Meet the Team
Residential Education staff: Front row, from left: Shelley Griffiths (McNary Hall residence director). Second row, from left: Christine Nguyen (Bloss and Finley Hall RD), Summer Prejean (International Living-Learning Center RD), Liz Wenger (West Hall RD), Heather Holton (Callahan Hall RD), Reese Havlatka (Hawley-Buxton RD), Lea Griess (Academic Sucess GTA), Jill Childress (Assistant Director). Back row: Katie Doran (Student Program Assistant for Conduct), Ann Marie Klotz (Director), Drew Satter (Weatherford Hall RD), Dale Mc Cauley (Interim RD), Dave Akana (Assistant Director), Dave Craig (Assitant Director), Adele Christensen (Assistant RD for Hawley-Buxton), Claudia González (Poling Hall RD) and Brandi Douglas (Halsell Hall RD). Not pictured: Franklin Soares (Sackett Hall RD), Terry Smith (Wilson Hall RD) and Alex Matiash (Cauthorn RD).
Shelley Griffiths
What do you like about Oregon State?
I am impressed with the quality of students that attend OSU. I love working with all of them in their first year of college and being a part of their growth and development. All my colleagues are excellent professionals and are committed to providing incredible service to students.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I have been a Resident Director for twenty-two years and have loved every day of it working with amazing students. They have taught and given me so much more than I have ever imagined. The journey has been incredible and life changing.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
I love the small town feeling and the many opportunities it provides, despite its size. I love all the special events in the city and being able to be outside on a summer day in Corvallis is amazing. The downtown area is true downtown, with so many great shops, boutiques, bakeries, restaurants, and night life. The river front boardwalk is also a great place to take a walk, run, or bike ride, and is also a part of downtown.
What does your professional development plan look like?
I am very interested in working with students with various disabilities, and I have been involved organizations on campus to do so. One of my future goals is to go into student activities or advising, and had have many opportunities to do this, such as co-advising the OSU RHA (Residence Hall Association) and NRHH (National Residence Hall Honorary). The professional development opportunities at OSU and endless, no matter what your interest or passion is!
Heather Holton
What do you like about Oregon State?
I love OSU as an employee and alum. The campus is beautiful in the fall when all the leaves turn.
There is just a great energy among the students. Whether it’s going to a football game or a Battle of the Bands, people are excited about getting involved.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I really enjoy the students that I get to work with, especially when they are excited about what they are learning. Honestly, you would be surprised what you learn in a conversation that started out as a one on one or conduct meeting.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
Having grown up in a small town, I like the smaller town feeling that I get in Corvallis. That being said, there are some great things that go on like Fall Festival and DaVinci Days that really showcase what the community has to offer. I also like that Corvallis is less than a two hour drive from anything you want; skiing in Bend, running on the sand in Newport, shopping in Eugene, or seeing a show in Portland.
What does your professional development plan look like?
I’m looking to get more involved regionally, presenting at and attending conferences. I am also interested in learning more about accessibility on campus and how we can best set up all students for access and success.
Drew Satter
Eastern Washington University, Bachelor of Science in Biology, Pre-Medicine, 2009; Northern Arizona University, Master of Education in Counseling, Student Affairs, 2011
What do you like about Oregon State?
In the job search process, you may hear this quite a bit, but I would definitely say the people. I think we have a group of passionate and talented resident directors. We all bring our own style and flavor, yet we all support each other in OSU’s very collaborative environment. That was a big draw for me to Oregon State last year. I’m also finding that resident director opinions truly matter and we actually have the chance to have in person conversations with our vice provost for example. Being a sports enthusiast and previously holding an internship in an athletic department, I enjoy the Pac-12 atmosphere and the school spirit.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I love working with the students and there is a lot of intentionality setting up the resident directors for success in that area. I also feel the RDs are given the freedom to run the hall and make decisions without being micromanaged. I feel like we are striving for excellence and aren’t afraid of change. There is quite a bit of support for professional development as well!
