President: Zachary “Zach” Short (Wake Forest University)
Zachary Short is a Community Director at Wake Forest University. Zachary is excited to serve NCHO as the President to help build stronger bonds across the state, work toward continuing to sustain the organization and propel it into the next 50 years. When he is not at work, you can most likely find Zachary taking his dog, Koda, on walks or out on the golf course. He also enjoys hiking, camping and hanging out with friends. Contact me at president@ncho.org.
President- Elect: Amber Wing (UNC Chapel Hill)
Amber Wing currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Staff Development and Multicultural Competency at UNC Chapel Hill. She is excited about the opportunity to take on a larger role within the NCHO organization. Amber is passionate about fostering connections among colleagues and exploring ways to advance the field. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, diving into a good book, coffee dates with friends, and is always up for a Sunday brunch. Contact me at president-elect@ncho.org
Past President: Erin Schneller (Wake Forest University)
Erin Schneller currently serves as the Operations Manager at Wake Forest University. She is excited to continue to serve NCHO as we embark on the next 50 years of the organization in addition to increasing opportunities on the state level for students and professionals. Outside of work, you can find Erin chasing her son around campus and continuing to explore the Triad. She also loves to travel with her husband, son, and two chihuahuas. Contact me at past-president@ncho.org.
Business Manager: Crystal Harvey (High Point University)
Crystal Harvey currently serves as the Director of Residence Life at High Point University. Prior to working in Housing and Residence Life full-time, she worked for four years as a Project Lead at an international accounting firm, PwC. The role of Business Manager feeds her love for numbers and budgeting. It is her honor to use her skills set to help keep NCHO in good financial health. Outside of work, you can find Crystal at Target or TJ Maxx as she is an avid shopper and loves a good sale. Contact me at business@ncho.org.
Communications Coordinator: Nadaja Patterson (UNC, Charlotte)
Nadaja Patterson is a Residence Education Coordinator at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Nadaja is a proud alumna of both Winston-Salem State University, Bachelors of Arts in Political Science, and Western Carolina University, Masters of Education in Higher Education Student Affairs. Professionally, Nadaja strives to empower the leader in every student she comes across. Being a 5th Generation North Carolinian with roots that spread all over the state, Nadaja is excited to combine her passions for education and storytelling to serve the housing professionals of North Carolina. As a highly communicative person who loves media and the arts, Nadaja is thrilled to serve as the Communications Coordinator for NCHO. In her free time, Nadaja loves spending time with family and friends, watching reality tv shows, classic Disney movies, or anything produced by Shonda Rhimes. You can also regularly catch Nadaja serving the Greater Charlotte community and beyond with her sisters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated. Contact me at communications@ncho.org.
Technology Coordinator: Travis Smith (Fayetteville State University)
Travis Smith is the Associate Director of Residence Life at Fayetteville State University. He is excited to have the opportunity to assist NCHO’s growth and continued service to the state. He graduated from the University of West Georgia with a bachelor’s degree in history and a master’s in professional counseling, college student affairs. He moved to North Carolina In March of 2022 and has worked previously in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. When he is not working he enjoys spending time with his wife Katie and sons Caleb and Wyatt.
Contact me at technology@ncho.org.
Assessment Coordinator: Gia Born (UNC Greensboro)
Gia Born currently serves as the Program Manager for South Spencer Residential College at UNC Greensboro. Gia, graduated from UNC Greensboro with Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Health Education and Women’s and Gender Studies, additionally earning a Master’s in Social Justice Education from Eastern Michigan University. She is excited to use assessment as a form of storytelling to highlight the amazing work being done in NC Housing & Residence Life, as well as to advocate for the needs of the profession. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my dog Daisy, and going to the beach! Contact me at assessment@ncho.org
Professional Development Coordinator: Jordan Buie (Duke University)
Jordan Buie (she/her/hers) is the Coordinator for Apartment Communities at Duke University, now entering her third year in this role after serving as the Residence Coordinator for Edens Quad. Originally from Baltimore, Maryland, she holds a B.A. in Communication from the University of Maryland, College Park, and an M.S. in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University. Jordan is excited to continue finding ways to encourage housing officers in North Carolina to find ways to continue learning outside of the classroom!
In her free time, Jordan enjoys morning walks, staying active, traveling to visit family, and immersing herself in classic romantic comedies. Curious about her literary tastes? Don’t hesitate to ask her about her favorite book! Contact me at prodevo-chair@ncho.org.
