Newcomers and Promotions
Sandra Aguilera Ox15 C17 accepted the position of senior customer service representative with Housing Operations. She worked previously as an intern with the Bread Coffeehouse and Food Pantry and as a student worker with Emory Dining. Sandra earned a BA in Human Health from Emory.
Ron Alexander is joining Residence Life as a complex director. Originally from Decatur, Ron has worked in residence life and student affairs at Stony Brook University, Yale University, and George Washington University. He completed a BA in sociology at Georgia State University and a master of education in college student affairs at the University of West Georgia.
Sandra Edwards has joined the Campus Life team as administrative assistant to Suzanne Onorato, assistant vice president. Most recently, Sandra served as a program coordinator in the Department of Education at Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing. She holds a bachelor’s in psychology from Georgia State University and a master’s in management from St. Thomas University.
Sammi Goldsmith is new assistant women’s basketball coach for the Emory Eagles. Most recently, she served as a graduate assistant for the women’s basketball team at Virginia Tech. Sammi earned a bachelor of arts at Lynchburg College in 2016, where she played basketball. She went on to receive an MA in education from Virginia Tech in spring 2018.
Walter Kolis is the new associate director for recreation and athletic facilities/operations. He served previously as assistant director for member services and staff development in Georgia Tech’s Department of Campus Recreation. Walter holds a BS in sport management, with minors in business leadership and communication from the University of Dayton and an MA in sport administration from Ball State University.
Cathy Marques accepted the position of complex director with Residence Life. She served previously as a graduate assistant for the vice provost at Vanderbilt University, where she earned a master’s in higher education administration. She also worked as a college adviser through an AmeriCorps program and worked in the legal sector of Washington, DC. Cathy earned a BA in political science and Spanish from Davidson College and is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese.
Shawn Padon is a graduate intern this summer in the Office of Student Conduct, having served previously as a graduate student assistant at Syracuse University. Shawn holds an associate’s degree in general education, bachelors in public relations, and master’s in higher education.
Cheytoria Penny is the new associate director of finance in Campus Life’s Finance Service Center. She comes to Emory following 11 years in Georgia Tech, supporting the university’s housing department operating and capital budgets. She holds a bachelor’s in management from Georgia Tech and an MBA from Saint Leo University.
Nichole Reader is joining Residence Life as a complex director after serving the past two years as a graduate resident director, co-supervising a building of 21 resident advisers and just under 1,500 residents at the University of Oklahoma. She earned a master’s in adult and higher education at Oklahoma and her bachelor’s in neuroscience at Texas Christian University.
Luke Sciulli accepted the position of ACUI intern with the University Center. He worked previously in residence life at Tennessee Tech, the First Year Experience program at New College of Florida, and the Pre College Program at Harvard University. Luke is a graduate student at University of Tennessee, studying college student personnel.
Colleagues Moving On
Kayla Tyson is leaving Emory on June 15 to continue their social justice work and education in the Atlanta Community. Kayla joined the University Center in August of 2015 as coordinator for student and facilities operations. They revamped the University Center student employment program, participated in planning the new Campus Life Center, and helped expand event services. In addition, they worked diligently to support Emory students of color and queer students. Kayla received Campus Life’s 2018 New Professional Honors Award.
Honors and Awards
Sara Frank 18C, who was recognized as one of five finalists, has been named Omicron Delta Kappa’s national Leader of the Year. Sara, a former sophomore advisor with Residence Life, is president of the ODK chapter at Emory. Chapter advisor Sherry Ebrahimi, director of conference services, nominated Sara for the honor. ODK recognizes and encourages superior leadership and exemplary character. Read the Emory Report story at http://news.emory.edu/stories/2018/06/er_tn_odk_leader_frank/campus.html.
Recipients of 2018 Campus Life Awards for Superlative Service (CLASS) Awards
New Professional Honors
Steven Klein, staff trainer, Emory Eagles
New Professionals Honors
Kayla Tyson, coordinator for student and facility operations, University Center
Helen W. Jenkins Lifetime Achievement
Bridget Guernsey Riordan, assistant vice president, Campus Life, Alumni Relations, and Parent and Family Programs
Friends in Faculty
Alexander “Sasha” Volokh, associate professor, School of Law
Campus Life Champion
Frank Gaertner Jr., assistant director for advising, Office of Undergraduate Education
John L. Ford Ethical Leadership
Ed Lee, executive director, Community Portfolio and Center for the Advancement of Student Advocacy and Agency
Engaged Scholar
April Flint, director, Recreation and Wellness
Distinguished Service
Ting-Wei “Tina” Chang, communications manager, Communications
Distinguished Service
Dawn Mielke, staff physician, Emory University Student Health Services
Building Bridges
Chanel Craft Tanner, director, Center for Women at Emory
View photos from the CLASS Awards Luncheon on May 9
https://tbenner.smugmug.com/EmoryUniversity-1/Events/Campus-Life/Emory-Campus-Life-Service-Awards-5-9-18/
Professional Development
Colleagues who earned degrees
Jessi Arnidis, director of development for Campus Life, received her Executive MBA degree from the Goizueta Business School.
Jonathan R. Duke, director of meeting services and associate director of the University Center, completed his EdD in student affairs leadership from the University of Georgia. His dissertation topic was “Experience and Persistence of Campus Sexual Assault Investigators.”
Natalie Turrin, coordinator for gender and sexuality programs for the Office of LGBT Life and the Center for Women, received her PhD in women's, gender, and sexuality studies from Emory University. Her dissertation focus was feminist science and technology studies.
Colleagues who completed professional development programs
Administrative Professionals Program
Adrienne Little-Duncan, administrative assistant, Sorority and Fraternity Life
Aspiring Leaders Program
Victoria Chan, assistant director, Student Conduct
Kalesha Ervin, career counselor, Career Center
Emerging Leaders Program
Tina Chang, communications manager, Communications
Essentials of Leadership Program
Don Cornwell, director, Career Center
Tomika DePriest, senior director, Communications
Lisa Loveall, director, Student Involvement, Leadership and Transitions
Kimberly Taylor, associate director, Business Operations
Lina Vargas, seni or director, Finance Service Center
Special Category
Moses Ngungu, senior customer service representative in Housing Operations, recently completed requirements for United States citizenship. A husband and father, he has been a student in the U.S. for more than a decade and now is working toward an EdD in higher education administration. While some applicants may struggle to learn enough civics and history about their new country to pass the citizenship exam, Moses was ready for the challenge, having taught social studies in a private upper elementary school for two years.
Please send your suggested kudos – new hires, promotions, awards, and other recognitions for yourself or your colleagues – to us at ECLeditorial@emory.edu .