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
My partner and I enjoy how green it is in Corvallis with all of the vegetation on-campus and the surrounding area. I also enjoy how safe Corvallis and the campus feel. In just over a year, we have built some great relationships with my colleagues and people in the community.
What does your professional development plan look like?
Professional development is encouraged quite a bit here. I’ve had the chance to go to NWACUHO last year and I plan to do the same this year while submitting a few presentation proposals. I plan to attend NASPA in Orlando as well. I am currently the chair of the New Professional Taskforce within NWACUHO which provides services such as the mentoring program. I have previously held a subscription to the SportsBusiness Journal to further my understanding of athletics and to help our student-athletes. I plan to also join UHDS’s diversity committee during the winter term.
Around Oregon State University, I’ve tried to take advantage of local professional development, including attending a diversity summit, a sexual misconduct seminar, and a three-day group dialogue around social justice. I also taught an RA class and became an instructor for Building Inclusive Communities.
Reese Havlatka
University of Michigan, Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics and Spanish Language & Literature, 2008; Michigan State University, Master of Arts in Student Affairs Administration, 2011
What do you like about Oregon State?
First, the color scheme and mascot are truly delightful. Beyond visual aesthetics, it’s easy to like OSU because the people at OSU like each other. You can tell that the students, faculty and staff want to be here and enjoy being here together. The students I work with don't always come to Oregon State with a clear idea of what they want to study or what they would like to do after graduation, but all of them are proud to be Beavers. I'm also excited to see what the First Year Experience initiative has in store for us--it is a great example of a university-wide collaboration to focus on student engagement and retention.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I like working in the halls where the students live because I get to see them during the course of their day every day. They do not have to seek me out in an administration building because I am there in their home to answer questions and help them transition into college. Plus, when you live with more than 400 first-year students, life is never boring! For better or for worse, there is always something going on. I like that my work and interaction with students are not confined to an office.
I appreciate the level of autonomy that each RD in working with our hall communities. Each facility and group of students is unique and has different needs. I believe the UHDS administration helps to support the RDs and hall staff in creating meaningful communities, rather than espousing a one-size-fits-all approach to community development. I feel trusted to do the job I was hired to do.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
I grew up in Michigan and moved to Oregon for the RD position. I am from a university town, so Corvallis reminds me a lot of home. I like the size of the city—big enough that there are places to explore and people to meet, but small enough not to feel lost in the shuffle. There is a nice variety of local businesses and a terrific public library. The state of Oregon is beautiful; the mountains and the coast are new to me and fun to visit. I’m used to five months of cold and snow, so the rain is a nice change of pace as well. Also--and this is important--there is coffee everywhere. This entire state enables my morning (and sometimes afternoon) caffeine infusion.
What does your professional development plan look like?
My professional development plan, like my life, is a work in progress. This is my first full-time position out of graduate school, so I am still deciding what I would like my career to look like in the long term. For now, I am focusing on improving my skills as a conduct officer and as a supervisor. I am involved with the Oregon Student Conduct Association and plan to attend the annual ASCA conference in February, as well as the Gehring Institute in July.
Liz Wenger
Bradley University, Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Criminal Justice, 2008; Bowling Green State University, Master of Arts in College Student Personnel, 2010
What do you like about Oregon State?
Oregon State University does a great job making the big feel small. A large campus and the student population can feel overwhelming to both new students and professionals, but OSU is intentional in creating an environment that is safe and welcoming. My residence hall community, with 200 students is a place where students can learn together, develop together, and grow together. Our small professional staff was able to grow close to help us work more effectively and efficiently for all of the students we serve.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
The students. Honestly, I have had the opportunity to work with and interact with some really great students. I have a solid group of student staff members who help make my job easier and more enjoyable. The students in my hall stop by my office to ask questions, seek advice, or just to say hi. Whether I meet them through their hall council involvement or a conduct meeting, the interactions I have with these students are what make my job worthwhile.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
Corvallis has a lot to offer. One of my favorite things is the downtown area (within walking distance from campus) complete with a variety of shops and restaurants. Another thing I love about Corvallis is the support the members of the community have for Oregon State University. You can see windows of shops and restaurants covered in orange and black displaying cute Beaver art or support for Beaver Nation. Corvallis may not be the largest city, but it is in prime location within the state of Oregon. Oregon is a very exciting place to live- you have mountains, the desert, and the ocean. Being from the Midwest, those aren’t things you see every day, or ever. When I moved to Corvallis, living within an hour of the coast has been amazing and has definitely become one of my favorite day trip locations.
