Our Team

Yajyoo Shrestha holds a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is currently a master's student, pursuing his degree in educational administration at the same institution. This is Yajyoo’s second summer as an ACUHO-I conference manager at Columbia University.  

As an international student from Nepal, Yajyoo enjoys sharing his culture and traditions with others. In his free time, he loves ballroom and Latin dancing, reading, playing video games (currently obsessed with Tears of the Kingdom) and rock climbing. He is excited to spend another summer in the city and hone his professional skills with the Columbia Housing team.

Tony Lee is a rising junior at Columbia College studying math and visual art. He grew up in the southern province of Jiangxi, China, and moved to the United States when he was eight to Ridgefield, Connecticut. On campus, Tony is involved in the Columbia Roadrunners, Columbia University Buddhist Association (CUBA), and Columbia Table Tennis Club.

Some of Tony’s favorite coursework at Columbia so far include: Analysis & Optimization, Ordinary Differential Equations, and Intro to Printmaking Intaglio. In the future, Tony looks forward to learning more applied math, data analysis, and taking more studio art classes. Tony’s favorite animals are polar bears and lions.

Thomas Schartner is a rising Senior at Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. Thomas is majoring in Organizational Communication with minors in Human Resources Management and Diversity Studies. He will begin his third year as a Resident Assistant, as well as his second term as the President of the National Residence Hall Honorary at Missouri State University this fall. Over the last year, Thomas has worked with the Missouri State University Department of Communication to help design marketing materials for some of their biggest events throughout the year. Following his graduation in the Spring of 2024, Thomas hopes to pursue a Master’s degree in Student Affairs/Higher Education.

Thomas was born in Syracuse, NY, but has spent most of his life in St. Louis, MO. He is the proud father of a corgi named Newman, and he loves to collect various houseplants. When he isn’t working, you can usually find him scoping out the best place to get an iced oat milk latte. Thomas is beyond thrilled to be a part of the Columbia University Housing Team this summer!

Nikisha Smith is currently a Master student at Western Illinois University, studying College Students Personnel. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Media and Communication from the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Jamaica. Nikisha previously worked as a newspaper reporter and also a sixth form level lecturer in Communication and Caribbean. Nikisha is from Antigua and Barbuda, a twin island state in the Eastern Caribbean. This is Nikisha’s first summer as an ACUHO-I conference manager at Columbia University.

Nikisha loves communication and helping people. Coming from a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) she also values sustainability and preserving the environment in light of climate change. She enjoys reading, karaoke and cooking. She is looking forward to spending the summer in New York City and developing professionally with Columbia Housing.

Nadia Karber is a senior at Columbia College studying medical humanities. Particularly, she is interested in representations of illness in the arts and global health. She is of Sierra Leonean heritage and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. On campus, she is president of Charles Drew Premedical Society and conducts research in the department of immunology at CUIMC. Off campus, she can be found at Riverside park reading, writing, listening to music, or drinking an iced matcha with two pumps of chai. This is her first year working with housing, but she has previous experience in hospitality and looks forward to working with the team!

Mia DeLuis Zayas is Associate Manager, Housing Services, helping to manage housing assignments for undergraduate students during the academic year and outside guests during the summer and conference season. In this role, Mia works closely with partners across the University, including Residential Life, University Life, Public Safety and Facilities to help ensure our residents have a safe and comfortable place to call home while at Columbia. Mia officially joined Columbia Housing in 2021, but has been with our team since 2019 when she joined as a student worker.

Mia graduated with a B.A. from Columbia University in 2020, double-majoring in Ethnicity and Race Studies (with specialization in Latinx Studies) and Educational Studies. As a student, she was heavily involved in the Native American Council, Student Organization of Latinxs, and Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.

Mia was born and raised in Camden, NJ by her parents, both of Puerto Rican descent. Outside of work, she loves to explore coffee shops, exercise, and make plans for her next travel destination.

