University College Staff
Brad Knight (he/him)
Senior Director, AU Core and University College
Hometown: Fremont, NE
Favorite place on campus: The sunlit SIS atrium & steps, which are good places to meet students or colleagues for a Dav coffee and to people watch.
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: A run along the National Mall (a round trip from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial) is just shy of an easy 5 miles.
Talk to me about... Fantasy novels, Politics, Being a first generation college student and/or LGBTQIA+, Research/career advice, My beagle
Kyle Johnson (he/him)
Assistant Director, University College and Sophomore Living-Learning Communities
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Favorite place on campus: Main Quad! Such a great place to see AU faculty, staff, and students come together.
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: Love grabbing an Everything Bagel and Cold Brew from Call Your Mother Deli and sitting in Logan Circle on a nice day!
Talk to me about... Orangetheory Fitness, Places to brunch, Why LLCs are so fun!, Being Multiracial and LGBTQIA+, My Goldendoodle
Adam Tamashasky (he/him)
Faculty Director, Complex Problems
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Favorite place on campus: The classroom (I love being in class!)
Favorite place in DMV: The Great Hall at the Library of Congress
Talk to me about... evil
Kyrsten Novencido (she/they)
Coordinator, Living-Learning Communities
Hometown: Northlake, IL
Favorite place on campus: Quad space in front of the Library
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: Hiking followed by a big lunch
Talk to me about... your favorite food spots, your DnD OC, cozy games, horror movies
Luke Waters (he/him)
Program Coordinator, AU Cornerstone
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: I absolutely love the atrium of the American Art Museum, one of my favorite places to work.
Talk to me about... Music, NBA, politics, movies, TV, podcasts, and all things AUCS!
Baba Zak Kondo (he/him)
Part-time Coordinator - Internships & Employer Relations, AU Cornerstone
Did you know... Baba is author of the most authoritative work on Malcolm X’s assassination (currently being revised) and other works and has served as a consultant on and/or was featured in seven films focusing on Malcolm X and/or the Black Panthers, including Spike Lee’s motion picture, “Malcolm X,” the award-winning documentary “41st and Central” (on the LA Black Panthers), and the Netflix documentary, “Who Killed Malcolm X?”. He's also spoken at over 45 colleges and universities!
Paul Schroeder (he/him)
Program Assistant, AU Cornerstone
Hometown: Newberg, Oregon
Favorite place on campus: Graduate Research Center
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: The Glover Archibald park is a great nature walk not far from campus.
Talk to me about... hiking/camping or AUCS questions
Tanishka Talagadadeevi (she/her)
Program Assistant, Living-Learning Communities
Hometown: Reading, PA
Favorite place on campus: SPA Sub Terrace
Favorite place or thing to do in DMV: The FDR Memorial is quiet and beautiful, go during cherry blossom season for the best views!
Talk to me about... food, anime, cats, social justice, SPA, and all things LLCs!
Fall 2023 Senior Program Leaders
Meet our Fall 2023 UC Senior Program Leaders! Each UC seminar has a Program Leader (undergraduate student at AU) who supports students both socially and academically. Senior Program Leaders (undergraduate students at AU) provide leadership for the Program Leaders within their cohort.
Allison Hastings-Wottowa (she/they)
Senior Program Leader, Sphinxes
Hometown: Denver CO
Major: International Studies
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: The Bridge and the Barbie Pond on Avenue Q
Talk to me about... skiing, second hand fashion, coffee, and Gilmore Girls
Munya Yusuf (she/her)
Senior Program Leader, Merfolk
Hometown: Bahrain
Major: International Studies
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: The Cathedral
I love... lego sets, nintendo switch, and scuba diving
Arielle Hershkowitz (she/her)
Senior Program Leader, Vampires
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Major: International Relations & Environmental Studies
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: The Dav on Wednesday mornings-most people sleep in, so it's nice and quiet.
I love... learning about other cultures, cooking, and trying new sports. Also a casual professional wrestling fan!
Zoe Smith (she/they)
Senior Program Leader, Dragons
Hometown: Severna Park, Maryland
Major: Psychology Major with a double minor in Sociology & JLC
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: Sitting on the quad or the Bridge
I love... singing/listening to music, cooking, spending time with friends and family
Lauren Laboissonniere (they/she)
Senior Program Leader, Phoenixes
Hometown: Fullerton, CA
Major: CLEG
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: In DC, Dupont Circle. At AU, The Dav or the McKinnley building
I love... Listening to podcasts, bullet journaling and mock trial
Sana Mamtaney (she/her)
Senior Program Leader, Fairies
Hometown: Warren, NJ
Major: Journalism and Political Science
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: Picnicking on the National Cathedral and the Bridge!
I love... reading, writing, traveling, going to concerts
Dhruv Patel (he/him)
Senior Program Leader, Werewolves
Hometown: Easton, PA
Major: International Studies with a Minor in International Business
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: The National Mall
I love... dancing for the American Bhangra Crew, playing violin, and spending time with friends!
Hannah Ames (she/her)
Senior Program Leader, Chimeras
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: Political science Minors in SIS and Spanish
Favorite spot in DC/at AU: The Wharf
I love... reading, podcasts, exploring DC