Meet Our Staff

Dr. Jon Conlogue, Executive Director of Residential Services and Campus Life

Jon has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut; where he was began his residential life career as an R.A.  He then served as a Graduate Assistant at Fairfield University in Connecticut while getting his Master of Arts in Communications.  Following 3 years at Ohio University as a residence hall Area Director and Assistant Coordinator, he moved to the University of Pittsburgh as Assistant Director of Residential Life.  While there, he worked with the University’s Staff Association Council as Affirmative Action Chair and Vice President, served on the committee to select a new Chancellor, and earned his Doctorate in Higher Education Administration.

Jon has been at Westfield State since 1993, currently serving as the Executive Director for Residential Services and Campus Life.  In this position, he manages a $14 million budget, supervises the department’s central office staff, and oversees housing, residence education, food services and new student orientation.  He is also involved with campus enrollment management efforts and campus dining and residence hall capital projects.  Jon has been involved with NEACUHO since 1994, chairing many committees and serving as Treasurer and the organization’s 51^st President.  Jon also enjoys teaching Communication Department courses in his “spare time.”

A native Mainer, Jon has been married since 1984 to Donna.  They have three children (Thomas, 20; Emily, 16; and Garrett, 12) and a scheming border collie named Jet.  They currently live in Springfield, MA.

Jen Gould, Assistant Director for Staff Development

Jen is the Assistant Director for Staff Development in Residential Life at Westfield State University in Westfield, MA.  Jen has been at WSU for almost 6 years, starting as a Residence Director in 2005.  This past August, she was promoted to the Assistant Director position. In her roll, she supervises the Residence Director staff, coordinates all student staff, graduate assistant and professional staff selection, training and evaluation processes and works on a slew of other Departmental projects and initiatives.

Jen earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, then was hired on as a Graduate Assistant at Salem State where she held the positions of Community Development Specialist and Assistant Resident Director while earning the degree of Master of Business Administration.

Joshua Hettrick, Assistant Director for Housing

Josh is in his fourth year as the Assistant Director for Housing at Westfield State.  Prior to his current role, Josh was at Springfield College as the Assistant Director of Residence Life for four years.  He initially arrived at Springfield College in 2002 where he served as a Resident Director for two years while he earned his Master of Psychology degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education. He began his career in residence life while a student at Stonehill College where he served as a resident assistant for three years and earned his Bachelor's degree in Communication and Computer Information Systems.  Most recently Josh has been enrolled in the doctoral program at Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI where he is currently working on his dissertation.

When he is not at work, Josh enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife Sabrina and 1 year old son Aidan.  His favorite activities include bowling, golf, video games, wearing the color orange, and not working on his dissertation.

Jessica Hufnagle, Assistant Director for Residence Education

Jessica Hufnagle has worked at Westfield State University for four years, the first three she spent as a Residence Director in the Apartment Complex.  She received her undergraduate degree at Bridgewater State University and her Master’s at Suffolk University.  Currently Jessi oversees the Owl Advantage Program, the Co-Curricular record and CollegiateLink as well as summer conferences. 

Ellen Wetherell, Secretary

Ellen began working at Westfield State University on August 7, 1978.  During that time she has watched as Westfield State has added three new residence halls to house its students and has had the pleasure of working with many faculty, staff, and students.  Ellen loves returning to her desk each day because, "Every day holds something new...new faces, new questions, new challenges, and many changes."

Dawn Whitehill, Accountant

Dawn has been with Residential Life for nine years and handles the day to day financial operations for the department. She enjoys the interaction with students on a daily basis and takes pride in her work and admires the campus community. I believe that “If you love what you do, you will not work a day in your life”!

Tatiana Cole, Graduate Assistant for Staff Development

Tatiana Cole has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Central Connecticut State University. She is currently completing her Masters of Education in Psychology with a concentration of Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education at Springfield College. Tatiana first served as a Graduate Assistant in Courtney Hall last year until the summer of 2011 when she became the Graduate Assistant for Staff Development. Tatiana looks forward to continuing her career in Student Affairs, and she also enjoys baking red velvet cupcakes and scrapbooking.

Elizabeth Kew, Graduate Assistant for Housing

Elizabeth has a B.S.E. in Elementary Education from Westfield State University.  She is an alumi of the class of 2010.  After graduating she started here as a Graduate Assistant for New Student Orientation and Residence Education.  As of Summer of 2011 she is working as the Graduate Assistant for Housing.  Elizabeth is planning on applying for a program in higher education for the fall of 2012.  In her free time, she enjoys cooking and being with friends.

Dexter Viator, Graduate Assistant for Residence Education

Dexter just began working in the Department of Residential Life at Westfield State University this past summer.  He graduated from Assumption College this past May with a Bachelor's degree in History.  He is currently working towards his Master's degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education at Springfield College.

Matthew Dellea, Graduate Residence Director of Econo Lodge and Graduate Assistant for New Student Orientation

Matt is a recent graduate from Westfield State University, earning his Bachelor of Science in General Science. He was actively involved in civic engagement opportunities, New Student and Parent Orientation, and Residential Life as an undergraduate student and it was only natural for him to enter a field in which he was able to do all of these professionally. Originally from Otis, MA, he grew to love the outdoors and can often be found hiking. His most recent accomplishment included hiking the Grand Canyon. Matt is very excited to be working in the department and is looking forward to the year ahead.

