Meet The Staff

Meet Our Staff

The Residence Life team consists of full-time and graduate assistant staff, along with select undergraduate student leaders (Resident Assistants).  The staff work hard to help you make the most of your residence life experience. Through a variety of programs and services, the team works together to foster floor and residence hall communities at Rockford University.  This is done in collaboration with our residents. This partnership provides many opportunities for personal growth, intellectual and leadership development.

Full-Time Staff:  Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life

 Scott Mitchell
M.S.W., University of North Dakota
B.A., Wartburg College

Scott Mitchell is the Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Residence Life  and joined the Rockford University staff in September 2016.  Scott is originally from Nevada, Iowa and received a Bachelor of Arts in social work with a minor in psychology from Wartburg College (Waverly, IA).  He holds a Master of Social Work degree with an emphasis in health from the University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND).

Scott brings over 25 years of professional experience in residence life and college student affairs to Rockford University.  Upon completion of his Bachelor of Arts degree, he began his professional career in residence life serving as a hall director and residence life coordinator at multiple institutions:  North Dakota State University, University of North Dakota, and the University of Northern Iowa.  Scott went on to serve as an Assistant Director of Education and Development at Missouri State University and most recently as the Director of Campus Student Affairs at Ashford University (Clinton, IA).  These positions also allowed the opportunity to gain experience in academic advising, as well as an instructor of Liberal Arts courses focusing on resident assistants and student development.

Scott is a current member of the Association of College and University Housing Officers-International (ACUHO-I) and the Great Lakes Association of College and University Housing Officers (GLACUHO).   Previously memberships in:  American College Personnel Association (ACPA); Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA);  and the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA).

2025-2026
GA Hall Director
Dayton, Svenson & McPhail

Abigail Cincinnati
Hometown:  Rockford, IL
Degrees Held:
Rockford University, BS ’24
History

2025-2026 (Beginning 8/4)
GA Hall Director
Ekvall, Caster & Olson

Elizabeth Elison
Hometown:  Mundelein, IL
Degrees Held:
Rockford University, BS ’25
Organizational Leadership

LATHROP HALL

3rd Floor:  Sean
Hometown:  Colorado Springs, CO
Academic Year:  Senior
Major:  Cybersecurity
RU Involvement:  Esports
Favorite Animal:  Owl
Accolade:
September 2024 RA of the Month

2nd Floor:  Reese
Hometown:  Rochelle, IL
Academic Year:  Senior
Major: Physical Education
RU Involvement: RU Baseball
Favorite Animal:  Shark

BARNES HALL

3rd Floor:  Aisha
Hometown:  Almaty, Kazakhstan
Academic Year: Sophomore
Major: Computer Science- Cybersecurity
RU Involvement:  Multicultural Club
Favorite Animal:  Cat

2nd & 1st Floors:  Phuong (Christy)
Hometown:  My Tho, Vietnam
Academic Year:
Major:  Nursing

DAYTON HALL

2nd Floor:  Abigael (Abbi)
Hometown:  Poplar Grove, IL
Academic Year: Junior
Major:  Business Administration
Favorite Animal:  Whales
Accolade:
October 2024 RA of the Month

1st Floor:  Francesco (Frankie)
Hometown:  Munster, IN
Academic Year:   Junior
Major:   Supply Chain Management
RU Involvement:  Men’s Soccer
Favorite Animal:  Panda
Accolades:
2024-2025 RA of the Year
February 2025 RA of the Month

SVENSON HALL

2nd Floor:  Donna
Hometown:  Kenosha, WI
Academic Year:  Sophomore
Major:  Kinesiology
RU Involvement:  Women’s Soccer/
Cross Country/SAAC
Favorite Animal:  Cat

1st Floor:  Kaden
Hometown:  Rockford, IL
Academic Year:  Senior
Major:  Kinesiology
RU Involvement:  Football/SAAC
Favorite Animal:  Orca
Accolade:
November 2024 RA of the Month 

 MCPHAIL HALL

Athletic GA & Graduate Student Housing at Rockford University
Point of Contact:   Abigail (Abi) Cincinnati, GA Hall Director

CASTER HALL

2nd Floor: Savannah
Hometown:    Aurora, IL
Academic Year:  Junior
Major:  Chemistry
RU Involvement:  Women’s Volleyball
Favorite Animal:  Red Panda

1st Floor:  Joseph
Hometown:  Tyler, TX
Academic Year:  Sophomore
Major:  Accounting
RU Involvement: Men’s Basketball/FCA
Favorite Animal:  Penguin

OLSON HALL

2nd Floor:  Neelah
Hometown:    Cedarville, IL
Academic Year: Senior
Major:  Kinesiology
RU Involvement:  Softball/Bowling
Favorite Animal:  Elephant

1st Floor:  Nasir
Hometown:  Chicago, IL
Academic Year:  Junior
Major: Nursing
RU Involvement:  Football/MCM
Favorite Animal:  Dog

EKVALL HALL

1st & 2nd Floor:  Nichelle
Hometown:    Rockford, IL
Academic Year: Sophomore
Major:  Business Administration
RU Involvement:  Bowling
Favorite Animal:  Red Panda