Staff
Central Staff
Mary Goldenberg
Director of University Residential Life
Contact Mary Goldenberg
Mary Goldenberg is Director of University Residential Life. Mary directs the graduate and undergraduate residential life programs and all functions related to this area including staff recruitment, selection and development, programming, community development and leadership development, crisis and emergency response, and residential student conduct. She works with 16 full-time professional and administrative staff, over one hundred student staff members, and a variety of University constituencies to ensure the smooth operation of the residence halls, residential communities and residential colleges.
Mary is a native New Yorker, but received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami and her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia. She is a member of the American College Personnel Association, the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators and the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International.
Virginia Koch
Associate Director
- Staff Training and Development
- Staff Selection
- Graduate Residential Life
A native of Ohio, Virginia Koch serves as Associate Director for University Residential Life. She is responsible for supervising graduate residence life; staff selection, training, and performance assessment; and developing resident education programs. Since 1991 she has worked with variety of Northwestern programs including fraternity and sorority life, new student orientation, multicultural education, anti-sexual assault education, the campus SafeRide program, as well as NU’s sesquicentennial anniversary celebration. Virginia earned a BA in Sociology/Anthropology from the University of Akron and a MA in Student Personnel Services from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently completing a PhD in higher education at Loyola University Chicago. Her research interests include staff training programs and assessing student learning.
Lance Watson
Area Coordinator:
Graduate Residential Life
- Engelhart Hall
- McManus Hall
- Seabury-Garrett
Office located in Scott Hall Room 10
Contact Lance Watson
Originally from New Orleans, Lance attended the University of Kansas, receiving his B.A. in Applied Behavioral Sciences (emphasis in Youth Development and Juvenile Justice). Feeling called to pursue a career in Student Affairs, he attended Clemson University to pursue a M.Ed. in Counselor Education (Emphasis: Student Affairs) working as a Resident Director and Graduate Intern in Clemson's student conduct office. Upon graduating, he served two years at the California Maritime Academy as Assistant Commandant of Cadets, where he was charged with overseeing the leadership development of Merchant Marine Officer Candidates as well as facilitate the student conduct processes.
Lance serves as the Assistant Director for Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution and the Area Coordinator for Graduate Residential Life.
Cat Owney
Assistant Director
Contact Cat Owney
Catherine (Cat) Owney serves as an Assistant Director for University Residential Life. In this position she is responsible for supervising the residence halls on North campus; co-advising the Residence Hall Association; providing oversight of programming and hall government funds; and community development, programming, and leadership initiatives for the department. Cat earned a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Public Administration from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). In her seven years at UIC she worked in various student and full-time staff positions, including in residence life, orientation, development, and alumni relations. Cat also worked in residence life at the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned her PhD in Higher Education Administration. Her research and personal interests focus on social justice.
Karen Rosenthal
Area Coordinator:
- Kemper Hall
- Goodrich House
- Lindgren House
- 2303 Sheridan Road
Office located in the Kemper main lobby
Contact Karen Rosenthal
Karen Rosenthal is the Area Coordinator for the KASH area of campus which includes Kemper Hall and the Small Houses on north campus. She is responsible for overseeing the daily community building efforts in these buildings and supervising the Community Assistant staff. Karen is also one of the advisors of the Residence Hall Association on campus. Other areas of responsibility include the coordination of hall government elections and training.
Originally from Cicero, Illinois, Karen earned her B.A. In Graphic Design at the University of Illinois at Chicago and then her Masters in Instructional Leadership from the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Davinah M. Simmons
Area Coordinator:
- Bobb Hall
- McCulloch Hall
Office located in McCulloch 122.
Davinah Simmons joined Northwestern in 2013 and currently serves as the Area Coordinator for Bobb McCulloch. Born and raised in West Los Angeles, California-- Davinah received her B.A in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Spanish Linguistics at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. She then went on to earn a M.S in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University.
Before starting at Northwestern, she worked as the Community Development Specialist at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona in student housing. What excites Davinah the most about working at Northwestern is the chance to create unique opportunities for students to be connected in their living communities. Her areas of interest are holistic wellness, women's issues, and multicultural identity development. In her free time, Davinah enjoys cooking, exploring nearby cities, and spending time with her quirky rescue dog, Howie.
Feel free to stop by her office to say hello!
Kristina Richards
Area Coordinator:
- Slivka (College of Science and Engineering)
- ACCI (Ayers College of Commerce and Industry)
- Sargent Hall
Office located in Slivka behind the mailboxes.
Contact Kristina Richards
Kristina graduated with Bachelors of Arts and Masters in Higher Education degrees from Loyola University Chicago. She has previously worked at Holy Cross College in South Bend, IN for two years as the Hall Director/Activities Coordinator and four years at the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville (UPT) as the Director of Residential Life/Director of Judicial Affairs. Kristina Richards has worked at Northwestern University since 2003 as an Area Coordinator (AC). She supervises North Residential Colleges (Slivka, ACCI, and CCS) and Sargent. Kristina has a breadth of expertise that covers a wide area of responsibilities. Kristina has received training as a Safe Space Ally and a Transgender Ally from Northwestern University. She has received training as a meditator from both Northwestern University and Association for Student Conduct Administration (ASCA).
Kim Scott
Area Coordinator:
- Elder Residential Community
Office located in Elder 151
Contact Kim Scott
Kim Scott currently serves as an Area Coordinator in Residence Life overseeing the Elder Residential Community. She received a Bachelors of Arts in Communication from Bowling Green State University and a Master's of Education with a focus in Higher Education from The University of Toledo. Kim works with the student staff and Faculty In Residence to plan fun, educational programs for Northwestern's all freshman housing community. Before coming to Northwestern Kim worked in Residence Life at Boise State University and Housing and Greek Life at The University of Toledo.
