Residential Life and Housing welcomes five new Resident Directors
Residential Life and Housing began the semester by hiring five new Resident Directors for dorms across campus. RD’s, alongside their staff, are a large part of building community among residents on campus. New Hughes, Male Brinsfield Row/ B.L Hicks, Sharp-Davis, Atkins-Ellis and Medlin Hall residents are under new RD’s this year.
Christy Cornelius - New Hughes
Photo by Annie Youther.
Lee alumni Christy Cornelius oversees New Hughes. As a former Lee student, Cornelius has a heart for community and was heavily impacted by living on campus during her time at Lee.
“I think New Hughes is great. Being an upperclassmen dorm of girls is unique to the rest of the campus, and I am so glad to get to know and interact with the residents here,” Cornelius said.
Now, as an RD, she hopes to pass on valuable leadership skills and lessons to her residents and staff.
“I am really grateful for each member of this team,” said Cornelius. “I just think they’re incredible people, and I am excited to grow with them. For not picking the team [myself], I am grateful for the work they do. They love their job and students. It inspires me to do my job better.”
David Kahoun - B.L. Hicks / Male Brinsfield Row
Photo by Shay MacLean.
New to Cleveland, David Kahoun offers a fresh perspective as the RD of Hicks-Brinsfield row, with previous training from his former job as a resident assistant at Malone University.
“He has to lead our team in ways I haven’t seen before,” said senior business administration major and senior RA Teagan Lenox. “It has expanded my growth and knowledge of how a team can function and how a dorm can function.”
Already recognizing the bond his team is creating, Kahoun is looking forward to the semester ahead and anticipating his staff’s needs.
“I think our staff has meshed really well together,” said Kahoun. “I think the mindset I am having is making myself available when they need me and foreseeing what my staff may need. Just walking alongside them during this time of COVID.”
Esther Marquez - Sharp-Davis
As a Lee alum, Esther Marquez is returning to Lee to create unity amongst her residents in Sharp-Davis.
Photo by Shay MacLean.
“Our dorm theme [house of peace] has been something that has stood out a lot to me,” said Marquez. “I hope the girls who live here do have that sense of peace, and our team is here to support them. [Knowing] that I am there to walk alongside them. That is the joy of the job.”
Recognized by her staff as having the gift of hospitality, they say Marquez leads with intentionality and a commitment to genuine relationships among her residents.
“I think she very much exudes dignity. [She is] composed in a way that deserves respect, and she carries herself in that way,” said junior finance major and Sharp-Davis senior RA Melody Franco. “Whenever you talk to her, you feel like you are home. She feels familiar.”
Photo by Annie Youther.
Brileigh Malott - Atkins-Ellis
From Indiana, Brileigh Malott heard about the RD positions through the Association for Christians in Student Development.
Leading an all-freshman female dorm, Malott said her recent move to Cleveland is something she has in common with her residents.
“My favorite part of working with students is having to opportunity to walk alongside them in the moments of deep sorrow, the moments of great joy, and everything else in between,” Malott said.
Patrick Nelson - Medlin Hall
A Chicago native, Patrick Nelson is leading Medlin Hall with a focus on brotherhood and inclusion.
Photo by Annie Youther.
“Every time I see [my staff], it reminds me why I am here,” Nelson said. “They’re so supportive. Medlin has this culture that everyone supports and is there for one another. We are a brotherhood for such a time as this. My staff is good at reminding me and each other of that.”
More information about Resident Directors and their halls can be found here.
