth, connection to our campus community, and so much more. In VS, we will live, learn, and navigate the ups and downs of first-year-in-college together - often over fun activities, food, snacks, and cookies, lots of cookies. When not teaching her piano majors or otherwise working at Meadows, she hopes to share her passion for the arts with the VS community, introducing residents to the fantastical worlds of music, dance, theater, studio arts, and more - just across the lawn from our campus home! When not teaching, mentoring, or working, she can be found on walks across campus with PaiPai, exploring Dallas (even as a native, there are always places and experiences to explore!), buried in a novel, or binging a favorite show. Her greatest hope is that Virginia-Snider Commons will feel like a home away from home for all residents.
Dr. Maryann Cairns
Faculty-in-Residence, Ware Commons
"As I look back on my time as an undergraduate, I can remember small interactions with professors--often seemingly insignificant or fleeting ones at the time--that in retrospect provided key opportunities or pieces of information that helped me to succeed in my career. I think professors are in a position to help students create professional networks, overcome barriers, and discover opportunities far beyond the classroom. The FiR program offers students the ability to really connect with a faculty family, offering them an approachable way to meet other scholars, engage in academic programming, and become connected to the wider campus community. My family and I really wanted to be a part of that. It is such a great opportunity for our family as well to experience university life by living on campus."
Dr. Maryann Cairns is an Associate Professor of Anthropology here at SMU. Her research in the field of environmental anthropology focuses on why people pollute water and how we are going to clean it up. Her work tackles key concerns that arise for regions struggling to ensure that people have access to clean water, addressing questions like whether to promote conservation of local resources or fuel economic growth, whether to choose centralized or decentralized water infrastructure, and whether local or foreign technologies will fare best for a community long-term. Set in several different countries and regions, her work incorporates knowledge of people’s decisions and perceptions related to water with knowledge of water technologies in order to encourage both locally-relevant and sustainable solutions to water problems.
Her work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and a Fulbright US Scholar Award. She is also a previous recipient of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science & Technology Policy Fellowship. Her most recent research addresses water pollution stemming from the fashion industry and asks how consumers and brands might adapt to promote a more sustainable future. Dr. Cairns has always prioritized including as many students as possible in the research that she conducts and has published peer-reviewed journal articles with several undergraduate students as co-authors, including one publication with her entire ANTH 3345 class on the author list. It is this dedication to including students in research that initially sparked her interest in the FiR program.
Dr. Cairns, her husband, Rajan, and their daughter, Simran, are looking forward to being a part of Ware Commons. The family's two dogs, Cliff and Mandoo, and their cat, Cashy, are likewise enthusiastic.