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.
Ferene Paris Meyer
Assistant Director of Residence Life & Orientation
Email: fparis@holycross.edu
Ferene is the Assistant Director of Residence Life & Orientation and has been a part of the Holy Cross community since 2005. She lives in Wheeler hall with her husband Josh and they feel honored to be a part of the Montserrat community. 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 continued on to Bridgewater State College, receiving her Masters of Education in Student Affairs Counseling.
Ferene is known for her outgoing personality, her ability to form meaningful relationships with students and being passionate about her work. During her down time, you will find her listening to music, catching up on her favorite MTV/VH1 shows, or facilitating programs on reflective practices throughout campus and on retreats. She looks forward to crossing paths with you at Holy Cross.
Ben Kadamus
Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life
Email: bkadamus@holycross.edu
Ben is the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life and lives on campus 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. in Higher Education Administration 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, New York Giants football, and all things Disney.
Charles Stanley
Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life
Email: cstanley@holycross.edu
Charles "Chuck" Stanley is the Assistant Director of Residence Life & Housing and has worked full time in Higher Education since graduating from Roger Williams University with a B.S. in Social Science and Elementary Education in May of 2000. While working on his Masters of Education in Guidance Counseling from Providence College, Chuck has served as an Area Director, Assistant Director of Residence Life and Housing and an Assistant Director of Student Programs and Evolvement.
Chuck enjoys volleyball, the outdoors, movies and meals with family and friends.
He currently lives in Alumni Hall and was born and raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts; best known for its State Champion Volleyball team in 1996.
Community Development Coordinators (CDC)
Melissa Ortendahl
Email: mortenda@holycross.edu
Residence Hall Office: Loyola Hall Rm. 41/42
Melissa became a member of the Holy Cross community in 2007. She spent her first two years as CDC for Mulledy Hall and has now moved off of Easy Street to become the CDC of Loyola Hall. She and her husband Dave reside in the building and have thoroughly been enjoying their new home on lower campus! Melissa grew up in Springfield, MA and received her undergraduate degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in 2005. She did her graduate work in Student Affairs and Higher Education and received her Master’s of Science from Indiana State University in 2007.
Aside from her work at Holy Cross, Melissa greatly enjoys photography; she is a lover of all kinds of music and dance and she really enjoys scrap booking and making picture slideshows. She and Dave are avid Nintendo Wii players (especially Mario Kart) and like finding new places in New England to visit and explore.
Jamie Walsh
Email: jwalsh@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office: Lehy 216
Jamie, the CDC for Lehy Hall, became part of the Holy Cross community in July of 2008. Originally from Warwick, RI, he earned his B.A. in English from Providence College in 2001 and his M.S. in Administrative Studies from Boston College in May of 2008.
Not new to a Jesuit Institution, Jamie spent five years working at Boston College – four in Law Admissions and one in Athletic Media Relations. His passion for working with students brought Jamie to Holy Cross. His other passions include watching his favorite sports teams, as well as spending time with his family, friends, and of course, his wife, Abby.
Cathleen Doane
Email: cdoane@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office: Mulledy Hall,rm. 31B
Cathleen is enjoying her second year at Holy Cross as the CDC for Mulledy Hall. She is coming to Worcester from James Madison University in Virginia where she earned a M. Ed in College Student Personnel Administration. Additionally she is a proud alumna from Bryant University in Smithfield Rhode Island where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration. Her past experiences include: Residence Life, Judicial Affairs, Parent and Student Orientation, leadership programs, Greek Life, Academic Affairs and Student Activities. When she is not working she enjoys spending time with family and friends, going to the movies, and being outdoors.
Joanna Rivera
Email: jrivera@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office: Healy Hall, rm. 130
Joanna is the CDC for Healy Hall, originally from Windsor, Connecticut. She graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2006 with a B.A. in Social Work, and in 2008 graduated from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania with a M.A. in Student Affairs and Higher Education. During her time at Slippery Rock, she worked as a Graduate in Residence in both a co-ed and all-female residence hall. As an undergraduate student Joanna worked as a resident assistant for 3 years and participated in NASPA’s Undergraduate Fellowship Program.
During her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. Joanna is very happy to be at Holy Cross, and looks forward to working this upcoming year.
Ryan Darling
Email: rdarling@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office: Hanselman Hall, rm. 126
Ryan is the CDC for Hanselman Hall in his second year at Holy Cross. Hailing from the Central Coast of California, he received a B.A. in Political Science from UCLA and followed it up with a year working in development at his alma mater. Ryan then moved to the east coast to pursue his M.Ed. in Student Personnel in Higher Education at the University of Florida, where he worked as a Graduate Hall Director with every student population possible.
Ryan brings a variety of experiences to Holy Cross, including undergraduate participation in UCLA's Orientation Staff, Greek Life, Study Abroad in Australia, and more to additional graduate and professional work in Academic Advising, advising student groups, Orientation, event planning, and Study Abroad.
In addition to his passions for education and new experiences, Ryan is an avid traveller, loves to cook and get outdoors, follows the Red Sox and all NCAA sports, and maintains an extensive music and DVD library. Though happiest when it's warm and sunny, Ryan doesn't mind the New England winters. He is excited for another great year in the Northeast and at Holy Cross.
Julie Baldiga
Email: jbaldiga@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office:Clark Hall, rm. 130
Julie, CDC of Clark Hall, is new this year to the office of Residence Life and Housing. She joined the Holy Cross community in the fall of 2007 as the Graduate Intern of Student Programs and Involvement. Julie grew up in Upton Massachusetts and in 2007 received her B.S. in Child Development from Colby-Sawyer College in New Hampshire. She recently completed her M.A. and received her license in School Counseling from Assumption College. When not working, Julie enjoys traveling, reading, drinking coffee, and spending lots of time laughing with her family and friends. Julie is very excited to continue her adventures here on the hill!
Graduate Assistants
Evan Maloney
Email: emaloney@holycross.eduResidence Hall Office: Wheeler Hall, rm. 9
Evan, who is originally from Ashland, MA, is the graduate assistant in Wheeler Hall. He graduated from Holy Cross in 2008 with a double major in English and German. During his time as a student on the Hill, Evan spent one year as a member of the Students for Responsible Choices and two years as a Resident Assistant. He is currently pursuing his M.A. in Higher Education Administration from the Lynch School at Boston College.
Evan currently sings with the Holy Cross Schola Cantorum, enjoys skiing and tennis, and is an avid fan of Red Sox baseball.
Susan Finne
Email: sfinne@holycross.edu
Residence Life & Housing Administrative Assistant: Hogan 122
Sue has been a member of the Residence Life and Housing team since 2007 when she came on board as the Administrative Assistant for the department. Sue comes from Millbury, MA, and is the proud mother of three grown sons as well as cat named Crissy. Sue stays fit with time at the gym, yoga, ice skating, basketball, softball, and walking, and enjoys all sports, especially Holy Cross Basketball and the New England Patriots. Sue has a special talent for delicious homemade foods and grows beautiful flowers. She is an avid reader, attends many concerts, plays, and shows, does the crossword every morning, and plays Jeopardy every night – and wins.