Our faculty come from the USA, Australia and the UK, bringing their substantial practical experience and leadership in student accommodation to the 2023 GHTI UK.
All are members of professional associations in the field of student housing: Acuho-i, CUBO and APSAA.
The National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) first took place in the United States in 1991 and provided the foundation and inspiration for the development of the GHTI by Acuho-i.
APSAA has hosted two GHTIs in Australia, while CUBO hosted the first GHTI in the UK in 2019 in Edinburgh.
Through their professional backgrounds and expertise, and their experience of previous NHTIs and GHTIs, the international faculty ensure that the programme is relevant, topical and inspiring.
Dr. T. J. Logan is the Associate Vice President for the Residential Experience at The Ohio State University; where he oversees a portfolio including University Dining, University Housing, Off Campus and Commuter Student Engagement, and Division-wide Facilities Operations, Planning & Design, and Risk & Emergency Management. Previously, T. J. served as the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at Temple University; where he supervised Housing and Residential Life, Student Center Operations, and Division-wide assessment, finance, and strategic planning efforts. He has also served as the Director of Housing Operations at the University of Florida; where he supervised occupancy management as well as marketing/brand management, customer service operations, safety/security, conference services, the university-wide office for youth protection, and corporate sponsorship programs. T. J. has presented internationally on the topics of social media in higher education, innovation in housing operations, enrollment management trends, occupancy management, and business operations. He has keynoted the College and University Business Officers (CUBO) annual conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the Australasian Association of College and University Housing Officers (AACUHO) annual conference in Melbourne, Australia. He has also served on the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) Executive Board, as a faculty member for the ACUHO-I Chief Housing Officer Institute, and has been published in a variety of trade magazines, books, and journals. In addition to formal speaking engagements, T. J. has consulted with dozens of campuses across the country; helping them to identify and realize operational efficiencies and opportunities for meaningful organizational change.
Dr. Shondrika Merritt graduated from Shawnee State University in 2003 with a Bachelor in Business Administration, M.I.S. While at S.S.U., she was an active student leader and prominent fixture in the community among the students of color, holding positions such as Resident Assistant, President of A.H.A.N.A. (a multicultural student organization), student work and tutor for Student Success Center and an Admissions Ambassador. Shondrika brings with her 18 years of progressive student affairs experience. She started her career at the University of Dayton, holding a graduate hall director position while working on her master’s in College Student Personnel. She continued her career in Philadelphia, PA to work at Saint Joseph’s University as an Area Coordinator for seven years in the Office of Residential Life. While at SJU, Shondrika discovered that she enjoyed the specific aspect of supporting students through transition and behavioral challenges and began to focus her attention on building those competencies. After leaving St. Joe’s, Shondrika worked at Temple University holding multiple positions within University Housing and Residential Life such as Assistant Director of Student Behavior, Associate Director of Residential Education and Interim Director of Residential Life. Shondrika joined the New School community in August 2019, initially serving as the Senior Director of Student Advocacy. She was appointed Associate Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students in October 2022 after serving as the Interim Associate Provost for Student Success for six months. In her current role, Shondrika oversees Student Affairs, leading the following departments: Housing and Residential Education, Student Equity, Access and Title IX, Student Leadership, Involvement and Transition Programs, Student Support and Advocacy, and Student Conduct and Community Standards. As the Dean of Students, Shondrika strives to meet students' needs holistically by strengthening relationships between students, faculty, staff, and community members to create a sense of belonging in the community. Ensuring students' success, growth, and wellness is the ultimate goal. Shondrika received her bachelor's in Business Administration from Shawnee State University, her MS in College Student Personnel from the University of Dayton, and her Doctorate of Education from Temple University. Her research explores how race, history, and culture have influenced the attitudes and perceptions of African-American women regarding sexual violence. Through her research, Shondrika has given voice to African-American women and their experiences.
With over 15 years of experience in senior leadership roles in both the hospitality and higher education sectors, Marion has been fortunate to lead highly motivated and dynamic teams to achieve success through operational excellence and oustanding service delivery. Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Deakin Residential Services, Marion is responsible for the effective management and delivery of an integrated on and off campus accommodation service for students at Deakin University’s four physical campuses in Australia. Managing over $247m worth of physical assets Marion’s achievements are born out of curiosity and a desire for continuous improvement with her passion for people culminating in community building, enhancing the student experience and supporting the success of her team. Marion is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and is the current President of the Asia Pacific Student Accommodation Assocation with a membership base that represents over 120,000 beds of student accommodationi in Australia, New Zealand and the wider Asia Pacific region. Most recently, Marion was guest faculty for the GHTI hosted in Melbourne, Australia in March 2023.
Ian is the Deputy Director of Accommodation and Commercial Services at the University of Sheffield having previously been Head of Accommodation Services for twelve years. Previous roles were with LSE, Royal Holloway and City University. He has experience of both residential and hospitality operations along with management of sportsground, nursery and IT and internal audit functions. Over the past decade he has been particularly interested in the development of Residence Life in the UK, leading him to study tours and conferences across North America, Australia and Europe and a commitment to supporting this growth at Sheffield and at other institutions through CUBO and professional contacts. He was a faculty member of the Asia Pacific GHTI in 2023 and the UK GHTI in 2019.
Bill Mattera currently serves as Executive Director of Housing and Residential Life at Texas State University. In this role, he oversees the student experience of 7,000 residents within residence halls and apartments, including all aspects of a comprehensive housing program. Before his time at Texas State, Bill served at various institutions in roles related to Residential Experience and Education, including live in roles and serving as the Director of Residential Education. Throughout his career he has been an active member and committee leader in the housing profession’s national organization (ACUHO-I). Outside of housing, Bill spent 17 years advising Dance Marathon programs across the country. As a result of his 17 years working in Residential Life, Bill believes deeply in the importance and the impact that the residential experience has on a student’s college journey. Working with all facets of the department to create inclusive and supportive housing environments has long been a strong passion for him. Bill earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University in History, a master’s degree from Florida State University in Higher Education Administration, and his doctorate from Louisiana State University in Leadership and Human Resource Development.
Lanché van Tonder is an established figure in South Africa's educational landscape, currently serving as the Head of Residence Management and Student Life at the University of Pretoria. In this pivotal role, Lanché oversees the day-to-day management of 8 000 residence students spread across 29 residence halls, a crucial responsibility among the University's 60 000 students. His commitment extends beyond administration, as he also spearheads the implementation of a vibrant student life, fostering a holistic and enriching university experience. In addition to his impactful work at the University of Pretoria, Lanché van Tonder serves as the Executive for Facilities and Operations on the Board for ACUHO-I Southern Africa. His contributions extend internationally, as he serves as the Globalisation Director at ACUHO-I, showcasing his dedication to global student housing initiatives. Moreover, as the co-director of the South African Student Housing Training Institute, he plays a pivotal role in enhancing housing solutions for students and staff working in Student Housing in Africa. Lanché's journey into leadership is underpinned by a legal background, reflecting his commitment to justice and upliftment of communities with limited means and infrastructure. His passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of students and communities underscores his remarkable, yet young, career, cementing him as an inspirational figure in the world of education and residence management.
