Our Staff
Housing & Residence Life Staff
The Leadership Team
Director of Housing & Residence Life
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Dr. Thomas W. Hardy has been employed in several different higher education institutions including Florida State University, Maryville College, and The University of Alabama. He joined the VSU as the Director of Housing & Residence Life in the Fall of 2005. Dr. Hardy received his Bachelor of Arts degree in History from St. Mary's College of Maryland, his Master of Science degree in Student Affairs from The Florida State University, and his Doctor of Education degree from The University of Alabama. Dr. Hardy has been active in several professional associations, such as SEAHO and NASPA, and has served as a regional conference host committee member, on the regional programming body, a regional strategic planner, the state editor, state treasurer, and state Advisor in the past. In the Spring of 2006, Dr. Hardy co-edited a New Directions in Student Services monograph with Jossey-Bass Publishers about gambling on campus. Dr. Hardy has also completed hosting duties for SEAHO 2008 in Savannah, Georgia. He recently won the 2007 Georgia Housing officers "Excellence in Housing" award as well. Outside of his involvements in higher education, Dr. Hardy stays busy at home with his wife and two children. Phone : (229)333-5920 |
Associate Director of Housing and Residence Life
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Leighia Hammond joined the Housing & Residence Life staff at VSU in the Fall of 2005 as the Associate Director. She is primarily responsible for overseeing the housing operations component of the department. Hammond was first employed by VSU in 1999 as a residence hall director, and in 2002, she joined Ambling Management Company as a property manager at North Georgia College and State University. Most recently she served as the Director of Customer Support at Ambling Management Company before coming back to join the staff at VSU. Hammond is originally from Louisiana. She earned a Master of Science degree in counselor education from Mississippi State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics from the University of Southern Mississippi. While pursuing both undergraduate and graduate studies, Hammond managed student housing communities at Mississippi State University and the University of Southern Mississippi. Phone : (229)333-5920 |
Assistant Director of Residence Life
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Teddi Walker arrived at VSU in 2001 and has served in a variety of roles with the Office of Housing and Residence Life, including her previous roles as Brown Residence Hall Director, Assistant Director of Operations and Area Director. Walker grew up out west in Idaho and Arizona. She earned her Master of Education degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Affairs at Northern Arizona University where she also earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After serving at NAU for several years as a Residence Hall Director, Walker decided to try life out east in the bugs and humidity. Walker misses life out west, but she has truly found Georgia to be her home. Phone : (229)333-7165 |
Living-Learning and Assessment Coordinator
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Gala Jackson is a VSU alumna and the Living-Learning and Assessment Coordinator. Originally from Fayetteville, GA, Gala is a Magna Cum Laude Honor graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Speech Communication with an emphasis in Organizational Communication and holds a Master of Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Higher Education from VSU.
As a member of the VSU staff since August 2006, Gala discovered her heart lies in student affairs and has a unique passion for student development, student success initiatives, and student leadership. As recipient of the President’s First Year Scholar award, the Wesley Ren Christie Communication Arts scholarship, being listed among the Most Outstanding Students in the College of the Arts, and currently serving as a member of the VSU alumni association board, Gala looks forward to utilizing her experiences as a student and professional to help students achieve the highest levels of success at VSU. Gala is an active member of Southland Church in Valdosta, the MetroOne Network for Valdosta metro young professionals, and holds memberships with the National Orientation Director’s Association (NODA) and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). Phone : (229)333-5920 |
Facilities Coordinator
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Ryan Teter joined the VSU Housing Team in July 2004 and served as a Residence Hall Director in Georgia, Reade, and finally Lowndes Hall. Ryan took on the Facilities Coordinator position with Housing and Residence Life in July 2007 and is working to continually improve residential facilities on our campus. He currently oversees all facilities related issues and capital improvement projects in 7 traditional/suite style buildings and, two apartment buildings. Ryan also sits on the planning team for new construction and renovation of VSU residence halls. Ryan received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Mass Media and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Valdosta State University. During his undergrad years, he was an RA in Lowndes and Patterson Halls. He is a member of state and national professional organizations including GHO, SEAHO, SACSA, and ACUHO-I. Ryan is also a VSU 1101 Instructor and has a passion for reaching out to college students. Time away from work is spent outdoors!
