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Meet Our Staff

Housing's Professional Staff

HREStaff2012-13
In loving memory of Samm Tang, our friend and colleague.
Central Staff

Demitrius Brown
Executive Director of Housing and Residential Education
Hometown:
Greenwood, MS
Education:
BA in History; MS Counselor Education from Mississippi State University in Starkville, MS. #HailState
Experience: I started at DU in June 2012.  I have worked professionally at UNC- Chapel Hill, Floridia International University, and Florida State University
In my free time:
I enjoy playing tennis and watching college football.  I am new to Colorado, so I want to explore this state.
Best thing about DU:
I have appreciated how welcoming everyone has been.


Carrie Ponikvar
Director of Residential Education
Hometown:
Centennial, CO


Deb Bain
Assistant Director—Operations
Hometown: 
Orangeville, Ontario, Canada
Education: 
BS in Business Management from the University of Kansas; MBA from the University of Denver
Experience: 
I have been at DU since 2005 working in the Student Life Division.
In my free time:
 I love everything in the mountains! Snowboarding and Biking are my favorites.
Best thing about DU: 
We couldn't ask for a better location. There is so much to do and the weather is unbeatable


Christy Cerrone
Sustainability Coordinator and Special Projects
Hometown: 
Lakewood, CO
Education: 
BA in Environmental Biology from Drake University; MA in Counseling/Student Affairs from SE Missouri State University
Experience: 
I have been at DU since 2003 in several positions, most recently moving into my current position in December 2009 as Sustainability Coordinator for our department.
In my free time: 
I love taking photos, biking, gardening, and spending time with my family!
Best thing about DU: 
We are working to be on the cutting edge of sustainability initiatives and are working on really exciting projects; there is always a way to get involved!


Mandy Harris
Assistant Director—Occupancy
Responsibilities at DU: 
Residence Hall Occupancy, Room Selection Process, Contract Release Process, Oversees Residence Hall Front Desks


Mary J. Duarte
Office Manager
I am from Colorado and have worked at DU for 20 years.  I am proud to say that two of my kids graduated from DU and they love DU as much as I do. I spend my free time with my two grandkids, cooking and working in my garden.


Kelly Stritzinger
Graduate Assistant—Operations
Hometown: Newark, DE
Education: BA Political Science, International Studies – Ohio State
Experience: I was an RA for two years at OSU and also held internships in political consulting and education policy.
In my free time: I love piano, reading almost anything, creative writing and being goofy with close friends.
Best thing about about DU: Proximity to the rocky mountains and the cultural resources of Denver!

Johnson-McFarlane Hall Staff

Dennis Jackson
Resident Director, Johnson-McFarlane Hall
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Education: BSBA in Business Management and MA in College Student Development from Appalachian State University
Experience: I worked in the Residence Education setting at Appalachian State University, San Diego State University, Gardner-Webb University, and at Campus Village apartments in Denver.
In my free time: I like to read books, watch a good movie, play board/card games, and enjoy a good tennis match. I have a chess set in my office so come by for a game or to set up a tennis match.
Best thing about the building where you work: I like how close Jmac is to everything else on campus.  We have the best set-up!  


Steve Ross
Graduate Residence Director, Johnson-Mcfarlane Hall
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Education: B.A. in Psychology
Experience: I was an Resident Advisor at California State University, Chico for two years. After that I worked at the Cross-Cultural Leadership Center and for the Summer Orientation Program.
In my free time: I love to just hang out and chill with friends.
Best thing about the building where you work: Johnson-McFarlane hall gives me the chance to impact students that are arriving to college for the first time. Not to mention the snack shop :)

Centennial Halls Staff

Su Pal
Resident Director, Centennial Halls
Hometown:
Kathmandu, Nepal
Education:
BS in Public Relations from St. Cloud State University, MN; MA in Higher Education from University of Denver, CO
Experience: I have about 6 years of work experience in Housing and ResLife—I have worked as an RA, Night Security Supervisor, Graduate Resident Director, Desk Assistant. I been in the Resident Director position here at DU since July 2011. I also have worked as an Academic Adviser.
In my free time: I love being around dogs, being outside (good weather required) and cooking (I am not that good but can make pretty good pesto).