Paul Hubinsky
Assistant Director
Contact Paul Hubinsky
Paul serves as an Assistant Director. His responsibilities include supervision of the South Campus staff, updating the website, opening and closing of the buildings, and other operational tasks. Originally from Michigan, Paul earned his B.S. from Central Michigan University and M.Ed. in student development from Grand Valley State University. He has previous professional experience working in residence life at Valparaiso University, Northern Illinois University, and Illinois Institute of Technology. He has been actively involved in the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers for 12 years and serves as a committee chair on the Board of Directors.
Amanda DaSilva
Area Coordinator:
- 1835 Hinman
- Jones Fine and Performing Arts Residential College
- East Fairchild (Communications Residential College)
- West Fairchild (International Studies Residential College)
Office located in 1835 Hinman on the first floor by the elevator.
Amanda DaSilva joined Northwestern in 2011 as the Area Coordinator for Jones, 1835Hinman and the Communications (CRC) and International Studies (ISRC) residential
colleges. She is thrilled to be surrounded by her dedicated Community Assistant staff and
the many passionate students involved in hall governments.
Originally from New Bedford, MA, Amanda received dual undergraduate degrees in
Criminal Justice and Sociology from La Salle University in Philadelphia, PA. She worked as
an Assistant Rector while earning a JD from Notre Dame Law School, then served as a Hall
Coordinator and Residence Hall Association Advisor at The University of Texas at Austin.
When not at work, Amanda enjoys training for marathons and spending time with her
Miniature Schnauzer, Daphne.
Danielle Lynne Burke
Area Coordinator:
- Willard Residential College
- Chapin (Humanities Residential College)
- Hobart (Women’s Residential College)
- North Mid-Quads (NMQ)
- South Mid-Quads (SMQ)
- 1856 Orrington
- Rogers House
- Phi Mu Alpha (626 Emerson)
- Sigma Alpha Iota
Office located in Willard 114.
Danielle Burke currently serves as the WASH Area Coordinator (Willard and small houses). Danielle was born and raised in South Carolina. Danielle did her undergraduate work at the College of Charleston where she obtained her B.S. in Psychology. She went on to attend Vanderbilt University for her M.Ed in Higher Education Administration.
Prior to joining the Northwestern team Danielle worked as a Resident Director at Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, where in addition to Residence Life she also worked closely with Academic Services and Athletics.
Please stop by and say hello!
Tiffany Gonzales
Area Coordinator:
- Foster-Walker
- Seabury-Western
Office located in the basement of Foster-Walker
Contact Tiffany Gonzales
Tiffany Gonzales is currently the Foster Walker Area Coordinator, a largely single-living upper class residential area at Northwestern University. In addition to that, Tiffany is also an ally and safe space facilitator. Originally from the Chicago area, she received her B.A in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Media, and her M.S Ed. in Higher Education Administration, both from Northern Illinois University. Before coming to NU, she was a Residence Hall Director at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Her favorite parts about Northwestern include working with the dedicated student leaders, and the opportunities for involvement for both students and staff.
Keenan Colquitt
Area Coordinator:
- Allison Residential Community
- Shepard Residential College
- PARC (Public Affairs Residential College)
Office located in the first floor of Allison (near the mailboxes)
Contact Keenan Colquitt
Keenan Colquitt is the Area Coordinator (AC) for Allison Residential Community, Public Affairs Residential College and Shepard Residential College. He started working at Northwestern in summer 2011. Before coming to NU, Keenan worked at Berkeley College in New Jersey where he was a residence counselor for the past year. Keenan has a master’s degree in human resource management from Stony Brook University and a BS in psychology from Grand Valley State University. In his free time, Keenan enjoys martial arts training, spending time with his family and new dog.
Support Staff
Annaleah Tubbin
Administrative Assistant
- Student Conduct Scheduling
- Staff Selection
- Training and Development Support
Annaleah Tubbin is an administrative assistant in Residential Services and works primarily with staff training and selection. She also serves on the Campus Advisory Network and actively supports the LGBT community. Annaleah received her BS in Theatre from the University of Oregon and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in History through SCS at Northwestern. Her previous work experience includes freshman outreach and teaching. In her spare time she is a kitten foster-parent with Tree House Humane Society and enjoys singing, dancing, reading and watching Top Chef.
Joei Allen
Administrative Assistant:
- URL Staff Reimbursements
- Hall Government Support
Josephine (Joei) Allen joined Northwestern University as a Payroll Clerk in November of 2000. After 5 years of service, she accepted a position at Northwestern’ s School of Law on the Chicago Campus in 2007 where she worked as an administrative assistant to several Law School professors for the next 2 ½ years. Originally a native of Miami, Florida, Joei and her family decided to move to Florida in summer of 2007. After much consideration, Joei returned to Chicago in Fall of 2010 where she returned to Northwestern University.
Joei is currently working as an Administrative Assistant 3 for the office of Residential Life. In her position, she is appointed treasurer for the URL Programming Social and Maintenance Accounts, processes reimbursements and payment requests on behalf of students and staff, and assist student organizations with planning and processing of contracts for quarterly formals. Additionally, Joei offers administrative assistance to faculty and staff of Residential Life.In her free time, Joei enjoys traveling, participating in both indoor and outdoor sports, spending time with friends and family, and spoiling her cat Finley.
Lesa Darcy-Frost
Administrative Assistant: Work-Study Employment Processing
Contact Lesa Darcy-Frost
Student Staff
University Residential Life employs over two hundred student staff, from community assistants to mailroom staff or student assistants who work in the main URL office. If you have a question about a specific building, please contact the appropriate area coordinator.