Residence Life Staff Alumni

If you are interested in being on this website, please email (rtrunzo@gw.housing.umass.edu) or fax (413-545-1517) the following information:

• Name
• Current institution/company you are working at
• Title of your current position
• Number of years you worked in Residence Life at UMass Amherst
• Position(s) you had in Residence Life at UMass Amherst
• Your favorite thing about being a member of the Department of Residence Life at UMass Amherst

Read what our alumni are doing now!

Dawn Rendell
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Florida State University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Residence Coordinator
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director of Baker/Chadbourne/Greenough and Assistant Residence Director of Pierpont/Moore
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Working with two fantastic House Councils and getting to be a part of the development of EPOCH.

Jodi Bailey
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: New York University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director of Community Development
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 1 year
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant to the Area Director/Graduate Hall Director for Cance
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I truly enjoyed the fact that I had a great mentor and supervisor. Working within my graduate program was an eye opening experience and if it weren't for my position at UMass Amherst, I have no idea what it is I would be doing today!

Dawn M Bond
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Housing Assignment Office, University of Massachusetts Amherst
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Administration & Policy Manager
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 6 1/2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director - one year, Residence Director – 2 1/2 years, Administration and Policy Manager – 3 years.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: My favorite thing about working at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the experience I gained that allowed me to continue in the field of Housing Services at UCLA and now in my current position in the Assignment Office. I appreciate the experiences I was afforded by Residence Life that enhanced my professional development as a new professional.

Jennifer Casavant
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Bentley College (Waltham, MA)
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Residence Director
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 3 Years (1 as an Resident Assistant in Pierpont/Moore, one as the Southwest South Graduate Assistant/Cance Assistant Residence Director, and 1 as an Assistant Residence Director in Washington).
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Resident Assistant, Assistant Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: My favorite part of working in Residence Life at UMass Amherst was the wonderful community that it provided. It was such as amazing and diverse network of peers and colleagues that really put the best of themselves into their work and into making UMass Amherst a great place for students to live.

Sasha Gamburg
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Temple University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Resident Director
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Two Years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Resident Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I really enjoyed the camaraderie I had with my peers, the preparation I received to be successful at my current position, GEO, and of course the close proximity to all the beautiful hiking trails, farmers markets and five college events.

Emily Gerrett
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: University of Maryland, Baltimore County
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director for Young Alumni Programming
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director in Baker/Chadbourne/Greenough and Brett/Brooks
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Working with people who will challenge you when you need it, support you when it's needed and give you a laugh when the situation is desperately outrageous!

Beth Grampetro
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Boston University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Health and Wellness Educator
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years (2001-2003)
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director (Patterson/MacKimmie)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: The people I worked with, and the opportunities that were given to me as a graduate student to help me develop professionally. I really liked the fact that I was treated as a colleague by the professional staff members, and not as a student.

Kelly A. Gray
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: San Diego State University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Residence Hall Coordinator
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years at UMass Amherst as an Assistant Residence Director and a student in the Educational Policy and Research Administration program
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Resdience Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: It is difficult to summarize in a few words what my favorite part of being at UMass Amhrest was because the experience was invaluable. First and foremost, I would have to say the people. Not only did I develop great friendships with my colleagues, but I had wonderful mentors and an excellent support system. Second, would be the opportunities that were made available to me. I felt that the department supported my academics by providing the opportunity to be part of projects and initiatives that coincided with my interests and my academic goals. When it was time to search for a job I felt that my UMass Amherst experience prepared me for the job search process and my current position in Residential Education. Finally, I loved living in the Amherst area and I hope that in the future I find myself there again.

Jennifer Hurst
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Edusoft, Los Angeles, CA
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Account Manager
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 4 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Resident Assistant in Brown, Assistant Residence Director in Pierpont/Moore, Residence Director in John Adams
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: It's so hard to choose just one....but if I'm going to follow the rules I guess I have to say that my most favorite memory is of the Southwest South area meetings during my time as an RD. I will never work with a better group of colleagues.

Heather King
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: UMass Amherst Housing Assignment Office
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Athletic and Medical Assignment Manager
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 1 year
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Residence Director in Washington Tower
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: The focus on diversity and social justice, the resources available at a large institution, the sense that Residence Life leadership really care about the staff, the students, and the quality of the Residence Life program.

Carrie Kortegast
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Denison University, Granville, OH
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Housing & Residential Life
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director and a summer intern with the Area Director in the Southwest/North Area office
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I believed my experience as an ARD complimented my masters program extremely well. The position allowed me to translate what I was learning in my higher education classes to practical situation. I was able to have a wide range of experiences from supervising staff, crisis management, facilitating training's, serving on committees, and forming valuable professional relationships. I learned so much from the department that I have been able to carry into other positions.

