Meet the Staff!

The Housing and Residence Life (HRL) Staff consists of a Director, an Assistant Director, two Resident Directors, a Graduate Assistant and 14 Resident Assistants.  Most staff members live on campus in order to respond to emergencies and other important student needs.

Director of Housing and Residence Life, Mary E. Oleksy

Mary Oleksy has worked at NDNU since July 1998 and has served the University as Resident Director (1998-2001), Assistant to the President (2001-2003), Director of Student Development and Responsibility (2003 - present), and Director of Housing and Residence Life (2005-present).  She attended S.U.N.Y. Geneseo for her undergraduate studies in sociology and psychology, and received a Master's in Public Administration from NDNU.  Her current areas of interest include conflict resolution, meeting facilitation, and diversity issues.

Contact Mary: (650) 508-3657 or Email moleksy@ndnu.edu

Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life,  Jacque S. Little

Jacque's residence life career started during her sophomore year of college when she applied for an RA position at Westminster College in Pennsylvania.  She became an RD her senior year of college and remained in the position during the year following graduation.  After a two year hiatus from residence life while attending graduate school at the University of Vermont in which she worked in the Health Promotions Office, she longed to return to her first love of Student Affairs: Residence Life.  Two more years as an RD at Keene State College in Keene, NH helped to prepare her for her current position as the Assistant Director of Housing & Residence Life at NDNU. This is a great institution with great people, great education, and she feels fortunate to be here!

Contact Jacque: (650) 508-3759 or Email jlittle@ndnu.edu

Resident Director, Meagan E. Burke

Notre Dame de Namur University is a special place for Meagan.   She is a graduate of NDNU and was a Resident Assistant for three years.  As a RA she fell in love with Student Affairs and has been working as a Resident Director for the past two years.  She seeks to give back to her alma mater through her work with residential students.  Meagan’s passions include self discovery, art, making jewelry, and social justice. She feels very privileged to work here at NDNU.

Contact Meagan: (650) 508-3424 or Email mburke@ndnu.edu

Resident Director, Monica Serrato

Monica came to NDNU after spending four years working in the non-profit sector with homeless and at-risk youth in Phoenix, AZ, while she also studied energy work, Reiki, aromatherapy, and massage. Monica made the decision to return to Residence Life when she realized that some of her happiest times were when she worked as an RA and as the Residence Life Intern at Marymount College (now Fordham University) in Tarrytown, NY. Prior to college, Monica spent two years as an Americorps member with the National Civilian Community Corps and traveled around the west coast doing community service. The commitment that NDNU has to social justice, diversity, and holistic learning rings true to Monica’s own personal values, and she is looking forward to a great year of learning and sharing with the NDNU community.

Contact Monica: (650) 508-3790 or Email mserrato@ndnu.edu

Resident Assistants
Resident Assistants (RAs) are the most visible members of the Housing and Residence Life team. They are full time graduate and undergraduate students who live with the residents.  RAs are trained leaders who can respond to various situations that arise in a group living environment. RAs are community developers who: advise and counsel students, plan programs, enforce university policies, serve duty, help solve problems, help out in emergencies and most importantly, promote the well-being of each individual student as well as the community. (JB, x3459 and SJ, x3427).

Conrad Clevlen, RA for New Hall

Conrad Louis Clevlen wasn't your typical child. He was often consumed with philosophizing the meaning of life or the purpose of his existence or simply gazing off at running water. The normal childhood shenanigans were just of no concern Conrad. In short, it is safe to say to say that with Conrad as a RA the people will be in good hands. He is a man of the people, a man for the people...actually, he is the people. Thanks for taking the time to get to know him. Major: Psychology  Activities: Amnesty International, Orientation Team, The Argonaut, and Lacrosse.  Likes: Grocery Shopping, Lacrosse, Surfing, Warm weather, pretty much LIFE in general.

Dorian Virrueta, RA for St. Joesph's Hall

Dorian Virrueta is 21 years old and is from Fremont, California. He a senior of the School of Business with a concentration on Economics/Finance. Dorian is also on the NDNU Men’s Soccer Team and has enjoyed every second of it. This will be Dorian’s first year as an RA. He would like to welcome all first-time attendees at NDNU and wish them a wonderful first year.

Evelia Chacon, RA for Julie Billiart Hall

Evelia Chacon is a multiple subject credential student.  She has been an RA for two years, and loves working with the students at NDNU.  In her spare time, Evelia loves to read books by and about Latinos, and she loves spending time with kids.  She is from Los Angeles, and is looking forward to moving back there some day.  She is looking forward to an awesome year as a student teacher and an RA!

