Meet Our Staff

Housing's Professional Staff

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

Open Position
Assistant Director of Housing Operations

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.

Brittany Miller
Graduate Assistant—Operations
Hometown: Kansas City, MO
Education: BS in Elementary Education at Missouri State University
Experience: As an undergraduate at MSU, I held various executive board positions in the Residence Hall Association and the National Residence Hall Honorary. I was also a Resident Assistant for one year before working with special projects in the Facilities and Operations office.
In my free time: I like to read and create things. I enjoy fun arts and crafts projects and quality time with friends and family.

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!

Hannah Mixdorf
Graduate Resident Director, Johnson-Mcfarlane Hall
Hometown: Stevens Point, WI
Education: BS in Public Administration from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse
Experience: I was an RA for 3 years, 2 of which I spent as our hall's Senior Staff member, and I helped plan several different service trips throughout the U.S.
In my free time: I love coffee, reading, music, and exploring new places. I also love doing anything outside and am excited to spend more time in Colorado!

Katie Chew
Graduate Resident Director, Johnson-Mcfarlane Hall
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Education: BA in Sociology from Colorado State University
Experience: I was a Ram Welcome Leader for commuter students and Transfer Mentor at CSU. I was also a Foundation Intern (hooray for scholarships!) and Alumni Coordinator at Arapahoe Community College
In my free time: I spend a lot of time acting like a Colorado native- kayaking, rafting, biking, and falling down mountains a.k.a. snowboarding. I also love exploring antique stores, playing board games, and indulging in musicals at the Denver Center for Performing Arts.

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).

Kyle Kline
Graduate Resident Director, Centennial Halls
Hometown: Jersey Shore, PA
Education: MS in Chemistry from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
Experience: I was a class XVI AmeriCorps NCCC Corps Member at the Vicksburg, MS campus. Go River 4! And I was also a Student Conservation Association Green Cities Fellow in Pittsburgh, PA.
In my free time: I like being outside, using my bike as my only form of transportation, and taking naps. Also, I love going to concerts. It's a dream come true to live so close to Red Rocks.

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

Chris Devlin
Resident Director, Towers
Hometown: Idalia, CO
Education: BA in English from the University of Northern Colorado, MA in Higher Education Administration from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and currently working on a PhD in Higher Education at the University of Denver
In my free time: I love being active, playing sports, and being outdoors taking advantage of the Colorado sunshine. I also enjoy leisurely reading, so if I'm not out for a run I can be found in a coffee shop with a good book.

Mikaila Harris
Graduate Resident Director, Centennial Towers
Hometown: Lansing, MI
Education: BS in Psychology and Sociology with a Family Life and Human Sexuality Minor from Central Michigan University
Experience: I was a Resident Assistant, Sexual Aggression Survivor Advocate, and heavily involved in volunteering during my undergrad.
In my free time: I enjoy relaxing with friends, listening to music, and volunteering in the community. I love meeting new people and discussing topics that impact society in multiple ways!

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!

JM Alatis
Graduate Resident Director, Nelson Hall
Hometown: Weirton, WV
Education: BA in Sociology from Georgetown University in Washington, DC
Experience: At Georgetown, I was involved in Residence Life and Housing, where I was a Resident Assistant (RA) for three years and one summer. Additionally, I was a Welcome Week Coordinator and worked for two years as the Marketing and Programming Assistant for the Center for Student Engagement. I was a Fellow through the NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP) and interned in Residence Life/Housing at Dartmouth College and at the University of South Carolina.
In my free time: I love to travel, and I'm excited to spend time exploring the great city of Denver! I'm a "foodie" and love to spend time with friends. If I'm not outside taking a walk or being active, a perfect afternoon for me is spent on the couch catching up on Netflix, watching a football game, or reading a book.

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.