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Dr. Kendall Pete became the Executive Director of Residential Life in January 2025, In this inaugural role, Dr. Pete oversaw Housing Services, Residential Education, and Living-Learning Programs. Since June 2026, his portfolio expanded to also include Commuter Affairs and Advancement initiatives, as an Assistant Vice President.

He joined us from Radford University, where he was Director of Residential Life. Dr. Pete brings visionary leadership, a focus on values, and team-based strategic planning to every aspect of an inclusive residential experience. He supports the growth and development of staff, and is committed to providing resident students with transformative experiences that help them feel welcome, cared for, and prepared for success at UMBC and beyond.

Dr. Pete’s professional background has its roots in community psychology and clinical counseling. He is trained in human relations dialogue facilitation; group and individual counseling; and case management. Dr. Pete’s experience as a mental health professional mental health heavily influences his approach to his work, which has been useful while leading during crisis situations and organizational change in the higher education context.

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. Pete balances scholarship, teaching, and service activities while maintaining a full-time administrative role. He teaches as an adjunct faculty member of the Virginia Tech higher education program. Courses include university leadership and higher education administration as well as foundation courses such as the history of higher education. His research interests center on Black student affairs professionals and higher education organizations. More specifically, Dr. Pete’s research explores the career journeys of mid-level administrators, supervision, leadership, and healthy organizations. He contributes to the higher education profession in many ways. Dr. Pete currently serves as a reviewer for the College Student Affairs Journal and the Journal of College and University Student Housing. He has co-authored a book chapter on career transitions, and sponsored research centered on workplace well-being.

Dr. Pete’s professional involvement at the national level includes the supporting mental health sub-committee with The Association of College and University Housing Officers-International’s (ACUHO-I) Future of the Profession; and he is a coordinating faculty member of ACUHO-I’s Behavioral Well-being Institute, focused on improving mental health literacy in the residential community setting. Dr. Pete also serves on the ACPA – College Student Educators International’s Leadership Council with fiduciary responsibility for the association as a Member at Large. He has a strong commitment to the profession because Dr. Pete believes in the transformative power of education.

Dr. Pete received his B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University; a M.A. in Community and Clinical Psychology from Norfolk State University; and a Ph.D. In Higher Education Administration from Virginia Tech.

Outside of work, he is somewhat of a foodie, enjoys good music, volunteer service with his fraternity, and spending time with loved ones. After having completed his first flip, Dr. Pete is very into home design and renovation. He is patiently awaiting his debut on HGTV.

Amanda Scally, serves as the Director for Housing Services, where she provides leadership for the university’s residential housing operations and services supporting approximately 4,000 residential students.

Dr. Tiffany Bromfield is a dynamic higher education professional, scholar-practitioner, and community builder with extensive experience in residential education, leadership development, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Currently serving as the Director of Residential Education where she provides strategic leadership for residential engagement, staff development, assessment, student success, and the creation of inclusive residential communities.

A passionate advocate for professional and student leadership development, Dr. Bromfield has held leadership roles across regional and national professional associations, including SWACUHO, NEACUHO, and ACUHO-I. Her professional service includes leadership with the ACUHO-I Black Professionals Network, ACUHO-I Executive Board as the Regional Affiliations Director, and participation in the James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute and ACUHO-I Leadership Academy.

A proud child of Jamaican immigrants raised in the Bronx, NY and New Haven, CT, Dr. Bromfield earned her PhD from the University at Buffalo, where her scholarship centers the experiences of Black undergraduate women resident assistants. She earned her MA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of North Texas while working as a Community Director and her BA in Mass Communications from Jacksonville University where she was a 4-year conference champion in Track & Field. Across her professional, scholarly, and community work, Dr. Bromfield is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, empowered, and equipped to thrive.

