F.J. Talley
Director of DeSousa-Brent Scholars Program
F. J. Talley came to St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2014, bringing with him over 30 years of administrative and teaching experience. He has served as dean of students at Bryant University, associate provost at Rowan University, dean at Defiance College, vice president and dean at the College of Southern Maryland, and president at Olivet College and Frederick Community College. Talley holds a doctorate in student personnel and higher education administration from Ohio University, and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University.
He is an avid sailor and has published two novels, Twin Worlds and Take Hart, in addition to several short stories.
Marie/Max Keller
Advisor of DeSousa Brent Scholars Program
Max graduated from St. Mary’s College of Maryland in 2020 with a BA in English and double minors in Political Science and Philosophy. They joined the DB program in 2016 and mentored at Summer bridge and in DB Connect until graduation, finishing their time in DB as Co-Head Bridge Mentor 2019. The pandemic may have impacted the end of their college career, but it did not at all change how Marie feels about mentoring and higher education. If anything, it only underlined the importance of building community, creating/using support systems, and leading by example. Max hopes to aid all DBs in the process of not just surviving but thriving during their time at SMCM and, importantly, their lives after.
Tiffanie Holly
Office Associate
Tiffanie handles the majority of the administrative tasks for the department. Tiffanie came to St. Mary’s College most recently from the Solomons Day Care Center, but she has also served as a rural mail carrier. Tiffanie holds an Associates Degree in Early Child Development from the College of Southern Maryland.