Residential Life & Learning Team

Christina Alch

Director, Residential Life and Learning

The Director is responsible for the overall management of the Office of Residential Life and Learning, supporting 4,000 residents on two campuses, over 1.5 million square feet of residential space, and supervision of over 160 student and professional staff. The Director works closely with the four teams in the department (Residential Education, Leadership, Academic Engagement, & Fraternity/Sorority Life, Residential Operations, and Housing Services) to ensure a high level of student support, responsiveness, and inclusivity in the programs, events, initiatives, and procedures/policies of the department.

Dotty Payzant

Staff Assistant

Dotty has lived in Somerville, Massachusetts, all her life. Dotty has been with Tufts for over 15 years. Dotty's favorite thing about Tufts is working for Residential Life. Dotty has met the most amazing people and she loves that she is able to support students, families, and others who call, email, or stop by our office. When Dotty can she loves to travel.

Dotty is responsible for the front office of the Office of Residential Life and Learning. She supports students, families, and others who call, email, or stop by the office, and can be a great resource to connect individuals to the best member of our team to assist with complex concerns. 

Matt Denison

Assistant Director of Residential Education

Prior to joining Tufts in July 2021, Matt was a Graduate Hall Director at The University of Rhode Island. During his time at URI, Matt served in several professional roles. Primarily, Matt worked as a Hall Director for Housing and Residence Life; working to build an inclusive and engaging environment for the communities he oversaw. Matt also interned with Public Safety, assisting with Clery correspondence along with education and outreach efforts. In the Fall of 2020, Matt worked with Emergency Management to help facilitate daily operations surrounding the safety of the campus in response to COVID-19. In his final year, Matt completed a benchmarking project in which he benchmarked URI Police Department's mission of community policing. Prior to URI, Matt completed his BA in Political Science at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA. Previously a Residential Life Coordinator, Matt currently serves as an Assistant Director for Residential Education!

As an Assistant Director, Matt is responsible for most first-year communities on both the Medford/Somerville campus as well as the SMFA campus. In this role, he supervises RLCs and ARLCs supporting over 1,800 students. Matt is also responsible for student staff selection processes for Resident Assistants (RAs). He is a great resource for students and families seeking additional information, guidance, and support in navigating their first-year experience at Tufts. 

Lindsay Feitler

Assistant Director of Residential Education

The Assistant Director of Residential Education is responsible for supporting most of the continuing student communities on campus (which includes any spaces not filled by first-year students). In this role, they supervise RLCs and ARLCs supporting approximately 2,100 continuing students on the Medford/Somerville campus. They are also responsible for student staff training processes for Resident Assistants (RAs). They are a great resource for students and families seeking additional information, guidance, and support in navigating their continuing student experience at Tufts. 

Sarah Kazmierczak 

Carmichael Hall and Hill Hall

Sarah has a bachelor's degree in English from Norwich University and a certificate in Developing Healthy Communities from Tufts. Sarah is currently pursuing a master’s in Educational Studies through Tufts as well. In addition to Sarah’s role as RLC, she is also a pre-major advisor. Sarah enjoys working closely with her students to develop a strong support system as they navigate college life and providing guidance as they make choices for their future. One of Sarah’s favorite parts about Tufts is the campus and all its bunnies that make walks with her dog enjoyable for both of them. Sarah’s hobbies are reading, writing, baking, soaking up the sun whenever she can, playing volleyball, and exploring Boston.

Candice Belluscio

Richardson House, Wilson House, Wren Hall, West Hall, and Haskell Hall

Candice received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Purdue University and a Master of Arts in English Literature from Monmouth University. Candice is currently finishing up her PhD in English from St. John’s University. Candice’s passion area within Higher Ed would have to be Student Affairs. Candice thoroughly loves being able to connect with and support students throughout their college journey. Candice’s favorite thing about Tufts is the magnetic energy on campus and the incredible community!

Christina Behr

Houston Hall and Miller Hall

Christina has a bachelor's degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from Alfred University. Christina takes a holistic approach when working with students on campus. Supporting and connecting students to resources that can help them with their physical, emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Christina’s favorite part about Tufts is the energy that the campus has, it is warm and welcoming! A few more things about Christina is that she has two dogs (Chaplin and Teddy), Christina enjoys going for long walks and trying new restaurants in the area!

TBD

Bush Hall, Tilton Hall, and Metcalf Hall

The Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) is a full time professional staff member who lives on campus and has responsibility for fostering a strong sense of community in their assigned residential community. RLCs support residents in a variety of ways and supervises Resident Assistants (RAs) and, at times, Assistant Residential Life Coordinators (ARLCs). Additionally, RLCs assist in the advisement of Hall Councils, support programming and community development within the residential area, and support students individually. They are a great resource for students seeking support in managing conflict, resolving concerns, and for getting more involved in the residential community and at Tufts.

