Katie Wright
Assistant Residence Hall Director
B.A. English, Minors in Writing & Women's Studies (2010) - Ithaca College
Katie is an Assistant Residence Hall Director and is enrolled as a student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs graduate program at the University of Connecticut, in pursuit of a Master's degree. Katie found her way to student affairs through involvement as an RA, as well as serving as an officer in both Residence Hall Association (RHA) and National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH).
Katie's outside interests include, reading, writing, learning, listening to music, and watching movies. She comes from a large family, so she enjoys being around people and thrives in a hectic environment.
Terrence Abney
Residence Hall Director
M.S.S. - United States Sports Academy, B.A. - Morehouse College
Terrence joined Residence Life as a Residence Hall Director in Spring 2007. He has enjoyed the experiences that the University has had to offer in terms of collaborations among staff in Residential Life and staff outside of the department. One of the activities he has enjoyed most is coaching the UConn Running Club.
Before arriving in Connecticut, he worked at Johnson C. Smith University in the Queen City of Charlotte, NC. Terrence likes talking to his family (especially his mother) and friends when he is not working.
Joliana Yee
Residence Hall Director
M.S. (2011) - Indiana University, B.A. (2008) - Miami University
Prior to joining the UConn Res Ed Staff in 2011, Joliana held a Graduate Supervisor position in Residential Programs and Services at Indiana University where she obtained her M.S. in Higher Education and Student Affairs. During her graduate career she also completed an internship with the Department of International Programs at Universidad de Monterrey and helped with revamping their student exchange program. Joliana works in close collaboration with the UConn Honors Program and cultural centers to create an environment that is supportive of academically high-achieving students and furthers her commitment to the persistence of underrepresented student populations. Her professional areas of interest are international education, social justice and multicultural affairs.
Originally from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Joliana Yee, enjoys staying active through individual and team sports and takes a personal interest in gastronomy.
Elsie González
Assistant Director of Residence Education
M.A. in Higher and Postsecondary Education (2004) - Teachers College-Columbia University,
B.S. in Counseling Psychology (2003) - Lesley University
Elsie González, Assistant Director of Residence Education joined our Residence Ed team in August of 2005 as a Residence Hall Director and was appointed Assistant Director in 2010. She works with a team of professional, graduate, and student staff to provide opportunities and resources towards student academic, social, cultural and personal success. She also serves the UConn community as mentor-educator and seeks to empower students as they navigate the roadmap of higher education at UConn. She is particularly interested in women's leadership and advocacy, multicultural affairs, and student retention and academic success.
Outside of work Elsie enjoys day trips to lakes and beaches of CT and RI, visiting friends and family in the New England area and spending as much time with her partner and two children.
Dr. John Sears
Associate Director of Residence Education
Ph.D. in Higher Education (1998) - Georgia State University, MBA (1989) and BSIM (1987) - University of Massachusetts
John F. Sears is Associate Director of Residence Education and oversees residential areas as well as the RA Program. He teaches the department's 3-credit course for new RAs offered through the Educational Psychology Department in the Neag School of Education and co-chairs the department's assessment task force. Dr. Sears is also an adjunct faculty member in both the Higher Education and Student Affairs (HESA) Master's program and the Educational Policy Studies department. He is a member of the President's Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility and co-chairs the Student Veterans Advisory Council.
Dr. Sears has previously worked in private industry and served as a chief warrant officer and army aviator in the Army National Guard. His research interests include altruism and civic engagement, organizational development, and leadership. He enjoys spending time with his partner and four children.
