Michelle Hunter-Lancaster
Director of Housing & Residential Experience
mihunter@colum.edu
Whitney Woodson
Associate Director of Housing and Residential Experience
wwoodson@colum.edu
Whitney is a Chicago native who earned her Master of Science degree in Higher Education with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Northern Illinois University in 2017. She has worked in residence life for over 10 years in a variety of capacities both as a student and full-time professional.
After working at Marquette University for four years, Whitney returned home to Chicago and joined the Office of Residence Life here at Columbia in 2021. Whitney’s work here at Columbia is primarily in intentional student learning and development inside of the residence halls, including educational programming and living learning communities.
Victoria Villanueva
Housing & Residential Experience Coordinator - Operations
vivillanueva@colum.edu
Victoria joined the HRE team in October 2022 and works on the operations side of student housing, supporting the day-to-day functions that help ensure a smooth residential experience for students. Victoria is a Columbia College Chicago alum, having attended from 2016–2020.
Ling Lo
Administrative Assistant
llo@colum.edu
Ling joined the HRE team in February 2021. She brings with her over 20 years of customer service experience. Ling is deeply committed to customer satisfaction; if Ling doesn't know the answer - she is determined to find it for you. A self-proclamied foodie, Ling is also smitten about her Bernadoodle dog, Bao.
Eric Cox
Housing & Residential Experience Coordinator of the Dwight
ecox@colum.edu
Eric joined the HRE team in November 2025, bringing with him a passion for student development, social justice, and community building. A native of Maplewood, Minnesota, Eric earned his Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies from MSU Mankato, complemented by double minors in Music and Theatre in 2019. Those skills still shine through in his vibrant personality, and you might even catch him figuratively singing and dancing in the rain on any given day.
After completing his undergraduate studies, Eric moved to Michigan to pursue his Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership with an emphasis in Social Justice, which he earned in 2021. His professional journey in residence life has spanned multiple roles and regions across the country, including impactful experiences in St. Louis, Detroit, and Phoenix.
Eric is deeply excited to engage with students, learn alongside them, and support their growth both inside and outside the classroom. He is committed to empowering students to become confident, compassionate, and globally conscious citizens.
Carly Knueppel
Housing & Residential Experience Coordinator of the Arc & 30 East
cknueppel@colum.edu
Originally from Wisconsin, Carly earned a Master of Education in Higher Education Leadership, with an emphasis in Social Justice, from Oakland University after completing a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.
For the past five years, Carly has worked in California as a higher education professional, serving in residence life leadership roles at UC Santa Cruz and CSU Sacramento. In these positions, her work has focused on building inclusive communities, developing themed Living Learning Communities, and advancing equity initiatives such as Trans-Inclusive Housing.
Now at Columbia College Chicago since November 2025, Carly brings experience and passion for fostering student belonging and providing trauma-informed support.