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, 4 Head Residents, and 13 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.
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.
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 2023 – 2024 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Founders’ Woods
Trevor Montiel
Trevor Montiel
Head Resident Assistant
Founders' Woods
Hey everyone, I’m Trevor and I will be a Senior here at Benedictine for the 2023-2024 school year. I am majoring in Finance with a concentration in Operations Management. I grew up in Roselle, IL, which is about thirty minutes away from campus. Currently, on campus, I play for the Men’s Basketball team. In my free time I love to socialize with anyone and everyone, as well as go and watch sporting events here at Benedictine. This will be my third year working on the RA staff, and it will be my second year as a Head Resident. I am looking forward to building new relationships and having a fun year! I am a very approachable person and I love nothing more than talking so never feel afraid to say hello. I am also a very competitive person, and I am open to sporting challenges any day (basketball, spike ball, golf, bowling…).
Major: Finance with a concentration in Operations Management
Javier Acosta
Javier Acosta
Head Resident Assistant
Founders' Woods
Hello! My name is Javier Acosta but everyone calls me Javi. I am a transfer student from Trinity International University, I will be coming in as a senior. I am from a small town called Starke, Florida, outside Jacksonville, Florida. I will be one of the Head Residents in Founders’ Woods. Also, I will be joining the football team at Benedictine. My goal is to make lots of memories with everyone at Benedictine. In my free time, I like to talk to my nieces and nephews, work out, and just hang out with friends. Don’t be afraid to say hi if you see me around campus!
Major: Exercise Science
Daniel Dombrowski
Daniel Dombrowski
RA
Founders' Woods
Hey, I’m Dan. I am from Lockport, Illinois. For the 2023-2024 school year, I will be a Senior at Benedictine University majoring in Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing. I am extremely excited to be able to meet and get to know all of the new residents to build a community. I am a student-athlete, as I am currently a pitcher on the baseball team. In my free time, I enjoy spending time around new people and friends, playing basketball, board games, or video games, and working on my hobby of 3D printing and miniature painting. I want to be able to make this school year the best it can be and be there for all of my residents. I am here to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out!
Majors: Marketing with a concentration in Digital Marketing
Jeet Kapoor
Jeet Kapoor
RA
Founders' Woods
I am extremely passionate and energetic. Some of my hobbies include traveling, being outdoors, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. I enjoy trying new things, such as food. I love playing basketball and skating around the city.
Major: Data Analysis and Management
Anella Willis
Anella Willis
RA
Founders' Woods
Hello everyone! My name is Nell and I’m from a small town on the Southern Coast of Oregon. I will be a senior this year with a major in Marketing and a minor in Art Therapy. In my free time, I enjoy lifting weights, making art, and spending as much time as possible outdoors. On campus, I am a member of Poets in Person and have worked various campus jobs. Benedictine has lots of opportunities to get involved and form connections. I’m excited to meet everyone and help make this your home away from home! If you see me around don’t hesitate to come to say “hello”.
Major: Marketing with a minor in Art Therapy
Oliver Eddie Wilson
Oliver Eddie Wilson
RA
Fournders' Woods
Hello my fellow Eagles, my name is Oliver Eddie Wilson, but I like to go by Eddie. This is my first year as a resident assistant and I’m looking forward to meeting new people and learning about the experience of a RA. I am from Aurora IL, and this will be my 5th year in college, I am a criminology major and looking forward to becoming an officer shortly. Some activities I am involved in and enjoy consisting of being on the Baseball team here at BenU, hiking, cooking, and I love camping. God bless, God first ❤️
Major: Criminology
Meet the 2023 – 2024 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Jaeger Hall
Abigael Manning
Abigael Manning
Head Resident Assistant
Jaeger Hall
Hi Everyone! My name is Abby Manning, and I will be the HR in Jaeger Hall this academic year! This is my Junior Year at Benedictine as I work to pursue my dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. In my free time, I like to hang out with my family, listen to music, exercise, and paint! I am excited about this year, and I can’t wait to meet everyone!
Major: Elementary Education
Morgan Kikke
Morgan Kikke
RA
Jaeger Hall
Hi, I’m Morgan, and I will be a sophomore this school year. I am on the golf team here at Benedictine. I’m originally from Chicago but moved to Gilberts, Illinois last school year. In my free time, I love watching movies/shows, listening to music, and hanging out with friends and family. I also love traveling and went to Scandinavia with the school last year. Let’s have a great year!
Major: Marketing
Amelia Owolabi
Amelia Owolabi
RA
Jaeger Hall
What’s up guys! My name is Amelia, and I am a Sophomore here at Benedictine University. I will be a RA for the 2023-2024 school year here in Jaeger Hall. I am from Country Club Hills, IL and I’m a Biochemistry major. Here at Benedictine, I’m on the Women’s Volleyball Team as well as Black Student Union, AMSA, and Pre-Dental Club. In my free, I love dilly-dallying, sleeping, 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: Biochemistry
Halie Ryan
Halie Ryan
RA
Jaeger Hall
Hi I’m Halie, I’ll be completing my last year of undergrad at Benedictine. I’m studying Political Science, with a Pre-Law concentration, and minoring in sociology. I’m excited to meet everyone and start the next school year. Thank you.
Major: Political Science
Meet the 2023 – 2024 RA Staff
Lisle Campus – Ondrak Hall
Landon Johnston
Landon Johnston
Head 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
Jonathan Henderson
Jonathan Henderson
RA
Ondrak Hall
Hey! My name is Jonathan Henderson. I am a Man who God who is passionate about church and people. I love to travel, help people, play sports, and I love helping and being around children. I hope your day is filled with joy and remember you can do anything you put your mind to.
Major: Mathematics with an Education minor
Xander Leininger
Xander Leininger
RA
Ondrak Hall
Hey Everyone, my name is Xander Leininger. I am a rising junior here at BenU, studying Biology. This is my 2nd 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.
Major: Biology
Meet the 2023 – 2024 RA Staff
Mesa Campus – Alhambra Hall
Nathan Beraldo
Nathan Beraldo
RA
Alhambra Hall
Hey Everyone, my name is Nathan Beraldo. I am a Senior here at BenU, studying Graphic Design. This is my 2nd semester as an RA. I enjoy sports and working out. I am a member of the Rotaract, CO+HOOTS Institute of Entrepreneurship, and RTA. I love meeting new people and getting involved. I am excited to meet and provide assistance to all my residents.
Major: Graphic Design
Raenesha Willis
Raenesha Willis
RA
Alhambra Hall
Hi! My name is Raenesha, and I am one of the RAs at The Alhambra in Mesa, AZ. I love my position here at BenU & being part of the Women’s Basketball team! I enjoy being a mentor & helping students/staff in any way I can!
Major: Entrepreneurship
Residence Life Handbook
The Benedictine Residence Life Agreement is contained within the Housing Portal online. By completing an application and housing agreement, a student is made aware of the terms and conditions associated with residential living, and the student provides consent to the terms and conditions as part of that process. It is the responsibility of each resident to become familiar with all policies and procedures set forth in the University Housing & Residence Life Handbook, as well as the Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook. The Housing staff is available to assist you with interpreting the various policies enclosed in this Handbook, learning about your new surroundings, and becoming an active community member on campus. Residence Life Handbook