Not only are Ursinus students in a transitional period of their lives, but the college itself is undergoing several changes. The staff that many of us have connected with and relied on over the years has turned almost entirely inside out. This semester, Student Affairs has a new head of Residence Life, two new assistant directors of Residence Life, a new director of Campus Safety, and a new director of Student Engagement. These unfamiliar faces have created anticipation about what is to come. But is change so bad after all? Let’s meet the staff to find out:
Sami Litchert: Assistant Director of Res Life, Oversees Reimert, New/North, 9th Ave.
Walking into Sami’s office, Sami’s welcoming energy and array of snacks made me feel comfortable right away. Sami graduated from Kutztown University in 2016 with a major in communications. She went on to get her masters in higher education in 2018 at Cedar Crest University. Sami worked in Res Life at Alvernia University and for a college leadership development program, Swift Kick.
Off-campus, you can find Sami camping with her partner, Anton, and her beloved pup, Annie. She has an artistic side as well and even created her own line of coloring books called “Think while you Color.” Look out for her walking Annie around campus!
Within Res Life, she hopes to create “change in a positive way” by taking a creative and individualized approach to communication with students. Although we cannot say for certain what these changes in staff will bring, Sami wants students to know her door – and snack drawer – are always open to us.
Naz’hae Singleton: Assistant Director of Residence Life, Main Street Village
When it comes to Naz’hae, community and relationships are the most important thing. Naz’Hae graduated from Cedar Crest with a double major in health sciences and communications and eventually went on to get her masters in higher education at Drexel University. Outside of the office, Naz’hae enjoys spending time with her family, painting, and running. Her best friend happens to be her eight-year-old younger sister, who she frequently visits in West Philly.
Naz’hae has been involved in residence life since undergrad where she realized she loved to connect with students. She was drawn to Ursinus because of its small community where she would be able to develop relationships with more people. “My goal is just to introduce myself to as many people as possible,” she says. She has already connected with the event spaces on Main Street and hopes to continue to do so.
Joe Nemic: Director of Campus Safety
Joe Nemic joins us at Ursinus after retiring from a 33-year career at the Phoenixville Police Department. Working there from the age of 19, Joe was able to move up the ranks to become the supervisor of the detective unit, where he oversaw criminal investigations ranging from petty theft to homicide. He earned his degree in criminal justice at St. Joe’s University and went on to get his master’s degree in public safety at the University of Virginia. Just three years ago, Joe was selected to attend a program for leadership development hosted by the FBI in Quantico, Virginia. He and his wife Rebecca, an Ursinus alum, have two children.
Joe wants to create familiarity between public safety officers and students. “I’m encouraging the officers to walk to the buildings instead of driving around in a car everywhere. It’s very difficult to engage with somebody when they’re driving by you on a walkway in the golf cart or in a car,” he said. He reassures students that the new faces around campus are all “working collectively to move the needle here at Ursinus.”
Drees Rivers: Director of Student Engagement
Drees has a contagious smile and an enthusiasm that is much needed here at Ursinus. Graduating from Widener University, he went on to earn his master’s in public administration at McDaniel College. Since then, Drees has worked in student affairs for nearly 15 years. Off the clock, Drees enjoys trying new restaurants and adding to his sneaker collection. He’s noticed the current state of engagement on campus, saying, “There’s definitely a craving to see a little more vibrancy here on campus.” When it comes to shifting the culture here, his first step is to go on a “listening tour to hear feedback from students.” Look out for interactive social media posts and new events on the horizon as Drees looks for new ways to engage students!
Ebonish Lamar: Director of Residence Life
Ebonish began her journey in Southern California and landed on the East Coast, where she has been for the last 13 years. She was a first-generation college student majoring in philosophy and was an RA herself in undergrad. The help of her advisors and mentors led her to an interest in student affairs and higher education. Now, she hopes that she can be the advisor to help and inspire students.
Despite Ebonish settling here in Pennsylvania, her love for travel continues to burn. She visited Vietnam just this past fall and would like to continue to experience new places and challenges. With the anxieties of students during this period of change, Ebonish says, “I always come from a place of compassion. I see you as a human.” She sees that both the students and student affairs are looking for growth and hopes we can grow together.
Although the new staff has come as a shock and it is easy to dismiss this change as a bad thing, Ursinus could benefit from some fresh ideas. New momentum in Student Affairs may be valuable for fostering growth in our residential community and events on campus. If students are willing to give the new staff grace and understanding as they go through their own adjustment periods, we may all be able to leave our doors open to the possibility of change as a good thing.