Matt Lemaris a rising Senior at Columbia University studying Political Science and History. He has worked for Housing as a student worker since September of 2022 and is excited to continue this work into the conference season. He is originally from Omaha, Nebraska and is looking forward to spending another summer in New York City.

On campus, he has served as the President of the Columbia University College Democrats, Interfaith Director for the Columbia Catholic Ministry, and as a member of the Columbia Policy Institute’s Energy and Environment Center. Last summer, he worked as a Communications and Public Engagement Fellow for New York City Councilmember Shaun Abreu. In his free time, he loves to watch sports, explore New York, find new places to eat, and meet new people.

Marie Jiang is a rising senior majoring in English and minoring in Linguistics at Columbia College. Born in Michigan, she has lived in California, South Dakota, and currently lives in Virginia. She is a former secretary and current senior advisor of Columbia University Lion Dance.

In her free time, Marie enjoys writing and is currently publishing a triweekly webnovel. She is very excited to be interning with Columbia University Housing this summer and hopes to help create a friendly, positive environment.

As the Senior Director of Housing Services and Student Center Operations, Lorena works closely with partners across the University including Student Life, Residential Life, Campus Operations, Public Safety, Dining, Environmental Stewardship, and others. Her responsibilities assignments and related activities for oue resident students as well as oversight of our Conference Housing program. She began her career at Columbia University in 2012 as part of the Lerner Operations Team.

Lorena holds a Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Connecticut and a Master's Degree in Sustainability Management from the Columbia University School of Professional Services. Her experience at Columbia, both as an officer of the University and a student/alum inspires her to continuously strive to impact positive change within the campus community.

Kamaru Oseni is a rising sophomore at Columbia College studying Sociology. He is from Boston, Massachusetts, and is of Nigerian ethnicity. Kamaru participates in many clubs on campus. As a lover of dance and culture, he is a member of Sabor, Columbia’s Latin dance troupe, and the campus liaison for Ijoya, Columbia’s African dance team.

Additionally, Kamaru is a member of BlackGen Capital, a student-run minority-owned investment organization. In his free time, Kamaru loves listening to music, being active, and enjoying the company of his friends. He is very much looking forward to working with Columbia Housing and hopes to form new relationships, develop professionally, and explore New York City.

Judith Cobb, Conference Housing Operations Manager at Columbia University, oversees the day-to-day operations of the conference housing program. With experience in customer service, she is passionate about creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all guests.

Judith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics and is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in College Student Personnel at Western Illinois University. She is excited to apply her knowledge to her work at Columbia and create a positive and supportive environment for conference attendees this summer. She enjoys exploring new restaurants and travel destinations, and is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow both personally and professionally.

Honorine Tuyishime is a senior at Columbia University studying Computer Science and Mathematics. She is originally from Kigali, Rwanda. Honorine had been previously working with the CUIT department on campus. She is also involved in the African Development Group (ADG) as well as Women in Computer Science (WiCS). Although this is her initial year working in housing, she brings prior experience in hospitality such as being an exhibitor and protocol assistant in CHOGM 2022. In her free time, Honorine enjoys watching films from various genres and countries, discovering new music or obsessing over old ones and dancing. She eagerly anticipates working with Columbia Housing and collaborating with the team.

Honey Sue provides vision, organization, and leadership to the operation of Columbia’s undergraduate residence halls, conference and event housing, and Alfred Lerner Hall, the student center.

This broad scope of work encompasses short and long-term capital planning of the physical assets, custodial and maintenance, and guest services for student residents, visitors, and administrators. With her team, Honey Sue aims to provide a consistent, easy to navigate, and rewarding campus experience.

In addition to these responsibilities, Honey Sue manages Columbia’s Trademark and Licensing program and several on-site services provided by contracted vendors. Honey Sue has served in various leadership roles during her tenure at Columbia. Most recently, she served as executive director of Business Services. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis.

Frances oversees Housing assignments, including extensions, early arrivals and interim assignments. She also coordinates SIC and FSL Housing for the academic year.