What does your professional development plan look like?
Being in my third year at OSU, I am looking to step it up in the realm of professional development. In October I attended ACUHO-I’s Living Learning Programs Conference. I also plan to attend NWACUHO in February. I am advising the OSU Chapter of NRHH in hopes of continuing to gain knowledge and skills revolving around student leadership and development. I also serve on the Student Staff Training Committee for Residential Education as well as the Safety Committee for University Housing and Dining. This year I am also hoping to gain some experience on the Operations side of the house to become a more well-rounded Housing professional.
Claudia González
University of Texas at El Paso, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in Women’s Studies, 2008; University of Central Missouri, Master of Science in College Student Personnel Administration, 2011
What do you like about Oregon State?
Oregon State is a great institution that is actively finding ways to the best serve and enrich the experiences of students, faculty & staff, and the community. The pride of this university is unique and immense. The students have an amazing dedication to the university that is contagious and inspirational. I feel that Oregon State excels in its commitment to aid in the development of students as whole people.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I have so many favorites about being a Resident Director. I love my staff and the residents of Poling Hall, home of the honey badgers. The passion that the Poling Hall staff has is the key ingredient to having a successful community. I love getting to know the staff and the residents that I serve. I love how supported I am by my RD colleagues and by our unit leadership team. This position has ample of opportunities to continuously develop as a professional and individual. If I have to choose a favorite amongst my favorites I would have to choose being able to interact with college students every day. I love when residents share and allow me to celebrate their accomplishments with them.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
The state of Oregon is beautiful. There are so many hidden treasures in the state and in Corvallis. First of all, Corvallis is near the coast, Portland, and to beautiful parks. The summers in Oregon are gorgeous and if I ever miss the busy feeling of the city Portland is a hour away from Corvallis. I personally enjoy that Corvallis has a great appreciation and genuine love for Oregon State. I love the downtown area in Corvallis. There are great restaurants in the area and downtown is a short walk from campus. I love that almost everything I need is a walk away. In particular, I adore that Corvallis has an Einstein Brothers. I know, this is a minimal thing but allow me to share with you that this place has amazing vanilla hazelnut coffee. This coffee will change your life. Although you can find this coffee in almost every Einstein Brothers in the states this place is one of my favorite in Corvallis. I guess what I am trying to share is that Corvallis has all you need from doggy daycare to a coffee/bagel place with life changing coffee. Corvallis does a great job of reminding you of great past memories and creating new wonderful memories.
What does your professional development plan look like?
This year my professional development plan was designed with the objective to guide me in becoming a better supervisor and Resident Director for my community. This year I have the great privilege to supervise CAMP scholar interns throughout the academic year in two different committees. I am chairing the Student Staff Class/Training committee and I am part of the Student Staff Search & Selection committee. I also am in the advisory board for the Centro Cultural Cesar Chavez.
Christine Nguyen
Western Washington University, Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature and French, 2006; University of Vermont, Master of Education in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration, 2011
What do you like best about Oregon State University?
I like that everywhere I go around the Oregon State campus, I see signs of Beaver Pride! This is my first time working or attending an institution with a major athletics department and a high level of school spirit and it’s fun to see students lining up for football tickets and an alumni base that is so devoted to the school. OSU and Beaver gear are all over the place, even at the local shops in town. It’s a good feeling to be a part of that larger community and to have that connection with others.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
Being an RD has been a wonderful experience because of the amazing RA staff and actively engaged residents! The Bloss-Finley RAs are smart, talented, and fun people to be around and I genuinely enjoy working with each of them. I have also loved getting to know the residents on Hall Council who step up as student leaders to make their community better.
