Administration and Finance Team
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
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.
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
Associate Director, Operations
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.
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.
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 and ensuring all operational practices, procedures, and policies are followed.
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.
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
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
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
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 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
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.
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
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
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 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 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.
