Josh Jones
Director of residence life
Email: jjones01@risd.edu
Office Phone: (401) 427-3156
Office Location: ResLife Main Office at 30 Waterman St.
Josh was born and raised in St. Louis, MO. He attended Murray State University, where he was a football team member and later graduated with a B.S. in Business and an MBA. Murray State was the foundation for his passion for Student Affairs as he started his career as a Student Affairs professional after collegiate sports. Josh is excited about joining RISD and having the opportunity to work with such creative minds. He hopes to enhance the on-campus student experience while maintaining a solid and defined structure. Josh has been rumored to be a pretty good ping pong player and loves supporting and celebrating student accomplishments. Although a St. Louis Cardinals fan, he enjoys the New England culture and the area’s beautiful scenery.
The Director of Residence Life serves in the 24/7 emergency on-call rotation for on-campus students
Contact Josh with any questions, comments, or concerns regarding the Residence Life Department.
jasmine mahoney
Associate Director of residence education
Email: jmahoney@risd.edu
Office Phone: (401) 454-6761
Office Location: ResLife Main Office at 30 Waterman St.
Jasmine received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science & Legal Studies from Roger Williams University and her Master in College Student Personnel from the University of Rhode Island. While Jasmine is originally from Portland, OR and deeply loves the west coast, New England and Rhode Island in particular feels like home. In her free time, you can find Jasmine reading a good book, spending time at all of the local farmers markets, and traveling to her bucket list destinations as often as possible. Jasmine is excited to be rejoining the RISD reslife team as a professional staff member years after she began her Student Affairs career as a graduate student.
The Associate Director of Residence Life serves in the 24/7 emergency on-call rotation for on-campus students.
Contact Jasmine with any questions regarding Residence Education, hall programming ideas, and opportunities to be involved at RISD.
Melynda Heying-Mcmahon
associate director for housing operations
Email: mheying@risd.edu
Office Phone: (401) 454-6715
Office Location: ResLife Main Office at 30 Waterman St.
Melynda makes her way to RISD via Milton, MA from Minnesota with a B.A. in English and mass communications with a minor in editing and publishing along with an M.S. in Counseling and Student Affairs – both from Minnesota State University Moorhead (go Dragons!). She is excited to be supporting Residence Life at RISD in a myriad of ways, but is most eager to support students’ wellness and to be immersed in a highly diverse and forward-thinking community. Some of Melynda’s favorite things include forcing affection upon her cat, Sir Elliott McSquigglePants, drinking coffee at inappropriate times to drink coffee, and rating the quality of poutine at restaurants throughout Providence.
The Associate Director for Housing Operations servies in the 24/7 emergency on-call rotation for on-campus students.
Contact Melynda for housing assignments, medical accommodations, & Residence Life billing questions.
Zach Raso Assistant director for Community Development
Email: zraso@risd.edu
Office Phone: (401) 709-8623
Office Location: ResLife Main Office at 30 Waterman St.
Zach is back in RISD Residence Life for the second time, having served as a Residence Director for two years from 2015-2017. He has a Bachelor’s degree from Rhode Island College in Youth Development and a Masters Degree from the University of Rhode Island in College Student Personnel. Over the last seven years, Zach has overseen various residential communities across three different universities. His passions lie in identifying student leadership and supporting first generation students through their academic journey. Zach is an avid sports fan who has season tickets for the New England Revolution, watches Premier league soccer, and plays competitive ultimate frisbee. In his down time Zach likes to spend time with his friends and family and watch some engaging sci-fi / fantasy / horror shows.
The Assistant Director of Community Development serves in the 24/7 emergency on-call rotation for on-campus students
Contact Zach with any questions regarding Student Leader Training and Selection, Residence Hall Concerns, and Opportunities to be Involved at RISD.
Community Coordinators:
Community Coordinators are professional live-in staff members who oversee all community development within the building. This includes: supervising Resident Advisors and Advocate for Inclusion in Residence, providing programming and resources to meet student needs, serving in 24/7 emergency on call rotation, addressing any facility or roommate concerns, mediating issues within the community, and providing any support students need while living on campus. Community Coordinators live in the residence halls with students.
Brendan Cody
Community Coordinator, First year Area (East, Homer & South Halls)
Email: bcody@risd.edu
Office Phone: 401-454-6756
Office Location: Homer Hall, 3rd Floor
Brendan joined the RISD Residence Life Office in April of 2023 and comes to use from Roger Williams University and the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts where he held similar roles. Brendan holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rhode Island College and is beginning to work on his masters degree. As a native Rhode Islander, Brendan enjoys exploring all of the many adventures Providence has to offer, most of these adventures now being spent with his 6 year old niece. In his free time Brendan is an avid video gamer and loves trying new food with friends and family.
Contact Brendan for general housing questions, resources at RISD and in Providence, room changes or conflicts in East, Homer & South Halls, and programming ideas for the RISD Launch First Year Student or Sophomore Experience.
Tymber Powell Community Coordinator, Hill Houses & Colonial Apartments
Email: tpowell@risd.edu
Office Phone: TBD
Office Location: Colonial Apartments, Building C
Tymber joined RISD Residence Life in June 2023 after serving as a Pre-College Residence Director in the summer of 2022 – she is thrilled to be back at RISD! Tymber was born and raised in the state of Delaware and is a proud alumna of the University of Delaware (Go Blue Hens!) with her B.S. in Human Services. Tymber also received her M.Ed in Student Personnel in Higher Education from the University of Florida (Go Gators!). In her free time, you can find Tymber at local farmers and art markets, baking, reading, and exploring the New England area!
Contact Tymber for general housing questions, resources at RISD and in Providence, room changes or conflicts in the the Hill Houses and Colonial Apartments, and programming ideas for the Sophomore Experience.
Selena Hocker
Community Coordinator, 15 West Apartments & Suites
Email: shocker@risd.edu
Office Phone: (401) 277-4835
Office Location: 15 West Lobby
Selena was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and grew up in the Merrimack Valley area. They hold a B.F.A. in Animation from the Massachusetts College of Art and Design. In their free time, they like to try new coffee, make digital illustrations, and find local greenhouses around town. They also love to dote on their cat, Dusty.
Contact Selena for general housing questions, resources at RISD and in Providence, room changes or conflicts in the 15 West, and programming ideas for the Upperclass Student Experience.