Phone: (229) 333-5217 |
The Central Staff Team
Contracts & Assignments Coordinator
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Darli Devane has been with VSU for ten years but joined the Office of Housing and Residence life in October 2003. She is in charge of the student Contracts and Room Assignments. She helps to coordinate all room changes. She oversees the opening and closing of the halls. She coordinates the room selection for all returning students. She is a graduate of Valdosta Technical College. When not at work, Darli enjoys spending time with her husband and children. She is an active member of her church where she enjoys teaching Children's Church, Sunday school, and Vacation Bible School. Darli also loves to watch the Andy Griffith Show , and in her heart, Elvis will live forever.
Phone: (229) 333-5920 |
Accounting Assistant
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Louise Nathan, native of Valdosta, joined Valdosta State University in June 2001 in the Office of Career Services/Co-Op as an Administrative Secretary. Nathan worked there for six years before transferring to the Office of Housing and Residence Life as an Accountant Assistant. She graduated from Valdosta Technical College with an Accounting diploma. In her leisure time, she likes spending quality time with family and friends. Louise believes that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Phone: (229) 333-5920 |
Administrative Secretary
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Brenda Faulkner has worked with the Office of Housing and Residence Life for fifteen years. She is the Administrative Secretary to the Director of Housing and Residence Life as well as to the other staff in the housing office. Some of her duties include greeting customers, answering the telephone, writing letters, and talking to students and parents about policies and procedures in the residence halls. She maintains employee leave and absence reports and also orders supplies for the office, along with many other duties as assigned. The main objective in her job is to be a helpful team player. She enjoys her position as the Administrative Secretary and is glad to be a part of a growing University. She is looking forward to seeing all of the changes at VSU in the coming years. Her other interests outside of VSU include family, her pets, gardening, and church activities. Phone: (229)333-5921 |
Complex Director
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Zach Crapa came to Valdosta State University in the summer of 2008. Zach, his wife Janae, and their son Cooper have traveled from Mississippi where Zach earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Mississippi State University and a Master’s degree in Higher Education/Student Personnel from the University of Mississippi aka Ole Miss. While attending Mississippi State University, Zach was a Resident Assistant for three years as well as an active member on the team of Housing Associates. While a team member, Zach realized the value of community in residence halls and not only wanted to be a part of that community, but a contributor. From Mississippi State, Zach went to the University of Mississippi where he earned a graduate hall director position supervising a building that housed 500 first-year, male college students. The Crapa’s make their way to Valdosta in search of palm trees, a department dedicated to the students, and students dedicated to the future. Zach’s office is located in Centennial Hall, and the door is always open! Phone: (229)333-5330 Email: zjcrapa@valdosta.edu |
Complex Director
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Chinasa Ordu arrived at VSU in Fall 2007, but recently joined the VSU Housing Staff in Summer 2008 as a Complex Director for Langdale Hall. Originally from Stone Mountain, GA. Chinasa attended the University of Georgia where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. She recently graduated with her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership with a Higher Education concentration, from VSU in August 2008. Chinasa has participated actively in Residence Life serving as a Resident Assistant and C.L.A.S.S. Advocate at the University Georgia. She aspires to actively participate in the field of Student Affairs and work closely with students. Chinasa enjoys traveling, spending time with her family and friends, and giving back to the community through her beloved sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,Inc. Phone: (229) 333-2194 |
Complex Director
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Liz Powell came to Valdosta State University in 2006 and is the Complex Director for Hopper and Patterson Halls. Before coming to VSU Liz worked in the Office of Residence Life at Virginia Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA. Liz earned her Master's degree in Higher Education from Old Dominion University in Norfolk,VA and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Radford University in Radford,VA.While earning both of her degrees, Liz was very active in Residence Life,as a Resident Assistant,and then as a Graduate Hall Director.The combination of her education and experiences in higher education led to her passion for student development.Liz wants to help make Valdosta State University's students experiences all they can be! Liz encourages you to call or stop by her office in Hopper Hall at anytime!Phone : (229)249-4983 |
Complex Director
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Janine M. Weaver-Douglas joined the VSU staff in the fall of 2008, as a Complex Director. Originally from Monterey, California, Janine and her daughters, Jordan and Emery have lived all over the state of Georgia, having lived in Hinesville, Statesboro, and Atlanta. Janine has worked for many different institutions, including Georgia Southern University, Georgia State University, and The Art Institute of Atlanta. A proud alumna of Georgia Southern University, Janine earned a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Law in 2005, a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration in 2006, and an Educational Specialist in Educational Leadership-Higher Education Administration in 2008. Janine is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Education in Education Administration with an Emphasis in Higher Education Administration, and plans to graduate in 2011. Janine has numerous invaluable experiences in higher education, including working for Student Affairs, Enrollment Affairs, Residence Life and Housing, and Academic Affairs for over 4 years. She has truly found her niche in Residence Life and Housing, and looks forward to working within a department that is student-centered and as excited as she is to make a difference in students’ lives! Janine also enjoys participating in community events through her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., attending conferences, and participating in outreach programs. Please don’t hesitate to call, email or visit me! |
Receptionist
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Pam Sweatt joined the Office of Housing and Residence in May 2007. Some of her duties are processing applications, answering the phone, managing student assistants, and helping students. She graduated from Georgia Southwestern State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Outside of VSU, Sweatt enjoys participating in church activities, scrapbooking, shopping, going to the beach, and spending time with her family. She has recently gotten married to the man of her dreams, she has two wonderful stepchildren and is now the mother of an infant daughter, Anna Joy.
