The Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity for housing and residence life professionals from underrepresented backgrounds to gain leadership skills and experience that translate to positions on their home campuses and within the Association’s volunteer leadership pipeline. Through coaching calls, monthly meetings, mentorship experiences, and other intentional professional development opportunities, cohort members prepare for personal and professional growth.

The 2024 Leadership Academy kicked off on May 20 and consists of 10 cohort members who will engage in the 12-month experience. The cohort members come from institutions across the U.S. and Canada. The program will be led by:

  • Aramis Watson, Dean of Residence Life and Student Housing | Southern Methodist University
  • Kate Baier, Executive Director of Residential Life & Housing Services | New York University
  • Michael Palacioz, Assistant Director of Student Care & Conduct, Housing & Food Services – Residential Life | University of Washington

Along with these individuals who will support the program as planning team members:

  • Suzanne Price, Assistant Vice President for Auxiliary Enterprises | Clemson University
  • David Hibbler Jr., Executive Director of Housing & Residence Life and Associate Dean of Students | University of Chicago
  • Shardonay Davis, Assistant Director of Residence Life | University of Miami
  • Monica Cuello, Area Coordinator | Rutgers University
  • Magdalena Gracia, Assistant Director of Well-Being & Inclusion | Northwestern University
  • Elliot Hail-Langner, Contracts & Assignment Specialist | University of Iowa
  • Lynn Huynh, Assistant Director of Residence Life for Student Leadership & Advising, University of Oregon
  • MJ Miller, Residence Hall Director | University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
  • Keeyana Talley, Assistant Director of Academic Initiatives & Experiential Learning | University of North Carolina Greensboro
  • Tyron Thomas, Residence Life Coordinator | University of Calgary
  • Stephanie Tillman, Program Coordinator of Academic Initiatives | Florida State University
  • Marrese Whitsett Jr, Assistant Director of Residential Operations | Florida A&M University
  • Dylan Wilkes, Assistant Director of Residential Life | Virginia Commonwealth University