Meet your Gabaldon staff
Get to know your Gabaldon Residence Hall Director and Resident Assistants.
Gabaldon Residence Hall Director
Name: Dana Gant
Phone: 928-523-2799
Email: Dana.Gant@nau.edu
Education:
- Master of Science in Adult and Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs – Northern Illinois University, 2012
- Bachelors of Science in Chemistry – University of Central Missouri, 2010.
About Dana: I am very excited to be the RHD of Gabaldon Hall and look forward to meeting its many residents! I enjoy working with students and believe that the residence halls provide a great environment for learning and having fun. My hope is that I am able to help NAU students make the most out of their time on campus and have successful college experiences. Go Lumberjacks!
Education:
- Bachelors in Liberal Studies, Minor in Ceramics. Masters in Counseling-Student Affairs Milwaukee, WI
Why I chose Northern Arizona University: After doing a national search for a graduate program and assistantship, I decided on NAU for a few reasons: the academic program, the assistantship, the place and the people. I was looking for a Student Affairs program with a focus on counseling students rather than administering them. The opportunity to be a Graduate Assistant in Residence Life was also very important to me. The location is unbeatable, perfect weather with four seasons at the base of the 12,000 ft peaks of Mount Humphreys. Finally, the people were welcoming, down to earth and I could tell they have genuine passion for student development and the residential education experience. But most importantly, it was a feeling, it just felt right. It instantly felt like home. I don’t own any flannel, but I am a Lumberjack.
About Jay: I’m very excited to be a GARHD in Gabaldon Hall! I’m looking forward to supervising an amazing staff of RAs and advising a brand new Hall Association. The assistantship is the perfect complement to my academic program; I can directly implement what I learn in class in my Hall. With such a variety of experiences and opportunities available in residence life, I know I will leave NAU with the skills to succeed in the Student Affairs field.
Gabaldon Resident Assistants
Name: Taylor Freedman
Floor: Aspen 2
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Redlands, CA
Why I chose NAU: I chose NAU because of the great sense of community and because of the great nursing program.
Why I'm excited for this year: I am excited about meeting and getting to know my residents. I can't wait to form lasting bonds with each and everyone of them.
Name: Jennifer Dawrs
Floor: Aspen 3
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Hilo, HI
Why I chose NAU: I was looking for a university that would allow me to experience a new place and new people. Flagstaff’s beauty and NAU’s awesome reputation made this the school for me.
Why I’m excited to be an RA: I hope that being an RA will give me the opportunity to make tons of new friends and allow me to make the college experience of my residents positive and fun.
Name: Courtney Sirrine
Floor: Aspen 5
Major: Elementary & Special Education
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Why I chose NAU: I love the mountains, wanted to stay in state, and had heard good things about the College of Education.
Why I’m excited for this year: I’m looking forward to developing positive relationships with staff and residents as a returner to Gabaldon Hall. As a second year RA, I will strive to be approachable and teachable.
Name: Grant Satterthwaite
Floor: Birch 1
Major: Psychology (minor in Sociology)
Hometown: Anchorage, AK
Why I chose NAU: I chose NAU based on their Psychology, Education and English programs (also there’s a Jamba Juice on campus which is super cool).
Why I’m excited for this year: I’m excited for next year for many reasons, but the main reasons are that I’m going to be an RA which is a dream come true. I’m going to be taking some challenging but fun classes, and it’ll be warmer in Flagstaff than it will be in Anchorage.
Name: Areina Contreras
Floor: Birch 2
Major: Public Relations Minor: Sociology
Hometown: Barstow, CA
Why I chose NAU: NAU has always been a school that I dreamed of going to. I researched the campus and found that NAU had everything and more of what I wanted out of my college experience.
What I'm excited for this year: This upcoming year I am so excited to meet the residents that will be on my floor and I am excited for the new events NAU will be offering for the year.
Name: Sean Larsen
Floor: Birch 3
Major: Accounting
Hometown: Chandler, AZ
Why I chose NAU: The weather is beautiful and the people are nice.
Why I’m excited for this year: I’m excited to meet lots of new people.
Name: Daniel Conley
Floor: Cedar 1
Major: Undeclared
Hometown: Payson, AZ
Why I chose NAU: I really love the area in and around Flagstaff, the mountains, opportunities for outdoor activities, cool weather, and snow. I'm also not a city guy, so the atmosphere and size of Flagstaff was really appealing. Another appealing factor of NAU was that I knew a few of my friends from Payson were also coming here, including my roommate.
Why I'm excited for this year: I'm really excited for my second year at NAU. I'm really excited to see how the friendships I developed last year change and deepen and am excited for all the new friendships I'm going to have at the end of this year. I'm also excited for all the challenges and joys being an RA will bring and for the rapport I will be able to have with all my residents.
Name: Brandy DeRose
Floor: Cedar 2
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Glendale, AZ
Why I chose NAU: I chose NAU for the smaller class sizes and the beautiful environment!
Why I’m excited for this year: I am excited for this year because it is my first year as a RA, and I will learn from the experience fully. I am also excited to continue with my nursing major and to join the club softball team on campus.
Name: Emily Serie
Floor: Cedar 3
Major: Forensic Chemistry and Criminalistics
Hometown: Phoenix, AZ
Why I chose NAU: NAU is close to home, yet far enough to be “away from home.” The school offers great programs and a gorgeous campus!
Why I’m excited for this year: I’m so excited to help others make connections here at school! I’m ready to have a fantastic year with the residents!
Name: David Longley
Floor: Cedar 4
Major: Chemistry with an emphasis on Biochemistry
Hometown: Peoria, AZ
Why I chose NAU: I chose this university because of three reasons: I wanted to get out of the valley so I could live on my own, I love the weather up here, and I wanted to be able to see my brother.
Why I'm excited for this year: I am so jazzed for this upcoming year because I have the opportunity to be an RA, I get to take more major related courses, and finally I am looking forward to making new friends and hanging out with old ones.
Name: Patrick Ryan
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