Annual Conference Chair: Therésa “TK” McKire (UNC Greensboro)
Therésa “TK” McKire believes that every person was born with the ability to change someone’s life and works each day to never waste such an opportunity. She is a proud mom, wife, educator, believer, world traveler and overall fun-loving mover and shaker from the beautiful Sunshine State of Florida. She graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida Gulf Coast University and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from Florida International University and now works as an Assistant Director at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She works tirelessly to support others to be the change in the world and engulf themselves in their passions. In her free time, she enjoys spending time watching movies with her husband Jamison, raising her two amazing boys Jaxon and Jayson, laughing with friends and her sorority sisters of Zeta Phi Beta sorority, Inc., shopping, traveling, and enjoying the best life has to offer. Contact me at conference-chair@ncho.org
Annual Conference Chair Select: Zach Johnson (UNC Chapel Hill)
Zach Johnson currently serves as a Community Director at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and serves as the Annual Conference Chair-Select for the North Carolina Housing Officers (NCHO). He is enthusiastic about engaging with housing professionals as NCHO strives to foster collaboration and provide ongoing support.
Zach holds a BA in Music Education from Southern Wesleyan University and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education from the University of North Carolina Wilmington. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, attending UNC athletic events (Go Heels!), and spending time with his cat, Milo. He also enjoys listening to music, cooking, and playing various board, card, and video games. Contact me at conference-select@ncho.org.
SEAHO Representative: Gia Lee (Wake Forest University)
Gia Lee currently serves as Assistant Director of Residential Conduct at Wake Forest University. She is excited to continue her work advocating for the state of North Carolina in the SEAHO boardroom. She is also most excited to share the best conference memories with all of you. Gia enjoys going out and exploring with her husband and their dog Winnie. Contact me at ncstaterep@seaho.org.
Senior Housing Officer (SHO) Representative: J. Kala Bullett, JD
J. Kala Bullett serves as the Senior Director for Residential Education at UNC Chapel Hill and is a dedicated believer in the importance of housing and residence life in higher education. She has over 20 years of experience leading professional teams and is continually encouraged by the opportunities to be challenged by her colleagues, team, employees, as well as those who started this work before her. Kala has benefited from invested supervisors, mentors and direct reports who have helped her think outside of the perspectives she brings from her own experiences and is thrilled to serve as the SHO representative to continue providing spaces for senior level housing officers to contribute to the professional development of emerging leaders in our field. Contact me at SHOrep@ncho.org
New Professional and Graduate Student Representative: Kiara Chapman (Fayetteville State University)
Kiara Chapman is a Housing Conference Coordinator Specializing in Budget and Finances for the Department of Housing and Residence Life at Fayetteville State University. As a proud Alumna of Fayetteville State University and current graduate student in the Department of Business Administration, it gives her immense pleasure to assist young professionals such as herself, with development in all areas as they matriculate through their chosen career paths as others have guided her to become successful. Kiara enjoys being a sports mom as she cheers on her three sons to victory in basketball and football. Her motivation comes from being a picture of success for her sons as she shows them daily that they can have everything they want as long as they have a strong work ethic, show up as a team player, and uplift each other during the process. Contact me at npgsrep@ncho.org
Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Representative: Erica White (North Carolina Central University)
Erica White serves as the Associate Director for Residential Life at North Carolina Central University. Erica will be serving as the Historically Black College and University Representative for NCHO. She is excited about the executive position as she enjoys collaborating with others in the field and wants to pursue a plan to advance the resources and needs of HBCUs through NCHO. Erica believes that life is for living and that it should be enjoyed all the time. While Outside of work, Erica enjoys women’s basketball, baking and baking competitions, spending time with family, and anything that involves a holiday! Contact me at hbcu@ncho.org.
Small College & University (SCU) Representative: Amanda Morales (Meredith College)
Amanda Morales is the Director of Residence Life at Meredith College and will be serving as the Small College and University Representative for the executive committee of the North Carolina Housing Officers (NCHO) organization. Amanda is thrilled to support engagement within NCHO, SEAHO, and ACUHO-I, collaborating with the executive team to advance NCHO’s strategic plan. She is dedicated to finding ways to assist, recognize, and highlight the work of housing professionals at small colleges and universities across North Carolina. Outside of work, Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, exploring the outdoors, and trying new things. Contact me at small-college-university@ncho.org.