Residence Life Staff
Our Residence Life Team is dedicated to providing a safe, caring, respectful, and dynamic community for all residents. Each resident director is available for student consultation, emergency response, and other concerns within the community.
Maura Page
Director of Residence Life
Top 5 Strengths: Strategic, Woo, Includer, Ideation, Communication
Maura comes to Pepperdine most recently from Portland, Oregon, with 16 years of experience in Housing and Residence Life. She had the privilege of serving at Concordia University in Portland, and Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, during the design, construction, and openings of new student housing and feels right at home as Pepperdine anticipates the opening of Seaside Hall in Fall of 2018.
Maura studied biology and English at Washington & Jefferson College in Pennsylvania, and has her Master's degree in Organizational Leadership. Maura's own undergraduate experience regarding spiritual formation and student leadership was transformative in her life. As such, she remains passionate about supporting student leaders and the amazing Residence Life professionals committed to contributing to the holistic development of students. Maura loves to spend time with her husband and family; and after living in Portland for 10 years, enjoys espresso daily and is glad to continue to live close—but not too close—to a Salt & Straw ice cream shop.
Andy Swartz
Associate Director of Residence Life
Seaside and Rockwell Towers
Top 5 Strengths: Positivity, Woo, Communication, Individualization, Connectedness
Andy is from Southern Missouri, where he has spent the majority of his life.After graduating from college, he managed a high ropes course and served as a camp minister throughout the summer to their college work crew. He enjoyed lots of adventurous experiences while getting to meet some cool students along the way. Andy loves being a part of a fun and purposeful community, and enjoys doing almost anything outdoors whenever possible.
Since graduating from Missouri State University, he has worked as a resident director at Drury University for the last four years. He loves being able to meet so many amazing students, and hearing them tell their stories. More than anything, he is excited to get see what God is doing on Pepperdine's campus and feels privileged to be a part of such a unique place.
Andrea Zahler
Associate Director of Residence Life
First Year Suite-Style Halls
Top 5 Strengths: Connectedness, Intellection, Learner, Belief, Harmony
Andrea Zahler was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, and attended Harding University to study English and ministry. After graduation, she moved to Wuhan, China to teach English at Jiang Han University.
Once back in the United States, she moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama to work as a campus minister for a local community college, an HBC, and The University of Alabama. While there, she earned her master's degree in ministry from Lipscomb University, became a partnership coordinator for World Vision's Child Ambassador team, and learned how to insert "Roll Tide!" into everyday conversation.
She loves working in residence life and continues to be amazed at all the things God is doing here at Pepperdine.
Nicole Duyao
Associate Director of Residence Life
George Page, Drescher & Lovernich Apartments
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Connectedness, Developer, Belief, Individualization
Nicole Duyao is originally from Beaverton, Oregon, but has called Malibu home since 2009. She graduated from Seaver College at Pepperdine University with a bachelor's degree in organizational communication. Her passion for holistic self care inspired her to get her Masters in Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary. She loves working in residence life and walking intentionally with students through their formative college years. Nicole is honored to be part of a community here at Pepperdine that is actively pursuing faith and inclusion in all of our conversations.
In her free time, Nicole enjoys cooking, coffee, camping, and caring for her plants.
Alyson Thompson
Resident Director
Rockwell Towers
alyson.thompson@pepperdine.edu
Top 5 Strengths: Belief, Positivity, Woo, Developer, Adaptability
Aly is a Southern California native coming to Pepperdine all the way from Simi Valley. She feels right at home in the Malibu community having grown up surfing at Zuma Beach and Point Dume with friends and family. Now Aly can be found at those same beaches with her nine nieces and nephews making new memories with them as they come to know and love this community as well.
Aly is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with a BA in Psychology and minors in Theater and Religion from Vanguard University of Southern California. She holds her Masters in Marital and Family Therapy from Fuller Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Medical Family Therapy. She has extensive training working in various mental health settings, including psychiatric hospitals, schools, and private practice engaging clients and patients in a broad spectrum of psychological and spiritual challenges. She is incredibly passionate about mental health; namely, the impact of trauma on chronic illness and pain. Aly is even more enthusiastic, however, about the opportunity to integrate and utilize her education and training in this capacity serving students here at Pepperdine. Aly's time as a student and RA while at Vanguard was transformative to who she is today, and she believes fully in the importance of giving back to students the same care and guidance that she was once given. It is out of this passion, and her love for God, that Aly does her work here at Pepperdine.
In her free time, Aly can be found at Sidecar Donuts enjoying the gluten free huckleberry and birthday cake donuts! She practices yoga, hip hop, ballet, and contemporary dance. Aly indulges in calligraphy, essential oils, photography, and listening to John Mayer. She has even won two radio contests to see him live!
Christina Luben
Resident Director
Seaside Residence Hall
christina.luben@pepperdine.edu
Top 5 Strengths: Developer, Belief, Empathy, Learner, Intellection
Christi Luben was born in La Mirada, California. While her family moved to the San Francisco Bay Area when she was five, she always considered herself a Southern California kid. Christi is a third-generation "Pepperdiner" who graduated with a B.A. in Psychology in 2005.
