Mary Oakes Mary earned her Masters Degree in College Student Personnel from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. She has served the Residence Life Department here at Columbia for 10 years, but has worked in Residence Life for a total of 20 years professionally and on a student staff level. She enjoys supporting and challenging students while they live on campus and experience their transition into College life.
Kelli Collins Kelli earned a M.S.Ed.with a concentration in community counseling from Eastern Illinois University. She has served in Columbia's Residence Life Department for nearly 20 years, but has worked in Higher Education for approximately 27 years professionally. Kelli's professional philosophy is that there is a great deal of learning that can take place outside of the classroom, and that is what she likes to promote with the students that she interacts with on a daily basis. She strives to provide an experience that will help the students that she comes into contact with leaving the interaction better than they were previous to interacting with her.It is refreshing to know immediately, or years later that something you did or said helped to improve the life of the student that you worked with. There are so many challenges that can become blockades for students as they are progressing through college and beyond, it is Kelli's life work to help to ease some of those challenges.
Christie Lewis
Assistant Director of Training & Community Relations
Christie has a Masters of Science in College Student Personnel Administration from Illinois State University. She joined the Residence Life team at Columbia College Chicago in January 2016 and has been in Residence Life for 8years. Prior to coming to Columbia she worked at Illinois Wesleyan University and Saint Xavier University. Christie enjoys supporting student development while challenging them to reach their highest potential.
Quote: Never give up on something you can't go a day without thinking about" - Winston Churchill
Fun Fact: I have a twin brother and am a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC
Na'imah Muhammad Coordinator of Assignments & Operations
Na'imah graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater with a B.A in Media Arts & Game Development in December 2016. She joined Residence Life in February 2017 and really enjoys working with the students. She takes pride in keping the Residence Life website up to date and answering all email inquiries.
Quote: "Going into the unknown, without fear or expectation, is the ultimate adventure" - Akin Olokun
Fun Fact: During my freetime I love to: play video games, read manga & watch anime
James deJesus
Coordinator of Communications & Operations
James joined Residence Life in May 2019. He previously worked at Columbia College Admissions Office as a Counseling Associate in 2016. He also graduated at Columbia College Chicago back in May 2006.
Quote: “Chookity Pop” - Mooncake
Fun Fact: I played bass in a local bluegrass band in 2010.