Residence Hall Staff

Each residence hall is staffed with a full-time live-in professional Residence Hall Director who serves as an excellent resource for residents by offering assistance in addressing any problems or concerns that arise. In charge of all operations, Residence Hall Directors also supervise graduate assistants who oversee programming initiatives in the hall and advise the residence hall student government, and to monitor compliance with University Housing policies.

In addition to Residence Hall Directors, we also have Graduate Assistants who make up part of our professional staff team. GA's are full time graduate students who share the leadership of the residence halls. They assist residents in Lifestyle Communities, advise hall council, respond to emergencies and assist with daily/nightly operations of the halls.

Additionally, undergraduate Resident Advisors (RA's) live on each floor and are responsible for serving as peer advisors for the residents. They are trained to identify residents' needs and to articulate residence concerns and, if necessary, directing them to the appropriate person(s) or resources. The primary role of an RA is to promote a community atmosphere through programming, to encourage resident involvement in hall activities and to assist residents in their adjustment to on-campus living.

Area Coordinators

Randy Brown

Commons

Randy was born and raised in North Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and received a degree in Business Management. Randy’s undergraduate involvement in student government at the U of A inspired him to get a Masters of Education from The University of Vermont. His Higher Education and Student Affairs degree prepared him for his first job as a Hall Director at The Florida State University. And now he calls Georgia State his Home.

Steve Desir

Edgewood/Ellis Area

Steve Desir is the Area Coordinator for the Edgewood/Ellis Area. Steve is originally from Brooklyn, NY and received his Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State and his Master's Degree from New York University. He has worked in Residence Life departments at Penn State, New York University, the University of Vermont, and most recently at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. Steve is extremely passionate about student leadership, career advisement/coaching, and access to education. Feel free to stop by his office in the lobby of the University Lofts to say "Hello."

Coordinators

Zduy Chu

Academic Initiatives

Zduy was born in Oklahoma, raised in Arkansas and spent the last 5 years at the University of California, Santa Barbara as their Student Leadership Coordinator. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor’s in Marketing Management in 2004 and a Master’s in Higher Education and Leadership in 2006. He loves to travel and taught on the Summer 2010 Semester At Sea Voyage around the Mediterranean. One of his passions is working with students and helping them achieve success inside and outside of the classroom.

Kerry Wallaert

Residential Leadership

Kerry is from Saginaw, Michigan. She earned a B.S. in English Writing from Northern Michigan University and a M.A. in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Ball State University. As the Coordinator of Residential Leadership, Kerry works with Greek Housing, RHA, and on campus student leaders. When Kerry is not working, she enjoys volunteering, writing, and photography. She also loves taking road trips and listening to hip hop music.

Hall Directors

Tasha Coppett

Freshman Hall

Tasha Coppett graduated with a B.S. in Sports and Entertainment Management from the University of South Carolina and completed a MBA from American Continental University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Higher and Professional Education from the Institute of Education, University of London. Tasha began her ResLife career internationally as an Assistant Residential Director at Kings College London and then progressed to Head of Housing at AIU London. Tasha is very excited to continue her career stateside and at GSU!

Nicholas (Nick) Giancola

Piedmont North A

Though he’s Ohio born and raised, Nick Giancola is no stranger to the south. Nick attended undergrad at Belmont University in Nashville, TN graduating with his B.B.A. in Business Administration, emphasis in Music Business. After working professionally, he attended the University of Akron obtaining a Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration in 2011. As a supporter of the Arts, as well as an avid runner, Nick is excited to be in Atlanta and part of the GSU family!

Angel Hernandez

Commons D

A New Jersey native, Angel Hernandez joined GSU in June 2011 from Rutgers University where he was as a Hall Director for three years and earned a Master’s in Education in College Student Affairs. He also worked with the Summer Bridge program, the Office of Student Conduct, and Dean of Students Office. Prior to this, he served as an Assistant Residence Director and Community Advisor at The College of New Jersey where he obtained a B.A. in Sociology & Women’s and Gender Studies.

Karl Jennings

Commons A

Karl is from Toronto, Canada. He earned his B.A. in Psychology and his M.S in College Student Personnel at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville TN. Karl is the Residence Hall Director in the University Commons Building A.

Desaree Murden

Commons B

Desaree Murden is a native of Atlanta, GA and a proud alumnus of Georgia State University. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and minored in Spanish. She returned to Georgia State in 2006 to continue her studies and completed a Master of Science degree in Professional Counseling. In her spare time she enjoys travelling and learning about other cultures. She has been to several countries for study abroad and mission. She is most proud of her work with the non-profit International Dance Company, Ministry in Motion.

Walter Parrish

Lofts

Walter recently joined the GSU University Housing team in June 2011 as the Residence Hall Director for The Lofts. His educational background consists of a M. Ed. in Higher Education/Student Affairs Administration from Old Dominion University (VA) and a BA in Psychology from Millersville University (PA). Walter brings experience in Campus Activities, Residence Life, First Year Experience, Sophomore Experience Programs, Pre-college Programs, and Fraternity & Sorority Life.

Nicole Patterson

Piedmont North B

Originally from Virginia, Nicole Patterson has been working at Georgia State since fall of 2010. She received her Bachelors of Art degree in History and Education from James Madison University, where she participated in Alternative Breaks, Alpha Phi Omega, Orientation, and Residence Life. Nicole completed her Masters of Education from JMU, and spent a year doing national community service through AmeriCorps. She will be the Hall Director for Piedmont North B.

Danny Zayas

Commons C

Originally from Glen Cove, New York, Danny Zayas completed his B.S in Management at Johnson & Wales University, North Miami. Upon completion of his B.S., he attended Nova Southeastern University located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. While attending classes to complete a Master of Science degree in College Student Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Analysis and Resolution, he served as an Assistant Area Coordinator in the Department of Residence Life for one year and then served as the Graduate Assistant of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Danny recently joined Georgia State University Housing in June 2011.

Assistant Hall Directors

Deanna Jackson

Commons A

Deanna Jackson is from Lakeland, Florida. She attended the University of West Georgia where she majored in Sport Management and minored in Business Administration. As the Assistant Hall Director of the University Commons Hall A, Deanna enjoys serving, mentoring, and advising sixteen Resident Assistants, and seven Hall Council members. Deanna also enjoys speaking and presenting to middle and high school student athletes, and sharing words of wisdom in her small group on Monday nights at the University Commons.

Lofts

Crystal White

Crystal is from Detroit, MI. She previously worked at GSU in 2005 as the Inventory Coordinator and Housing Liaison at the GSU Village, and also brings experience from the secondary education and non-profit areas. Crystal has her BA in Psychology from Louisiana State University and most recently completed her MBA in Marketing and served as a manager at the Ed Isakson Alpharetta YMCA.

Senior Administrative Coordinators

Andy Amoabeng

Piedmont North

Andy Amoabeng is the Senior Administrative Coordinator for Conference Services & Ellis Area. Andy has worked for University Housing since 2007 in many different capacities, including Resident Assistant, Front Desk Assistant, and Conference Manager. He received his bachelor’s from the Robinson College of Business in Accounting and Computer Information Systems. As a former University Housing resident, Andy understands the unique challenges that residents face and strives to create a University Housing experience that is safe, enjoyable and memorable.

Jeffrey Clark

Edgewood

Jeff is the Senior Administrative Coordinator for the Edgewood Area. He is a current student at Georgia State majoring in History and hopes to graduate soon. Visit Freshman Hall to say hi to Jeff!