ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½

Executive Director

Email: jebinger@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-3222

Dr. Jennifer Ebinger, EdD, is the Executive Director of the Office of Engaged Learning within the Provost Division of Academic Affairs at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ University. In this role, she leads experiential learning initiatives, fostering out-of-the-classroom experiences in research, entrepreneurship, and high-impact educational practices. With over 25 years of experience in leadership, education, organizational change consulting, and program development, Jennifer has a proven track record of implementing innovative learning solutions that drive organizational success. She holds a Doctorate in Higher Education, a Master’s in Teaching, and boasts extensive consulting and coaching experience. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys exploring creative endeavors, reading, cooking, hiking, and spending quality time with her two wonderful children.

Senior Program Specialist

Email: kchandrapal@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-6749

Kelly Chandrapal comes to ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ most recently from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s art museum where she worked closely with undergraduate and graduate students in her position as the Learning Resources Coordinator. Prior to working at UNC, she implemented educational programs in museums and taught elementary and high school art in Texas public schools. Kelly earned a BFA in Visual Art Studies from The University of Texas at Austin and MA in Museum Science from Texas Tech University. She is a Texas native but new to Dallas and is looking forward to becoming a part of the ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ community!

Academic Community Development & Engagement Specialist

Email: ddodson@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-6821

Dylynne Dodson, M.Ed., serves as the Academic Community Development & Engagement Specialist in the Office of Engaged Learning. Dylynne has nearly a decade of experience working in university housing at the undergraduate, graduate, and professional levels. Prior to stepping into her role in OEL, Dylynne worked at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ in Residence Life & Student Housing as the Residential Community Director for Cockrell-McIntosh Commons. She then transitioned to Student Academic Engagement and Success where she spearheaded student retention efforts through student outreach and programs like Summer Forge. She earned a BA in Writing with a minor in French from Texas Christian University and graduated with her Masters in Higher Education Student Affairs from Western Carolina University. In her free time, Dylynne enjoys reading and writing stories, traveling, Dungeons & Dragons, and spending time with her friends and her cat, Cleo.

Senior Program Manager

Email: asneal@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-3205

Adam Scott Neal serves as Senior Program Manager for Research programs in the Office of Engaged Learning. He coordinates the Engaged Learning Fellowship and Undergraduate Research Assistantship programs and related events. Adam is a composer working in a variety of genres, from toy piano solos to modern dance scores. Recognized as “exquisitely crafted,” Adam’s music “draws the listener inward, encouraging intimate dialogue” (Creative Loafing Atlanta). His music has received nearly 300 performances in 32 states and 18 countries. Adam has published research on computer music, lo-fi, improvisation, and popular music education, and he hosts the Instrument Cases podcast and Sound Pudding blog. Adam earned a PhD at the University of Florida and previous degrees at Queen’s University Belfast and Georgia State University. 

Project Specialist

Email: oprioleau@smu.edu
Phone: 214-768-6885

Olivia Prioleau serves as the new Project Specialist in the Office of Engaged Learning. She coordinates the Big iDeas and Mustang Mentors peer mentoring program. Prior to coming to ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½, Olivia earned her M.Ed in Higher Education Leadership from Texas Christian University. While at TCU, she advised first-year leadership programs, student organizations, and coordinated large-scale programs in her role as the Graduate Assistant in the Student Activities Office. She earned her BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina and is a Charleston, South Carolina, native. She is excited for her new journey at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ and to serve more students on the Hilltop.

Entrepreneurship Fellow

Jessica Jan (ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ alumna BBA '16) is the Founder of TRES J, a house of new-age heirlooms and collector's objects, and REP MVP By TRES J, a sports division pioneering female fan jewelry for any team, any league, debuting Fall 2026 with ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½ as its first officially licensed partner. After nearly seven years in global luxury e-commerce at Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter/Mr Porter across New York and Hong Kong, Jessica built a direct-to-factory supply chain and launched TRES J in late 2024. Today TRES J is stocked globally across the US, Europe, and Asia.

Faculty Fellow for Undergraduate Research

Dr. Kouros is Associate Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Family Health & Development Lab in the Department of Psychology at ÕýÆ·À¶µ¼º½. Before joining the faculty in 2011, she completed her B.A. at the University of Chicago, M.A. and Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame, and was a postdoctoral research fellow at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Kouros's research focuses on learning about how and why the family environment contributes to couples', parents', and children's mental health. Some of the family processes her lab studies are: marital conflict, parental psychopathology, and helicopter parenting behaviors. Her research involves both families raising typically-developing children and children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

kouros@smu.edu