Professional Staff

Katharine serves as director of Student Transitions & Family Programs supporting the orientation, transition, and retention of new students and their families as they join the WashU community. Katharine provides strategic vision for the department and coordinates Bear Beginnings: Fall Welcome. In addition, she serves as a four-year academic adviser for students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Katharine serves as the lead faculty member for the Directors and Managers Institute for NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education.  She previously served on the NODA board of directors and as the network chair for highly selective institutions. Originally from Southern Illinois, Katharine holds an M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina in higher education & student affairs and a B.S.B.A. from Saint Louis University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University. Her research interests include first-year experience, students’ sense of belonging, student employment, and student identity and leadership development, primarily focusing on the experiences of students who hold minoritized identities.

As the associate director, Renaldo supports student transitions focusing primarily on development of student leadership initiatives and programming. Renaldo oversees the student employee programs in Student Transitions & Family Programs including the student executive board, Washington University Student Associates (WUSAs), Transfer & Exchange Student Mentors (TXSMs), and Second-Year Student Associates (2SAs). Renaldo also manages the assessment and evaluation efforts for the department. In addition, he serves as a four-year academic adviser for students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Renaldo holds an M.Ed. in college student affairs administration from the University of Georgia and a A.B. in psychology from Washington University in St. Louis. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in higher education administration from Saint Louis University. His research interests include student employment, universal design, and high impact educational practices.

Mimi serves as the assistant director for parent & family programs. She provides leadership and strategy development for parent and family engagement, as well as departmental communications to new students and families of undergraduate students. Mimi oversees the planning and implementation of parent and family programs including Parent & Family Orientation, Parent & Family Weekend, and the Family Webinar series. She also serves as a centralized point of contact for parent and family inquiries. Mimi is from St. Louis, and holds a M.S.Ed in higher education administration and policy from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in leadership studies from University of Richmond.

Rachel manages outreach and events that support transfer, exchange, and sophomore students. She oversees teams of student mentors serving a wide range of student populations. Rachel also contributes to orientation and transition programming. Originally from Mankato, Minnesota, Rachel holds a B.A. in international relations from Minnesota State University, Mankato. She is currently pursuing an A.M. in international affairs at Washington University in St. Louis.

Joe coordinates first-year programming and gap year programming. He co-supervises the student executive board of Student Transitions & Family Programs, and the Washington University Student Associates. He also contributes to orientation and transition programming. Originally from southeast Missouri, Joe holds a B.S. in mass media and a M.A. in communication from Missouri State University.

Lauren serves as the instructional specialist for Bearprints for Success, a first-year course supporting incoming students as they transition into the WashU community. Lauren attended undergrad at Smith College and the University of St. Andrews.  She received a PhD in English and American Literature from WashU.

Maggie provides administrative support for Student Transitions & Family Programs. You will find her answering the questions of new students and their families via phone and email. Maggie also coordinates many of the logistics for Student Transitions & Family Programs events.  Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Maggie holds a B.A. in Psychology from University of Missouri- St. Louis.  She and her husband are parents to seven children, and have two beautiful granddaughters!