Carlita Gay
Graduate Resident Director, Centennial Halls
Hometown:  Eden Prarie, MN
Education: BA in Sociology from DePaul University in Chicago
Experience: During my undergrad I was an Orientation Leader, Peer Mentor, Community Partner Youth Coordinator, and Facilities Assistant through Housing Services.
In my free time: I enjoy discovering new music, dancing, and hanging with friends.
 


Mike Roderique
Graduate Resident Director, Centennial Halls
Hometown:  Onalaska, WI
Education: MA in Art from University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.  I'm a Studio Painter and minored in Theatre Performance and Human Development.  Ufta!
Experience: I've been involved with Community Council (like Leadership Development Team), Residence Hall and Apartment Association, NRHH, WURHA, GLACURH, NACURH, and was an RA, CA, and Residence Life Assistant at UW- Green Bay for a semester and a summer.  It has all been wonderful!
In my free time: I love to run, go to concerts, go to the movies, eat sushi, go on road trips, and drink coffee.
Best thing about DU: the people.  DU and Denver draw in a collective crowd of eclectic individuals with many stories.  DU has many international students and students from across the country which is awesome.

Centennial Towers Staff

Jenny Minsberg
Resident Director, Towers
Hometown: St. Louis Park, MN
Education: Degrees in Elementary education, Special Education and Jewish Studies from Indiana University, Masters in Higher Education – Student Development from University of Denver
Experience: I was an RA for 3 years, a Graduate Resident Director for two years, and am currently in my 2nd year as a Resident Director.
In my free time: Read, watch movies, take long drives
Best thing about the building where you work: Get to know all the RAs, they are a great bunch!


Maoxiao (Ariel) Xia
Graduate Resident Director, Centennial Towers
Hometown: Zunyi, China
Education: BA in Business Economics from Miami University; and taking my master degrees in Higher Education and Real Estate Construction Management from DU
Experience: I was an RA in Miami University
In my free time: I love to cook, to read and to watch movies.
Best thing about the building where you work: Best city views from towers.

Nelson Hall Staff

Zachary Porter
Resident Director, Nelson Hall
Hometown:
Jefferson City, Missouri
Education:
BA History, Webster University; MA Higher Education, DU
Experience:
Was an RA at Webster University for 2 years and participated in RHA for 3 years, I was a Graduate Resident Director for two years at DU
In my free time:
I enjoy going to the movies and enjoying Denver!
Best thing about the building where you work: I really like watching second year students becoming more interested in their academic fields!


Hannah Black
Graduate Resident Director, Nelson Hall
Hometown: Vernon Hills, Illinois (Suburb of Chicago)
Education: BA in Psychology from DePaul University in Chicago
Experience: During my undergrad at DePaul, I was an RA, an Orientation Leader, a mentor for an academic course, and an office assistant for Residential Education.
In my free time: I enjoy reading, hiking, cooking, and exploring Denver!
Best thing about the building where you work: The number of nice places right outside the door that are great for relaxing, studying, or catching up with friends.

Nagel Hall Staff

Khouri Markos
Resident Director, Nagel Hall
Hometown: La Crescent, MN
Education: Masters of Science from Colorado State University in Student Affairs in Higher Education
Experience: I worked as an Admissions Recruiter for Minnesota State University, Mankato before entering graduate school and working for two years as an Assistant Residence Director at Colorado State University
In my free time: I try to find the time to travel and experience new places – in Colorado and around the world!
Best thing about where you work: The opportunity to work with and meet students on a daily basis. There’s never a dull moment!


Joshua Newsom
Graduate Resident Director, Nagel Hall
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Education: BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado- Boulder
Experience: I wa an RA for two years at CU and then worked one year as a Hall Director at CU.
In my free time: I love hanging out with my friends, am involved with my church and their young professionals ministry, and watch TV.  I am currently figuring out what physically active hobby to take up but I love competition swimming.
Best thing about DU: that it has a small school feel with all of the benefits that a large scale university would have.