In addition, I enjoy being an RD because of the high level of support I have received over the past year and a half. I always have someone to call when I need to process or have a question, including other RDs/GTAs or any of the leadership team. People are always willing to make time for coffee/lunch dates as much as they are willing to pick up the phone to answer a quick question,
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon
Corvallis has great food! I’m a big foodie and have found delicious restaurants within the city limits and in the surrounding area. We are also in a great location within the state of Oregon – close enough for a quick trip to the coast or Portland, which is a nice getaway when I’m itching to be back in a bigger city. I definitely take advantage of not having to pay sales tax in the state of Oregon and Portland has some great places to shop. Oh, and I love that I don’t have to pump my own gas!
What does your professional development plan look like?
My professional development plan includes many different ways of improving my competency in my current job and to prepare me for next steps. I have been working with a campus partner, the Center for Civic Engagement, to build a stronger community service program on the seventh floor of Bloss Hall, which is themed housing. I am also on the RD Selection Committee this year, which means I have the fantastic opportunity to represent UHDS at The Placement Exchange in Orlando, FL and learn more about the process of hiring new professional staff members. I also plan to attend the regional NWACUHO conference as well as the NASPA annual conference. Last year, I attended a StrengthsQuest Educator training to refresh my skills as a SQ facilitator – this opportunity was great because it was at no cost and was held on campus. One more great thing about being at a large state university like OSU is that opportunities for professional development are everywhere, even on campus or locally in the region.
Franklin Soares
Florida International University, Bachelor of Art in Political Science and History, 2007; Florida International University, Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, 2008
What do you like best about Oregon State University?
One of the things I like about working at Oregon State University is the unlimited opportunities I have to expand my professional portfolio and development for my future endeavors.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
One of my favorite moments as a Resident Director is when I have meetings with students in my office, and they say thank you for helping them to make better decisions in their life and get them ready for the real world. Those are the moments that are priceless and know I am in the right profession.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
I just moved to Corvallis at the start of this school year and am still exploring the city and the state.
What does your professional development plan look like?
My professional development plan consists of attaining a PhD/EdD degree in the next couple of years. I would like to teach in academia or K-12 level setting. In time I would like to ultimately be a high level administrator in an urban school system. I would like to help transcend our future generation now so that they can become great leaders tomorrow.
Brandi Douglas
Oklahoma State University, Bachelor of Arts in English, 2004; University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Masters of Education with an emphasis in Social Justice Education, 2010
What do you like about Oregon State?
I like that there is always something going on. I enjoy that there is a genuine attempt to bring diversity and social justice into the university culture.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I love collaborating with my student staff on building a wonderful community.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
Oregon is such a beautiful state! I have had a chance to do some initial exploring and seeing the beauty of Oregon is amazing. Also this is wine country! A vineyard is only an hour or so away.
What does your professional development plan look like?
My professional development plan encompasses connecting social justice education and student affairs through networking and collaborating with colleagues in and out of UHDS.
Summer Prejean
Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 2008; Louisiana State University, Masters of Arts in Educational Leadership, Research, and Counseling, 2010
What do you like about Oregon State?
