Staff

Tiffany Dennett Profile Picture

Tiffany Dennett

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director

Suite 138, Women’s Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

Tiffany joined Syracuse University in July 2019 as the associate director in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Before coming to Syracuse, Tiffany worked at Bowling Green State University as the coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life. She is originally from the Houston, Texas area and earned a bachelor of arts and master of education from the University of Houston, where she was very active as a collegiate and graduate student. Tiffany is a proud member of Gamma Alpha Omega Sorority and is actively involved with the organization as an alumna member. She is passionate about goal setting, planning and organizing. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys reading, writing, painting, and spending time with her family and pets.

Lael Pierce Profile Picture

Lael Pierce

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Assistant Director

Suite 138, Women's Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

Lael Pierce was raised in Yonkers, New York, a suburb just outside of New York City. Lael attended Utica University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science in Management. Her commitment to higher education began immediately after graduation, as an undergraduate admissions counselor for her alma mater. She continued on as an academic coach, student services director, and access advisor for various institutions, leading students beyond their personal and academic challenges, and into success.

Lael is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., where she currently serves as the 3rd Vice President of the Kappa Xi Zeta Chapter of Syracuse, New York.  She is the Immediate Past President of the chapter, and previously served as Secretary for the State of New York from 2018-2022.   She also serves the local community as the vice-chair of the PEACE, Inc. Eastside Neighborhood Advisory Committee, board member for the A Better Chance Program of Fayetteville-Manlius, board member of the Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center and a volunteer for several local agencies. She believes in leading by example and with a heart of service.  She hopes to instill in others the historical and educational significance of fraternal organizations and encourage members to leave a positive, impactful legacy. Her favorite things to do include community service, mentoring, spending time with her niece, shopping, traveling, and anything pertaining to health and fitness.

Debbie McKie Profile Picture

Debbie McKie

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Senior Program Coordinator

Suite 138, Women's Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

Debbie has been with Syracuse University for 34 years. Debbie will serve as the primary council advisor for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).

MaryJo Guard Profile Picture

MaryJo Guard

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Program Coordinator

Suite 138, Women's Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

MaryJo grew up in Newburgh, New York, a suburb north of New York City. She received a Bachelor of Science in labor relations and human resource management from Le Moyne College in 1990. As an undergraduate student, MaryJo was social chairman and community service coordinator of Pi Nu Epsilon Sorority at Alfred State College. Before working as a program coordinator, she worked in the Labor and Employment Law department at Hancock Estabrook law firm.

MaryJo's passion is to volunteer at the Rescue Mission and “pay it forward” through community service involvement. She loves spending time with her family, lake living and boating on Oneida Lake, traveling, interior design, and watching men’s and women’s college lacrosse. She enjoys engaging and interacting with students in all facets of fraternity and sorority life at Syracuse University!

MaryJo will serve as the primary council advisor for the Professional Fraternity Council (PFC).

Marissa Madonna

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Office Coordinator

Suite 138, Women's Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

Marissa Madonna grew up in Liverpool, NY. She graduated from Syracuse University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Forensic Science. While at Syracuse, she was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority and served as the VP of Philanthropy. She was also a member of the Mandarins acapella group.

She worked as a student front desk assistant for both the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Office and the Student Engagement Office. Before joining the Fraternity and Sorority Affairs office, Marissa was a crime scene investigator with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Robbie Opalecky Profile Picture

Robbie Opalecky

Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Graduate Assistant

Suite 138, Women's Building
Phone: 315.443.2214

Robbie is a graduate of SUNY-ESF where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Biology and is entering his second year as a master’s student in the Higher Education program in the School of Education at Syracuse University. He is excited for another amazing year as a Graduate Assistant in Fraternity and Sorority Affairs. Robbie is also involved with the Center for Learning and Student Success (CLASS) at SU and with Centennial Hall at ESF where he is a front desk assistant for the SUNY-ESF residence hall. In his free time, he can be found relaxing with his friends or finding a new place to hike. Fun fact about Robbie: he completed the Saranac 6er hiking challenge in July 2022 and is working on a handful of other hiking challenges throughout New York State!