Meet Our Team

Administration and Finance Team

Saleem Curry, Director, University Life, Space and Events

Saleem Curry
Director, University Life Space and Events

Saleem is responsible for the overall management and operations needs related to University Life spaces. With responsibility for the strategic planning and operations of Penn’s student union at Houston Hall, Saleem establishes goals and objectives based on University Life values and priorities, and provides leadership in the implementation of services and programs for the campus community.

Additionally, Saleem leads organizational effectiveness initiatives for the department including ensuring progress toward division and department strategic and service goals, creating training and professional development curricula, engaging in on-going assessment, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and participation in division-wide efforts.

Nyzinga Patterson

Nyzinga Patterson
Associate Director, Administration and Finance

Nyzinga is responsible for the supervision of the financial and administrative operations of the department. In her role she ensures compliance and integrity of business processes including resource management, and financial activity. She also has oversight over the human resource functions including hiring, onboarding processes, payroll policies, and staff performance/merit increase processes.

Additionally, Nyzinga provides oversight financial and administrative support staff of the department and serves as part of the leadership team creating policy development and steering communication.

Regina De La Cruz outside on Locust Walk

Regina De La Cruz
Administrative Assistant & Office Coordinator, University Life, Space & Events 

Regina provides administrative support to the Director of University Life Space and Events and front office, administrative and other support to managers, employees, students, and office visitors by handling a variety of administrative and clerical tasks to ensure that all interactions between the department (University Life Space and Events and Penn Student Agencies) and others are positive and productive. With a dotted line reporting relationship to the Director, the Office Coordinator serves as the interface for the Director, working closely with the Associate Director for Administration and Finance on all aspects of administrative functioning of University Life Space & Events.

Sarah Lam
Coordinator, Administration and Finance

Sarah is responsible for the day-today financial operations of University Life Space and Events Management which includes maintaining all financial records, assisting in the oversight of budgets, and ensuring the integrity and compliance of financial transactions processed within the budgetary units.

Additionally, she coordinates all event billing activities of the department, utilizes KX Event software to maintain client records, reconcile charges, and send out invoices. 

Events & Operations Team

Patrick Faulk

Patrick Faulk
Interim Senior Associate Director, University Life Space and Events

Patrick oversees the operations and events teams, which includes the execution of events and overall facilities maintenance and upkeep. He works to facilitate the flow of information between the event coordination and operations teams to clarify operational procedures and client expectations.

Additionally, Patrick coordinates the delivery of event support services (staffing, security, room set ups, audiovisual equipment) for events within Space and Events, non-academic events in central pool classrooms, and other University Life administered spaces.

Andrea Krapevka
Manager, Scheduling and Events

Andrea Krapevka is responsible for supervising the scheduling and events coordinator team in providing all aspects of scheduling and planning for events, activities, and programs held in University Life event spaces and non-academic use of a central pool of classrooms. She works in close collaboration with the Senior Associate Director to communicate and implement scheduling priorities and procedures in a manner that optimizes and eases access for students to University Life spaces.

Andrea ensures a high degree of constituent service, proactive solution finding, and student-centered focus. This includes, but is not limited to, consultation with requestors regarding the nature of their event, the space and equipment requirements, matching available space to requirements, and the coordination of support services.

Ben Naroden

Benjamin Naroden
Systems Manager, Scheduling and Events

Ben is responsible for maintaining the stewardship of scheduling systems (KX, LibCal, and future systems) under the direction of the Senior Associate Director, facilitates the effectiveness of reservation processes for ULSE space, and manages the implementation and utilization of the event planning and reservation software system – including accuracy of data entry to support events, tracking equipment and billing processes, assessment, and reporting. Stewardship duties include cultivating and engaging with a community of system users, and working closely with the Manager for Scheduling and Events to develop programming/training (and other curated/relevant content) as needed.

Additionally, Ben recruits, trains, schedules, supervises, and evaluates student and part-time event assistant staff, and provides support to the event and operations teams

Barthel Akins
Operations Associate

Barthel is responsible for timely setup and breakdown of events within University Life spaces, central pool classrooms, and other University Life supported venues. Provide advisement to part-time and student staff assisting with events. Barthel assists with the overall operational needs of venues managed, supported, and occupied by the University Life team.

Brian stands outside of Houston Hall.

Brian Larthey
Operations Coordinator

Brian is responsible for monitoring the daily operation of facilities including the student union at Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, and Iron Gate Theater. This includes serving as a customer service point person, performing opening and closing the facility, assisting with room set ups and take downs, and assisting with training and supporting staff.

Brian’s role encompasses identifying areas of improvement and growth within the operation and aiding in creation solutions. Brian is responsible for being forward thinking and ensuring all operational practices, procedures, and policies are followed.​

Caleb H. on campus.

Caleb Harvey
Operations Coordinator

Caleb is responsible for monitoring the daily operation of facilities including the student union at Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, and Iron Gate Theater. This includes serving as a customer service point person, performing opening and closing the facility, assisting with room set ups and take downs, and assisting with training and supporting staff.

 

Caleb’s role encompasses identifying areas of improvement and growth within the operation and aiding in creation solutions. Caleb is responsible for being forward thinking and ensuring all operational practices, procedures, and policies are followed.

Christina Kitzinger

Christina Figueroa
Interim Coordinator, Scheduling and Events

Christina is responsible for managing events in Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, Iron Gate Theatre, Penn Commons, College Green, and non-academic events in the Central Pool Classrooms. The coordinator advises student groups and organizers on event needs, planning, and expenses; coordinates events and additional considerations with university affiliates; and works with clients external to the university to schedule and coordinate events during breaks in the academic calendar. The coordinator collaborates with the Associate Director of Events, and other relevant staff, when events require special attention such as open expression, A/V, in-event support, and security.

