Kristin Olson, Director
202 A Driscoll Center North
303.871.4504
kolson1@du.edu
Kristin was born in the land of spuds, also known as Idaho. At a young age, she realized a world existed beyond the potato fields. When the time came to leave home, she headed to New Hampshire to attend college.
At UNH she worked as an RA and found she really enjoyed working with college students. After completing a BA in Political Science from UNH, she decided to continue her work with students as a Hall Director at SNHU for several years. During this time, she met and married her baseball-crazed husband (Go Red Sox!), Mike.
She so enjoyed her work with college students that she decided to go back to college for another degree. While working on her MA at DU, Kristin worked as a Grad Residence Director in J-Mac for a year and then worked as a Grad Assistant in the CCS Office. Kristin graduated in June 2004 with a MA in Higher Education, and shortly afterwards was hired to work as our Assistant Director. After five years as the Assistant, Kristin was recently hired to serve as the Director in the office and is excited about her new role on campus.
She also has served as the advisor to Up 'Til Dawn -- a colligate fundraising group on campus that works with St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. In her spare time, she works to promote Campus Conversations: A Book of Questions for College Students. The book is designed for college students to think about how they would react to a variety of hypothetical situations. Published in May 2004, this book has been successfully used on campuses around the nation.
If you stop by Kristin's office, you'd be hard pressed not to see the true love of her life -- her family! Along with her partner Mike, Kristin has two young sons who certainly keep her busy when she isn't at DU. The Olson family enjoys hiking and camping in the Rocky Mountains and loves biking around Denver!
Welcome Michael Katz, Assistant Director
201 Driscoll Center North
303.871.4851
Michael.Katz@du.edu
Mike was born in New York but raised in New Jersey. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Rhode Island (URI) where he was very involved in the leadership of the URI Greek system and peer education and victim/survivor advocacy around sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. His experiences at URI werent quite complete though so Mike stuck around to get his Master of Science in College Student Personnel. While working on his MS, Mike worked in the Office of Student Life as a Graduate Assistant working with student conduct and drug and alcohol interventions. Mike continued to volunteer as a victim/survivor peer advocate at URI where he met his wife, Haley who was also a peer advocate.
While finishing his MS Mike was also an intern in the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at Roger Williams University (RWU). Mike was then asked to fill a vacancy at RWU in the Office of Residence Life as a Coordinator of Residence Education. After graduating with his MS Mike knew that if he was ever going to leave the Northeast that was the time. With a longing for the Rocky Mountain spirit Mike left Rhode Island and headed to Colorado College (sorry DU) where he worked as a Residential Life Coordinator. After that, Mike was off to Colorado State University where he has worked as a Residence Director and served as a judge for the Back on TRAC (Treatment, Responsibility, and Accountability on Campus) program.
In his spare time Mike enjoys spending time with his wife, Haley and black Labrador Retriever/Golden Retriever, Mattie camping, hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, skiing, snowshoeing and anything else that lets them be outdoors.
Brittany Salsman, Graduate Assistant
214 Driscoll Center North
303.871.3584
Brittany.Salsman@du.edu
Brittany was born in Kentucky, the center of the horse racing industry. She grew up in the Bourbon Capital of the World, Bardstown. Very quickly, she realized small towns were not where she wanted to spend the rest of her life and she desperately wanted to get rid of her "southern accent" that everyone notices except her. She personally thinks everyone else has the accent, but that's up to debate. She does wear shoes on a daily basis, but does not have any horses.
After following in her family's footsteps to the University of Kentucky, she miraculously saw "the light" and transferred to the University of Louisville, UK's rival, which everyone knows is located in "the best college sports town in America."
At U of L, she was involved predominantly with Housing and Residence Life and the Student Activities Board where she developed a passion for helping others succeed in college. After completing a BA in Early Elementary Education, she decided she still was not ready to grow up and is currently pursuing a master's degree in Higher Education (College Student Development) at the University of Denver.
In her spare time, Brittany loves to workout, snow ski, and watch college football and basketball (especially the CARDS!).
Jess Hunter, Administrative Coordinator
201 Driscoll Center North
303.871.4851
Jess.Hunter@du.edu
Jess was born in Grand Junction, Colorado with skis on her feet and a love for the mountain air. Growing up in Colorado, Jess knew that she had already found her home in this beautiful state and after high school, she attended the University of Denver.
Jess worked on her BSBA in Accounting/Finance and her MBA both through DU. Her past work experience has included multiple departments on campus including the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Discoveries Orientation Program, and Housing and Residential Education. With Pioneer Pride, Jess loves staying close to her Crimson and Gold colors through multiple organizations. Some have included the Pioneer Leadership Program, the Honors Program, Undergraduate Student Government, and the University of Denver Grilling Society. She is excited for her new role at DU.
Jess loves to play sports, watch movies, travel, be with family and friends, meet new people, and learn new experiences. Oh right, and she loves Colorado.
