CHICAGO, IL. The Scion Group has announced the opening of an advisory services office in Dallas, Texas to serve higher education clients in Texas and the southwest. Scion has also announced directors for each of its three regional advisory services offices.

Linda Newman (Dallas) has more than 30 years of housing and dining services administration experience, and most recently served as Senior Director of Auxiliary Services and Executive Director of Housing at the University of Michigan prior to joining Scion.

Jeff Panchavinin (Irvine) joins Scion’s advisory services practice after serving as Director of Property Operations for AVS Housing Group, a Scion joint venture, where he led a unique and nationally-recognized on-campus housing partnership with the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Mike Porritt (Toronto) joins Scion after serving as senior housing officer at institutions such as McMaster University, McGill University, Trent University and Winona State University, during which time he served multiple times on the OACUHO executive board and as co-chair of the Canadian Chief Housing Officer network.

“With more than sixty years of on-campus housing experience between them, Linda, Jeff and Mike reflect the emphasis we place on creating practical, real-world solutions for our higher education clients,” said Jason Taylor, Senior Vice President, Advisory Services. “They will undoubtedly continue the outstanding client service and growth of our advisory practice.”