OSU is a pretty great place to work. I love that there is such a strong focus on partnership throughout the division. It is great to see so much interaction among the various departments in order to best support our students.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
My favorite thing is the interactions I have with the students and staff. My first two years here I worked in one of the smallest buildings on campus; I had 200 residents and 5 resident assistants. Recently, when a couple of RD spaces opened, I put in a request to move to our new International Living Learning Center as it held more professional development opportunities for my area of interest (international education). I appreciated that I was given the opportunity to move to a new area and get more experience on our campus. There are some really great things happening in the ILLC, not only am I able to see many different students and staff members throughout the day but I am also able to partner with INTO OSU and our dining managers to put on programs in the building. My office is in a very accessible location, when students and staff members walk by they are always able to pop their head in for questions or a chat. I feel extremely connected to the hall and the community; it is exciting to see the students making those same connections with one another and the staff.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
One of my favorite things about Corvallis is probably a little unexpected and mostly ridiculous. I love the Doggie Daycare in the area. Now, stay with me, they are truly amazing. Monday and Tuesday tend to be my longest days. These are the days when staff and hall council meetings happen. Doggie Daycare will pick up Annabelle, my Papillon, in the morning in front of the ILLC and I will pick her up that evening. Annabelle is able to get a lot of great interaction during the day and everyone knows both of us pretty well. I get a good bit of friendly teasing from the other resident directors for spoiling my dog. Honestly, daycare has been great - especially during our busy times (RD/RA training and closing) when I'm not home as much or coming home pretty tired. Doggie Daycare also offers an array of classes and training sessions for new pet owners or pet owners that want advanced training. Here I was able to meet other members of the Corvallis community that have similar interests (read: awesome people with awesome dogs). Corvallis is pretty dog friendly town in general which I think ties into the support for pets and healthy life balance in the department.
What does your professional development plan look like?
Now that I’ve been at Oregon State for a few years my supervisor has been very supportive of my desire to branch out. Last year I was able to attend the Annual NAFSA Conference in Houston, TX. With OSU’s growing international student population it was fantastic to be able to go and gain more information about how to best support our students. Additionally, the Residential Leadership Team is really amazing about sending out upcoming professional development opportunities. Through these opportunities, I was able to attend a two day Suicide Intervention Workshop, go through Green Dot Training, and assist another RD in hosting a webinar that was offered through NASPA. UHDS has been really supportive with letting me decide the pace and set up of my professional development.
Adele Christensen
University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire, Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, 2011; Oregon State University, Master of Education in College Student Services Administration, current student
What do you like about Oregon State?
I like the size of the campus and how green it is; there are trees everywhere! I also like the students I work with here; they are really innovative and fun to get to know. Although OSU may seem like a large campus, our residence halls do not house a large amount of students which makes it easy and enjoyable to build strong communities.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I love the variety I have every day; it keeps me energized since I am able to move around instead of just be in my office the whole day. I also appreciate the committees that we have an opportunity to participate in where your feedback really matters when changing how we do things from year to year.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
The weather is amazing here and it allows for you to enjoy the outdoors year-round. Although I didn’t bike much before I came to OSU, I do now since the city is so bike-friendly. Being sustainable is really important to Corvallis which is something I enjoy around the campus and the city.
What does your professional development plan look like?
I am able to attend two out-of-state conferences this year as well as numerous trainings and conferences that are held on campus. When new events come up, I am encouraged to take advantage of the sessions held on campus and adjust my schedule if necessary.
Terry Smith
University of Michigan, Bachelor of General Science in Psychology and Social Science, 2004; Eastern Michigan University, Master of Arts in Higher Education Student Affairs, 2010
What do you like about Oregon State?
I love the school spirit! Everywhere you look you see Orange and Black, Benny the Beaver, and the classic but awesome OSU logo. I’ve had the opportunity to work at a couple Division I schools in my career and the same school pride and student engagement that you find at a Division I school holds true at OSU. We are currently experiencing an increase in student population which means expanding our housing system and the way we serve our residents. It’s an exciting time to be a member of the Oregon State Community! Go Beavs!!!
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
I would say having a voice in making big decisions that would have a positive and powerful impact on our residents. At OSU, we are striving to be the best Housing and Dining system in the country. As a third year RD, I’ve been involved in various taskforce and committees throughout the department. These opportunities allowed me to share my experience and opinions as we take that step to being a world class Housing and Dining program.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
Coming from beautiful Ann Arbor, MI, I was a little skeptical about the small city feel of Corvallis. It didn’t take long for those feelings to dissipate once I arrived in July of 2010. Corvallis is full of life and offers many options for shopping and fine restaurants. If I can’t find what I need in Corvallis, then I just drive 9 miles to the city of Albany that has the mall and other fun activities or to Salem which is a short drive from Corvallis. My favorite place to be in Oregon is the city of roses, Portland. Why? Well you will just have to get hired and find out.
