Welcome to the new Residence Life and Housing Parent Blog! Every other week, we will strengthen our partnership with parents by providing information on relevant issues that shape your students’ experiences at UMW. Topics will include ways to appreciate your RA, navigating the “will you be my roommate next year” and the “I don’t want to be your roommate next year” conversations, general housing selection, registering for classes, preparing to depart UMW for the summer, and more! It is our hope that these blog posts, written by our Residence Life professionals, will offer additional insight and clarity as you support your student through their on-campus living experience.
Let us start our first post with an introduction to our Residence Life and Housing professional team!
Dave Fleming
Area in charge of: Assistant Dean for Residence Life and Housing
Schools: B.A. in Psychology at Salisbury State University and M.A. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at University of New Haven
Family and pets: Wife- Dean Melissa Jones, Son- Joshua, Dog- Nia
Fun fact: I am an identical twin!
Favorite food: Fried Oysters and Prime Rib; Double stuff Oreos
Favorite UMW activity or event: UMW’s Got Talent
Favorite UMW location: Bench sitting in front of the Ridderhof Martin Gallery during the Spring or Fall
Hunter Rauscher
Area in charge of: Associate Director for Residence Life and Housing
Schools: B.A. in English at VCU and M.T. in Secondary Education at VCU
Family and pets: Adopted Racing Greyhound
Fun fact: I’ve flown a plane
Favorite food: Sushi
Favorite UMW activity or event: Devil Goat Day
Favorite UMW location: Gym
John Hughey
Area in charge of: Assistant Director for Residential Education for Residence Life and Housing
Schools: B.S. in Computer Engineering and M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Southern Illinois University
Family and pets: one younger brother and one weird cat (Ginger)
Fun fact: I am a huge fan of bad puns and dad jokes. Since I am from the Midwest I am predisposed to being corn-y
Favorite food: BBQ Brisket
Favorite UMW activity or event: The ARH Bonfire during Homecoming
Favorite UMW location: Palmieri Plaza
Michelle Brooks
Area in charge of: Business & Marketing Manager for Residence Life and Housing
Schools: B.A. in English and Classical Civilization (dbl. major) from UMW and M.A. in Executive Leadership from Liberty University
Family and pets: Husband – Matt, daughter – Teresa, dog – Tim, cats – Kira and Apricot, and many fish
Fun fact: I raise and show dogs (Collies) and have done so my entire life. I’m also an AKC approved judge.
Favorite food: Sushi and steak
Favorite UMW activity or event: Devil/Goat Day
Favorite UMW location: Looking down Campus Walk from the Bell Tower
Cece Burkett
Area in charge of: Coordinator of Housing for Residence Life and Housing
Schools: B.S. from UMW
Fun fact: I am very good at losing my possessions
Favorite food: Chinese chicken and broccoli
Favorite UMW activity or event – Graduation!
Favorite UMW location – The tree/bench between Ridderhof Martin Gallery and Melchers Hall
Megan Brown
Area in charge of: Area Coordinator for 4 Square (Jefferson, Bushnell, Framar, South, Westmoreland, and the UMW Apartments). Also, I’m the advisor of the Association of Residence Halls
Schools: B.A In History and Adolescent Education from Pace University and M.A in Higher and Post-Secondary Education from Teachers College at Columbia University.
Pets: Black cat named Sirius
Fun fact: I really love historical fun facts (like the name of George Washington’s horse)
Favorite food: Mashed Potatoes and Shrimp
Favorite UMW activity or event: ARH’s Big Ash Bonfire
Favorite UMW location: The fountain outside Monroe
Lee Roy Johnson
Area in charge of: Area Coordinator for Eagle Landing
Schools: Major in Sports Management/Minor in Accounting from Methodist University and M.B.A from Averett University
Fun fact: 4 year college athlete
Favorite food: Wings
Favorite UMW activity or event: Devil Goat Day
Favorite UMW location: William M. Anderson Center! (You never get tired of the cheering and encouragement of the gathering of the UMW family in one space.)
Additional: I enjoy being a mentor and resource to all students. My goal is to help each student reach their dreams the best way I can and prepare them for life.
Mary Taylor
Area in charge of: Area Coordinator for A&WCircle (Arrington, Willard, Virginia, Ball, Custis, and Madison)
Schools: B.S. Longwood University and M.Ed. from the University of Lynchburg
Fun fact: I was involved with Mortar Board Senior Honor Society during my time as an undergraduate
Favorite food: Mexican food
Favorite UMW activity or event: Devil/Goat Day
Favorite UMW location: The fountain between Virginia and Willard halls
Matt Brooks
Area in charge of: Eagle Landing front desk operations
Schools: B.S. in Information Systems and Technology from ODU
Family and pets: Wife – Michelle, daughter – Teresa
Fun fact: I own a photography business with Michelle and I have a passion for cars, especially Mustangs
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite UMW activity or event: Move-In day!
Favorite UMW location: Eagle Landing 3rd floor terrace overlooking river/downtown