Student Affairs Executive Leadership Team

Dr. Renique Kersh became UMBC’s Vice President for Student Affairs on August 15, 2023.

A strategic leader with a strong commitment to student success and well-being, Dr. Kersh is committed to putting students at the center of important institutional decisions and ensuring that they feel seen and heard. Her experience in both academic and student affairs provides her with a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing students and higher education institutions.

She believes in fostering an inclusive environment where students and staff feel supported, and where transformative experiences pave the way to new discoveries and new opportunities. Her commitment has resulted in retention gains, reductions in equity gaps and barriers to student success, increased engagement and better alignment of services to increase efficiency and the level of service delivery. In her current role, Dr. Kersh is leading the transformation of the Division of Student Affairs with an eye toward ensuring that the organizational structure and resources meet the needs of today’s college students. She is motivated by the belief that as educators and leaders, it is our responsibility to evolve our model to meet students where they are and to create an environment where every student has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.

Dr. Kersh received a Fulbright International Education Administrators Award in 2023 and recently, she was selected as one of the top 50 women leaders in Baltimore by Women We Admire. In 2022 she was named a Senior Impact Fellow by the Aspen Institute where she co-authored a report focused on the advancement of youth leadership development opportunities. A scholar-practitioner, Dr. Kersh has authored numerous articles, been featured in several podcasts and book chapters, and engaged in numerous presentations on the topics of women’s leadership, vulnerability, student engagement, and imposter syndrome.

She began her career in Residential Life at UMBC and has held mid-level and senior-level leadership positions at North Central College, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Simmons University.

Dr. Kersh earned her B.A. in Communications from Oakland University, her M.Ed. in College Student Personnel from the University of Maryland, and her Ph.D. in Community Health from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She is a wife and a mother of two boys and in her spare time she enjoys reading and learning about leadership, working out on Peloton, and spending time with her family and friends.

Fritzie Charné-Merriwether became Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Chief of Staff in July 2024. She provides leadership across the division and oversees staff culture and professional well-being, Student Affairs Communications and Marketing, and planning and assessment. In her role as Chief of Staff, she serves as a strategic advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Executive Leadership Team, providing guidance on divisional priorities, resource management, and organizational alignment. She also leads divisional operations, supports cross-functional initiatives, and manages internal processes to enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Her UMBC service has been characterized by redefining excellence in higher education, exceptional leadership, selfless service, and an unwavering commitment to the campus community.

Through her leadership and collaboration with divisional and campus partners, Charné-Merriwether developed and coordinated programs to help students experiencing academic and well-being issues as well as financial and food insecurity, and built a thriving program for UMBC families. She received the 2023-24 Presidential Distinguished Staff Award for her work in establishing Retriever Essentials, which has evolved into a cross campus collaboration to support students experiencing food insecurity, and the Stay Black and Gold Fund, an SGA initiative which provides short-term financial assistance for UMBC students who find it difficult or impossible to continue their education due to an emergency situation or unforeseen circumstances.

Charné-Merriwether leads UMBC’s family engagement strategy and is the creator of the university’s Family Advisory Board—an essential network that fosters meaningful connections between families and the campus community. Under her leadership, UMBC launched its Family Connection Portal and expanded family programming and events, contributing to increased engagement and philanthropic support from UMBC families. The portal is powered by CampusESP, a national platform that helps colleges and universities inform, engage, and involve families in support of student success. Her innovative use of CampusESP’s AI content tools helped earn UMBC national recognition as the “ESP MVP” for Q4 2024. Since the portal’s launch in 2021, it has become a model for peer institutions, and Charné-Merriwether has been invited to speak at CampusESP’s national family engagement conference and served on the platform’s inaugural Customer Advisory Board.

Prior to joining UMBC, Charné-Merriwether spent over seven years in leadership roles across student affairs and federal service. She notably served as the Contractor Installation Manager for the Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where she led operations for the ACAP Resource Center. In this role, she oversaw the delivery of critical support services including social work, career advising, and transition planning for Warriors in Transition, disabled veterans and retirees, and military families. This experience deepened her expertise in strategic operations, systems coordination, and trauma-informed service delivery—skills that directly inform her approach as Chief of Staff, where she provides cross-functional leadership and ensures the division operates with care, responsiveness, and strategic alignment.

She has a B.A. in Psychology from Roger Williams University and a M.Ed. in Student Affairs Higher Education from the University of Vermont, and recently earned a Chief of Staff certification from the NOVA Chief of Staff Education Program.

Jen Dress became the Acting Assistant Vice President for Engagement and Belonging in July of 2024. She has spent over two decades as a proud member of Retriever Nation. During her tenure, Dress has played a pivotal role in fostering an inclusive and supportive campus environment for all students. Her work centers a deep commitment to student success and creating space where every student feels seen, valued, and heard.

In her current role, Dress oversees a range of initiatives aimed at promoting student involvement, engagement, and belonging within a richly diverse campus community. She and her team work closely with student organizations and leaders, campus programs, and identity and inclusion spaces to create pathways that enhance students’ sense of belonging and community involvement.

