Luanne Goffnett has been a Residence Hall Director in Barnes Hall at CMU since 1991.  In addition, Goffnett serves as an adjunct instructor for the department of Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services Administration along with the First Year Experience program.  She is passionate about community service and advises the Public Service Residential Community and Circle K club.  Her husband and six children live with Goffnett in Barnes Hall.  She is planning her future as a full time volunteer in the Dominican Republic with her husband to begin in the year 2020.

No one has been a Residence Hall Director longer than Linda Van Loon, who is enjoying her 37th year in Beddow Hall. You can only imagine all the changes she has seen and the people she has touched in her almost four decades of leadership. Beddow Hall was an all women’s hall for many years but Linda and her staffed welcomed men for the first time in 2006 and they all are very happy with the change. In addition to her Residence Hall Director position, Linda enjoys growing African violets and spending her away from campus time near Chesaning, Michigan.

Beginning her 8th Year at CMU in Calkins Hall, Cathy Warner enjoys working with students,
especially those experiencing their first year at CMU.  It is rewarding for her to see students grow throughout the semester (and years) as they become positive contributors to the hall, CMU community, and world.  She enjoys and appreciates the opportunities of working with the Education and Human Services Residential College as well as a high number of International Students here
through the English Language Institute Program. Prior to coming to CMU, Cathy worked at Lake Superior State University and taught High School in Fowlerville. In the summer of 2008, she lived in Beijing, China as she completed her dissertation research (and enjoyed the Olympics). Cathy enjoys reading, and in the summer often read a book a day.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling
abroad and spending time with her husband, Kenny. Cathy completed her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership in May, 2009.

James Span, Jr. came to CMU from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and is currently working on his second Masters Degree in Counseling Education. James is beginning his 5th year as the Residence Hall Director in Campbell, where he enjoys getting to know residents on a personal level while also serving as a resource for them. He is also active with the Greek organization, Kappa Alpha Psi.

Brian Ulrich, Carey Residence Hall Director, came to CMU after completing degrees at MSU and WMU. Brian is currently working on his second Masters Degree in Counselor Education. Beginning his 4th year at CMU, Brian is anxious to continue his work with the Business Residential College as well as all Carey Hall Students. He enjoys working with Carey Hall Council and watching students develop their leadership abilities. Brian has a great sense of humor, which often takes students and staff by surprise. Brian is married to Molly Ulrich who is a teacher for the Mount Pleasant Public Schools.

Exlee Pegg, or ‘Steely’, as her friends and colleagues know her, is the second year Residence Hall Director for Celani and Fabiano Residence Halls. Steely is the only person responsible for two separate halls and she would not want it any other way. She blends the two staffs together so easily it is difficult to tell where one ends and the other begins. Steely is a two-time CMU alum and previously served as a Graduate Assistant for the Office of Residence Life in the Towers. She loves working with students and truly enjoys watching them change and grow. In her spare time, Steely is an avid Detroit Tigers fan and has a very close relationship with her family, which is quite easy as both of her brothers attend CMU.

Mike Skonieczny begins his 5th year as a Residence Hall Director in Cobb Hall. Mike graduated from CMU with a Bachelor’s degree (Sociology) in 2003 and went on to complete a Master’s Degree from the University of Kansas in Higher Education Administration in 2005. Mike has a wife and a beautiful 2-year-old daughter. He loves sports (especially NCAA football/basketball and Detroit professional teams). He recently trained and completed his 3rd marathon in May. Mike loves working with freshmen in the Towers because of the energy and the growth that he sees happen every day. Mike also has the honor of advising both Residence Hall Assembly and the Alternative breaks programs here at CMU.

The Emmons Residence Hall Director since January 2004, Nathan Tomson works primarily with the Health Professions Residential College.  This residential college takes up half the building with the other two floors being open to any students.  Nathan is a graduate of Indiana State University and Central Michigan University and hopes to pursue an EdD in Higher Education and remain in higher education administration. Nathan is involved with the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers Association and the Association of College and University Housing Officers –International, serving on committees in both organizations.  Nathan advises the Julie McMahon Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary.  In his spare time, he teaches the First Year Experience (FYE 101) Course to both health professions students and general students at CMU.

John Johnstin begins his third year as the Herrig Residence Hall Director this year. John enjoys working with the amazing students who live in Herrig Hall and especially likes working with staff and students to present programs that are often life changing and always well received. John is very excited to be working with the first-ever Global Village in Herrig Hall where two International students will be paired with two students from the United States which will hopefully assist the International students in feeling at home immediately at CMU while also broadening the perspective of the domestic students. In addition, John is currently working on his Masters Degree in Counseling and has a strong interest and experience in the Sexual Aggression Peer Advocates (SAPA) program.

