Matthew Yesalonis
Fairfield University
6
years of professional experience
1
Certification
Student affairs professional with team management and operational oversight experience. Utilizes organizational skills and strategic planning to enhance team performance. Knowledge of effective communication and leadership techniques.
Work History
Area Coordinator
2 Years- Oversee one traditional first-year hall with 300 beds and 8 student staff members (Resident Assistants)
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel records, lead weekly staff meetings, and hold 1:1 meetings with Resident Assistants
- Curated programs for LLCs in collaboration with student staff and campus partners to enhance resident engagement
- Use customer service skills working with parents resolving issues or managing expectations in student support-related situations
- Experience using both The Housing Director and StarRez housing management software
- Managed $5,000 budget for hall operations and resident programming to ensure resource availability and event success
- Coordinated training programs for over 80 resident assistants during Summer and Winter sessions to develop staff skills and readiness
- Serve as student conduct hearing officer for first time and low-level conduct violations via Maxient
- Participated in emergency availability rotation, providing support for over 4,700 residential students during critical situations.
Community Director
1 Year 2 Months- Oversee two traditional dorm buildings including the main first year hall, 400 beds in total
- Supervise and evaluate a staff of 16 Resident Assistants
- Oversaw summer housing operations, including move-in, move-out, transition housing, and managing a staff of four RAs.
- Chaired the Professional Development Committee and planned Summer and Winter trainings.
- Delivered training presentations on duty response, managing up, and avoiding burnout for RAs and professionals.
Residence Hall Director
11 Months- Chair of the Resident Assistant Selection process including planning, marketing campaign, interviewing, group process, and hiring of candidates
- Hire, supervise, and evaluate the performance of 9 student Resident Assistants (RA)
- Chaired Resident Assistant selection process, overseeing planning, marketing campaign, interviewing, and hiring of candidates
- Managed operation and administration of two traditional dormitory-style residential hall buildings with approximately 200 residents, including pet-friendly and independent upperclassmen specialty housing
- Maintain up to date housing occupancy records and room changes for the building
- Handled building maintenance concerns through Q-ware work order system
Treasure of True Equality and Dignity Alliance
1 Year 1 Month- Collaborated with administration to create a safe and inclusive learning environment for LGBTQ+ members of the college community
- Advocated for funding from administration and Student Government Association for the club’s funding appropriation and managed the money awarded
- Coordinated planning of annual campus pride event by managing club budget and approving all necessary purchases for successful execution
Secretary and Senator of Saint Anselm Student Government Association
1 Year 8 Months- Partnered with Class of 2022 members to elevate substantive issues to student senate, including safe alcohol culture initiatives, funding for club programs, and recycling efforts.
- Collaborated with campus administration to pass bills designed to protect and advance the interests of the student body. For example the Resident Assistant Bill was passed to find free ways for the college to provide additional compensation to RAs in order to encourage applications such as preferred academic registration and more flexibility to participate in additional leadership roles
- Collaborated with campus administration to pass bills that protect and advance student body interests, including the Resident Assistant Bill, which introduced non-monetary benefits to enhance RA recruitment and participation in leadership roles.
- Represented student interests on Core Council, a committee addressing climate needs and support for LGBTQ+ students., which is a College Committee to identify and address climate needs and support of LGBTQ+ students and their Allies through educational awareness
Resident Assistant
1 Year 9 Months- Facilitated residents’ adjustment to life at Saint Anselm College in first-year and sophomore housing, and mixed-year housing for sophomores, juniors, and seniors, fostering community and support (August 2022-May 2022)
- Facilitated events for College and Residence Life to foster student connection and participation., such as a talk from the International Relations department on the War in Ukraine and a Spring Break celebration
- Conducted mental health and wellness check-ins with residents throughout the academic year, promoting a supportive living environment
- Coordinated with faculty departments to organize a panel discussion about the history and theology of Halloween and similar celebrations. Awarded the Programmer of the Month Award for the program’s success
- Collaborated with the Residence Life department to address issues in a residence hall with high turnover, supporting staff by managing additional residents and administrative tasks while serving as a positive role model.
- Created an interfaith dialogue program to foster communication among diverse student groups.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - History and Secondary Education
Skills
Team management
Operational efficiency
Crisis intervention
Crisis management
Record management
Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- Attended NASPA Region 1 in Hyannis, MA 2025
- Attended Boston College’s Catholic Colleges Drive In 2025
- Volunteer Coordinator and Special Events Committee Member for NEACUHO 2024
- Safe Zone Certified 2025
- One Love Certified Escalation Training Educator 2022
HONORS
Recipient of the Residential Life and Education Department Award for Excellence 2021 - 2022
Timeline
Area Coordinator
Fairfield University
09.2024 - CurrentRead More
Community Director
Springfield College
07.2023 - 09.2024Read More
Residence Hall Director
State University of New York College at Potsdam
08.2022 - 07.2023Read More
Treasure of True Equality and Dignity Alliance
Saint Anselm College
04.2021 - 05.2022Read More
Secretary and Senator of Saint Anselm Student Government Association
Saint Anselm College
09.2020 - 05.2022Read More
Resident Assistant
Saint Anselm College
08.2020 - 05.2022Read More
Saint Anselm College
Bachelor of Arts from History and Secondary Education
Read More