Darian serves as the Assistant Director for Residential Life Operations, where he provides leadership for the operational systems and services that support approximately 4,000 residential students. In his role, Darian oversees community desk operations, housing systems and technology, opening and closing processes, customer service delivery, and departmental assessment amongst other responsibilities. He works closely with Residential Life staff and campus partners to ensure that housing operations are efficient, consistent, and centered on the student experience.

Darian brings nearly a decade of experience across higher education, housing operations, student services, and customer service. Prior to joining UMBC, he served as the Assistant Director of Housing Operations for Assignments at Carnegie Mellon University, where he led housing assignment processes, occupancy management, room selection, first-year assignments, housing applications, and the use of housing technology and data. Previously, as a Housing Operations Coordinator at Carnegie Mellon, he managed front desk operations and customer service delivery while supervising and developing more than 25 student employees. His broader higher education experience includes work in Student Involvement and Leadership, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as being a former Junior/Senior High School Business Teacher and Band Director for the Aliquippa School District, his alma mater, where Trumpet was his primary instrument.

Darian holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Marketing Communications and a Master of Science in Education in Higher Education Administration, both from Duquesne University. He is also a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., where he formerly served as the Assistant National Director of Intake and Expansion. Outside of his professional work, Darian enjoys professional wrestling, bowling, trivia videos, various animated series, and cheering on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Brad serves as the Assistant Director for Assignment Services, which oversees a lot of the “behind the curtain” aspects of on-campus housing.

Prior to his time at UMBC, Brad served in the housing assignments world at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He obtained his Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of Arkansas and his Bachelor of Arts degree from Bradley University.

Outside of work, Brad is a podcaster, writer, and improv comedian. Brad also enjoys reading, Chicago sports, and his cat, Rosie.

Candace Thompson is a first-generation student affairs professional and educator who is passionate about creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and a true sense of belonging. She serves as the Assistant Director for Residential Education focusing on Student Success and Leadership. In this role, Candace oversees residential student leadership initiatives, including advising the Resident Student Association (RSA), National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), and Community Councils, as well as coordinating the LEAD RA program. She also leads academic success efforts in partnership with living-learning communities, drives student engagement and retention strategies, and helps manage unit assessment projects to enhance the overall residential experience.

Candace earned her Master’s degree in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University in May 2020 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018. Throughout her career, she has been especially passionate about belonging, access, and retention, with a focus on supporting minority and historically underrepresented students. She believes in the power of community, meaningful connections, and creating environments where students are empowered to thrive both personally and academically.

DiAvanti Bedford serves as the Assistant Director for Residential Education for Conduct & Care in the department. In this role, he provides strategic oversight for residential community standards, holistic student care, and educational curriculum initiatives across campus. DiAvanti is instrumental in guiding response protocols, navigating complex student behavioral concerns, and ensuring that accountability within the residence halls functions as an educational, restorative process.

Bringing a wealth of experience from institutions across the country, including the University of Central Florida, San Diego State University, and Sacramento State University, DiAvanti centers his practice on care coordination, conflict resolution, and student development. He works closely with campus partners to identify students in distress early, implementing proactive intervention strategies and fostering an environment where well-being and personal accountability go hand in hand. In addition to his conduct and care work, he is a dedicated mentor and involved professional in the field of Student Affairs who regularly presents on staff supervision, crisis navigation, and student retention frameworks at various professional conferences.

DiAvanti earned his Bachelor of Science from Radford University, a Master of Science in Higher Education from Nova Southeastern University, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Higher Education Leadership at Rockhurst University.

Jerel serves as Assistant Director of Residential Education for Training and Recruitment, bringing over a decade of dedicated higher education experience. A proud double HBCU graduate, Jerel holds degrees from North Carolina Central University and North Carolina A&T State University. Driven by a deep commitment to the student experience, Jerel equips residential staff with the tools, training, and support they need to foster inclusive, thriving campus communities.

Staff Biography Coming Soon!