Lisa McCalla
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: George Mason University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director of Student Activities - Programming
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: The enthusiasm and passion my colleagues had for teaching, learning and challenging students to think critically about how they might make the best of their time at UMass Amherst.

Mounira Morris
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Allegheny College
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Director of Diversity Affairs
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 3 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director and Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: My favorite thing was my Cluster Staff (Resident Assistants, Community Development Assistant, Assistant Residence Director).

Jonathan Newman
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Kent Public Schools, Kent, WA
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Science Department Head
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 5 Total
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: The friends I made. It also prepared me for a life
in education.

Jessica L. Osit
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Baystate Medical Center
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Health Educator
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 3 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I enjoyed the lively debate and variety of opportunities involved in working with a large, diverse department.

AnnMarie Peavey
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: UMass Amherst, Disability Services
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Consumer Manager
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 5 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Resident Assistant (1993-1996) and Assistant Residence Director (1999-2001)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I enjoyed the diversity of our staff. I learned a great deal about other people during those years and had the opportunity to expose myself to people and ideas I would likely never have experienced in another setting.

Amy L. Proietti
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: UMass Amherst, Financial Aid Services
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director of Systems
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2+ years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years as a Residence Director, and I currently work for the Director of Residence Life in an Additional Compensation role, working on a Residence Life technology project for 5 hours/week.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I appreciate being part of such a large housing department, with access to so many resources for my own professional development, as well as for referral to students and parents.

Jennifer Ramsay (I was Jennifer Scumaci when I worked at UMass Amherst)
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: University of New Hampshire
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Coordinator for Student Leadership
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director, Van Meter/Butterfield (2000-2001), Assistant Residence Director, Coolidge (2001-2002)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: The many great opportunities available to me as an ARD - I really felt prepared to enter into a professional Hall Director position after my ARD life at UMass Amherst - you get really great experience, you get to work with really great people, and you are treated like a professional.

Marcella Runell, Doctoral Student, Social Justice Education
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Currently working as a Teaching Assistant in the Social Justice Education Program, School of Ed, UMASS, Amherst
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Teaching: Education 210: Social Diversity in Education, 691G: Reflective Practice for Social Justice Educators, and coordinating Education 392: Social Justice Issues in Education
NUMBER OF YEARS AS ASTAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 1 year
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Assistant Residence Director (Gorman-Wheeler Cluster 2002-2003)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Favorite thing-everything about working with the Nuance Program.

Sara Sandstrom
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Residence Hall Director (recent title change from Resident Director)
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I was an Area Director’s Graduate Assistant for a year and then an Assistant Residence Director in Washington.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I loved the professional development opportunities, the social justice focus, and advising NRHH.

David Swiderski
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: University of Wisconsin - Madison, Division of University Housing
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Manager - Assignments & Student Services
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 1 year
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I was a Residence Director in Washington Tower
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I enjoyed the diversity of the Residence Life professional staff, Resident Assistant staff, and students with which I worked. I also felt very supported to try new ideas and programs to foster student development and leadership within Washington Tower. The working relationship I had with my Assistant Resdience Director staff was rewarding, we developed a cohesive team that celebrated each person's skills and contributions.

Abby Thomas
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: State University of New York College at Cortland (SUNY Cortland)
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director, Advisement and Transition
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION (S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I enjoyed the opportunity to work with such a diverse and talented staff. I appreciated the department's commitment to diversity and social justice and how it infused and informed our work.

Michael Wiseman
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: University of Massachusetts Amherst
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Director - Office of Fraternities and Sororities
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 4 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Residence Director (1 year in James/Emerson and 3 years in Coolidge) 2 summers of summer employment - planning professional staff summer orientation/training
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I liked all the professional development opportunities we had within the department.

Tara Woolfson
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: The George Washington University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Director, Office of Student Judicial Services
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 2 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: I was an Assistant Residence Director in JQA.
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: My experience in Residence Life at UMass Amherst provided a great opportunity to hone the skills needed to be a successful student affairs professional that can only learned outside the classroom. From advising hall councils to conducting discipline conferences to supervising RAs, my varied experiences at UMass Amherst helped me focus my career path and set the stage for my continued success.

Shuli Xu
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Bowling Green State University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director of Residence Life
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 8 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Fall 1997 - February 1999 (Assistant Residence Director), Feb. 1999 - Spring 2005 (Residence Director)
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Its plethora of opportunities for professional development.

John F. Yaun
CURRENT PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT: Louisiana State University
TITLE OF CURRENT POSITION: Assistant Director for Living/Learning Programs
NUMBER OF YEARS AS A STAFF MEMBER IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: 6 years
POSITION(S) IN THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE AT UMASS AMHERST: Residence Director
FAVORITE THING ABOUT BEING A MEMBER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF RESIDENCE LIFE ATUMASS AMHERST: Fellow staff members, supportive work environment, professionalism, and the vision and mission of the Department.