Frances joined Columbia Housing in 2006. She previously worked at Citibank, Scotiabank, and the non-profit organization Children International. Frances studied at the Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra in the Dominican Republic and is currently enrolled in the Columbia University School of General Studies. 

Erica Crone works as a 2023 Operations Manager for Conferences at Columbia University Housing. She is currently pursuing her Masters in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia. She is passionate about working with students and ensuring that they have a fun and transformational college experience. Erica, along with the other Operations Managers, are responsible for overseeing the day to day operations and ensuring that each guest has a positive and memorable experience.

Erica is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas. She received her Bachelors of Arts in General Studies from Lamar University in Beaumont, TX. Erica enjoy’s anything and everything outdoors and looks forward to exploring the city. She is excited to learn more about everything that student affairs and Columbia has to offer this summer.

Colin J. Emmanuel is a rising sophomore at Columbia College studying Computer Science. He is originally from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He has been working with the Columbia Housing Team as an operations assistant starting the spring semester of his freshman year and has really enjoyed getting to meet and know people and constantly learning new things. Colin loves getting involved on campus; he is part of the Columbia Mentoring Initiative (CMI), Africa Development Group(ADG), and was also a member of the Global Ambassadors Program (GAP)—a program hosted under the office of Multicultural Affairs. Colin is an avid soccer fan—he supports Manchester City and Barcelona, and his favorite TV shows are the Blacklist and Power.

Chelsea Marcelle is a junior at Columbia College, studying Psychology and Public Health. Upon graduating, she hopes to continue her education to obtain her Masters in Public Health. On campus, Chelsea is a part of the Columbia Women’s Wrestling Club Team and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys singing, staying active, and laying in the grass. She is from Pennsylvania and misses all the natural greenery, but she is super excited to spend time in the city this summer. Chelsea’s past experience includes customer service work and an Administrative Assistant Position at Mailman School of Public Health. Through this internship, she is excited to build her professional skills and form connections with the Conference Housing team.

Charlie Tatis is Assistant Director of Housing Services. In addition to overseeing the undergraduate housing assignments process throughout the academic year, during the summer months, Charlie also manages our Summer and Conference Housing programs. 

Charlie began working at Columbia University in 2017 as Assistant Manager of Operations at Alfred J. Lerner Hall, Columbia’s official student center, and joined the Columbia Housing team in 2021. Supporting his success in both roles have been the close relationships he has fostered with partners across the University who he works with to provide services to conference planners and guests.

Charlie was born and raised in the Bronx to Dominican parents and takes pride in his family’s culture and traditions. In his free time he loves watching basketball and baseball, and is an avid and lifelong fan of both the Yankees and the Lakers.

Attainea Toulon works as a 2023 Operations Manager for Conferences at Columbia University Housing. Attainea is currently pursuing an MS in College Student Affairs at a university in the midwest, with the focus of her research on diversity, equity and inclusion on college campuses. Along with the other Operations Managers, Attainea is responsible for ensuring that conference guests receive exceptional customer service during their stay at Columbia University.

Attainea is originally from the island of Dominica and loves exploring the natural environment. In her free time, she enjoys going on long walks, writing poems, salsa dancing and reading. She is excited to be part of the Columbia University Housing team for the summer!

Ahmed Mahmud is a rising junior in SEAS studying Computer Science. Ahmed has been a part of the Student Operations Assistant team since January 2022, and was also a part of the Summer 2022 Conference Housing Team. Ahmed also works in other departments across campus including the Operations Team in Alfred J. Lerner Hall, and the Management Team for the Emeritus Faculty at Columbia. In addition to working as a Conference Assistant this summer, Ahmed will also be conducting research for the Consulate General of Pakistan New York.

Ahmed is originally from Jersey City, New Jersey. Ahmed is an avid Lakers fan and is rooting for them to win the NBA Finals this year. In his free time, Ahmed likes going biking around NYC and finding new and creative ways to build apps and scripts to make everyday tasks easier.