Meet the University Housing Staff - Residence Life
Thurmond was born and raised in Springfield, SC. It’s a small town in middle of everything but close to nothing in Orangeburg County. He attended South Carolina State University, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Family Consumer Sciences/Business. He is a graduate of class 2000. He began his career with the University of South Carolina in June 2001 with the Department of School of Medicine. In April 2005, he made the decision to take on his next challenge and become a member of the Housing family. He serves as the Office Manager and the Purchasing Coordinator for Resident Student Learning. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s in Human Resources. During his down time, he enjoys playing spades and watching sports. He must admit that he is also beginning to enjoy reality tv shows as well. |
Lorie was excited to join USC's Residence Life professional staff in July of 2011 as the Residence Life Coordinator of The Carolina Women's Community (CWC-Women's Quad). CWC houses over 500 of USCs phenomenal first year female residents whose development is assisted by 21 Resident Mentors and one graduate level Assistant Residence Life Coordinator. Lorie also stands as a task force leader for young women through USC's Carolina Women's Well Being Initiative. Originally from the charming city of Hollywood, Florida, Lorie enthusiastically glows about being a FIU lady Panther where she attained her Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration and a certification in Professional Leadership Studies. Continuing her education at FIU, Lorie earned her Master's of Education in Higher Education Administration- Student Affairs. During her time at FIU she worked with the Office of Campus Life and Orientation, The Office of the Registrar and the Women's Center. Lorie also advised FIU's Student Programming Council-BBC as well as the Black Student Union, while maintaining her philanthropic involvement with the Susan G. Koman Foundation- Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and His House Children's Home. In the summer of 2009 Lorie served as the NODA intern for the University of Texas –Arlington with the New Maverick Orientation Program. Prior to joining the USC family, Lorie led a staff of 14 Resident Assistants and one Graduate Assistant as the Hall Director of Prairie Crossing Apts.-Honors College, Sorority Housing, and Women's Hall at Texas A&M University-Commerce. Lorie's professional interest includes: first generation college students, leadership/mentor development, orientation, college access and choice, staff training and development, retention and successful graduation of minority students, Women's issues, group dynamic/change management and underrepresented student populations. Personal interests include spiritual growth, FOOTBALL, public speaking, writing/research, learning new languages, mentorship, traveling, philanthropy, cooking, laughing, and making endless memories with family and friends. |
Dan joined the Residence Life professional staff in July 2012. Dan supervises South Tower which is comprised of 17 undergraduate staff members and over 400 residents. Dan received his undergraduate degree in Finance and Economics from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. While at Sacred Heart, he worked with Residence Life for three years as a Resident Assistant and Office Assistant. In May 2012, Dan received his Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership specializing in Higher Education from Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, Virginia. During his two year tenure at Lynchburg College, Dan worked as the Hall Director of Tate Hall, where he managed the day-to-day activities of a residence hall comprised of 350 first-year students. In between Dan’s two years at Lynchburg College, he completed an internship at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, working with conference services. Dan’s professional interests include housing, campus wide programming, Greek life and Living Learning Community initiatives. His personal interests include exploring the wilderness, playing golf, watching baseball and playing with dogs. |
Kate joined the Residence Life professional staff in July of 2010, after serving as a Graduate Assistant for the Academic Centers for Excellence. As the Residence Life Coordinator for the Historic Horseshoe are of campus, Kate supervises 10 Resident Mentors. Home to a variety of students, the Horseshoe is home to the Music, Upper class Honors, and Upper class Business Living and Learning Communities. A product of Gator Country- Gainesville, Florida- Kate received her B.S. from the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida in 2006. She then worked as a Senior Coordinator in the Office of Admissions at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, before moving to Columbia, South Carolina, to attend graduate school in 2008. Kate completed a NODA internship at Georgia Tech in the summer of 2009 with their FASET Orientation Program. In May of 2010, Kate earned her M.Ed. from the College of Education at the University of South Carolina with a specialization in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Kate’s professional interests include housing, orientation, health and wellness initiatives, advising, enrollment management, Greek life, and academic success initiatives. Her personal interests include Gator Football, reading, baking, and being outside. |
