Residence Life Team
Welcome home — we’re glad you’re here! The goal of the Benedictine Residence Life Team is to ensure that your on-campus housing experience offers countless opportunities for personal growth, community living, leadership development, and a place you can truly call home.
Our housing team includes two professional staff members and ten Resident Assistants within the Office of Student Engagement. Together, the Benedictine Residence Life Team works to ensure facilities are well-maintained and to deliver community-building initiatives that enrich the residential student experience.
Titles & Responsibilities
Resident Assistant (RAs)
Resident Assistants are student leader staff members responsible for building community for the residents, keeping residents informed on department and campus wide events and procedures, confronting policy and documenting policy violations, mediating roommate issues, and participate in nightly duty to ensure safety and security in campus housing.
Head Residents (HRs)
Head Resident Assistants are responsible for direct supervision of Resident Assistants, assist in large scale programming, community development and participating in on-duty rotation for emergency and crisis management response in campus housing.
Director
The Director, Liz Melendez leads the department and ensures that the Student Engagement Mission is carried out. Liz is responsible for the operations of campus housing administration, occupancy management, departmental initiatives and strategic planning. In this role, Liz is also involved in assisting with resolving a variety of student issues, conduct and contract management.
Meet the 2026 – 2027 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Founders’ Woods
Ellie Welsh, Head Resident
Ellie Welsh, Head Resident
Founders’ Woods Community
Hi, I’m Ellie! I’m a senior Communications major with a minor in Pre-Law at ÃÛÌÒTV and the Head Resident for Founders Woods. I love building community, getting to know residents, and helping make campus feel like home. In my free time, I enjoy spending time outdoors, hanging out with family and friends, and making memories with my nieces. If you see me around campus, feel free to say hi!
Kamia Fowlkes, Resident Assistant
Kamia Fowlkes, Resident Assistant
Founders’ Woods, Thomas Hall
Hi, my name is Mia. My major is psychology and I’m in the class of 2028. I’m looking forward to meeting and getting to know all of the residents! I love helping others, so I can’t wait to be someone people can lean on for support. A fun fact about me is that I love reality tv and I can speak German!
Taylor Coutts, Resident Assistant
Taylor Coutts, Resident Assistant
Founders’ Woods, Valentine Hall
My name is Taylor Coutts, and I’m from Ladd, Illinois. I am currently majoring in Finance with a minor in Business Analytics, and I am part of the class of Fall 2027. I’m most looking forward to being a Resident Assistant because I enjoy meeting new people and being someone others can go to if they need help. I’m excited to help create a fun and comfortable environment where everyone feels included. Fun Fact: I’m someone who’s always on the move and loves being outdoors whenever I get the chance.
Victoria Alvarez, Resident Assistant
Victoria Alvarez, Resident Assistant
Founders’ Woods, Kucera Hall
Hi everyone! My name is Victoria, and I am a first-generation Special Education major with a Spanish minor here at Benu! I’m thrilled to be an RA and help create a fun and welcoming environment where everyone feels comfortable and at home! A few things about me: I love spending time with my family and friends, serving at my church, listening to music, and shopping! After my time here at Benedictine I hope to become a first-grade special education teacher. I can’t wait to meet everyone and have a great year!
Samantha Bennett, Resident Assistant
Samantha Bennett, Resident Assistant
Founders’ Woods, Anderson Hall
Hi! My name is Sam, and I’m a junior at ÃÛÌÒTV studying on the pre-med track. I’m involved in women’s soccer, campus ministry, concert band, and pep band, and I love staying active and connecting with others. When I’m not in class, you’ll usually find me spending time with friends, on the soccer field, or working in Goodwin. I’m excited to be an RA this year and look forward to creating a welcoming, supportive, and fun community where everyone feels at home!
Isaac Eshun, Resident Assistant
Isaac Eshun, Resident Assistant
Founders’ Woods, Becker Hall
Hey guys, my name is Isaac this is my second year as an RA and my first year working in the apartments. I play on the football team, and I’m really into sports, video games, music, and anime. I’m really excited to get to know all of you guys and make this a fun year. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything!
Lisle Campus – Jaeger Hall
Sophia Santoyo-Munoz, Head Resident
Sophia Santoyo-Munoz
Jaeger Hall, 1st Floor
Hey, I’m Sophie, a biology major pursuing Diagnostic Medical Sonography with a genuine passion for helping others. This year I will serve as the Head Resident of Jaeger Hall. When I’m not studying or working toward my career goals, you’ll find me baking something delicious, spending quality time with friends, or looking for ways to support the people around me. I love the creative outlet that baking gives me and the joy it brings to others. What excites me most about this school year is the opportunity to grow both academically and personally while being part of this community. I’m approachable, enthusiastic, and always happy to connect …so if you see me around, come say hi!