In 2008, Christi completed her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy at Abilene Christian University. She has extensive experience working with multiple populations, including adolescents within the Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) and probation systems, those struggling with depression, anxiety, and addiction, and those who have been impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse. She has also worked with A21, an anti-human trafficking nonprofit, and is passionate about bringing an end to modern-day slavery.
Christi is married to her high school and Pepperdine sweetheart, Zac Luben. Zac is the Youth and Family Minister at the Culver Palms Church of Christ and he is also an adjunct professor of religion at Pepperdine. Christi enjoys practicing yoga, watching TV, experimenting with vegetarian dishes, and any time spent with Zac and their son Jude.
Min-Jung Kim
Resident Director
Lovernich Apartments
Top 5 Strengths:Activator, Achiever, Significance, Command, Competition
Born in Seoul, South Korea, raised in Los Angeles, California, and studied abroad in Bonn, Germany, Min-Jung Kim holds her Masters from Teachers College, Columbia University in Higher and Postsecondary Education with an emphasis on Organizational and Institutional Analysis. Prior to that, Kim completed her Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Economics, and Asian & Pacific Studies at Loyola Marymount University.
Min-Jung loves working along with students, faculty, and staff and found her passion in higher education from past experiences as a Graduate Hall Coordinator of Residence Life at Manhattan School of Music, a researcher at Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Resident Advisor at Loyola Marymount University.
In her free time, she enjoys cooking new cuisines, deadlifting, kayaking, go-kart racing, listening to music, playing with her two cats (Oreo and Banana), making free throws and three-pointers, working on two-dimensional art, learning new languages, and traveling across the globe.
Austin Smith
Resident Director
Drescher Apartments
Top 5 Strengths: Communication, Strategic, Woo, Focus, Belief
Austin Smith was born in Akron, Ohio, but grew up in Columbus. He attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Zoo and Museum Exhibit Design (a degree he created by combining a biology and an art degree). After spending a year reevaluating his career goals, he returned to Taylor to earn his Master of Arts in Higher Education and Student Development.
During his undergraduate years, Austin worked in Residence Life, which was a major factor in his decision to enter the field of Student Development. Austin is passionate about working alongside students and encouraging them to discover their creative capabilities. Additionally, he has spent two years as a member of a research group studying how college traditions impact campus culture and student identity development.
In his free time, he enjoys graphic design, volleyball, tennis, going to zoos and aquariums, hiking, playing board games, painting, baking, and traveling.
Stacey Lee
Resident Director
Peppers, Hayes, White, Fifield & Pauley
stacey.lee@pepperdine.eduTop 5 Strengths:Empathy, Developer, Positivity, Adaptability, Connectedness
Stacey Lee is a daughter, sister, friend and follower of Christ. She was born and raised in Southern California and has been a proud Pepperdine Wave since 2011. She graduated with her BA in Creative Writing in 2015 and her Masters in Dispute Resolution from Pepperdine Law in 2017.
Some of her favorite life and work experiences include serving local villages and living on a medical mission in Fiji for a summer, working with the Los Angeles Superior Courts as a volunteer civil harassment mediator, and supporting veteran and nontraditional students at Stanford University.
Her passion areas are fighting against the stigma surrounding mental illness and combating food and housing insecurity by creating tangible resources for unseen needs. She seeks to promote self-care and holistic wellness in her spaces and loves teaching and facilitating positive communication and healthy conflict management.
In her free time, you can find Stacey drinking coffee, reading, writing, and trying out new recipes.
Sharon Wakio
Resident Director
Banowsky, Shafer, Eden, Krown Alpha & Krown Beta
Top 5 Strengths: Empathy, Ideation, Learner, Intellection, Developer
Born and Raised in Kenya, East Africa, Sharon holds her BA in Psychology with a minor in Communication from Boise State University. She is a recent Pepperdine Alumna, graduating with her MA in Psychology in May 2018. Sharon moved from Kenya to come and study in the US back in 2006. Sharon is a NAMA Certified Anger Management Counselor, and her main interests are mental health and working with International students.
In her free time, Sharon enjoys random road trips, international travel, sight seeing, cooking, trying out cultural cuisines and participating in church activities. Her personal slogan is "Stay Classy..."
Charles Allen
Resident Director
E. Pengilly, J. Pengilly, Phillips, Crocker & Conner
Top 5 Strengths: Achiever, Belief, Futuristic, Positivity, Responsibility
Charles made the pilgrimage to Pepperdine from the vineyard country of Newberg, Oregon, where he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2013 from George Fox University. Since then, he has worked at several institutions across the nation after earning his Masters in Higher Education and Student Development from Taylor University in Upland, Indiana.
Gender reconciliation is a particular passion for Charles. His master's thesis examined
the importance of holistic, healthy models of gender constructs on a college campus,
and he is always researching, reading, and excited to enter into conversations about
what it means for
people to heal and grow stronger in community.
