Residence Life Team

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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.

Coordinator

The Residence Life Coordinator (RLC), Joshua Williams plays an integral role at the University and is responsible for all aspects of student staff including selection process, recruitment training, and supervision. Joshua is responsible for the training, development, oversight and mentorship of the Head Resident and Resident Assistant staff in all of the University’s residential communities and leads the conduct process for the department.

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 2025 – 2026 RA Staff

Lisle Campus – Founders’ Woods

Sophia S-M.

Sophia S-M.
Founders’ Woods

I wanted to be an RA because I love supporting others and being someone people can count on. Being an RA gives me the chance to help others while creating meaningful friendships.

Fun Fact/Hobbies: My favorite hobbies are baking and thrifting with friends.

Ellie W.

Ellie W.
Founders’ Woods

I wanted to become an RA because I care about helping others feel welcomed and supported, especially as they adjust to college life. I’m excited to be a resource for my residents and to help build a positive and inclusive community.

Fun Fact/Hobbies: A fun fact about me is that I danced for 17 years, including one year professionally, before coming to BenU. Dance has been a big part of my life and taught me a lot about discipline, creativity, and teamwork.

Hayden W.

Hayden W.
Founders’ Woods

I am always available for conversation. I love to help people and am very approachable. I am entering my second year of being an RA.

Fun Fact/Hobbies: I am very into science fiction movies. I am a very big sports fan; I love baseball and football. I cheer for the Cubs and 49ers.

Paris J.

Paris J.
Founders’ Woods

I love being an RA because I am able to help and build up my community. I also enjoy meeting new people!

Fun Fact/Hobbies: A fun fact about me is that I love Taylor Swift and the color pink.

Jaylen O.

Jaylen O.
Founders’ Woods

I wanted to be an RA because, being out of state, I know sometimes you need someone else from out of state to be there for you.

Fun Fact/Hobbies: I love Spider-Man and collect comics. And I also play football here at Benedictine University.

Alana L.

Alana L.
Founders’ Woods

I want to be a RA because I care about creating a welcoming and supportive community where everyone feels comfortable. I enjoy helping others and believe this role would let me make a meaningful difference in students’ everyday lives.

Fun Fact/Hobbies: My hobbies include painting and reading.

Meet the 2025 – 2026 RA Staff

Lisle Campus – Jaeger Hall

Meet the 2025 – 2026 RA Staff

Lisle Campus – Ondrak Hall