Gay came to the University in August 2000 as the Assistant Director for Residence Life in South Campus. After several years in that position she was promoted to her current position. As the Associate Director she works closely with all areas of residence life; including the writing and implementing standard operating procedures and management of Family and Graduate Housing. Other areas of responsibility include staff selection and training for all levels of staff and overseeing the Residence Hall Student Association. In addition she represents University Housing on a number of University Committees including: The Behavioral Intervention Team; The Division of Student Affairs and The Department of Academic Support Professional Development and the Graduate Assistant Recruitment Process. She earned her bachelor degree from Loyola University, her Master’s degree from the University of Florida and has over 20+ years experience in Student Affairs. She lives in Cayce with her husband Jay. |
Sherrigan Feaster has served the students of the University of South Carolina and University Housing for over six years. During this time, she has served as a Resident Advisor, Residence Life Coordinator and most recently Assistant Director for Residence Life. Ms. Feaster has instructed freshman seminar courses for two years and has taught an Educational Leadership course to first year resident mentors for three years. Professionally, Ms. Feaster has dedicated her time to working with first generation college students and finding successful strategies geared toward the development of these students. In addition, she currently serves as an “I. AM” mentor for African American students at the University of South Carolina, as well as an advisor for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. |
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Amy Kautz has served students of the University of South Carolina and University Housing since Fall 2004. During this time, Ms. Kautz has supervised staff members in LaBorde and Douglas Halls (2004-2006) and Columbia Hall (2006 to 2007). As the Coordinator of Selection and Staff Development (2007 to 2010)and as the Assistant Director of Leadership and Staff Development (2010 to present), Ms. Kautz is responsible for coordinating training for graduate and undergraduate staff within Residence Life, Selection process for Resident Mentors and advises executive officers in the Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), as well as managing the Resource Room. Each fall semester she teaches a section of University 101, a freshman seminar course and coordinates and teaches the residence life student staff class for new staff members. |
Ashley Langston is the Residence Life Coordinator for the Capstone House. Home to mostly first-year Capstone Scholar students at USC, these residents can truly live by the program's motto "Dream Big! Impact the Community. Leave a Legacy." Ashley earned her bachelor's degree in Business Administration with concentrations in Marketing and Management along with her M.Ed from the College of Education with a specialization in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of South Florida. She also spent a year as a Traveling Leadership Consultant for Zeta Tau Alpha working on leadership development, officer education, chapter organization and supervision of membership recruitment. During summer 2010, Ashley served as an intern at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT, where she worked to develop a Peer Diversity Dialogue Program and a Residential Curriculum. Ashley's professional interests include learning communities, Greek life, campus recreation and orientation. Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, baking, boating and staying healthy! |
Ashley joined the USC team as Assistant Director of North Campus in July 2010. In this role, she provides vision and direction for student learning in the North area of campus which encompasses Capstone, Columbia Hall, the Historic Horseshoe, the International House at Maxcy College and Preston Residential College. Each of these remarkable buildings house multiple living and learning communities which seek to provide a seamless integration of the academic and residential environments. Communities in the North area include Capstone Scholars, Common Courses, Healthy Carolina Wellness Community, the International House including both the French and Spanish Houses, the Moore School of Business Experience, Music, Psychology and Service-Learning and Preston Residential College. Ashley received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Shorter College and a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Auburn University. After graduating from Auburn, she worked in Residence Life at the University of Georgia, as well as the University of Miami. Ashley's professional interests include leadership development, spiritual growth, servant leadership, staff training and development and outdoor recreation. When she is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Sonny, their 3-year-old son, Malakai and their dog, Maggie. They enjoy visiting local coffee shops, playing at the park, spending time with family and friends and talking about and doing stuff that matters. She encourages you to stop by the North Campus Office in Pinckney/Legare to say hello! |
