Welcome home, we’re glad you’re here! Residence Life’s goal is to make sure that your housing on campus living provides countless opportunities to assist in the development of personal growth, community living, leadership skills, and a place that you can call home. The housing team consists of 2 professional staff and 10 Resident Assistants under Student Engagement. Collectively our team is tasked with helping to ensure that facilities receive proper attention and provide community-building initiatives to enrich the student residential 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 2024 – 2025 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Founders’ Woods
Elisabeth Welsh
Elisabeth Welsh
Founders’ Woods | Becker Hall
I am 20 years old and am from Bolingbrook, Illinois. I am a sophomore and transferred to Benedictine University, August 2024. Some fun facts about me are that I was a ballet dancer for 17 years and was an apprentice at a ballet company in Maine for one year before deciding to go to college.
Major: Communications with a Social Work Minor
Colin Gilford
Colin Gilford
Founders’ Woods | Roman Hall
My name is Colin Gilford, and I am the RA of Roman North and South. Ima a Senior and hope to pursue a job in the criminal justice field after graduation. I also work part time for Campus Safety and play for the BenU Rugby team!
Major: Criminal Justice and Political Science
Alexander Leininger
Alexander Leininger
Founders’ Woods | Thomas Hall
Hey Everyone, my name is Xander Leininger. I am a Senior here at BenU, studying Biology. This is my 3rd year as an RA. I enjoy sports and working out. I am a member of the Benedictine Scholars program, and the rugby club. I love meeting new people, and am excited to meet and provide assistance to all my residents.
Majors: Biology
Abigael Manning
Abigael Manning
Founders’ Woods | Valentine
Hi, I’m Abby! I am a senior this year and have been a Resident Assistant and Head Resident for the past two years in Jaeger Hall. I am majoring in Elementary Education. In my free time I like to do my own nails, workout, listen to music and hangout with my boyfriend. I’m very excited to be a RA in Founders Woods this year and meet all of my residents! If you see me around campus, please say “Hi!”
Major: Elementary Education
Ameila Owolabi
Amelia Owolabi
Founders’ Woods | Kucera Hall
Hey guys!! My name is Amelia, and I am a Junior here at Benedictine University. I will be a RA for the 2024-2025 school year In Kucera Hall. This will be my second year being an RA. I am from Country Club Hills, IL and I’m a Health Science major with a minor in Chemistry. Here at Benedictine, I’m on the Women’s Volleyball Team and in Pre-Dental Club. In my free time I love to go on walks, listen to music, mostly just SZA, and hanging out with friends. I’m so excited to meet all of you this year. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you ever need anything, my door will always be open.
Major: Health Science, Minor in Chemistry
Jaylen Olivares
Jaylen Olivares
Founders’ Woods | Anderson Hall
Very out going football player from wisconsin. I am also into lifting sewing and fashio
Major: International Business and Marketing
Meet the 2024 – 2025 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Jaeger Hall
Lorraine Sullivan
Lorraine Sullivan
Resident Assistant
Jaeger Hall
Hey everyone! I’m Lorraine, and I am an RA on first floor in Jaeger Hall. It is my first year at BenU, and I am majoring in Accounting and Business. I am involved in athletics and Hall Council, and attend many activities on campus. I’m excited to be a part of building up the community, and helping to make the residents at Benedictine enjoy their experience.
Major: Accounting and Business
Paris Jones
Paris Jones
RA
Jaeger Hall
Hi, I’m Paris! I’m 20 years old, and this is my third year at Benedictine. Some fun facts about me are that I’m a Swiftie and I’m obsessed with the color pink!
Major: Criminology and Political Science
Caitlin Bishop
Caitlin Bishop
RA
Jaeger Hall
I’m a sophomore this year, I play softball, and I like to draw.
Major: Psychology
Meet the 2024 – 2025 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Ondrak Hall
Landen Johnston
Landen Johnston
Resident Assistant
Ondrak Hall
Hello everyone, I am Landen, and I’m from Chesterton, Indiana. For the 2023-2024 school year, I will be a Junior majoring in Business Analytics. I play for the Men’s Basketball team but also enjoy bowling, reading, working out, and yoga. Last year, I was the first-floor RA of Ondrak Hall, and now this year I will be the Head Resident of Ondrak Hall. I am extremely excited to meet and get to know my new residents to build community inside Ondrak and throughout campus. I am very approachable and always happy to help, so please reach out if you need anything!
Major: Business Analytics
Jeet Kapoor
Jeet Kapoor
RA
Ondrak Hall
Hi, my name is Jeet Kapoor and I’m your RA for the first floor. Fun facts about me I love to travel and explore my hobbies. Include photography, video games, and cinematography.. if you ever have any questions about traveling or studying abroad, please let me know.
Major: Management
Hayden Witt
Hayden Witt
RA
Ondrak Hall
Hello. My name is Hayden Witt. I play football at Benedictine University. 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. I am from Illinois. I love a good joke. I am a world class napper. I am always available for conversation. I love to help people and am very approachable. I am entering my first year of being an RA.
Meet the 2024 – 2025 RA Staff
Mesa Campus – Alhambra Hall
Savannah Howard
Savannah Howard
RA
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
RA
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!
