Meet Our Staff
Professional Staff
DeAnte’ Smith | Director
Top 5: Context | Achiever | Responsibility | Input | Relator
DeAnte’ Smith is a native of Jackson, Ms. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology and Communications, a Master’s degree in Counseling Student Personnel, and he has been working in Higher Education since 2008. Prior to working at Vanderbilt, he served as the Director of Greek Life at Southeast Missouri State University and the Assistant Director of Student Engagement at the University of North Alabama. He has a passion for student engagement, student development, and working with student organizations. He has been a presenter at multiple conferences that have a focus on supporting student organizations on college campuses. He is committed to developing students and building relationships at Vanderbilt. Go Dores!
Adrienne M. Watson, Ed.D. | Assistant Director
Top 5: Input | Discipline | Intellection | Maximizer | Harmony
Dr. Adrienne M. Watson was born and raised in Kansas City, MO., and attended the University of Central Missouri where she earned both her Bachelor and Masters degree in Communication. She has worked in higher education since 2015 with experience in recruiting, advising, large-scale programming, and what she is most passionate about, student development. Her zeal for higher education and student development led her to create a business for first-generation, historically marginalized, low-income students- The College G.E.N.E.S.I.S. (Getting Educated NOW Early So I Succeed), to learn about all things college. She has worked with and mentored countless students over the years and has found she is most fulfilled when she helps students with- as she puts it, “how to college”. What motivates Dr. Watson is being the individual for students she wished she had on campus.
Dr. Watson received her doctorate from Tennessee State University in Educational Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education Leadership.
Dr. Watson enjoys taking part in civic engagement and community service with different community organizations. In her spare time, she enjoys reading or watching reality tv, eating Chick-fil-a and rooting for her favorite sports team, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Wil De Los Santos | Program Manager
Top 5: Harmony | Consistency | Restorative | Developer | Includer
Wilalberto (Wil) De Los Santos grew up in the Bronx, NY and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Radio/Television Production and Black Studies from SUNY New Paltz. After earning his Master’s degree in Africana Studies from the University at Albany, he traveled to Senegal, Cote D’ Ivoire and Ghana to learn more about the vast cultural influences in West Africa.
His desire to uplift undergraduate students led him to serve with First-year Programs and Leadership Development at Marist College where he provided academic and fostered an environment for life-long learning and personal leadership development mentoring support for first-year students through his Orientation, Welcome Week, and the Emerging Leaders Program. At Vanderbilt, through SOLS, he equips Student Organization Officers and advisers with information and resources to empower their members to engage and create meaningful experiences that help them add value to their communities. During his free time, you could find Wil cheering on his oldest son at a game or taking, both of his boys to the park, or going on a fun family outing.
Piersen Briggs | Program Coordinator
Top 5: Belief | Empathy | Developer | WOO | Communication
Piersen Briggs is from Nashville, TN and is a proud alumna of Spelman College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology. Piersen went on to earn her Master of Education in Learning, Diversity, and Urban Studies from Vanderbilt’s Peabody College. Piersen is passionate about understanding the intricate ways systems, institutions, people, and culture are influenced by one another, and in what ways service based leadership can prepare students for our changing world.
In her spare time, Piersen can be found spending quality time with loved ones and/or re-watching her favorite MCU classics!
Taryn J. Neal | Program Coordinator
Taryn J. Neal is a proud Radcliff, Kentucky native and graduate of Western Kentucky University, where she earned her B.S in Family and Consumer Science and her M.Ed in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Her favorite part of the work is creating spaces where students feel like they belong, where they can discover their purpose, build community, and grow into confident leaders. Taryn believes in meeting students where they are, supporting their development, and encouraging them to lead with confidence and authenticity. Above all, she leads with heart, creating spaces where care and community come first.
When she is not on campus, Taryn is most likely spending time with her family, getting lost in a book she fully intended to only read one more chapter of, or listening to a true crime podcast like she is preparing to personally crack the case.
Faith Johnson | Graduate Assistant
Top 5: Activator | Developer | Adaptability | Positivity | Woo
Faith Johnson is a first-year graduate student in the Community Development and Action program at Peabody College. She is originally from Dover, Arkansas. She received her Bachelor’s of Science in Recreation and Park Admin with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Arkansas Tech University. Faith has worked with multiple city and state entities in the park sectors and enjoys providing recreation resources to underserved members of the community. She enjoys being involved on campus and meeting new people both on and off campus. In her free time she enjoys checking out local events and finding the best mac and cheese in town!
Ashton St. Germaine | Graduate Assistant
Top 5: Harmony | Consistency | Discipline | Empathy | Relator
Ashton is a first-year graduate student in the Secondary Education program. After graduating from UCLA, she is working toward her social studies teaching credential and a Master’s in Education. As someone who was very involved in student organizations, Ashton enjoys helping student leaders develop skills that will set them up for success in college and beyond. Outside of the office, she teaches group fitness classes, helps with marketing for a small business, and loves to take long walks listening to her favorite podcasts!