Residential Life Staff

Meet Our Team

The Residential Life team is comprised of professional staff members who live on campus and care deeply about serving our JU students with excellence! Once living on campus, it is best for students to contact their specific building coordinators.

 

Lauren Brucker

Lauren Brucker M.B.A.

Director of Residential Operations

Office: Village Apartments, Bldg 1-Cascone Hall 

Lauren is native to Louisville, Kentucky but after living across the country for most of her life, she has called Jacksonville home since 2000.  Lauren is a Double Dolphin, receiving a Bachelor鈥檚 then Master鈥檚 in Business Administration from JU. She has worked in Operations for the Office of Residential Life at JU for over ten years and truly enjoys assisting student in their transition to college. In her free time, she enjoys the beach, attending Jacksonville Jaguar games and going to Disney World.

 

Dr. Tim Leyson

Dr. Tim Leyson

Director of Residential Life

Office: Oak Hall

 
 

Dr. Tim Leyson (He/They) serves as the Director of Residential Life at 91香蕉视频.  Dr. Leyson has over 15-years of professional experience in residential life, housing operations, living-learning assessment, student engagement initiatives and retention based practices.  Dr. Leyson is passionate about building strong and inclusive communities where students are able to explore all aspects of their identity.  Dr. Leyson professional research centers on leveraging living-learning communities to inspire engagement and institutional affinity.  Dr. Leyson is excited to engage, connect and develop with all JU students this coming year.  Dr. Leyson holds a Doctorate of Education in Leadership and Innovation from Arizona State University, Masters of Education in College Counseling from N.C. State University and Bachelor of Science in Human Biology from Greensboro College. 

 

  

Asha Simpson

Asha Simpson, MSKS

Assistant Director of Residential Life

Office: Williams Hall 

Asha is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina and graduated    from 91香蕉视频 with both her Bachelor's and     Master's in Kinesiology. She joined the Residential Life Team   as  a Graduate Assistant in Fall 2021 and transitioned into a   Coordinator role in 2022. Asha is a member of Alpha Kappa   Alpha Sorority, Inc. and was involved in Student Government   and the National Pan-Hellenic Council during her   undergraduate  time at JU. In her downtime, Asha enjoys   spending time with family and friends, shopping, and getting   her nails done!

 

 

 

Jynna EmbichJynna Embich M.Ed.

Operations Coordinator

Office: Village Apartments, BLDG 1-Cascone Hall

Jynna completed her Bachelor鈥檚 in Construction Engineering and Master鈥檚 in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of West Florida. In undergrad she was involved in ResLife through Community Council, RHA, NRHH, and being a RA for several years. Jynna lives on campus with her wife, kids, and kitties and loves calling JU 鈥淗ome鈥! She enjoys playing video games, especially Minecraft, The Witcher, & Halo.

 

 

 

Hall Coordinators

Alexandria Branstetter

Alexandria Branstetter

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC)- North Hall

Office: North Hall

Alexandria is an East Tennessee native! She is a recent graduate from Carson-Newman University and has a B.S. in Business Administration, Marketing, and Management. Alexandria has been involved in Student Affairs for over 4 years, with most of her experience in Housing and Student Activities. In her free time, Alexandria likes to hike, hammock, thrift, and explore unique, locally owned establishments! 

 

James Demps

James Demps

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC)- Botts Hall

Office: Botts hall

James is a JU Alumni ('22) with a degree in Theatre Arts and minors in Business Administration and Music. James is transitioning from the Office of Admissions where he served as the Fine Arts Recruiter, and he is excited to begin assisting students in a new capacity as a member of the Department of Student Life! As a fun fact, James is a lover of all things music and is even a part-time pianist in his spare time. James looks forward to building community and making Botts Hall the best it can be!

 

Cecilia Despres

 

Cecilia Despres, M.B.A.   

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC) - Village Apartments

Office: Village Apartments, Bldg 1- Cascone Hall

Cecilia is a Jacksonville native, earning her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from 91香蕉视频. During her undergrad, Cecilia was a Resident Advisor, Student Ambassador, an active participant in two on-campus vocal ensembles, and the vice president of Finprov, JU鈥檚 student-led improv club. In her free time, Cecilia loves drinking hot tea, going to local music events, spending time with friends and family, and taking classes at the gym! 

 


 

Khajeim DavidsonKhajeim Davidson 

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC)- Williams Hall

Office: Williams Hall

Khajeim was born and raised in the southern heat of South Carolina. He graduated from JU with a Bachelor鈥檚 of Fine Arts degree in photography and graphic design. In his undergrad, Khajeim was a part of various student leader organizations such as Dolphin Productions, Camera Clickers, and Reslife. He enjoys everything that deals with the arts, fantasy, and spiritualism. 

 

Kenia Alcy

Kenia Alcy

Residential Life Coordinator (RLC)- Oak Hall

Office: Oak Hall

Kenia is a proud Alumna of Florida State Univeristy with degree in Public Administration and has her Master's in Instructional Systems and Learning Technologies. Kenia brings experience in graduate programming, career services, and student advising to our campus community. To recharge, Kenia enjoys traveling, exploring new cuisines, reading and staying active at the gym. She looks forward to engaging with students, faculty, and staff at JU, and is eager to provide support and foster a positive community.

NORTH HALL

Desk:
9am 鈥 5pm

(904) 256-7788
Afterhours Emergency RA 24/7: 
(904) 305-0030     

VILLAGE APARTMENTS

Desk:
9am 鈥 5pm

(904) 256-7538
Afterhours Emergency RA 24/7:
(904) 302-1903

WILLIAMS HALL

DESK:
9AM 鈥 5PM
(904) 256-8989
AFTERHOURS EMERGENCY RA 24/7:
(904) 477-5150

BOTTS HALL

DESK:
9AM 鈥 5PM
(904) 256-7691
AFTERHOURS EMERGENCY RA 24/7:
(904) 832-0100

Oak Hall

DESK:
9AM 鈥 5PM
(904) 256-7545

AFTERHOURS EMERGENCY RA 24/7:
(904) 305-1220

 

** RA 24/7 numbers are intended to be for Students only. Parents are encouraged to contact Campus Security with after hours concerns.

General Questions?

Call 904.256.7538 or Email Housing@ju.edu 


 

Division of Student Affairs Administration

Davis Student Commons 鈥 3rd Floor

Direct:  (904) 256-7067