Phone: (229)333-5920 |
Receptionist (Centennial Hall)
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Elsie Crane, a long-time Valdosta resident, joined the VSU staff in 2004. She worked at the University Bookstore and more recently, the Langdale Market. Joining Housing and Residence Life in July 2007, Elsie is glad to be able to continue to work with students and student staff. A graduate of the University of Georgia, she admits to a dual allegiance to red and black! Formerly involved in needlework retailing and instruction, Elsie continues to enjoy quilting and reading about this art form and the men and women involved with it.
Phone: (229) 333-5269 |
Graduate Assistant (Marketing and Public Relations)
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My name is Taqueilla Ivey and I am the Graduate Assistant to Leighia Hammond for Marketing and Public Relations. I have been actively involved in Residence Life since I was a freshmen in 2003, where I was a member of Hall Council and became Langdale Hall Council President in 2004. I began my employment with the Office of Housing and Residence Life in 2004 as well, when I worked at the front desk of Hopper Hall. The next year, I became a RA in Langdale Hall, a summer RA in Lowndes Hall, and in the last year of my undergraduate education, I was a RA in Centennial Hall. In May 2007, I began my current position as a Graduate Assistant. Needless to say, I am quite familiar with the housing department. During the Summer of 2007,I graduated with my Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology. Currently, I in my second year of study in the in the Marriage & Family Therapy.In August 2009 I will graduate with my Masters of Science degree. It is my strong belief that family structure affects aspects of our everyday life and it is my dream to help many people live happy, healthy, and functioning lives. If you ever want to know about information about Housing events, programs, etc., or just need someone to talk to in general, please feel free to stop by my office in Powell Hall! Phone: (229) 245-2485 |
Graduate Assistant (Operations)
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My name is Amber Tucker and I am the Graduate Assistant to Darli Devane, the Contracts & Assignments Coordinator. My husband and I recently moved to Valdosta from Gainesville, Florida for me to attend the Marriage and Family Therapy Masters program here at VSU. I graduated from the University of Florida in the Spring of 2008 with a Bachelors in psychology. Upon graduating from VSU in 2010, I plan enroll in the Air Force Officer Program and use my degree to help military families. Phone: (229) 245-2485 |
Graduate Assistant (Programs and Training)
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Hi and welcome back Blazers! My name is Samantha Bolden, and I am the Programming and Training Graduate Assistant for the Housing and Residence Life Office. Originally from Cochran GA, I attended my local college there, Middle Georgia College, where I received my Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education. I arrived at Valdosta State University in August of 2005. I graduated Magna Cum Laude with my Bachelor Degree in Communication Disorders (Speech Pathology) here at Valdosta State University in May 2008. I am currently seeking my Master’s Degree in Communication Disorders and plan to graduate December 2009! I am a former Front Desk Worker for Centennial Hall (1 year), a former RA in Centennial Hall (1 1/2 year), member of the Valdosta National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA), Kappa Delta Pi, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Alpha Chi Honor Society. I have been working with students and RA’s the majority of my time at Valdosta State University and I absolutely love it! I truly find joy in helping others! I am excited about this new year and learning what this new position for the Housing and Residence Life Office has to offer! Please feel free to stop by my office in the Housing and Residence Life Building to say “hi” anytime! Also, come by if you have any questions, problems, or concerns! I can’t wait to get the year started! Go BLAZERS! Phone: (229) 259-5077 |