We are pleased to announce that Maggie Maggie Malagόn, Chuck Rhodes and Ryan McRae will serve as this year's Resident Scholar team. Check out their bios below.

Ryan McRae

Ryan McRae is a Resident Director at California State University for 6 years and an instructor for the living and learning community there. He is an expert on Geek Culture on College campuses.
He won the Western Association of College and University Housing Officials (WACUHO) Best of the West award in 2010 for Geek Week: Hosting a Geek Week on your Campus as well as two "Top 5" awards in 2008 and 2011. He has presented at ACUHO-I and has been a Keynote Speaker at Southern RAP 2009 and Central RAP 2011. Along with Alex Bellasario, he will have an article published in ACUHO-I's Jan-Feb Talking Stick on Geek Programming. He also presented with WACUHO colleagues at Comic Con 2011. 

He loves writing, Crossfit, reading and coaching new professionals in the field.

What are you excited about being a scholar at the Western Training Institute? 

In short, everything! Attending WTI and being on the committee brought me a great deal of applicable knowledge and connection. Now that I'm going to be a scholar, I'm looking forward to sharing the wealth of information my colleagues have shared with me! I'm looking forward to playing games, taking walks on the grounds in the beautiful retreat center, and working with new professionals. 

It's my hope at the end of the conference, that we have made friends and dreamed a bit bigger about the potential of our campuses and have the tools to get those dreams into reality. 

Margarita “Maggie” Malagόn

Maggie Malagόn serves as the Director of Housing Business Services at Santa Clara University.  Although Maggie was born in Guajanuato, Mexico, she calls Northern California home.  Maggie received both her bachelor’s degree in Finance and master’s degree in Counseling (with and emphasis in Latino Counseling) from Santa Clara University.  During her time as an undergrad, Maggie was introduced to the exciting world of Housing and Residence Life as both a Student Assistant and Resident Assistant.  After a short stint in the financial industry following graduation, Maggie returned to Santa Clara University, serving as Housing Assignments Manager, Building Resident Manager and working her way to her current role.

In WACUHO, Maggie found colleagues who valued one of her main goals:  making connections.  Maggie served WACUHO as Co-Chair for the Diversity and Affirmative Action Committee, Chair for the Legislative Affairs & Research Committee, and truly treasured her time as the Association’s Secretary with the Executive Committee.

When not working, Maggie enjoys baking, scrapbooking, reading poetry (in particular Neruda and Rumi), learning languages (French and Italian), and spending time with family and friends.  Maggie treasures her weekends, shared with her two nieces and two nephews and strives to be the absolute best “tia” she can be.

Chuck Rhodes

Bringing over forty years experience in residential life and student affairs, Chuck Rhodes recently retired for Sonoma State University after 31 years. Serving in a variety of positions at Sonoma; the final six as Assistant Vice-President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management.  Under his stewardship the program grew from 408 to over 3100 beds, making it one of the most residential campuses within the CSU.

With a passion for social justice, Chuck is the founder of the ACUHO-I LGBT Network.  He has served as faculty for four previous WTIs, twice for the National Housing Training Institute (NHTI) and six times for STARS College. He served as the first Director of Inclusion and Equity on the ACUHO-I.  The association has recognized him with the James Hurd Award, Judy Spain Award, and this year the Parthenon Award. He enjoys international travel and spending times with his grandchildren.