Chris joined the USC team in June 2012 as the Residence Life Coordinator for Columbia Hall. In this role Chris supervises the Resident Mentors, Desk Assistants and Gym Assistants within Columbia Hall and serves as a leader of the leaders within the building. Columbia Hall is a remarkable building which houses four distinct Living and Learning Communities: The Moore Experience – a Business Community for First-Year Students, the Healthy Carolina Wellness Community, the Psychology and Service-Learning Community and multiple floors of Common Courses communities. Each of these communities bring a vibrancy to the building as a whole and help create new experiences for each of the residents of Columbia Hall. Chris began his collegiate career at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York and eventually transferred to John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Boler School of Business. Chris then left for SEC country where he earned his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration while working as a Graduate Assistant Residence Hall Director at the University of Mississippi, or as you may know it, Ole Miss. Chris’s professional interests include leadership development, career and academic counseling, sexual assault prevention and education through quality interactions. When he is not working, Chris enjoys collegiate sports and is proud to have a new team to add to his arsenal, the USC Gamecocks, as well as intramurals and golfing with his colleagues. If you have any questions please feel free to stop by the first floor of Columbia Hall and if his office door is open, come on in! |
Hilary joined the USC family in July 2010. She previously worked at the University of Missouri-Columbia as a residence hall coordinator from 2004 to 2007 and as an area coordinator from 2007 to June 2010. Hilary earned her bachelor’s degrees in Spanish for the Professions and Psychology from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and her master’s degree in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University in Muncie, IN. During Summer 2003, Hilary served as an ACUHO-I intern in Accommodation Services at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. As the Associate Director of Residential Learning Initiatives, Hilary provides vision and leadership to promote and foster student learning and academic success within our vibrant living and learning communities. She works collaboratively with academic, department and division colleagues. Hilary’s professional interests include learning communities and creative student learning opportunities, emergency preparedness, orientation, staff training and development and graduate preparation programs. Her personal interests include spending time with family and friends, the outdoors, cooking and reading. |
Erin came to USC in July of 2011 to serve as the RLC of Bates West. Originally from Ohio, Erin first came to South Carolina as an undergraduate at Winthrop University, where she received her BA in history and political science. Erin then earned her Masters in Public Administration from the University of Delaware with a concentration in nonprofit management. While she was earning her MA in history from University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Erin held a variety of graduate positions in housing including Coordinator for the Make a Difference House and ACRL for Moore-Strong Residence Hall. After graduating, Erin worked at Presbyterian College in Residence Life as an Assistant Director and Interim Director. Erin's professional interests include training, advising, staff selection and assessment. Personally, Erin loves reading, volunteer work and spending time with friends and family. |
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LaQuenta Weldon has worked with University Housing since January 2006 when she began as a Resident Advisor and Office Assistant for University Housing Central Area. In January 2010, she accepted the position as the administrative assistant for Central Campus Housing. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Carolina in May 2009. She has plans to go back to school to obtain a Masters in Public Health. |
Stephanie joined the Residence Life Professional Staff family in July 2011. As the Residence Life Coordinator of Bates House, Stephanie supervises 27 undergraduate Resident Mentors and one graduate level Assistant Residence Life Coordinator. Bates House, a community style building, is home to approximately 530 first-year students. The Major and Career Exploration Learning Community along with the Psychology and Service-Learning Community are growing and flourishing here in Bates House. Stephanie was in born in Columbia, South Carolina, but at a young 8 months old the family moved to Minot, North Dakota and Stephanie is proud to be from the flat lands. From North Dakota, the family moved to Elizabeth City, North Carolina and then lived in various cities and towns across NC. Stephanie is a proud Catamount from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. During her time at WCU, Stephanie studied Fine Art, with a concentration in Graphic Design. While she was an undergraduate, Stephanie joined Alpha Gamma Delta International Fraternity. She held numerous leadership positions in the Fraternity which lead her to work with many Student Affairs Administrators across the WCU campus. This is what sparked her interest in Student Affairs as a profession! After graduation, Stephanie accepted a position at a local bank as a loan officer. This left her feeling unfulfilled so she decided to attend graduate school to study student affairs. She headed back to the mountains of North Carolina, to Western Carolina University in the College Student Personnel Graduate Program. As a grad student Stephanie worked with the Safe Zone program providing Safe Zone/Ally Training to the LGBT community. She also worked with Residence Life as a Resident Student Success Graduate Assistant. In this position she worked with the professional and Resident Assistant staff of the buildings across campus to provide academic programs and resources. In her last year as a graduate student Stephanie was the Assistant Resident Director of Albright-Benton Hall where she provided leadership and guidance to 8 undergraduate Resident Assistants. Stephanie also spent Summer 2010 at that State University of New York - Maritime working as an intern in Orientation and Student Life. Stephanie loves working in Residence Life and is so excited to be part of the University of South Carolina family! |
Leena Holt
Elena Morales