Hello! My name is Gunner and I work for the Office of Residential Life as Coordinator of Operations. I work with my team to supervise and support our Front Desk teams to provide customer service to all residents and their guests. I got my master’s degree in biological sciences with a focus in neuroscience. I unironically find myself saying, ‘well at least this isn’t brain surgery,’ when my work feels challenging. And while I chose to not go on and pursue a career in that field I have the utmost respect for those who do and love to talk about my research so please feel free to ask me about it any time. I have worked for UMBC since my time as an undergrad and throughout graduate school and have been doing what I can to help others find their place here as well. Outside of work I enjoy writing, Table Top Role Playing Games like Dungeons & Dragons, and cosplay. I have also been taking on other creative pursuits such as amateur writing contests and video editing.

Felicia serves as one of the Program Management Specialists for Assignment Services, where she supports the housing needs of students and their families through thoughtful, efficient, and student-centered service. In this role, she processes Emotional Support Animal (ESA) and Service Animal registrations and renewals for approximately 20–30 resident handlers and their animals during the academic year and summer terms. Her work helps ensure that students who rely on animal accommodations can navigate the residential experience with dignity, access, and a sense of belonging.

Felicia also oversees housing assignments for summer residents and coordinates early-arrival requests for both departmental groups and individual students, as well as late-stay requests and other special projects for the department. Through these responsibilities, she provides customer-service support to approximately 4,000 residential students and their families, helping them navigate important transitions with clarity, care, and confidence.

Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in customer service and logistics, Felicia has been part of the UMBC community for more than three years. She is known for balancing complex processes with a warm, approachable presence, ensuring that students and families feel heard, respected, and supported. Whether assisting a student with a housing accommodation, helping a family understand residential procedures, or coordinating the details of a summer assignment, Felicia approaches each interaction with professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to service.

Felicia’s work reflects UMBC’s core value of Inclusive Excellence by helping create a residential environment in which students of all identities, backgrounds, abilities, and circumstances can participate fully and thrive. UMBC defines inclusive excellence as a shared commitment to ensuring that every person can belong, grow, contribute meaningfully, and help shape the community. Through her attention to accessibility, individualized support, and equitable service, Felicia helps bring that commitment to life within the residential experience.

Her work also advances Student Success by supporting students through the practical housing needs that enable them to focus on their learning, well-being, and connection to campus. By collaborating with students, families, campus partners, and departmental groups, Felicia contributes to Community Engagement and strengthens the relationships that make UMBC a welcoming and supportive place to live and learn. Her careful management of assignments, accommodations, and timelines demonstrates an Innovation Mindset grounded in organization, adaptability, and continuous improvement.

Felicia recognizes that stable, inclusive housing support is an important foundation for students’ academic and personal success. In this way, her work contributes to UMBC’s broader pursuit of Academic Excellence by helping students access an environment where they can fully engage in their education and campus community.

Felicia is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management at the University of Maryland Global Campus. Her continued educational journey reflects her dedication to professional growth, lifelong learning, and service to the UMBC community.

Caitlin serves as one of the Program Management Specialists for Housing Services, supporting the housing and residential needs of students and their families through thoughtful, efficient, and student-centered service. In this role, she oversees essential residential operations, including the administration of housing applications, occupancy management, billing procedures, and the coordination of medical housing accommodations. Bringing nearly 20 years of experience in higher education, including a decade of dedicated service to UMBC and five years within Residential Life, Caitlin is a proud 2014 alumna of UMBC with a BA in Management of Aging Services. She is known for balancing complex administrative systems with a warm, approachable presence, ensuring that students and families feel heard, respected, and well-supported throughout their time on campus. Whether assisting a student with a medical housing accommodation, clarifying billing details, or guiding a family through application deadlines, Caitlin approaches every interaction with professionalism, empathy, and a strong commitment to service. An Arbutus local, Caitlin enjoys remaining closely connected to the surrounding community. Outside of work, she loves spending quality time with her husband, their dog Pickle, and their cat Marjabelle, and can often be found attending live music events, reading, crafting, or working in her yard.

