My undergrad was spent at Cornell College in Mt. Vernon, Iowa (next to Mines, the G.O.A.T.) where I majored in Secondary Education and History. My Masters degree, in Student Development and Higher Education Administration, is from the University of Iowa. I just completed my doctoral work in the summer of 2021. My research is on Autistic students and their experiences in the residence halls.

I have been at Mines since 2014, and I love working with the students and staff here. Mines people are special, there is just no other way to put it. I live north of Golden with my husband, our two dogs (Decker and Greta), and our cat, Kitty. I am a 5th generation Coloradan, and I love my state!

B.A. – Liberal Studies with a Specialization in Math from Cal Poly Pomona
M.A. – Postsecondary Educational Leadership with a Specialization in Student Affairs from San Diego State University

Hello! My name is Julie (She, Her, Hers) and I am the Assistant Director of Residence Life. My favorite thing about working at Mines is the people and students I get to interact with every day. I love getting to help students in their journey here at Mines as they discover their passions and learn about themselves inside and outside of the classroom. When I am not at work, I enjoy playing tennis, trying new restaurants, and exploring beautiful Colorado. If I am not in my office, you can find me walking around campus with my English Bulldog, Paul. Feel free to come up and say hello!

B.A., English, University of North Florida
M.A., Higher Education, University of Denver

Hi y’all! I’m Kels, and I come to Mines from my hometown of Ft. Myers, Florida. Mines is such a unique campus, with a strong sense of community and care among its students and staff, and I love learning alongside such ambitious students! I always look forward to seeing how much students grow between the day they move in and the day they move out! When I’m not at work, you can find me with my husband and our dogs, Rocko and Bucket, or coaching high school volleyball!

B.A. Economics, St. Lawrence University
M.S. College Student Personnel, University of Tennessee Knoxville

Hello! My name is Taffy Negonde, and I am the Residence Life Coordinator of Weaver Towers and Elm Hall. I was born and raised in Zimbabwe, and I first came to the United States for my undergraduate studies. I studied Economics at St. Lawrence University, a small liberal arts school in Upstate New York, with an initial intention to pursue investment banking. However, my volunteer work in college access and my passion for student mentorship activities led me to a career in education. My education career has previously led me to English teaching in China and teaching in Zimbabwe also. These were all unforgettable experiences. Inspired to continue my career in education, I pursued a Masters in College Personnel at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Go Vols! My assistantship in residence life during my graduate school reinforced my love to work in student housing.

I am so excited to be at Mines and to join the Residence Life team. I look forward to bringing my passion for mentorship to the highly motivated students at Mines and being an influential support system in all my residence hall communities. I am a people person and I also look forward to building impactful and lifelong relations with Mines students and the community in Golden.

In my free time, I love spending time with my family, meeting new friends, mentorship activities, watching sports, playing soccer, reading, and writing. Yes, I love writing so much, and if you want a postcard, let me know. I am happy to be an Oredigger and I am grateful to be here!

B.A., Psychology, California State University – Sacramento
M.S., College Student Affairs, Eastern Illinois University

Hello! My name is Jacqueline and I am originally from the Bay Area of California. I completed my Bachelor’s in Psychology at California State University, Sacramento, and completed my Master’s degree in College Student Affairs in the Midwest. Being a first-generation student and American, I love helping residents find their place at Mines and build their homes here on campus. Beyond being an RLC, I love baking, cooking, hiking, kayaking, playing retro and current videogames, Pokémon, Marvel, and spending time with my dog Chewie (you can catch him in the back courtyard of Maple). Feel free to stop by at the Maple lobby to say hi!