Jillian Yanez-Pastor, RA for Julie Billiart Hall

Jillian Yanez-Pastor is a senior and will be the RA for JB 3rd! She is excited to be the RA for the all women’s floor and is eager to meet all her residents. Jillian is a Liberal Studies (education) major and a dance minor. In her free time she likes to hang out with friends and family, dance, run, watch movies, read, and practice piano. She is from the bay area and loves it here at Notre Dame de Namur University. In advance hello and welcome to NDNU!

Leilani Kaleiwahea, RA for New Hall

Leilani Kaleiwahea was born in Agana, Guam but was raised in Hawaii.  Leilani is a senior at NDNU and has attended the NDNU all four years.  She is a double major in both biology and psychology and is debating whether or not she should add a bio-chemistry minor to the list.  One of her passions in life is environmental justice and the going green movement, she president of the newly founded Going Green Club (please let her know if you’re interested J) and the RA for the Green Floor. Leilani is also involved in ASNDNU, the student government association on campus, this year she was elected as School of Science senator.  On a less serious note, she enjoys surfing and cooking (and eating!), so if you are ever interested in going surfing or trying a new recipe, her door is always open.

Liz Weiland, RA for New Hall

Liz Weiland is a Psychology major and starting her senior year here at NDNU. This is Liz’s third year as in RA, but her first year as a New Hall RA…go NW 2nd! Liz is originally from Tualatin, Oregon.  Liz enjoys listening to music, reading and laughing to name a few of her interests.

Sarah Lopez, RA for New Hall

Sarah Lopez is 19 years old.  She will graduate NDNU Fall 2009 with a BA in Theatre, a BS in Psychology, and a minor in Dance.  Sarah believes in the idea of community based learning.  After graduation she plans to open an organization that gives underprivileged children the opportunity to pursue their passion in life and overcome daily obstacles.  She's currently involved in the start of a film production company.  She decided to become an RA to work with students on accomplishing the goals they had in mind when deciding to attend NDNU.  She loves to eat, and she loves to hang out with people who are down to earth and like to have a good time. 

Shaun Ferreira, RA for Apartments

Shaun Ferreira has been an RA since the beginning of his junior year and is returning to be one of the RAs in the apartments.  He will be starting his senior year next semester and plans to double major in History and English.  Shaun is 21 years old and is from Manteca which is north-east of NDNU.  If you ever catch him in his room, he’ll probably be reading comic books, listening to Beatles music, or playing video games.  Shaun has been involved with several campus groups over the last three years.  The second semester of my freshman year he became the Mass Coordinator, in that role he oversees the Student Masses on Sunday evenings and work with the Center for Spiritual and Social Change on various events like the Kairos Retreat. Shaun is also involved with the Admissions Office giving tours to new students, so he may have already met some of you! He is looking forward to meeting his new residents next year and everyone else on campus.

Anna Harkins, RA for the Apartments

Anna Harkins is 21 years old and currently pursuing a sociology and psychology double major. This is her second year as a Resident Advisor and she looks forward to meeting the people in the apartments this upcoming year. She likes watching reality TV...even though it isn't reality. Her goal is to become one of the women on American Gladiators. Her name would be Venom.

Jaimie Taber, RA for New Hall

Jaimie Taber is going to be a junior this year.  She is a Biology major and a Sociology minor. Jaimie has worked as a Vet-tech for three years now and her life pretty much revolves around animals.  She is currently working with Monica Serrato and the Homeless Cat Network on a Campus Feral Cat Project.  Jaimie likes the outdoors and playing team sports.  Her favorite color is lime green and she enjoys meeting new friends with similar hobbies and interests.  If Jaimie going to be your new R.A. this semester come by and meet her in New Hall, if not you should still come by and introduce yourself!!!  Jaimie is looking forward to a great year with everyone!!

Diana Enriquez, RA for St. Joseph's Hall

Diana Enriquez is from Duarte California in Los Angeles county. In the fall she will be a senior and is double majoring in Political Science and Religious Studies with a minor in Spanish. Diana is also a Senator for the School of Arts and Humanities, PBC and an Orientation Leader. In Diana’s spare time she likes reading books that focus on social justice in Latin America and she hopes to go there after she graduates to live and serve. Diana also loves learning about Liberation Theology and how it has affected today’s world.

Jonathon Yerena, RA for St. Joseph's Hall

Jonathan Yerena (Johnny to most people) is a junior majoring in business.  This will be Johnny’s second year as an RA on campus and he is also on the Cross Country team.  Johnny is originally from West Covina California, which is a suburb of Los Angeles.  He likes to stay active and meet new people.

Ben Barnett, RA for Julie Billiart Hall

Ben Barnett was born in Chicago Illinois and is going to be sophomore next year at NDNU. He is 18 and is majoring in Bio-Chem. When Ben is not doing his school work, he is playing sports and listening to music.