Marnea Shamblen is the Program Management Specialist for the Residential Education unit in Residential Life.  During her eight years with Residential Education, she has supported department initiatives in a variety of ways, including ordering program supplies, maintaining the resource/supply inventory, and serving on several department committees. Marnea has worked closely with the implementation of the StarRez software modules, including the employment application module and the community module. She has been recognized for her work with several awards, including UMBC’s Non-Exempt Employee of the Quarter and Residential Life’s Director’s Award.  Marnea earned her B.A. in Elementary Education from Virginia Tech and her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Loyola College in Maryland.  Prior to joining the staff at UMBC, she spent 15 years teaching elementary age students in Prince George’s County, and then took time to raise her three boys. In her free time, Marnea enjoys road trips to visit her boys, scrapbooking her family’s many adventures, and listening to audio books and music.

Welcome! My name is Hevin Wright, and I am the Administrative Assistant for Residential Life Operations. My journey with UMBC runs deep—not only have I worked with Residential Life for nearly a decade, but I am also a proud 2019 alumnus with a B.F.A. in Graphic Design.

My experience as a UMBC student and campus resident inspired me to pursue a career in Residential Life. Like many of our student team members, I started as an hourly office assistant before growing into my current role. Throughout my time here, Residential Life staff mentored me to reach my educational and career goals—a legacy of guidance and support I now strive to pass on to our residents and student staff every day.

In my role, I work closely with Residential Life Operations and Desk Services. I supervise our Central Office Assistants, assist with training Desk Assistants, manage departmental ordering and purchasing, and empower our student team to excel in customer service and administrative tasks. If you ever need guidance or connection to campus resources, my team and I are here to help. We firmly believe that students are the reason we are here, never a disruption.

Outside of work, I enjoy illustrating, playing video games, and collecting pop-art memorabilia. I also have a passion for concept art and creating graphic novels!

Olivia is the Graduate Assistant for Residential Life Operations at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she supports the day-to-day operations of our community desks and works closely with student staff. In this role, she directly supervises student employees, coordinates scheduling and administrative responsibilities, facilitates staff meetings, and helps ensure Desk Assistants have the resources and support they need to succeed. She also contributes to student staff development, accountability, payroll responsibilities, and the overall operation of the residential communities she serves.

Prior to becoming a Graduate Assistant, Olivia served as a Desk Manager at UMBC, where she oversaw community desk operations, supported Desk Assistants, managed scheduling, conducted accountability procedures, and more. She was also recognized as Desk Manager of the Year for the 2024–2025 academic year.

Olivia is currently pursuing her M.S. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Baltimore. Alongside her work at UMBC, she serves as a Counseling Intern with Aspire Wellness Center, where she works with a wide population of people through individual and group therapy, assessments, and treatment planning. Her clinical experience builds upon her extensive background working with children and supporting student development. She previously served as an Academic Peer Advocate at UMBC, providing individualized support to undergraduate students and connecting them with campus resources and academic support. Olivia also served as Vice President and Public Relations Manager of Curl P.W.R., a natural hair care-focused campus organization, from 2022 to 2025.

Olivia earned her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Creative Writing from UMBC, with specializations in Development and Human Services. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate experiences, she has remained passionate about student support, leadership development, community building, and creating environments where students feel supported and empowered to succeed.

Outside of work and school, Olivia enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new restaurants, reading, watching television, and taking time to relax and recharge.

Ellie Rutledge currently serves as one of the Residential Education Graduate Assistants for the Residential Life Office. After serving three years as a Resident Assistant while in undergrad, she continues her work within Residential Life, with a focus on building community and serving the student body, while acting as an advisor for UMBC’s Chapters of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) and Resident Student Association (RSA). Additionally, she serves on the Recognition Committee for the department, which focuses on celebrating and recognizing our student leaders and staff throughout the year and building a strong residential life community.