Residence Life has always been close to Charles' heart, from serving as an RA for
three years at GFU to pursuing experiences at Concordia University Portland, Central
Washington University, Taylor University, and Willamette University. While this is
his "sweet spot," Charles is also purposeful about cultivating a spirit of learning
and adventure. He loves the wilderness and outdoors, traveling, and experiencing other
cultures or ways of life. In quiet lulls, he enjoys learning French, tailoring, writing,
playing music, culinary arts, physical education, or starting
deep conversations about life—just to name a few.
At Pepperdine, Charles is looking forward to helping students explore their own holistic personal development, as well as facilitate opportunities for others to grow in their own spiritual, emotional, and mental health within the context of mentorship, and to use his own story of personal growth to encourage and cultivate growth opportunities for students in the Pepperdine community.
Andrew Wang
Resident Director
Knott, Eaton, Darnell, DeBell, & Miller
Top 5 Strengths: Restorative, Individualization, Connectedness, Empathy, Positivity
Born in Oklahoma City, and straddling his pre-college years living between the United States and Taiwan, Andrew is a third culture kid who is passionate about fostering healthy identity development in the context of diverse community.
Andrew holds his M.Ed degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Prevention Science and Practice focusing on Adolescent Practice. Prior to Harvard, Andrew completed his undergraduate degree at Wheaton College (IL), majoring in Psychology and minoring in Interpersonal Communication. As an education practitioner, Andrew focuses on developing and curating living spaces that promote identity exploration and growth among adolescents and young adults. More specifically, Andrew utilizes recreation, community art, and makerspaces as an educational mechanism for intrapersonal and intergroup learning, dialogue, and reflection.
In his free time, Andrew makes comics, explores thrift stores, and enjoys dancing, volleyball, and boxing; with a high likelihood, it is also very probable to find him eating ice cream.
Christal Porter
Assistant Resident Director
George Page Apartments
christal.porter@pepperdine.edu
Top 5 Strengths: Individualization, Connectedness, Developer, Context, Positivity
Christal Porter is a current law student in the Pepperdine Law program. She received her Bachelors of Social Sciences at Rice University in Houston where she also participated on the Varsity Women's Basketball team. After her undergraduate studies, Christal served on staff with The Navigators in their collegiate department at her alma mater.
Christal has a passion for cultivating environments for personal growth and supporting individuals in their life pursuits.
Kendra Copeland
Assistant Resident Director
Drescher Apartments
kendra.copeland@pepperdine.edu
Kendra Copeland is a current Creative Writing & Screenwriting Master of Fine Arts student at Loyola Marymount University. Prior to her studies at LMU, she earned a Bachelor's Degree in Film Studies from Pepperdine University. Kendra enjoys incorporating literature, creative writing, and fine arts into non-profit work for foster youth and under-resourced communities.
She is passionate about creating compassionate settings for students to advance toward a greater understanding of self and those around them.
Malik Sampson
Assistant Resident Director
Drescher Apartments
Top 5 Strengths:
Malik Sampson is currently a student at Pepperdine's Graduate School of Education and Psychology. He is studying Clinical Psychology with an Emphasis in Marriage & Family Therapy. Malik received his Bachelors of Science in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. At the University of Tennessee Chattanooga, he was very involved with organizations such Student Government, Greek Life, and Black Student Alliance. Malik is dedicated to service within the community, individuals, and organizations. In addition, his passion is to uplift and promote the lives of other individuals.
Elise Sanchez
Assistant Resident Director
Seaside Residence Hall
Top 5 Strengths: Woo, Adaptability, Communication, Harmony, Connectedness
Elise Sanchez is Los Angeles local from Brentwood and recently graduated from Pepperdine with a degree in French and International Studies. She served as an RA for two years her junior and senior year after studying abroad in Lausanne, Switzerland. Elise is perusing her masters in Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine's School of Law and is serving as an Assistant Resident Director during her time in graduate school.
Naron Dennis
Assistant Resident Director
Seaside Residence Hall
Top 5 Strengths: Connectedness, Intellection, Input, Developer, Includer
Naron was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from Seaver College at
Pepperdine University with a bachelor's degree in Sports Medicine in 2016. Throughout
his undergraduate career, Naron was involved with many of the Pepperdine Volunteer
Center programs including; the Jumpstart program, Project Serve, and various other
service events. After graduating Naron continued to serve with the Pepperdine Volunteer
Center as an administrative coordinator for 2 years. Currently, Naron is pursuing
his master's degree in Public Policy at Pepperdine University.
Naron enjoys visiting different coffee shops, eating good food, discussing popular
television shows, playing fun board games, watching movies, discussing the wonderful
work of Christ at the cross, and spending time alone contemplating God and himself.
He is passionate about social change as well as community health and wellness. He
is excited to be pursuing growth, change, and a deeper understanding of God and His
beloved community alongside Pepperdine students.