Phil Brown

The Court and Hodgdon Hall

Phil is from NY and he loves to play basketball ball and soccer. Phil is also a huge anime and star wars fan. Phil has a deep love for old music. Phil is currently in his third year of working as a higher education professional and pursuing a masters degree in Higher-education administration and leadership At Capella university. Phil loves working in residence life and helping students and plan to make a career out of it.

Victoria Medeiros

Beacon Street Halls

Victoria has a bachelor's degree in Strategic Communication from Bridgewater State University and a master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Personnel from University of Central Florida. Victoria enjoys getting students connected with campus resources and helping students find clubs/organizations that get themselves out of their comfort zone. One of Victoria’s favorite parts about Tufts is the beautiful views from the library roof! Victoria is also an Assistant Coach for the Tufts Cheerleading Team. Victoria’s hobbies are going to the beach, finding new shows on Netflix to watch, and going to Disney!

Saja Davis

Community Housing (CoHo), Sophia Gordon Hall, Latin Way Apartments, Hillside Apartments, Carpenter House

Sarah McDaniel

Stratton Hall, Harleston Hall, and Lewis Hall

Sarah joined the ORLL team at Tufts in July of 2022. She grew up in a suburb of Chicago, IL and earned a B.A. in Sociology and Spanish at Colgate University in Hamilton, NY. While at Colgate, she was a Resident Assistant (RA) for two years as well. After graduation, she joined the Teach for America 2018 Corps and earned her MA Initial Teaching License to teach middle-school English in Lawrence, MA for four years. She loved forming personal connections with students, guiding them in their unique life journeys, and encouraging a love of learning. She started the school's first Health Class and Cultural Enrichments. Sarah aims to combine her RA knowledge and experience in education to continue fostering strong relationships with students and encouraging growth and a love of learning. Her hobbies include hiking, listening to podcasts and music, traveling, learning, and spending quality time with friends and family. 

Marquet Houston

Theme, Special Interest, and Fraternity & Sorority Housing

Angy Sosa

Associate Director for Residential Operations

Angy has a BA from Vassar College in Film Theory, an MFA from Academy of Art University in Motion Pictures & Television and has just accepted entry to Tufts’ Master of Public Policy (MPP) program in Urban and Environmental Planning. Go Jumbos! Angy has been involved in Residence Life since her undergraduate days, working with the Alumni House on annual reunions. Though Angy planned to obtain a PhD in Cinema Studies, she has found a love for helping students and families grow during such a transformative period in their lives. Angy enjoys working with Tufts students, getting to know them outside of her work in residence life, which she does as a Pre-Major Advisor and coach for the Tufts Cheerleading Team. Angy’s hobbies include crafting, woodwork, and puppies!

Angy is responsible for strategic management of all operational aspects of the Office of Residential Life and Learning, including Housing Services (assignments and room selection) and Residential Operations (relationship with residential facilities partners, keys, move in, move out). She is also the primary point of contact with all of our affiliated vendors including OCM and MicroChill.  Angy is also an excellent resource for students seeking assistance with off-campus housing opportunities and for navigating the complexities of living off campus.

Max Taylor

Assistant Director for Residential Operations

Max Taylor joined the Residential Life and Learning office in August of 2022. Beginning as an AD of Residential Education, Max joined the Operations team in January 2023 as an AD of Residential Operations where they work predominantly with graduate students in AS&E and The Fletcher School, as well as education surrounding off-campus living for undergraduates and graduate students.

Perry Doherty

Assistant Director of Residential Operations

Perry has a BA in German language and literature and English from Tulane University and a MEd in Higher Education Administration from Suffolk University. Perry enjoys getting to know students and watch them learn and grow during their time at Tufts. When Perry is on campus, she loves walking through our beautiful academic quad. When Perry is not on campus she enjoys hanging out with her dog, Chicago, embroidering, knitting, and planning her next meal.

Perry is responsible for operational processes such as move in, move out, break and holiday transition, and summer housing. She also supervises our Residential Life Assistants, student workers responsible for managing lockouts and operational checks of residential buildings. She also oversees operational elements of COVID isolation and quarantine logistics.

David Watts

Assistant Director for Housing Services

David attended Florida International University and holds degrees in English Literature and Asian Studies. Additionally, David holds a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. In his free time, he enjoys reading.

David manages all housing assignments (for incoming/new students and for continuing students), oversees housing selection and lottery, and is responsible for billing and assignment-related issues. He oversees our housing management software, works closely with campus partners to ensure proper access to buildings, and supports summer and graduate housing assignments. David is a great resource for students and families seeking additional information on housing options, the assignments process, and for any questions related to our physical housing spaces.