Ellie is currently in her second year of her Ph.D. program in Public Policy, with a focus in social policy. After graduating from Loyola University Maryland with a Bachelor’s in Communications, she wanted to continue on the path towards serving the public sector through pursuing her doctorate. Through her graduate school journey and work within the office, she hopes to work within higher education after she graduates, focusing on the student experience and advocacy.

LaDonna Wyatt serves as the Area Coordinator for Residential Life Apartments, where she supports the residential experience and holistic development of students living in the Hillside, Terrace, and West Hill Apartments. In her role, LaDonna provides leadership for a team of Resident Assistants while collaborating with campus and university partners to create a safe, inclusive, and engaging residential community where students can thrive.

LaDonna brings more than five years of higher education and residential lIfe experience to her role, with a focus on Essential Curriculum and Conduct. She is passionate about student development, community building, leadership development, and helping students navigate their college experience. Her work includes staff supervision and development, crisis response and on-call management, student conduct and care, residential programming, community engagement, and operational coordination.

LaDonna holds a Bachelor of Science with a focus in Biology and Chemistry from Morgan State University. A Masters of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Rowan University.

Safiatou Coulibaly serves as an Assistant Area Coordinator (AAC) in Residential Life at UMBC, supporting the Apartments communities of West Hill, Terrace, and Hillside. In this role, she oversees and supports a team of 20 Resident Assistants, helping them build community, respond to resident needs, and carry out programming for students. She also co-advises the Apartments Community Council alongside, working with student leaders to plan events and advocate for residents.

Safiatou earned a B.S. in Information Systems from UMBC in 2024, graduating cum laude, and is currently pursuing a Master of Engineering in Project Management at UMBC. Her background spans data analytics consulting, residential life, STEM teaching, business operations, and research, which shapes her focus on organized, student-centered support.

Safiatou is passionate about helping residents feel connected, supported, and informed. Students are welcome to reach out to her with questions about apartment living, community events, or ways to get involved.

Candace Thompson is a first-generation student affairs professional and educator who is passionate about creating spaces where students feel seen, supported, and a true sense of belonging. She serves as the Assistant Director for Residential Education focusing on Student Success and Leadership. In this role, Candace oversees residential student leadership initiatives, including advising the Resident Student Association (RSA), National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH), and Community Councils, as well as coordinating the LEAD RA program. She also leads academic success efforts in partnership with living-learning communities, drives student engagement and retention strategies, and helps manage unit assessment projects to enhance the overall residential experience.

Candace earned her Master’s degree in College Student Affairs from Eastern Illinois University in May 2020 and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas in 2018. Throughout her career, she has been especially passionate about belonging, access, and retention, with a focus on supporting minority and historically underrepresented students. She believes in the power of community, meaningful connections, and creating environments where students are empowered to thrive both personally and academically.

Darline serves as the Community Director for Erickson Hall. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration, both from Florida International University.

Before joining Erickson Hall, Darline served as a Coordinator at the University of Central Florida for two years, where she gained valuable experience supporting residential communities and developing student leaders. During her time at UCF, she supervised a smaller residential community before taking on the opportunity to supervise the university’s largest residential community. These experiences strengthened her passion for community building, student development, and creating environments where students feel supported and empowered to thrive.

Darline’s favorite part of working in Residence Life is helping students grow into the best versions of themselves. She is deeply passionate about supporting students throughout their college journey and being a resource as they navigate new experiences, challenges, and opportunities.

Darline is so excited to work with you all, build a strong and welcoming community, and help create a truly memorable experience for everyone in Erickson Hall. She looks forward to getting to know each of you and making your time here a meaningful part of your college experience!

