Residence Life

KAROLINA DREHER
Assistant Dean of Students & Director of Residence Life
610.796.8218
karolina.dreher@alvernia.edu

As the Director of Residence Life, Karolina oversees the Office of Residence Life and supervises the professional, graduate staff, and undergraduate staff. Karolina joined the Office of Residence Life September of 2005. She came to Alvernia University from Cedar Crest College, where she worked for two years as the Residence Life Coordinator and Coordinator of International Programs and Diversity. Prior to working at Cedar Crest College, Karolina was a Resident Director at The College of New Jersey. Karolina has a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Master of Arts in Student Personnel Administration from New York University.

DAVID STUART
Director of Community Standards
610.796.5508
david.stuart@alvernia.edu

Dave is a professional staff member who joined the Office of Residence Life in June 2007. Before joining Alvernia University's community, Dave was a Resident Director at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. Prior to Rowan University, Dave attended Salisbury University in Maryland. Dave holds a Bachelor of Science in Biological Chemistry and a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration.

CHRISTOPHER OTTEY
Assistant Director of Residence Life
610.568.1475
christopher.ottey@alvernia.edu

Chris is a professional staff member who joined the Office of Residence Life in June 2009. Before joining the Residence Life team at Alvernia University, Chris was a Resident Director at Shippensburg University, in Shippensburg PA. Chris did both his undergraduate and graduate work at Shippensburg University where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science in Counseling with a focus in College Student Personnel.

SHANNON MERKEY
Housing Assistant
610.796.8320
shannon.merkey@alvernia.edu

Shannon joined the Alvernia community in 2003. As Housing Assistant of the Office of Residence Life, Shannon has many responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to: answering questions and addressing concerns of students as well as parents, weekly occupancy reports, and overseeing the daily office operations. Shannon is currently continuing her education here at Alvernia University. Shannon has two lovely daughters and enjoys spending her time in her hometown of Kutztown, PA.

DON BRENNAN
Resident Director - Transitional Student Area
610.796.5500
Donald.brennan@alvernia.edu

Don Brennan has served as a Resident Director at Alvernia University since August, 2011. Within in his time working in Residence Life at Alvernia University, Brennan has served two different roles. In the 2011-2012 academic year, Brennan served as the Resident Director for Freshmen Housing and managed Veronica and Clare Hall. Currently, Brennan serves as the Resident Director for the Transitional Student Area. He manages the daily operations of Judge Hall and Village 4 while overseeing the work of nine Resident Assistants that work in these communities. In addition, he developed and works with the Leadership and Citizenship Community in Village 4 and works with four affinity Community Leaders that have created themed communities in Village 4.

JOE BENYISH
Resident Director - First Year Area
610.796.5500
Joseph.Benyish@alvernia.edu

Joe joined the Office of Residence Life in August 2012, as the Resident Director for the First Year Student Area. Originally from South Eastern Pennsylvania, Joe is excited to be closer to home, and is excited to be a member of the Alvernia Community.

Before joining the Alvernia University community, Joe worked as the Graduate Assistant for Orientation Programming and Disability Support Services at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Master of Arts in Student Affairs in Higher Education in May 2012. Prior to that, Joe earned his Bachelors of Science in Speech Communication from Millersville University in 2010.

In his position as the Resident Director for the First Year Student Area, Joe oversees Veronica, Clare, and Anthony Halls; supervising the Resident Assistant staff in those buildings, and working to build a community among those who live in the residential community. Joe also serves as the advisor to the Residence Hall Association, an organization that works to advocate for residential students’ issues and provide additional programming initiatives beyond the work that the Resident Assistants do.   

Questions?
Contact the Residence Life Office at (610) 796-8320, located in Veronica Hall