Meet the Staff
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As one of two Associate Directors with responsibilities for the operation of the Office of Residence Life, Shaun Holtgreive enjoys working with the east area and the towers residence halls, the building maintenance workers, technology operations and the counselor in residence program. In addition, Shaun is responsible for the application and assignment process. Shaun received both his Bachelors and Masters degrees from CMU and currently has two of his three daughters enrolled here and living on campus. In his spare time he enjoys running and tries to escape on a fishing trip for a few days after the mad rush of move-in. |
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As one of the two Associate Directors with responsibilities for the operation of the Office of Residence Life, Joan Schmidt enjoys working with the north and south area residence halls, the university apartments, marketing and publications, as well as the resident satisfaction and student staff assessments. She also has an overall responsibility for pest control, but don’t bug her about that! Joan received both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from CMU and has an affinity for the maroon and gold! She especially enjoys serving as a mentor and resource for student leaders who have an interest in residence life as a career. She previously served as President of the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and is currently Chair-Elect of the ACUHO-I Foundation. Her two grown sons live in North Carolina where one is a doctoral student at Duke University and one is employed in Sports Information at the University of North Carolina. |
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Jason Bentley serves in a dual role between Academic Affairs and the Office of Residence Life. As a part of Academic Affairs, he serves as Director for the First-Year Experience. Within the Office of Residence Life, Jason serves as Assistant Director for the North Residence Halls (Barnes, Calkins, Larzelere, Robinson and Trout). As Director for First-Year Experience, he works closely with faculty and staff to create and assess engaged learning experiences, prepare peer mentors, assist learning communities, support innovations in first-year teaching , and monitor persistence and academic achievement among first-year students. As Assistant Director for Residence Life, Jason works together with a team of passionate professionals focused on supporting students and their connections to resources and opportunities. Jason hails from Michigan and is a graduate of Lapeer Community Schools. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education, a Master of Arts in Educational Administration and Community Leadership and will complete his doctorate in Educational Leadership in 2011. |
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If you have any questions about the University Apartments, Karen Godwin has the answers. She works with single students, families and faculty and staff members who are interested in living on campus but not in a typical residence hall. Karen assigns all apartments in Kewadin, Northwest and Washington Court. The student apartment supervisors report to Karen, and she works closely with the apartment building maintenance workers. Karen is also the very busy mother of two children, teenager Trevor and third grader Shelby. |
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Grant Skomski grew up in Royal Oak and came to CMU as a freshman percussion major who played in the CMU Marching Band for five years. He completed his Bachelors degree and also did his graduate work in Educational Administration at Central. As Assistant Director, Grant currently oversees the East Area and serves as Coordinator of Residence Life Facilities. He claims the student moving crew has literally touched each piece of furniture in our 22 residence halls. Grant has an extensive background within the Residence Life operation and is affectionately known as the keeper of departmental historical information. Grant has also served as the Interim Director of University Recreation at CMU and as a part-time instructor in the Education and Physical Education Departments. Grant and his wife have a teenage daughter who is a very talented figure skater. |
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Ann Ellis is the office coordinator in the Office of Residence Life. She has been working at Central Michigan University for more than 25 years. Ann oversees the online housing application process. She also coordinates the assignments of the living and learning communities. Ann works very closely with the 19 residence hall directors on room changes, hall transfers, assignments and cancellations. She appreciates and enjoys the vast diversity of the residence hall directors and the students we serve. Ann and her husband have a daughter Melissa, who is currently attending CMU and a son Josh, a senior in high school. |
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The first person you see, the first person you speak with in Residence Life, and normally the person who will answer your email will more than likely be Jackie Studer. In Jackie you will find a receptionist/secretary/greeter/resource person, a smiling face and an answer to your questions. Personally, Jackie is the mother of two college graduates, wife, grandmother, who loves to spend time gardening and in the outdoors. |
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Lori Theisen works in the main office of Residence Life, as a Senior Specialist Clerk, processing changes, assignments and unfortunately cancelations. Before coming to Central Michigan University Lori worked for 18 years as an office manager for a construction company. Lori also spent many years ‘working’ for her parents in a ‘Mom and Pop’ store at Coldwater Lake. She graduated from Beal City High School and then received her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Central Michigan University. In her free time Lori enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves being outdoors, camping, and spending time at her cabin up north. And Lori says there is nothing better than hearing the laughter of her two children! |