Dashawn Jackson

DaShawn Jackson
Operations Associate

Dashawn is responsible for timely setup and breakdown of events within University Life spaces, central pool classrooms, and other University Life supported venues. Provide advisement to part-time and student staff assisting with events. Dashawn assists with the overall operational needs of venues managed, supported, and occupied by the University Life team.

Julian Lawrence

Julian Lawrence
Operations Associate

Julian is responsible for timely setup and breakdown of events within University Life spaces, central pool classrooms, and other University Life supported venues. Provide advisement to part-time and student staff assisting with events. Julian assists with the overall operational needs of venues managed, supported, and occupied by the University Life team.

Laron Overby
Operations Associate

Laron is responsible for timely setup and breakdown of events within University Life spaces, central pool classrooms, and other University Life supported venues. Provide advisement to part-time and student staff assisting with events. Laron assists with the overall operational needs of venues managed, supported, and occupied by the University Life team.

Lashae Wright on campus.

Lashae Wright
Interim Coordinator, Scheduling and Events

Lashae is responsible for managing events in Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, Iron Gate Theatre, Penn Commons, College Green, and non-academic events in the Central Pool Classrooms. The coordinator advises student groups and organizers on event needs, planning, and expenses; coordinates events and additional considerations with university affiliates; and works with clients external to the university to schedule and coordinate events during breaks in the academic calendar. The coordinator collaborates with the Associate Director of Scheduling & Events, other relevant staff, when events require special attention such as open expression, A/V, in-event support, and security.

Monica K. on campus.

Monica Kessel
Interim Coordinator, Scheduling and Events

Monica is responsible for managing events in Houston Hall, Irvine Auditorium, Iron Gate Theatre, Penn Commons, College Green, and non-academic events in the Central Pool Classrooms. The coordinator advises student groups and organizers on event needs, planning, and expenses; coordinates events and additional considerations with university affiliates; and works with clients external to the university to schedule and coordinate events during breaks in the academic calendar. The coordinator collaborates with the Associate Director of Events, and other relevant staff, when events require special attention such as open expression, A/V, in-event support, and security.

Facilities Team

Lucy Hendrickson on campus.

Lucy Hendrickson
Associate Director, University Life Facilities

Lucy is responsible for oversight of all physical plant and facilities support for University Life spaces. She ensures the on-going maintenance, renovation, and upkeep of all University Life facilities, coordinates major building repair/replacement projects (including remodeling, refurbishment, and expansion), and ensures ADA and building code compliance.

Lucy works closely with the University’s central facilities department, Facilities and Real Estate Services (FRES), Office of the University Architect, the University Registrar, building administrators, architects, contractors, property managers, and technology consultants to continuously improve University Life spaces, offices, and centers.

Chris Kessler

Chris Kessler

Facility Support Coordinator

Chris monitors building conditions in Space and Events managed spaces, documents, coordinates, and tracks necessary repairs and maintenance as well as supports the Operations team through professional staff coverage of the Student Union @ Houston Hall.

Isabel P. on campus.

Isabel Pichardo
Coordinator, University Life Facilities

Isabel monitors building conditions in Space and Events managed spaces, documents, coordinates, and tracks necessary repairs and maintenance as well as supports the Operations team through professional staff coverage of the Student Union @ Houston Hall.

Student Engagement and Development Team

Amber Decker headshot

Amber Decker Haynes
Associate Director, Community Engagement & Student Development 

Amber is responsible for the overall management of student leadership, development, programs and support for University Life Space and Events (most notably Penn’s student union – Houston Hall). She leads/aides the Coordinator for Community and Student Engagement in the selection, supervision, scheduling, training, and evaluating of the student building supervisor and welcome desk ambassador staffs and provides direction and support to the Operations Coordinator team.

Amber works closely and collaboratively with University Life colleagues to ensure alignment with divisional priorities and vision around student care, student development, and student leadership.

CORA BRIGHT

 

Cora Bright
Financial Assistant, Penn Student Agencies

Cora provides administrative and financial support to Penn Student Agencies (PSA) through oversight of accounts payable, payroll, purchasing, and onboarding functions. She also serves in a supplementary role providing direction and advisement to students.

emily on campus.

emily Lubow Klobucher
Coordinator, Community Engagement & Student Development

emily is responsible for the day to day management of the Welcome Ambassador student staff as well as Houston Hall programming. She supports building operations and needs to support and improve the student experience. emily reports to the Associate Director of Community Engagement & Student Development within University Life Space and Events Management.

Michael Warren

Michael Warren II
Program Manager, Penn Student Agencies

Michael is responsible for the overall management and operation of all student-run businesses within Penn Student Agencies (PSA). He is the direct supervisor of all student leadership — which includes agency directors and the executive suite — and a full-time Financial Assistant, with indirect supervision of 100+ student staff. His role focuses on entrepreneurial/small business experiential training and mentorship for students while advising them on staff management, coaching, training, administrative and HR responsibilities (recruiting, hiring, on-boarding), marketing, customer service, and fiscal responsibility. Michael reports to the Associate Director of Community Engagement & Student Development within University Life Space and Events Management.

Catering and Audio Visual Services

Headshot of Marvin Moore

Marvin Moore
Executive Catering Chef
Bon Appétit Management Company

Kala Williams

Kala N. Williams
Director of Catering
Bon Appétit Management Company

Dawn Blandford

Dawn Blandford
Director, Client Services
Visual Sound at Penn