What does your professional development plan look like?
Well since you asked, this year I will be attending two conferences, NWACUHO (regional) and ACPA. I am also serving on a national ACUHO-I committee: The Housing Assignments Committee. These experiences will continue to help me grow as a professional and will prepare me for the next step in my housing career.
Alex Matiash
The College at Brockport – State University of New York, Bachelor of Science in Marketing and Psychology, 2010; University of Connecticut, Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Affairs, 2012
What do you like about Oregon State?
Oregon State is the perfect fit for me both personally and professionally. University Housing and Dining Services has a professional yet laid back feel to it that helps me operate at peak efficiency. Our campus partners respect the job that Resident Directors do. Our supervisors trust us to make decisions that will benefit our communities and allow us the autonomy to run our residence halls as we see fit. The division of student affairs at Oregon State may appear large, but we are a very close group of individuals where relationships are strong between departments. There are clear collaborations that make our work feel like it’s being done at a smaller school, yet with the resources of a large research institution. Between the trust, the autonomy and the relationships, Oregon State was already a great fit for me. Then, I met the students that attend this institution. I have never worked with students who are so invested in their education. The commitment they show to their academics and extracurricular activities are far beyond what I have ever seen. At the same time they are curious about their own personal development. They show interest in social justice, alcohol awareness and mental health wellness programs above and beyond what I would ever expect. Oregon State provides all of this, which makes it a great fit for me, because although our work can be difficult, the structure, the trust and the students make my work more rewarding than I could have ever imagined while I was interviewing.
What is your favorite thing about being a Resident Director?
The 290+ students that I get to interact with on a daily basis. I love having a medium sized hall on a large campus. It helps our students feel less like a number and more like people care about them here. The conversations I have can range from a typical conduct case, to the Kardashians, to how to jump a car. I never know what I’m going to get from a day and that motivates me to work my hardest. The best part is most of the surprises are welcome surprises, a student excited that they got an A on a mid-term, a discussion about the Amazing Race, or an RA winning an award at PACURH. I feel like this job is more fun than anything else.
What do you like about Corvallis? About Oregon?
This region of the country provides many opportunities to get involved in different outdoor activities. I am a hiking enthusiast and there is a hill within a five minute drive of the campus. If you have a whole afternoon, you can hike to the hill, climb it, and make it back. There are a few other local hikes like Mary’s peak, and also some larger hikes within a day’s drive like Silver Creek Falls and Crater Lake. Oregonians are what one of my RAs would call “super laid back.” You can feel it as soon as you get here. The downtown feel to Corvallis is all about taking it easy and enjoying yourself. It’s a great atmosphere to live in. Portland is about an hour and a half’s drive to the North, Eugene is about 40 minutes to the South, there is some excellent snowboarding a couple hours to the east and the coast is about an hour to the west. Corvallis is literally in the middle of so much to do. If you’re into professional sports (like I am), the Trailblazers (basketball) and Timbers (soccer) are in Portland, and if you’re willing to drive a bit, the Seahawks (football), Mariners (baseball), Storm (WNBA) and Sounders (soccer) are in Seattle. That’s what I like, but trust me there is something for everyone around here.
What does your professional development plan look like?
Constantly changing. Not in drastic ways, but I like that our professional development plans are always a work in progress. Our careers are a work in progress and I like that the Residential Education Leadership Team understand that things can change for us. This year, my goals include developing relationships with different offices on campus that I’m interested in, such as the Alcohol and Other Drug office and our Student Conduct and Community Standards office. I have also been getting involved in initiatives at Oregon State in regards to students who identify as being in recovery from alcohol. I have been continuing my work with ACPA’s Standing Committee for Graduate Students and New Professionals and will be attending the national convention in Las Vegas this year. I am also looking to get involved in ASCA as I make my next steps in the alcohol and conduct areas. As different opportunities arise, there is always the option of altering my professional development plan, which can be very helpful when that random drive-in conference pops up.
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