Michael Mallery

First-Year Admissions Counselor

michael.mallery@su.edu
Call: 540-665-4581
Text: 540-546-6029

A.A. in General Studies, Laurel Ridge Community College
B.A. in History, University of Mary Washington
M.A. in History, James Madison University

Hometown: Front Royal, VA.

My favorite spots around SU: Two of my favorite spots in the Winchester area are Hopscotch Coffee, which makes some of the best lattes around, and El Centro, where the queso blanco is fantastic. They’re great places to relax, meet friends, and enjoy the local community.

What makes SU special to me: Shenandoah is special to me because of the strong sense of community you feel as soon as you step on campus. Students are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge themselves academically, and build real connections with faculty and classmates. It’s a place where students aren’t just another number—they’re supported and known as individuals. Being able to help students discover that kind of environment is what makes working at Shenandoah so meaningful to me.

My advice: My biggest advice is to visit campuses and pay attention to how a place makes you feel. Talk to current students, explore the campus, and imagine what your daily life there might look like. The right college should be somewhere you feel comfortable, excited about your opportunities, and confident that you can grow both academically and personally. When I was going through the college search process myself, visiting campus and talking with students helped me picture where I truly belonged.

Fun fact: I competed as a D3 college track athlete at the University of Mary Washington, and I still enjoy staying active. Outside of work, I enjoy playing guitar and cooking, and I’m always experimenting with new recipes. I’m a big fan of using fresh ingredients and would love to get more involved with Winchester’s farmers market community in the future.