Student Services
Professional Staff
Edwin Coolbaugh
Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life and Housing
Email: ecoolbau@holycross.edu
After receiving his B.S. in sports medicine and M.S. in human services from Keene State College, Dean Coolbaugh entered the residence life field full time. He has served as a Resident Assistant, Assistant Resident Director, Family Manager, Hall Director, Area Coordinator, and recently completed four years as an Assistant Dean of Students at the College of Saint Elizabeth, before coming to Holy Cross.
Dean Coolbaugh is an avid chef, a fervent marine reef aquarium enthusiast, a student of architecture, and loves sailing.
Michael Saxton
Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing
Email: msaxton@holycross.edu
Mike began his career in Residence Life in 1997 at Eastern Connecticut State University, where he also earned his B.S. in Computer Science (2001) and his M.S. in Organizational Management (2004). He came to Holy Cross in March of 2007 as Associate Director of Residence Life and Housing. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son, riding his motorcycle, and hanging out with friends.
Shakima McCants
Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing
Email: smccants@holycross.edu
Shakima is the Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing. Originally from New York, Shakima received her undergraduate degree in business administration at Alfred University. During her tenure at Alfred, she served as a Resident Assistant, orientation leader, student trustee, and senior interviewer. She later earner her M.S. in college student personnel administration from Canisius College, where she also worked as a Graduate Hall Director and Programming Coordinator.
Community Development Coordinators (CDC)
Eddie Carreon
Email: lcarreon@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Wheeler Hall, rm. 9
Eddie is the CDC for Wheeler Hall. A native of San Francisco, California, Eddie was an Army Brat and has lived in many different places, including Maryland, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Texas. He earned both his B.A. and M.A. in World Politics from The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in May 2006. While at Catholic, Eddie was as a Resident Assistant for three years, serving diverse groups of undergraduate students, including the Residential College and Thematic Housing.
Eddie's only real hobby is cooking. He sees it as the most articulate expression of his soul and a way of contributing to world peace through culinary appreciation. He is a "RENT-head", roller coasters thrill-seeker, and a huge Nip/Tuck fan.
Curran Ford
Email: cford@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Healy Hall, rm. 130/ Lehy Hall, rm. 216
Curran, the CDC for Lehy and Healy Halls, is from Massachusetts and attended high school in Worcester. He graduated with his B.A. in history from Connecticut College in 1999 where he worked as a Student Resident Director. Curran is also a graduate of the Disney college program. He has taught history and worked as a dorm parent at New England schools. Currently, he is pursuing his M.S. at Springfield College. At Holy Cross he advises the Caribbean African Student Assembly (CASA) and coaches the club soccer team.
Curran enjoys coaching and playing soccer in his spare time.
Melissa Ortendahl
Email: mortenda@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Mulledy Hall, rm. 51
Melissa, the CDC for Mulledy Hall, is originally from Massachusetts and grew up in the Springfield area. She earned her B.A. in English from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2005 and her M.S. in Student Affairs and Higher Education from Indiana State University in 2007. While at Indiana State, Melissa worked as an Assistant Hall Director in the first year area. She has been involved in student affairs and residential life in various capacities during the past six years. As an undergraduate, she held positions as a Resident Advisor, Orientation Leader and Admissions Ambassador. She also completed internships in Career Services, Admissions, TRIO Programs and Student Activities during graduate school.
In her free time, Melissa enjoys singing, baking, dancing and photography and being able to spend time with her family and friends.
Laryssa Jurkiw
Email: ljurkiw@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Clark Hall, rm. 130
Laryssa is the CDC for Clark Hall, new to Holy Cross and the Worcester area from Geneva, Illinois. She graduated from Aurora University in 2005 with a B.S. in Business Administration, where she spent three years working in Residence Life as an RA and SRA. Laryssa realized her passion for student affairs and continued on to receive her M.S in Management and Organizational Behavior from Benedictine University while working as a Graduate Hall Coordinator overseeing the on-campus apartment complex, its residents, and staff. Laryssa’s other passions in life include her family, friends, food, music, and traveling. Being new to the area, she is also looking forward to discovering all of the exciting places in New England.
Ben Kadamus
Email: bkadamus@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Loyola Hall, rm. 40
Ben is the CDC for Loyola Hall, where he lives with his wife Katie and daughter Ellie. Originally from the Albany, New York area, Ben received his B.A. in theology from Boston College in 2002, and his M.A. from Boston College in 2006. Ben began working at Holy Cross in the Office of Residence Life and Housing in July of 2006, after a four year career in youth ministry in the Boston Archdiocese.
Ben's interests include playing guitar, movie trivia, New York Giants football and taking frequent trips to Walt Disney World.
Ferene Paris Meyer
Email: fparis@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Hanselman Hall, rm. 126
Ferene is the CDC for Hanselman Hall, where she lives with her husband Joshua. She comes from Brockton, Massachusetts; better know as the “City of Champions”. This champ graduated from Stonehill College in 2003, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and from Bridgewater State College in 2007, with a Masters of Education in Student Affairs Counseling. Ferene discovered her passion for working with college students through various internships in student activities, career services, and campus ministry during her undergraduate experience. She is known for her outgoing personality and her ability to form meaningful relationships with students.
During her down time, you’ll find her listening to music, catching up on her favorite MTV shows, being creative through arts & crafts, or facilitating programs on reflective practices on campus and retreats. Besides working closely with her RA and FYP mentor staff, Ferene is the staff advisor for Women’s Club Field Hockey and is highly involved in the Gateways Orientation Programs for first year students. She looks forward to crossing paths with you at Holy Cross.