2011-12 Residence Directors: Leading the Pack
Our Graduate Assistant staff is comprised of some of the best and brightest students from North Carolina, the United States and abroad! Our GAs work closely with our residential students and student leaders to ensure that each student’s on-campus living experience is as positive and rewarding as possible. A Graduate Assistant's responsibilities include staff selection and supervision, advising, and responding to campus emergencies.
West Campus
Left to Right: Jacob Lawrence, Natalie Geist, Sam Byrd, Sueji Smith, Meghan Murray, Toan To
Name: Samuel Neil Byrd
Hall/Apartment: North Bragaw
City, State of origin: Elkin, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: I am interested in vocal ensemble music, world cultures/languages, religious studies, history, architecture, and theatrics
Career goal(s): I'm initially interested in becoming a Diversity Specialist, working in International Education, Housing, and/or with LGBT students. Someday, I want to work in upper level University Administration.
Name: Meghan Murray
Hall/Apartment: South Bragaw
City, State of origin: Richmond, Virginia
Hobbies/interests: Sports, being outside, baking
Career goal(s): To work in civic engagement and leadership development office.
Name: Natalie Geist
Hall/Apartment: Upper Lee
City, State of origin: Bullhead City, Arizona
Hobbies/interests: Reading, longboarding, toll painting, baking, volleyball
Career goal(s): I would like to be the director of a study abroad office. Or own a bakery.
Name: Toan To
Hall/Apartment: Lower Lee
City, State of origin: Smithfield, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Volleyball, basketball, biking, fixing bikes, watching movies & cartoons, and complaining about music today
Career goal(s): I would like to work in academic advising for first-year or first-generation students or work in any office that supports students in their daily lives. Or own a bike shop at the beach.
Name: Jacob Lawrence
Hall/Apartment: Upper Sullivan
City, State of origin: Jackson, Mississippi
Hobbies/interests: Playing piano, watching movies, playing video games, playing sports, hanging out with friends
Career goal(s): Changes every week…Working with service-learning and leadership programs on a college campus somewhere near the beach sounds good this week.
Name: Sueji Smith
Hall/Apartment: Lower Sullivan
City, State of origin: Hudson, Ohio
Hobbies/interests: Traveling, reading non-fiction, outdoors activities, and cooking
Career goal(s): To be in a position to help other people achieve their goals and hopefully make the world a better place!
Central Campus
Left to Right: Christina Gillar (CD), Ryan Collins, Jill Zalewski, Nolan Patouillet, Sarah Mitchell, Emily Baker
Name: Nolan Patouillet
Hall/Apartment: Tucker
City, State of origin: Pittsburgh, PA
Hobbies/interests: Watching movies, hanging out with friends, doing things that make me laugh, playing sports and doing things with my wife
Career goal(s): I would like to be an advisor in the future working with either high school or college students.
Name: Emily Baker
Hall/Apartment: Owen
City, State of origin: Rochester, Minnesota
Hobbies/interests: Reading, spending time with others, traveling (especially in the great state of NC)
Career goal(s): Advising, being an advocate for students and helping students find their way in college.
Name: Ryan Collins
Hall/Apartment: Bowen
City, State of origin: State Road, NC
Hobbies/interests: Reading, Tennis, Soccer, Sorcery
Career goal(s): Governor of North Carolina.
Name: Sarah Mitchell
Hall/Apartment: Metcalf
City, State of origin: Greensboro, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Dance, sailing, outdoor sports, all things Wolfpack
Career goal(s): Fraternity/Sorority Advisor.
Name: Jill Zalewski
Hall/Apartment: Carroll
City, State of origin: Dudley, Massachusetts
Hobbies/interests: Scrapbooking, fencing, New England Patriots, and biking
Career goal(s): To become Dean of Students.
East Campus
Left to Right: Courtney Brown, Jenni Fisher, Vicky Spisak, Brooke Bailey, Nick Highe
Name: Brooke Bailey
Hall/Apartment: North and Watauga
City, State of origin: Raleigh, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Creative writing, reading, cooking, hiking, and spending time with family
Career goal(s): After graduating from the Higher Education Administration program, I would like to obtain a job in advising or career counseling. More than anything, I would like to find a position that will give me the ability to empower students on a daily basis... so while I have a clear cut idea of what I think I want, I am also open to other possibilities that will help me to accomplish the same thing.
Name: Courtney K. Brown
Hall/Apartment: Triad
City, State of origin: Cedar Lake, Indiana
Hobbies/interests: Music, Concerts, Decorating, Dancing, Game Nights, Traveling
Career goal(s): I would like to work as a Career Counselor or remain in Housing. I love working one-on-one with students!
Name: Nicholas Highe
Hall/Apartment: Wood Residence Hall
City, State of origin: Charlotte, NC
Hobbies/interests: Listening, Counseling, Exercise, Cooking, Movies, Reading Journal Articles!
Career goal(s): To become a College Professor in Counselor Education, Counseling Private Practice, and working in Higher Education within the counseling/advisement area.
Name: Jennifer Fisher
Hall/Apartment: Avent Ferry Complex
City, State of origin: New Bern, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Watch sports (football), spend time with friends and family, listen to music
Career goal(s): Helping high school students from underrepresented communities gain access to higher education.
Name: Vicky Spisak
Hall/Apartment: Avent Ferry Complex
City, State of origin: North Ridgeville, Ohio
Hobbies/interests: Knitting, reading, wood work, gardening, homeopathic remedies, any and all animals (especially canines!)
Career goal(s): Academic Advising.
Apartments
Apartments RDs (Left to right): Alma Buljina and Sara Vogel
Name: Alma Buljina
Hall/Apartment: Wolf Village West
City, State of origin: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Cooking, Volunteering
Career goal(s): My goal is to work with a Leadership and Public Service Office.
Name: Sara Vogel
Hall/Apartment: Wolf Village East
City, State of origin: Haleiwa, Hawaii
Hobbies/interests: Watching movies, hiking, swimming, photography, travelling, learning about new cultures
Career goal(s): Someday I would like to be the Director of an International Center or a Multicultural office on a university campus.