Jeff Cooper
Director of Housing and Residence Life

Jeff Cooper, Director of Residence Life, joined Kennesaw State University in June 2008. Jeff earned a Master of Education in College Student Affairs from the University of South Florida in 2000 and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Florida State University in 1995.  With over ten years of experience in the field of student housing and residence life administration, Jeff has served in many roles within public and private institutions.  Prior to joining KSU, Jeff served as the Director of Residence Life at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida.  In 2008, Jeff joined KSU as the Associate Director of Residence Life and was selected as KSU’s second Director of Residence Life in November 2010.

As Director, Jeff has responsibility for all personnel, programmatic, and budgetary matters for residence life operations.  Jeff also serves as an adjunct professor in the University College where he teaches a first-year seminar course each fall.  He is actively involved in national, regional, and state-level associations related to student affairs and student housing such as NASPA, SEAHO, and ACUHO-I.

Natalie Reckard
Assistant Director for Residence Life

Natalie Reckard is from the metro Atlanta area. She graduated from Agnes Scott College in 2005 with a BA in English and Political Science and received her Master's degree from Clemson University in 2008. Natalie's works with freshmen and she is responsible for NRHH, FRYE and RD Training. She also enjoys teaching a section of KSU 1101 to the incoming freshmen students.

When she is not working, she likes spending time with her family and dogs Charley and Sadie. She loves shopping and getting out in Atlanta. In the future, she hopes to earn a Ph.D. in Higher education.

Justin Koonz
Assistant Director for Residence Life

Justin Koonz started working for KSU in June 2008. He got his B.A. in Psychology at Sacred Heart University where he was a Resident Assistant. He then got his M.B.A in Managerial Leadership from Piedmont College where he was a Resident Director. Justin has attended RELI (Regional Entry Level Institute) as well as NPI (New Professionals Institute) and many other state and regional conferences. He has served on the GHO (Georgia Housing Officers) executive board for 2 years now as Webmaster, and will serve another 3 year term as VP/President and Past president. Justin teaches KSU1101 each fall through the department of first year programs.  He loves bowling, golf and photography and is married to Tonya Koonz with their dog Freckles.

Sheryl Carter
Business Manager

Sheryl Carter joined the Residence Life Family in April 2007. Sheryl previously worked in the College of Nursing at Kennesaw State University. She hails from Kansas originally. Sheryl and her husband Dennis have 4 children and 8 grandchildren. Sheryl is active in the KSU Community and Alumni Choir.

Diana Kinnett
Office Manager

Diana Kinnett joined the Residence Life team as the Office Manager in June 2011. She relocated from Ontario, Canada to Atlanta in 2006. Diana enjoys seeing the impact her work has on the many students who live on campus. In her free time, Diana enjoys reading, baking, eating Japanese food, and relaxing with her husband Kevin and their dog Ruby.

Lindsay Thompson
Area Coordinator, University Village Suites and KSU Place

Lindsay Thompson joined the KSU team in July 2011.  She recently earned her Master’s degree from Salem State University in Higher Education in Student Affairs where she also served as the Residential Academic Specialist for the first-year areas. She graduated from Clemson University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. While completing her undergraduate degree, Lindsay was involved in residence life through her position as a Resident Assistant for 3 years. Lindsay hopes to use her passion and experience with academic initiatives to create such programs here at KSU. In addition to
supporting KSU, Lindsay enjoys anything outdoors including
hiking, sports, running, etc.

Cody Fry
Residence Director, KSU Place

Cody Fry is originally from Williamsport, PA, and will be graduating in May with a B.B.A. in Management. Prior to joining the Residence Life team in spring of 2013, cody was a Resident Assistant for 3 years.

Jessie Pniewski
Residence Director, University Village Suites - Building 3000

Jessie is originially from Union, New Jersey. She will be graduating in May with a B.A. in Fine Arts from KSU. Prior to joining the Residence Life family in 2013, she was a Resident Assistant for three years.

Krysta Cosper
Residence Director, University Village Suites - Building 4000

Krysta Cosper will be graduating from KSU with a B.S. in Psychology in Spring 2013. She plans to then work towards a Masters in Student Affairs Administration. Prior to the Residence Director position, she was a Resident Assistant for 3 years and served as a committee member for the Homecoming Committee and the Residence Life Scholarship Committee. In her spare time, she loves listening to music and attending concerts.

LaVel Heintz
Area Coordinator, University Village

LaVel joined KSU Residence Life in July 2012. He earned a Master of Science in College Student Personnel Services and Administration from the University of Central Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality and Restaurant Administration from Missouri State University. LaVel oversees the University Village area, RA Training, and RA in-services.

This St. Louis Native enjoys movies, traveling, reading biographies, and spending time with family and friends. He wants to see every student take full advantage of the Black and Gold Experience.

Joe Aponte
Residence Director, University Village - Buildings 2000 & 6000

This is Joe Aponte’s seconde year with Residence Life at Kennesaw State University. As a native New Yorker, Joe obtained his Bachelors of Music in Music Education with a concentration on Bassoon Studies at New York University.  Joe is the director of the University Village, buildings 1000 and 5000.  When he isn’t working, Joe enjoys listening to music, going to live shows, going on road trips, playing bassoon, and spending time with his family. 

Lauren Way
Residence Director, University Village - Buildings 1000 & 5000

This is Lauren’s first year as a Residence Director at Kennesaw State University. She graduated from Ithaca College in May 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in French and Francophone Studies. She lived and taught English in Bordeaux, France for a year following her graduation from Ithaca, and loves French culture and living and traveling in Europe. Lauren is originally from Gorham, New York, a small town in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York. She loves being outdoors, reading, traveling, cooking and baking.

Paul DeCock
Area Coordinator, University Place

Paul DeCock is from Minnesota, and joined KSU in July of 2012.  He graduated from St. Cloud State University with a BS in Marketing in 2001, and received his Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration from St. Cloud State University in 2012. 
Paul works with a variety of students and communities including the ERGO and MEL communities.  He is also responsible for Marketing and the RA Selection Process.

In addition to attending KSU events, Paul enjoys watching sports, traveling, playing cards, watching movies, and golfing all with his wife Dani. 

Jared Campanella
Residence Director, University Place II

Jared Campanella joined the Residence Life team in July 2012. He in originally from Los Angeles, California and has lived in Georgia for Six years. He received his B.A. in Human Services with a focus in Case Management from Kennesaw State University. While pursuing his undergraduate degree, Jared worked as a Resident Assistant for 3 years in University Village and University Village Suites. He has also be an Intern at two different collegiate recovery programs in the Kennesaw area. When Jared isn’t working, he enjoys cooking, bowling, drawing, sculpting, watching movies, running, and competing in mud/obstacle races.   

Steven Damron
Residence Director, University Place

Steven Damron joined the Residence Life team as a professional in July 2011. He is currently finishing his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics at Kennesaw State. Steven has experience in Residence Life as well as management and enjoys developing new relationships. In his free time, he enjoys playing Intramural sports and going to the gym. Steven will be supervising the University Place community.