Shannon Broderick
Residence Director of the Apartment Complex
Coordinator of the New Student and Parent Orientation Program

A 2004 Westfield State University graduate, Shannon hails from the Berkshires and is currently the Residence Director of the Apartment Complex.  After graduation, Shannon took a residence director position at Mitchell College on the Connecticut shore.  After a year away, she realized that Westfield is where she belonged and in the fall of 2006 returned to the campus where she was the Residence Director of Lammers Hall for the next four years.  Some of Shannon's accomplishments include the extremely successful "Light the Night" campus program to honor family and friends close to our students, advisor of the Class of 2011, and her newest role as the Coordinator of the New Student and Parent Orientation Program.  Shannon is now starting her seventh year on campus as a Residence Director and loves her home, the Westfield campus.

Andy Fong
Residence Director of Courtney Hall

Andy is entering into his second year as Residence Director of Courtney Hall here at Westfield. In addition to his duties as Residence Director, Andy also serves as the Assistant Coordinator for Logistics for the New Student and Parent Orientation program. Before arriving at Westfield, Andy worked as a Residence Director for a large First-Year area at Curry College, just outside of Boston. Prior to embarking on his professional career within Residential Life, Andy studied at SUNY Oneonta in New York, where he received his B.S. in Communication Studies.  While at Oneonta, Andy became very involved across campus. He worked as an RA, Orientation Leader, and also served as an officer for several campus organizations such as the National Residence Hall Honorary, and the Resident Student Organization.

Outside of work, Andy’s passions include music, family, friends, and sports. He’s been playing the drums for the better part of his life, through which he was fortunate enough to release two albums and tour the Northeast with his band during his college years. Andy is a hardcore Boston Celtics fan, while also remaining loyal to his beloved New York Yankees. He has also developed a love for the game of golf.

Andy’s professional passions include working with all students, and helping them to get the most out of their college experience.  Whether that be through programming, casual conversation, or service trips like Habitat for Humanity, Andy looks forward to each and every opportunity.

Allison Gagne
Residence Director of Davis Hall

Allison comes to WSU by way of UMass Amherst, where she worked as an Assistant Residence Director and earned her Masters of Education in Higher Education Administration/Student Affairs. Prior to that, she received her B.A. in Elementary and Special Education from Rivier College in NH, and then moved to Houston, TX where she spent three years volunteering at a foster care agency.

Allison is also a high school cheerleading coach and dreams of winning “Ultimate Cake Off” someday. Her professional passions include working with first-year students, advising and mentoring student leaders and working actively as an ally to the LGBT community.

Omarthan Clarke
Residence Director of Dickinson Hall

Omarthan Clarke is not only a member of the Residential Life Staff, but also a member of the University's Class of  2007. With his relationships across campus , Omar is regularly helping students build bridges for themselves as well as others. When interacting with students, he places a strong focus on personal development and scholarship. On his spare time, he enjoys painting in his art studio.

Kevin Fisher
Residence Director of Lammers Hall

Kevin moved to Massachusetts in 2009 to join the Residence Director staff here at Westfield State University.  He is the Residence Director of Lammers Hall.  Kevin started his career in Residential Life at Ball State University in Indiana where he held a resident assistant position for three years and earned his bachelor degree in Psychology with a minor in Human Interpersonal Relationships.  Following his time at Ball State, Kevin became a Residential Hall Director at the University of Central Missouri where he earned a Master’s of Science degree in College Student Personnel Administration. Kevin is actively involved in Westfield’s Habitat for Humanity and helping students create new clubs on campus.

Matthew Lechter
Residence Director of Lansdowne Place

A 2010 Westfield State University graduate, Matt comes from Easton, MA and is currently in his second year as the Residence Director of Lansdowne Place.  After graduation he began working on a Master's Degree in Public Administration here at Westfield State.  Matt served as a Resident Assistant for three years while he earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Management with a concentration in Finance.  He was also involved in Alcohol Choices Education (ACE) which he is now the advisor of.

Billy Dunn
Residence Director of New Hall

Billy F. Dunn is the RD of New Hall. Billy graduated from the Higher Education and Student Affairs Graduate Program at the University of Connecticut in 2008, and then went to work in Student Activities at Dean College. He is starting his second year at Westfield State and is looking forward to another year of opportunities and challenges, especially as he continues to co-advise the “Roadmap to the Real World” program. Billy is originally from North Carolina, but has grown to appreciate the unique seasonal anomalies that exist in the Pioneer Valley. In his free time, Billy is training for his first powerlifting meet and enjoys keeping up a life-long comic book addiction - and will talk about either of these hobbies with anyone who will listen!

John Zocco
Residence Director

John earned his Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and Marketing from Assumption College. John earned his Masters of Education in Student Personnel Administration from Springfield College where he worked in the Residence Life Office at Springfield College. After receiving his degree John spent the past three years as an Area Coordinator at the University of New England in Biddeford, ME. John has always enjoyed working with and learning about new technology and gadgets. John is excited to make the transition to Westfield.