Purpose & Staff

Our Mission

The Office of Residence Life brings students and housing together in a safe and comfortable living environment.  Our staff provide services and learning experiences beyond the classroom to promote educational, social, and personal growth, as well as manage the judicial affairs for residential and commuter students.

Our Core Values

• Direct Communication:  We encourage everyone to respectfully dial-direct.
• Emotional Intelligence:  Increasing self-efficacy through learning opportunities based on empathy, self-awareness, motivation, social skills, and self-regulation.
• Resource Referral:  We’re generalists who refer students to appropriate experts to fulfill their purpose.
• Personal Relationships:  We get to know each other, and we care.
• Diversity and Inclusion:  Celebrating the wide-range of differences in the human experience, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, abilities, religion, and thought. We emphasize civil discourse in a community where all must be able to feel they belong.
• Leadership:  Robust opportunities to strengthen skills, get involved, and be in service to others.

Our Staff

In addition to the professional staff listed below, 26 current undergraduate students serve as resident assistants to carry out the office's purpose.

Residence Hall Director Abayie Opuni (Remi), Office of Residence Life Click to Open

Email: opuni@hood.edu Phone: 301-696-3643 Office: Meyran Hall, Rm 111 Areas responsible for: Meyran Hall Coblentz Hall Blazer Hall

Residence Hall Director Juliana Cano, Office of Residence Life Click to Open

Email: cano@hood.edu Phone: 301-696-3639 Office: Smith Hall, Rm 000 Areas responsible for Smith Hall Shriner Hall Memorial Hall

Associate Director LaShawn Taylor, Office of Residence Life Click to Open

Email: taylor@hood.edu Phone: 301-696-3577  Office: Whitaker Campus Center, Student Life Suite, Room 228  Pronouns: he/him/his

Biography

LaShawn Taylor was heavily involved as a student leader during his undergraduate years at Shepherd University. After completing his bachelor’s degree in English with a creative writing concentration and a minor in communications and new media, LaShawn entered the College Student Development and Administration master’s program at Shepherd University. He served there as a hall director, mentoring and being a resource for residents and student leaders.  During LaShawn’s time at Hood, he works to help students reach their full potential so that they can be successful in reaching their goals. Some of LaShawn’s hobbies include playing with his dog Tinker, writing, painting, and pretending to sing. He is also a huge fan of the Washington Football Team and enjoys acting.

Education

• M.A., Shepherd University
• B.A., Shepherd University