Kesseler Residence Hall Director, Chad Garland, is enjoying his second ‘tour of duty’ as a Residence Hall Director at CMU, where he has worked for over 6 years in Residence Life. Chad serves not only as a hall director but also as the Summer Conferences Coordinator. Previously Chad served as the Saxe Hall Director as well as Assistant Director of Student Life working with leadership and Greek Life. Chad is currently working on his PhD at Michigan State University in the Higher, Adult, and Life-Long Education (HALE) program. He is very interested in civic engagement, service learning, and leadership education and enjoys writing in his very limited free time. One day he would love to publish the great American novel!

The first and only residence hall director for Kulhavi Hall (which opened in 2002) is Darell Armentout. His educational background includes Business, Art and Human Services. Darell has been instrumental in bringing art into the residence halls by partnering with the CMU Department of Art as well as with many campus and community artists. Several areas in residence halls have been designed to include lighting and accoutrements for paintings, sculptures and other creative endeavors. In addition, make sure you check out podcasts created by Darell for the students in Kulhavi – they are creative, fun and informative.

Andrea Purrenhage loves working with the staff and students in Larzelere Hall and has done so for six years. She has a close working relationship with the Honors Students and administrators of the renowned CMU Honors Program, as well as with all students who live in Larzelere. She enjoys managing the desk operation and helping leaders develop through the Larzelere Hall Council. Always looking for ways to improve the programming and facilities in Larzelere, you will often see Andrea making her way through the hall checking on things, greeting students and generally enjoying her job. You may also see her son, Mason, hanging out in the lobby or greeting people in the Residential Restaurant. Andrea’s husband, Gabe, will be spotted as well when he isn’t working for Technology Operations in the Towers.

Lizandro Tremolada, or ‘LT’ as he is more commonly known, has been Merrill’s Residence Hall Director for the past 8 years.  Originally from Chicago, Lizandro earned his bachelor’s degree from Marian College in Fon du Lac, Wisconsin, and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree at CMU.  He has adjusted quite well to life at CMU and enjoys getting to know the many staff and residents that reside in Merrill.  Traditionally an all-male residence hall, and known for its very close community, Merrill has become co-ed and will welcome women beginning this fall.  Lizandro has worked in a co-ed hall in the past and is excited about the changes and opportunities that the new environment will bring.

Bridget Dunigan began her career at CMU in 2000 as the Robinson Residence Hall Director. Originally from Kalamazoo and with stops at a couple of other universities, Bridget came to CMU with a BBA in Finance and is completing graduate work in Human Development and Family Studies while also working toward a Gerontology Certificate.  Bridget would like everyone to know that Robinson Hall was the first residence hall in the US to have windows in private bathrooms. But even cooler than that she wants to point out  - are the residents! Bridget’s continuing goal it to build a bigger and better community in Robinson, through genuine contact and excellent service.

Ben Witt has been the Residence Hall Director for Saxe Hall since 2004. He has worked very hard to develop the Athletic Management Theme Area in Saxe, which was an idea he developed because of the many athletes who reside in Saxe, including members of the football, baseball, wrestling, men’s track and field and softball. Because of his strong interest in campus safety and security, Ben also serves as the coordinator of residential security. In addition, his position allows him to work with judicial affairs, Greek Life and varsity athletics. Ben is married to Kiersten Witt, and in his ‘spare’ time he serves as the Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Morey Public School Academy and enjoys hunting and fishing as well as supporting the Detroit Tigers.

Faye Reber has been a Residence Hall Director in Sweeney Hall for the last four years. She enjoys working with the fabulous women of Sweeney as well as other student leaders on campus! Sweeney is unique in being the only all-female building on campus, and in the fall of 2009 will be the only single-sex building on campus. As a hall director, Faye has also served as an Advisor for the Multicultural Advisor program, taken groups of students to various conferences, and served as a LeaderShape facilitator. Faye really enjoys helping students find their passion and realize and achieve their potential. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Ball State University and is currently completing her Masters Degree in Recreation and Parks Leadership Administration at CMU. Faye loves recreation and being outdoors during any season – especially the winter! Prior to becoming a residence hall director at CMU, Faye worked with people with developmental disabilities in a recreation setting. During the summers she works with at-risk youth in the area.

