Residence Hall Staff

Hall Directors & Resident Advisors

Residence Hall Directors

RHDs have responsibility for a cluster of buildings on campus. Each RHD is a full time staff member with previous experience in Student Affairs. All RHDs live on campus and report to an Assistant Director. Residents are encouraged to make the effort to get to know their RHD, and to utilize his/her ability to be an advisor, a counselor or just a friend.

Aside from counseling residents, RHDs have responsibility for supervising a staff team of Resident Advisors and for all of the paperwork related to running a residence hall. This includes keeping track of room assignments and changes, check-in and check-out information, renewals and maintenance. RHDs are also responsible for enforcing policies and laws, just as RAs. They are trained to serve as information sources and can usually help students find answers to questions about academics, the administration, etc.

Residence Hall Director
(4-West & Jackson-Shaver Hall)

Kris Hutchins  was born and raised in up in Birmingham, Alabama. Upon graduating from high school, Kris went to St. Andrews University where he played basketball and was an all-conference track athlete while being very active around campus in roles such as BSU president and a member of SAAC. He graduated in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management with a minor in Business. While in the Air Force Reserves, he attended graduate school at Emmanuel University where he continued his track career. Kris graduated with a Masters in Exercise Science in 2024 and plans to start his second Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling then obtain his PhD in Exercise Psychology. Kris’s goal is to provide a safe and welcoming environment for residents and staff. In his free time, he enjoys reading, gaming, working out, running, playing and or watching sports and spending time with friends and family. Click here for more information about Baldwin House, Crawford House, Creager House, Mallon House, & Jackson-Shaver Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Bearkat Village Apartments)

Nigel Roy hails from Sugar Land, Texas. He worked four semesters as an RA at Sam Houston Village, then accepted the ARHD position at one of Sam Houston's newest residence life apartment building, Copper Village, and now serves as the Hall Director of BKV. Nigel is a recent spring 2024 graduate form SHSU with his B.S. in psychology and minor in philosophy. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with honors! Nigel plans to pursue a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling and is passionate about providing guidance and helping others. In his free time Nigel enjoys hiking in the many parks and forests around Huntsville, exploring the world of music, and watching college football (Go Bearkats!). Click here for more information about Bearkat Village Apartments.

Residence Hall Director
(Belvin-Buchanan & Elliott Hall)

Katherine Hubbert serves as a Hall Director at Belvin & Elliott Hall. Katherine is from Friendswood, Texas near Houston. She graduated from Sam Houston State University in December 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. During her time as an undergraduate, Katherine worked as a Resident Advisor at Jackson-Shaver Hall and Sam Houston Village. As an RHD, Katherine’s goal is to create an engaged and safe community that all residents enjoy. She also is committed to encouraging her RAs to create a creative and informative environment through well-made bulletin boards and door decorations throughout the hall. In her free time, Katherine enjoys watching movies and television shows, crafting, reading, and learning new things. She is the proud mother of a 100-pound tortoise which lives at her parent’s house. Click here for more information about Belvin-Buchanan Hall & Elliott Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Copper Village & Campus Edge Apartments)

Hunter Moore serves as the Hall Director at Copper Village and Campus Edge. He is from Bowie, Texas, and graduated from Midwestern State University in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Business Management. As an undergraduate, he was part of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), where he stayed involved for three years. Hunter was elected to the regional board of directors for the Southwest Association of College and University Residence Halls (SWACURH). Through these experiences, he discovered his passion for on-campus living and his commitment to ensuring residents have the best possible experience. In his free time, he enjoys various sitcoms but is also an avid gamer, with Apex Legends being one of his favorites. Click here for more information about  Campus Edge  & Copper Village Apartments.

Residence Hall Director
(Elliott Hall)

Click here for more information about Estill Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Lone Star Hall)

Jacob Terry was born and raised in Ontario, California and spent a few years living in Argentina. Prior to returning to school, Jacob worked for several years in both logistics and health care in a variety of workplaces and positions. He began to work in university residence life and education departments during his undergrad years at the University of California, Merced. He has worked alongside university students for several years as a Resident Assistant and Lead Resident Assistant and is excited to continue to do so as a Residence Hall Director at Sam Houston State. Jacob graduated Class of 2023 with Dean’s List and Chancellor’s Honors from the University of California, Merced with a Bachelor’s in Public Health, and looks to start Graduate Studies in a related field at Sam Houston State. So far, Jacob is loving Texas and exploring Huntsville and the surrounding areas. In his free time, Jacob enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, reading, playing video games and discovering new music. Click here for more information about Lone Star Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Piney Woods Hall)

Devan Elliott serves as the Residence Hall Director for Piney Woods Hall. She is from Glen Rose, the dinosaur capital of Texas. Devan graduated from Sam Houston State University in 2020 with a degree in Music Therapy. After practicing as a board-certified music therapist in Southwest Florida for several years, she returned to SHSU in pursuit of developing as a professional in higher education. She is passionate about supporting student leaders and creating an inclusive environment centered on learning and growth. Outside of the office, Devan loves knitting sweaters, exploring the outdoors and watching season 6 of Ru Paul's Drag Race. She also can be found spending time with her cats, Tulip and Morticia (lil Tish). Click here for more information about Piney Woods Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Raven Village & White Hall)

Keith Baker II serves as a Hall Director at Raven Village & White Hall. Austinite Keith Baker II has lived in Houston Texas for about 24 years. For 13+ years he was in the Scouts and attained the Rank of Eagle Scout in 2016. Keith graduated from Howard Payne University, Class of 2020, with a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences with a major in General Studies and a minor in Art. While attending HPU, he served as a Resident Assistant (RA) for three and a half years and as a committee member for his Campus’ Christian Associate Student Leadership (CASL). On May 6th, 2023, he became a member of the Alpha Beta Sigma Chapter of PHI BETA SIGMA Fraternity Inc. Keith is currently writing a young adult fiction novel featuring Sci-Fi and Fantasy elements with anime inspirations. He has future aspirations to turn his novel into a Manga-Comic and then into a successful Anime or video game. Keith’s interests include anime, character design, basketball, football, writing, literature, nature, sociology, science, and media/entertainment. Click here for more information about Raven Village & White Hall.