Ashleen Mukande, Resident Assistant
Ashleen Mukande, Resident Assistant
Jaeger Hall, 2nd Floor
Hi! I’m Ashleen from Zimbabwe, a Biochemistry major in the Class of 2028. Being an RA excites me because I love connecting with people from cultures different from my own, hearing their stories, and turning residential halls into spaces where everyone feels seen, heard and inspired. Fun fact: I love playing tennis, can binge anime like a pro, and I’m always down for spontaneous adventures!
Joselyn Roche, Resident Assistant
Joselyn Roche, Resident Assistant
Jaeger Hall, 3rd Floor
Hi! My name is Joselyn and I am from Batavia, Illinois. I am majoring in sports and exercise science with a minor in psychology with hopes of becoming an athletic trainer. I am a senior and I am going to complete my master’s at NIU after this next year! One fun fact about me is that I have 3 cats at home and I am allergic to avocados.
Lisle Campus – Ondrak Hall
Hayden Witt, Head Resident
Hayden Witt, Head Resident
Ondrak Hall
Hey, I’m Hayden, a senior Sports and Exercise Science major and 3rd year RA. This year I will be the Head Resident of Ondrak Hall. My goal is to become a physical therapist, and I’m working toward that while playing football and staying deeply involved in campus life. I’m a huge sports fan, you’ll catch me cheering for the Cubs and 49ers, and I love both football and baseball equally. When I’m not on the field or studying, you’ll find me building Legos or getting lost in a good science fiction movie. What I’m most proud of is being someone people can count on. I’m always available for a conversation, and I genuinely love helping others and making this community feel welcoming. If you need anything or just want to chat, my door is always open!
Nathaniel Leininger, Resident Assistant
Nathaniel Leininger, Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall, 1st Floor
My name is Nathaniel, and I am a twenty-one-year-old Junior student at Benedictine. I am a political science major and a part-time writing tutor, as well as a Scholar student. I am also a member of BenU’s pre-law club, rugby team, and Campus Ministry, as well as a writer for The Candor. My goal at BenU is to graduate into Law school and become a Federal Attorney.
Daivion Brooks, Resident Assistant
Daivion Brooks, Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall, 2nd Floor
Hi, my name is Daivion Brooks, and I’m from the West side of Chicago, Illinois. I’m majoring in Criminology and plan to add either a double major or a minor. I serve as a Resident Assistant on the 2nd floor of Ondrak Hall, where I’m committed to being someone residents can count on while building a fun and welcoming community. I’m also on the rugby team, make sure to come out and support us this season!
Shareef Sharza, Resident Assistant
Shareef Sharza, Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall, 2nd Floor
My name is Shareef Sharza, and I am from Hyderabad, Telangana, India. I am in the Computer Science program and I am a sophomore in Fall 2026. What I am most looking forward to as an RA is building a welcoming community where residents feel comfortable, supported, and connected. I’m excited to meet new people, help students adjust to campus life, and create a positive living environment. A fun fact about me is that I enjoy traveling, exploring new places, eating good food, and enjoying life.
Tyler Sioco, Resident Assistant
Tyler Sioco, Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall, 3rd Floor
I’m Tyler! I am currently a Sophomore from Kenosha, Wisconsin. I am Majoring in Data Science, Minoring in Business Analytics and enjoy watching sports, playing Golf and Volleyball. I look forward to helping all the new faces navigate their way around campus.
Lamyni Spates, Resident Assistant
Lamyni Spates, Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall, 3rd Floor
I’m Lamyni, a mechanical engineering major with a passion for staying active and connected. Whether I’m playing or watching football, diving into video games, or just hanging out with friends, I’m all about balancing hard work with good times. I love the energy of competition and the chill vibes of just being around people I care about.
Meet the 2024 – 2025 RA Staff
Mesa Campus – Alhambra Hall
Savannah Howard
Savannah Howard, Resident Assistant
Alhambra Hall
Hello, I’m Savannah Howard, I am a junior who just joined Benedictine as a transfer student. I am excited to be involved and engage in activities with the student community! I look forward to making myself and your guy’s experience at Benedictine!
Major: Psychology
Malik Payton
Malik Payton, Resident Assistant
Alhambra Hall
Hello, I am Malik Payton, I am a junior here at BenU. I am on the basketball team as well as BSU (Black Student Union), and HSA (Hispanic Student Association). I am eager to immerse myself in the vibrant student life and activities, and I look forward to making most of my time here at Benedictine!
Major: Communications