Ryan Phillips is a proud alum of CMU and is in his first year as the Thorpe Residence Hall Director, although he served in a similar capacity for three years at Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana.  Ryan's favorite part of his job at Manchester was working with students on a daily basis encouraging them to learn and grow as individuals outside of the classroom setting and he looks forward to continuing that role with the students in Thorpe Hall.  In his free time Ryan enjoys watching movies, playing ping-pong, and rooting on the Detroit Tigers.

Ann Krzyzaniak, Trout Residence Hall Director, has been involved in Residence Life for three years and recently returned ‘home’ to CMU and Trout Hall to continue her career in higher education and student development. She enjoys working with Trout Hall residents, who take pride in being active participants in creating a welcoming community that fosters academic support, social enrichment, and philanthropic engagement. She also enjoys working with the Trout Hall residents who host the ‘Legends of the Dark’ haunted campus tours each fall. Ann enjoys traveling, listening to music and challenging her creative side. Her goal is to visit all 50 states and she would love to write a book some day.

Bill O'Dell has been a Residence Hall Director at Central in Troutman Hall for seven years.  He is originally from Michigan but has lived in Columbus, OH.,  Williamsburg, KY., Nantucket, MA., New York City, NY., Kansas City, MO., Jersey City, NJ., Chicago, IL., and San Diego, CA.  After years in corporate and private business, Bill realized that his true passion was being able to make a difference, and tries to do that every day with the staff and students for whom he works.  Central has become home once again for Bill and he believes that every student needs to make the most of their experience by getting involved! Troutman Hall was built in 1969 and is the home to the Multicultural Advancement Scholars, along with being part of the Towers complex which has its own indoor fitness center, convenience store, DVD and gaming rental store, Wired Coffee shop and underground gaming room, computer center, math center and writing center.  Come be a part of our own little city here on campus.

Sara Olsztyn is the Wheeler Residence Hall Director, has been part of the Residence Life staff at CMU for four years, and also teaches in the First Year Experience (FYE 101) program. Sara enjoys Wheeler Hall because it is the largest hall with the most first-year students. Because of the population of Wheeler, there is a constant flow of energy through out the building. Also, this gives residents the opportunity to have a lot of shared experiences because everyone is going through the same first-year experiences. Outside of Wheeler Hall, Sara enjoys photography, yoga, painting, CMU football, and of course spending time with her wonderful husband. In the future Sara plans to stay at CMU and work with first-year students in some capacity. Working with college students energizes her and keeps Sara excited about going to work.

Dave Davis begins his third year as the Woldt Hall Residence Hall Director. Recently married, he and his wife Hillary, look forward to greeting and getting to know the students and staff in Woldt Hall. Dave particularly enjoys working with the students and faculty in the College of Science and Technology Residential College. Dave is currently working on his Masters in Educational Leadership. In his spare time he enjoys movies, video games, bread baking and wine making.  He is currently certified to be an on-campus Strengths Advocate and Coach by Gallup® and values what each person inherently brings to the table with their talents and strengths.

 

Defining the Team

The ´Captain´ of each residence hall team is a residence hall director, who is a full-time professional staff member responsible for the students, programs, and facilities in an individual hall. The residence hall director works very hard to ´coach´ his or her staff and students to become a strong team. Each residence hall director is also trained to serve as an academic advisor and is a strong supporter of a living and learning community.

Key ´team´ members include resident assistants, upper-class students who live on each residence hall floor and serve as the primary resource for information, assistance and community building. RAs are essential in helping develop an environment where students will accept responsibility for personal and group decision making, mutual respect and concern, and a sense of cooperation and sharing.

Another important member of the residence life team includes a multicultural advisor, an upper-class student who lives in each hall and assists minority students in particular, and all students in general, with their transition to university life. This team member is the ´most valuable player´ in promoting an atmosphere of understanding and respect among all students.

Together the residence life staff work as a team to best meet the needs of all students living in their hall.

The Multicultural Advisor Mission Statement

The mission of the Multicultural Advisor is to encourage students to understand their own cultures and values, as well as those of others. Multicultural Advisors plant seeds that become the overall social change in residence halls by addressing intolerance, promoting self-acceptance and respect in an effort to reduce ignorance. It is the Multicultural Advisor's responsibility to act as resources, advisors, role models, and advocates while fostering growth and maintaining an inclusive community.

Community Standards

The Office of Residence Life staff has a strong belief in establishing community standards as soon as students arrive on campus for the fall semester. It is our belief that students need to establish their own parameters of community living. The residence hall staff will explain community standards, and together, you and the members of your floor will determine quiet hours, how you will handle concerns during the year, and other important issues that accompany community living. Certain rules and regulations, such as alcohol and drug use, are not considered part of community standards and are not a part of negotiation agreements.