Hello! Welcome to my bio! I have spent most of my life in Northern Virginia until I went to college at a small place called McDaniel College. After four years at McDaniel, I then went to Illinois State University for my Masters for two years. After obtaining my masters I decided to return to Maryland where I became a Community Director. I currently supervise 16 RAs, partner with 4 of Harbor’s Living Learning Communities, and take a small part in assisting students reach their full potential while attending UMBC. When it comes to community engagement, I do love a good card or board game. My go to game is often times spades. If you ever want to play a round, or learn how to play, feel free to reach out and I am sure we can find a time.

Sophia Park serves as the Community Director of Susquehanna Hall at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), where she began working in 2024. She is passionate about creating inclusive, supportive, and engaging residential communities where students can thrive, develop meaningful connections, and pursue personal, leadership, and academic growth. With a student-centered approach and a genuine passion for mentorship, Sophia strives to make the college experience a little easier and more meaningful for the students who come next.

Sophia is a proud Double Duke from James Madison University—Go Dukes!   She earned her bachelor’s degree in Studio Art with minors in Asian Studies and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She also earned a master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration with a concentration in Counseling.

Her passion for student affairs developed through her experiences as a Resident Adviser and a Graduate Hall Director, leadership opportunities, as well as through the meaningful connections she formed with student affairs professionals and mentors. These experiences shaped her commitment to helping students navigate college, discover their strengths, build community, and feel a genuine sense of belonging.

Kayla Fairclough is the Community Director of Patapsco Hall at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). Kayla helps the residential life of Patapsco students by supervising and developing Resident Assistants, advising Community Council, facilitating student conduct and conflict resolution, responding to students’ concerns and providing opportunities for students to make meaningful connections in their residential environment.

Kayla, originally from Paterson, New Jersey, received her Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Bloomfield College of Montclair State University and is currently studying for a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration at William Paterson University. Her interest in higher education and student affairs stemmed from her undergraduate experiences as a Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador and student leader.

Before joining UMBC Residential Life, Kayla was a Residential Life student at the University of Texas at Dallas and served as a Student Staff member in academic and staff supervision, community development, crisis response, student conduct, programming and residential life. That experience made her want to create residential communities where students feel supported, connected and empowered to be there too.

Kayla strives to create a community environment where students feel that they’ve got someone in their corner, and at Patapsco Hall, she loves to help student leaders, make friends with residents, and help students with the fun and the hard stuff of college life.

Kayla enjoys cooking, fashion, going to new places and expressing her creativity outside work. She wants to keep building a friendly and interesting Patapsco and would like to see people come to the door and just say hello and get connected!

Kendrian Collins, MBA, SHRM-CP is a higher education professional whose work bridges Residence Life, student development, human resources, and organizational leadership. As a Community Director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC), Kendrian draws on experience leading residential communities, supervising professional and student staff, and redesigning recruitment and selection processes to strengthen talent development and organizational effectiveness. With a passion for strategic leadership, inclusive excellence, and staff empowerment, Kendrian is committed to building effective systems, cultivating future leaders, and advancing meaningful institutional and student success.

Vivian Bethea serves as a Community Director in the Office of Residential Life at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). With approximately five years of experience in higher education, she is dedicated to fostering inclusive, supportive, and engaging environments that promote student success and personal development.

In her role, Vivian provides leadership and mentorship to residential student staff, oversees community development initiatives, and collaborates with campus partners to enhance the residential experience. Her professional interests include student development, leadership education, staff development, and student self-advocacy. She is particularly passionate about empowering students to find their voices, advocate for their needs, and navigate challenges with confidence.

In addition to her responsibilities as a Community Director, Vivian serves in leadership capacities within the Division of Student Affairs, contributing to initiatives focused on professional development, assessment, and continuous improvement. Through these efforts, she is committed to strengthening institutional practices and supporting the professional growth of colleagues across the division.

Vivian holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration. Her approach to student affairs is grounded in relationship-building, intentional mentorship, and a commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for students to learn, grow, and thrive throughout their college experience.