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Michelle Veith is proud to be a CMU alumnus -- earning both her Bachelors and Masters degrees from CMU. She has been working as a professional in the field of Student Affairs for 17 years, 13 of which have been at CMU. Michelle enjoys the variety that her position provides; working with everything from facilities, supervision, training, to working with a registered student organization. Prior to becoming an Assistant Director of Residence Life, Michelle was an Academic Advisor and still enjoys assisting and watching students reach their educational goals. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her pets, family and friends as well as supporting CMU athletic events. |
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Kim Voisin has been serving since 1998 as an Assistant Director of Residence Life working closely with our human resource initiatives, including professional and student staff hiring processes, and leadership development. She oversees our Leadership Camp program and also assists with campus-wide training efforts offered at CMU. In January 2010, Kim assumed supervisory responsibility for the Towers Residence Halls and supports the professional and student staff in making the Towers a great place to live. Kim was previously a hall director at Central Methodist College in Missouri and at CMU and worked in Human Resources at an area manufacturing company before returning to Residence Life. She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Community Leadership from CMU. In fall 2008, Kim became an instructor for CMU’s First Year Experience program. |
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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. |
| Crystal Sattelberg is thrilled to return to Central Michigan University as the Beddow Residence Hall Director! After completing her Secondary Education degree at CMU Crystal worked as an Area Coordinator at Aquinas College for two years. At Aquinas, Crystal found her passion for working with freshmen and sophomores and hopes to continue her education by pursuing a Master's Degree in Higher Education. Besides working with new students, Crystal enjoys the finer things in life; reading, movies, crafts, and spending time with family and friends. |
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Beginning her tenth 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 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 reads 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 seventh 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. |  |
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Tonia Pittman is serving her second year at CMU as the Residence Hall Director for Carey and Kesseler Halls. Previously, she worked in Residence Life at Eastern Illinois University for four years and is very excited to be back in Michigan where she grew up. Her educational background includes obtaining a Bachelor's and Master's of Social Work. She loves working with college students in helping them be socially and academically successful. Tonia is excited to be closer tofriends and family and to be a part of such a great community here at CMU. |
| Exlee Pegg, or ‘Steely’, as her friends and colleagues know her, is the four year Residence Hall Director for Celani and Fabiano Residence Halls. Steely is 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. |  |
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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 fifth 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 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. |  |
| The first and only residence hall director for Kulhavi Hall (which opened in 2003) is Darell Armentrout. 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. |  |
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Andrea Purrenhage loves working with the staff and students in Larzelere Hall and has done so for eight 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 ten 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. Merrill Hall is known for its close community, and much of that can be attributed to LT's leadership. |  |
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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 a private bathroom. 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. |
| Although this is the first year for Faye Reber as a Residence Hall Director in Saxe Hall, she previously served in the same capacity in Sweeney Hall for five years. She enjoys working with the fabulous residents of Saxe as well as other student leaders 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 has recently completed 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. |
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Bo Parker serves as the Residence Hall Director of Sweeney Hall. Previously, Bo worked for CMU as a Resident Assistant and later a Graduate Assistant in the south area, in addition to working as a Hall Director at Alma College. Bo’s educational background includes an Undergraduate Degree in Interpersonal Communication and he is currently finishing his Masters Degree in Communication Research. As Sweeney Hall Director, Bo and his staff have the amazing opportunity to collaborate with the Education and Human Services Residential College (EHSRC). Bo loves working with college students in helping them realize their full potential. In his spare time, Bo enjoys reading, running, and spending time with friends and family. |
| Ryan Phillips is a proud alum of CMU and is in his third 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 is working with students on a daily basis encouraging them to learn and grow as individuals outside of the classroom setting. In his free time Ryan enjoys watching movies, playing ping-pong, and rooting on the Detroit Tigers. |  |
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Ann Krzyzaniak, Trout Residence Hall Director, has been involved in Residence Life for five 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 nine years and this year will also take on the fun and responsibility of Cobb Hall. 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, computer center, math center and writing center. Come be a part of our own little city here on campus. |  |
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Sara Olsztyn is the Wheeler Residence Hall Director, has been part of the Residence Life staff at CMU for six 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 fifth year as the Woldt Hall Residence Hall Director. Dave 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.