Willamette University

Residence Life

Meet the Staff

Our current staff is listed below.

Michael Seals

Michael Seals

Michael has a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arkansas, a masters in student affairs leadership from Grand Valley State University, and a bachelors in applied behavioral sciences from Southeastern Louisiana University. A New Orleans native, Michael spends his free time running, traveling, watching college football, and spending time with his family.

Tori Ruiz

Tori Ruiz

A human development specialist, Tori Ruiz is the Office Coordinator for Res Life. She is the proud mother of five children and takes many more under her wings each year. Tori enjoys going to her children’s games and anything that involves sports and arts and crafts.

Jess Varga

Jess Varga

Jess received a masters in leadership and management from York St. John University in the United Kingdom and a bachelors in criminal justice administration and sociology from Sonoma State University. She is from the Los Angeles area and has been living on and off in Sonoma County for the past eight years. She is excited about the opportunity to explore Salem and Oregon. When not working, you can usually find her watching movies, hanging out with friends, reading, crafting, and taking photographs.

Joanna Means

Joanna Means

Joanna has a masters in higher education leadership from Oregon State University and a bachelors in sociology from Whitman University. She is a native Oregonian and loves the outdoors, reading science fiction and fantasy novels, and knitting.

Chris Toutain

Chris Toutain

After growing up in southern Minnesota, Chris made his first venture to Willamette as an undergraduate student, majoring in rhetoric and media studies. Upon graduating in 2008, he moved to Pennsylvania and completed an M.A. in communication arts & sciences at Penn State. Most recently, he has made the journey back to Willamette after finishing a student affairs administration M.Ed. program at Western Washington University. In his free time, Chris loves to ski at Mount Hood, and can also frequently be found exploring Portland's many coffee shops.

Heather Coakley

Heather Coakley

Heather possesses a masters in higher education administration from Washington State University and a bachelors in speech communication and organizational leadership from North Central College.

Emily Morris

Emily Morris

Emily has a masters degree in higher education administration from Vanderbilt University. In her free time she enjoys music, running, and travel. A native Oregonian, Emily is excited to be at Willamette and back in the Pacific Northwest.

Brandi Miller

Brandi Miller

Brandi is a Senior American Ethnic Studies major. On campus she is involved in Track and Field, Pi Beta Phi, Dance Team, Dance Company, etc. In her free time she enjoys going back to her Oregon roots spending time outside power kiting, rafting, disc golfing, and doing parkour. She is most interested in seeking out the intersections between Jesus and racial/social justice as well producing fine art (music and drawing particularly) to express that passion.

Jessica Dowdy

Jessica is currently a senior at Willamette. She is studying history with a minor in politics. She plans to attend law school upon graduation and she calls Eugene, Oregon home.

Lauren Greenwell

Lauren Greenwell

Lauren is a senior art history major with an American ethnic studies minor (and maybe a studio art minor too - we'll see). She is originally from Denver and enjoys spending time running, drinking tea, reading, and messing around with photography. She is interested in the intersections of community development and art and loves being outside on the occasional sunny day here in Salem.