People

House Professor

Melanie Taylor

Professor of English & Creative Writing | Professor of Native American Studies

(she/her/hers)

Hometown: Bourne (Cape Cod), MA

Education: B.A. in English from Smith College | M.A. and Ph.D. in English from Boston University

Areas of Research Specialty: Modern and Contemporary U.S. Southern Literature | Indigenous Literatures | Economics and Representations of Identity

Hobbies/Interests: When I’m not spending time with my family (husband Alan Taylor, who teaches first-year Writing at Dartmouth, and sons Abel (almost 9), Hayden (almost 6), and Amos (4 months old!), I enjoy reading and writing; cooking and baking; running and being active; meditation and mindfulness.

What drives my work in Residential Education?: I was a first-generation college student who didn’t naturally know how to navigate higher education and thrived on the small community atmosphere fostered by the residential environment at Smith College. I feel privileged to help create these opportunities here in North Park House, and to work together with an amazing team of dedicated students and professionals to serve in ways not typically available to faculty in the traditional classroom setting.

Assistant Director

Brittney Roden

Assistant Director of Residential Education

(she/her/hers)

Hometown: Northeast Ohio

Education: B.S. in Spanish Education; Master’s in Higher Education Administration; MALS conc. Medical Humanities (expected June 2024)

Areas of Specialty: High-Impact Educational Practices | Crisis Management | Holistic and Transformative Leadership | Career Development | Anti-Racist Educator

Hobbies/Interests: Spending time with my family, Photography, NBA, Broadway, Live Music, Traveling

What drives my work in Residential Education?: Authentic relationships! As a first-generation college student, navigating the college experience was challenging AND gratifying. I desire to ensure students feel a sense of belonging, holistically learn (in and outside the classroom), and challenge themselves and their learned values and beliefs through relationships within the community.

Program Coordinator

Joyce Xiao

Program Coordinator

(she/her/hers)

Hometown: Pittsburg, Kansas

Areas of Specialty: Administrative Support | Human Resources Management |Wellness

Hobbies/Interests: I love music and art, and my belief that music and art can positively influence well-being and recovery. I’ve also been a huge fan of Taylor Swift since her very first self-titled album. She’s an inspiration and role model! If you’re a Swiftie, then we have a lot to share!

What drives my work in Residential Education?: I have been working closely with college students for more than a decade. Whether it’s hosting programs to create lifelong memories for resident students, providing Human Resource consultations to help students discover their true talents and find jobs, or assisting them with college algebra, I’ve come to know and understand their struggles and help them overcome them. Working with and helping students is always the most rewarding job to me!