Advising Staff
James Fry | jamesfry@jhu.edu
Assistant Dean of Academic AdvisingOver the years, Dean Fry has advised many graduate and undergraduate students, directed multiple orientation and advising services, and coordinated study abroad, internships, and independent study programs. He has also taught a variety of introductory college courses, including freshman seminars, expository writing, and human development. And as much as he enjoys the classroom, from either side of the lectern, Dean Fry likes best to meet students one-on-one. Helping a student discover an intriguing course or meet an especially engaging professor is always satisfying. A graduate of McDaniel College, he also holds a Master's degree in American Studies from Bowling Green University. In addition to his work with college students, Dean Fry’s interests broadly include American culture, particularly architecture and urban planning.
Ruth Aranow | raranow@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorDr. Aranow earned her doctorate in chemistry from Hopkins and taught here before becoming an academic advisor. She shows the same devotion to advising as she did to teaching, for which she won the George Owen Teaching Award. She enjoys helping students solve problems. Her hobbies include music, photography and travel.
Adriene Breckenridge | breckag@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorMs. Breckenridge was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. She loves working with college students and has been working in higher education for 19 years. She earned a BA in psychology from the University of Washington, a Masters of Divinity from Howard University, and a Masters in Clinical Counseling from Johns Hopkins. She also conducts workshops on campus geared toward helping students develop the academic skills needed to achieve academic success. "Ms. B" as she is affectionately known by her students, serves on Campus Ministries Advisory Board and is an ordained Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Kathie Sindt | ksindt@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorDr. Sindt began her career in biomedical research, earning a BS in biology and a Ph.D. in pharmacology. Feeling isolated in a research lab but fulfilled by mentoring students, she returned to school to earn an MA in career counseling. She’s thrilled to be an advisor because she enjoys making a difference in someone’s life. She likes playing with her dog and enjoys science fiction.
Karen Desser | Kdesser@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorIn most stories, either a stranger comes to town or someone goes on a journey. Ms. Desser's life features both plots. After years as a high-school teacher, she moved to Baltimore and a new career at JHU. She delights in guiding students through their academic journey, our civilization's version of the voyage of discovery. She's made it herself to four continents and hopes to someday wear her red high-tops in the remaining three.
Michelle Rodriguez Solomon | mrod@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorBorn on a military base in California, Ms. Rodriguez Solomon continuously moved to many exciting places, including Japan, before finally landing in Maryland. She earned a BS in Computer Information Systems before discovering that one of her true passions is working with college students. After pursuing her MA in Higher Education Administration, she joined the Hopkins family and continued a career in Academic Advising. She enjoys being active in her church, spending time with her husband and nieces, playing softball, and watching football (Go Niners!).
Kate Bruffett | kbruffett@jhu.edu
Senior Academic AdvisorMs. Bruffett's lifelong interest in history and politics led her from her home in Ohio to Washington, DC and a BA in International Studies from American University. While working as a student tour guide at AU, she realized her true passion was in the area of higher education, specifically helping students transition between high school and college. After working in admissions and advising at AU, Ms. Bruffett went on to earn her MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from The Ohio State University. She then spent four years back at American, advising political science students, and two years in California at San Jose State University, advising engineering students. Ms. Bruffett now joins the Hopkins advising staff with a wealth of experience. In her spare time Ms. Bruffett enjoys traveling, going to the theater, visiting museums, hiking, hanging out with friends, and of course rooting for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team.
Brent Mosser | bmosser1@jhu.edu
Director of Academic Support and Disability ServicesDr. Mosser always loved being a student, but it took him more than a few years to realize that he could make a career of supporting other students' academic success. Dr. Mosser earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Pennsylvania State University. After working as an engineer and later a high school physics teacher, Dr. Mosser discovered an M.Ed. program in Student Affairs that opened up a whole new world. Since then, he has spent time as Associate Director of two different university learning centers and earned his Ph.D. in Higher Education. He's joining the Hopkins staff with a wealth of knowledge about learning and motivation and a desire to help all students meet their academic potential. Outside the office, Dr. Mosser enjoys spending most of his time with his wife and one year old daughter, while taking advantage of all opportunities to cheer on his alma mater's football team and the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers.
Fay Day | fday2@jhu.edu
Assistant Director of Academic Support, Study Consulting ProgramFay Day retired from the public school systems of Louisiana where she worked as a speech therapist in grades 1 -12 and in Adult Education. She also worked in Colorado in an early childhood setting for four years. Fay has an M.ED. from Loyola of New Orleans. On completion of her M.ED. she continued to gain various certifications in areas such as ESL and Adult Education. Fay was escorted to Baltimore from New Orleans via Hurricane Katrina. In Baltimore, she is currently the Administrator of the Study Consulting Program at JHU. She enjoys many church activities, travel, reading, being a wife to Steve, and a mother to Elizabeth. Being in Baltimore has provided Fay and her family with much to explore and experiences.
Anne Benner | abenner3@jhu.edu
Assistant Director of Academic SupportMs. Benner was born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and relocated to Baltimore to become a part of the Hopkins family. She earned her BA in Psychology and Social Welfare from Eastern University and her M.Ed. from Kutztown University. Anne realized and embraced her love for working in higher education while working as Kutztown University’s Tutor Coordinator and Academic Skills Lab Coordinator. She is passionate about working with college students and helping them to reach their full potential. She enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, reading, and cheering on the Philadelphia Phillies!
Linda Pressley | lpressl2@jhu.edu
Office ManagerMs. Pressley has lived in a variety of places and moved to Baltimore to be closer to her first grandchild. She comes to Johns Hopkins after working at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. She is currently completing a degree in Integrative Studies from Clayton State University in Morrow, Georgia, via online classes. Ms. Pressley enjoys working with student who she refers to as “baby adults”, watching them mature during their years in college. In her spare time, she enjoys building dollhouses and is currently working on a San Franciscan dollhouse for her granddaughter.
Barbara Flint | bflint@jhu.edu
Administrative CoordinatorMs. Flint has been with the Office of Academic Advising since 1991. She derives great satisfaction from playing a part in the successful college experience of our students. A native of Baltimore she is a true bird watcher - the Ravens, Orioles, and of course the Hopkins Blue Jays!
Vicki Fitzgerald | vfitz@jhu.edu
Administrative AssistantAlthough Mrs. Fitzgerald is a new resident to Baltimore City, she is no stranger to the area. Born and raised in Waldorf, MD, she attended McDaniel College in Westminster, MD and earned a BA in Psychology. Working with Hopkins students has encouraged her to pursue a Masters degree from JHU in hopes of furthering a career in the college environment. She enjoys experimenting with digital photography using Photoshop and is excited to have such a beautiful campus to photograph!