
Welcome Home to JMU!
The Office of Residence Life is delighted that you’ll be making your home with us this year.
The foundation for the services we offer is rooted in the following values:
- Supportive transition to the JMU community
- Academic achievement
- Providing positive learning experiences
- Providing excellent service and accommodations
We recognize that our greatest contribution to your education is involving you in the development and implementation of these services. We expect you to engage with university life. We expect that each resident will do the same, thus creating and maintaining a learning-centered community filled with respect for one another, consideration for our earth, hope for our future, and of course, sprinkled with just the appropriate amount of fun!
Join us for a great, safe, and educational year. We promise it will be unforgettable.
The Office of Residence Life Team
Our Mission
The Office of Residence Life at James Madison University is committed to designing and maintaining a caring environment that encourages academic success, respect, personal growth and responsibility to one's community.

Kathleen Campbell
Director, Office of Residence Life

Dawn Ohanessian
Associate Director, Housing Operations

Emily Higham
Assistant Director, Housing Operations

Dee Nilsen
Assistant Director, Technology

Kris Hensley
Assistant Director, Conference Services

Sydney Wood
Social Media & Marketing Manager

Karen Sampson
Systems Administration Coordinator

Shalia Purce
Coordinator, Conference Services

Brenda Smith
Assignments Technician

Fiona Kisiday
Operations Technician

Holmes Browne
Associate Director, Business Operations

Julie Slifer
Assistant Director, Business Operations

Jon Strine
Assistant Director, Facilities Operations

Jennifer Dodson
Fiscal and Operations Coordinator

Sam Butler
Facilities Technician

Denise Sauder
Operations Technician

Hugh Brown
Associate Director, Residence Life

Kevin Martínez
Area Director, Village Area

Position to be Filled
Area Director, Skyline Area

Garrett Suhr
Area Director, Lake and Hillside Areas and Apartments on Grace

Sydney Bergstrom
Area Director, Bluestone Area

Position to Be Filled
Residence Hall Director, Paul Jennings Hall

Michael Busch
Residence Hall Director, Chesapeake Hall

Nikki Gilbert
Residence Hall Director, Chandler Hall

Liz Odermatt
Residence Hall Director, Shenandoah Hall

Kelsey Snyder
Residence Hall Director, The Apartments on Grace

Rosser Sirbaugh
Residence Hall Director, Eagle Hall

Stephanie Carr
Associate Director, Recruitment, Training and Inclusion

Position to be Filled
Assistant Director, Staff Selection and Training

Tripp Purks
Assistant Director, Student Learning Initiatives

Position to Be Filled
Student Learning Initiatives Coordinator

Tiffany Mayhew
Administrative Assistant

Jennifer Stepp
Administrative Assistant