Residence Hall Director
(Sam Houston Village)

Genesis "Genny" Pena was born and raised in Spring, Texas near Houston. She graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas in Spring 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Genny started her residence life career as an undergraduate where she held Peer Advisor and Assistant Residential Camps & Conferences Coordinator positions. She also completed an LLC Diversity & Inclusion Program and was awarded staff member of the year for two consecutive years while at UTD. Genny is dedicated to providing a safe and inviting environment for her RA’s and residents and looks forward to continuing her graduate studies in Higher Education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family & friends, crafting, gaming, and spoiling her dog, Nova. Click here for more information about Sam Houston Village.

Residence Hall Director
(San Jacinto Hall)

Hailey Gannaway  rew up in Garland, Texas. Upon graduating from high school, Hailey enrolled in dual credit classes, which led to an Associate of Science degree from Eastfield Community College in 2021. She graduated from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, with a minor in Communications, in May 2024. During her undergraduate studies, Hailey served as a Resident Advisor (RA) at Bearkat Village from Fall 2022 to Spring 2024. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Victim Services Management at Sam Houston State University. Hailey is dedicated to providing a safe and welcoming environment for residents and staff. In her free time, she enjoys reading, photography, and spending time with friends and family. Click here for more information about San Jacinto Hall.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Bearkat Village Apartments)

Ashtin Gutierrez  is from Mabank, Texas. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Accounting. When Ashtin graduates in Fall 2026, she plans to earn her Master's in Accounting to obtain her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License. She was previously a Resident Advisor (RA) for three semesters at Piney Woods Hall before being promoted to Assistant Residence Hall Director (ARHD) for Bearkat Village. Ashtin enjoys traveling, spending time with her dog, bingeing new TV shows, and spending time with family and friends. In her time as an ARHD Ashtin hopes to create a safe and positive environment for her RAs and residents to thrive. Click here for more information about Bearkat Village Apartments.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Copper Village Apartments)

Shay Leigh Musachio is our Assistant Residence Hall Director (ARHD) for Copper Village Apartments here at Sam Houston State University! Shay was born and raised in The Woodlands, TX and has been a Bearkat since 2022. Shay was previously a Resident Advisor (RA) for three semesters at Piney Woods Hall, before being promoted in Spring 2024. Shay is pursuing a bachelors degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Clinical Science, as well as pursuing a minor in Psychology. After graduation, Shay plans on getting her masters degree in Sports and Human Performances and wishes to become a collegiate athletic trainer. She is passionate about fitness, sports, mentoring, being creative, and helping others in need! Shay often spends her free time running, lifting, binging TV shows, spending time with friends & family, and playing with her German Shepherd, Saka! Click here for more information about Copper Village Apartments.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Estill Hall)

Erin Bailey was born and raised in Katy, Texas. She is an undergraduate student Majoring in Kinesiology with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Science, and Minoring in Psychology. After graduating from Sam Houston State University, she plans on working in a rehabilitation facility for geriatric patients. Erin began working with Residence Life in the Spring of 2023 where she was a Resident Advisor at Piney Woods Hall for one year, before becoming the Assistant Residence Hall Director for the hall. In her free time, Erin loves to travel the world, checking places off her bucket list. She also enjoys spending time with her family and friends including her cat, Pumpkin! Erin supervises the Resident Advisor team at Piney Woods Hall. Click here for more information about Estill Hall.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Piney Woods Hall)

Dante Tamez was born in Monterrey, Mexico and raised in Houston, Texas. In 2022 he graduated from San Jacinto Community College with his Associate of Arts degree. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology in Fall 2024, and is currently pursuing his Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. Dante has worked in Residence Life since Spring 2023. He enjoys helping his community through service projects and volunteering. In his free time Dante enjoys walking around campus, river fishing, playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends, and video games. Click here for more information about Piney Woods Hall.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Raven Village & White Hall)

Madi Bryant is the Assistant Hall Director for Raven Village and White Hall. Click here for more information about Raven Village & White Hall.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(Sam Houston Village)

Heather Grimes Heather Grimes serves as an Assistant Resident Hall Director for Sam Houston Village. Heather is from Fort Worth, Texas. Heather is currently pursing her Bachelors in Criminal Justice and minor in Victim Studies here at Sam Houston State University and will graduate in Spring 2026. Following her undergraduate Heather plans to earn her masters in Victim Service Management. Her career goal is to be a Criminologist and advocate for victims. In her free time Heather loves to do arts and crafts, hang out with her two cats Guac and Pico, and do volunteer work at the prison. Heather is excited to continue to create a safe and positive living environment for residents. Click here for more information about Sam Houston Village.

Assistant Residence Hall Director
(San Jacinto Hall)

Lindsey Lanman was born and raised in Wylie, Texas. She is currently earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology with a minor in Psychology. After graduating from Sam Houston State University in the Spring of 2025, Lindsey plans to attend graduate school for Clinical Psychology and pursue a career in Forensic Psychology. Lindsey started working in Residence Life in the Spring of 2023 as a Resident Advisor at San Jacinto Hall before becoming the Assistant Residence Hall Director. Lindsey is involved in the tennis club, psychology honors program, and works in an experimental psychology lab on campus. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys reading, going on walks, and playing with her dog, Daisy. Click here for more information about San Jacinto Hall.