Dress is known for her collaborative spirit, solution centered approach, and her office rubber duck collection. This new path and role gives her a chance to do what she does best, make magic happen! Her strengths are in seeing the possibilities, creating good teams, and always centering the student experience.

She has had touch points and influence on many of UMBC’s time honored traditions and programs—particularly Welcome Week, Homecoming, and Quadmania. Her UMBC claims to fame include meeting and working with all the Quadmania, Homecoming, and Fall/Spring Student Events Board concert artists over the years, from Snoop Dogg to Kesha. Find her on campus for some great stories!

Dress has been recognized and awarded at both the UMBC and national level for her work and contributions to the field. She has worn a variety of hats in the Student Affairs arena at UMBC and is excited to wear this one today. By far her favorite job is being a mom to her daughter, Sophie, and Finn, a Labrador sometimes mistaken for the UMBC mascot.

Dr. Rae Chresfield became the Assistant Vice President for Health and Wellbeing in September 2024. In this inaugural role, she oversees Retriever Integrated Health, the Office of Health Promotion, and Staff Culture and Wellbeing.

She previously worked at The Lawrenceville School, a private boarding high school, where she was dean of campus wellbeing and a member of the school’s senior leadership. She has held leadership, counseling, and faculty positions at University of Delaware, Whitman College, Harvey Mudd College, Concordia University, Multnomah University, University of Buffalo, and LaGuardia Community College.

Dr. Chresfield believes in fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity while promoting academic excellence both in the classroom and as an engaged administrator. A holistic and creative thinker, she is committed to a transformative educational experience for students by empowering them to be lifelong learners and maintain their wellbeing. She was dubbed “Dr. Rae” by students who had not known or had a classroom or therapy experience with a Black woman.

Throughout her career, Dr. Chresfield has set the vision and direction for high-profile community-wide initiatives. Her work has included infusing wellbeing into the curricula; creating academic partnerships and training; increasing staff diversity; serving on care teams; developing mental health and suicide awareness training; and building assessment evaluations for alcohol and other drugs.

Dr. Chresfield has presented at national conferences and co-authored the book chapter “Wellness: Overcoming Taboo,” in Supporting International Students in U.S. Higher Education: A Theory Based Approach (Palgrave McMillan) as well as The Intersection of Residential Life and Wellness (Polygon Publishing). She is a member of the Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors (AUCCCD), American College Health Association (ACHA), Association of Black Psychologists U.S. and U.K. (ABPSI), and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse, Prevention, and Recovery.

She is also a member of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), NaBITA, National Science Foundation (NSF), Associate of College and University Housing Officers (ACUHO-I), National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), the National Wellness Institute, and College Student Educators International (ACPA), and the Higher Education Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Misuse, Prevention and Recovery (HECAOD).

Dr. Chresfield received her B.S. in Behavioral Science from University of Maryland, University College (now University of Maryland Global Campus); a M.A. in Applied Psychology (Mental Health and Wellness) from New York University, and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the State University of New York – Buffalo.

Outside of work, she loves spending time with her sons, having cerebral conversations, watching movies, cooking, holiday traditions, and gaming. She also loves travelling, and her hobbies include learning piano, music, movies, reading, long drives, cooking from new recipes.

Dr. James DeVita became the Assistant Vice President for Academic Partnerships and High- Impact Experiences in September 2024. In this inaugural role, he oversees the Career Center, the Center for Democracy and Civic Life, and Student Affairs Success Initiatives.

Previously, Dr. DeVita was director of high impact pathways at the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), where he co-led initiatives such as the High-Impact Practices (HIPs) Council and the Community-Based Learning & Scholarship unit. He also served as a professor of higher education, leading graduate and certificate programs in educational leadership.

A scholar and higher education leader with extensive experience in academic affairs, student success initiatives, and applied learning, Dr. DeVita’s career reflects a commitment to fostering inclusive, experiential learning environments in higher education. His work has included supporting applied learning through partnerships in academics and student affairs; creating pathways for specific high-impact practices into the student experience; managing projects and programs that advanced innovation in applied learning pedagogy; supporting a teaching and learning community of applied learning scholars; and directing LGBTQ programs and support efforts.

His research focuses on student development, equity and inclusion, and the role of high-impact practices in fostering student engagement. His work has been featured in the Journal of Applied Learning in Higher Education, Perspectives on Undergraduate Research & Mentoring (PURM), and the Journal of Postsecondary Student Success. Dr. DeVita has secured significant grant funding, including the SECU Public Fellows Internship Program, and led study abroad experiences in Japan, Ireland, and Costa Rica.

Dr. DeVita has also co-presented at conferences such as the International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL), American Association of Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) Annual Meeting and the American Educational Studies Association (AESA) conference, where he has shared research on experiential learning, faculty development, and social justice in education.

He began dance training at the age of three, studying ballet, tap, jazz, and modern, and has performed with several companies, including New England Ballet Company, Ithaca Ballet, Hangar Theater Company, and the University of Tennessee Dance Company. During his undergraduate and graduate studies, he danced with the Colgate Dance Company and the University of Tennessee Dance Company, later serving as an adjunct instructor of jazz dance at the University of Tennessee. While living in Wilmington, NC, James taught technique classes at Southeast Dance Academy (SEDA) and was a professional member of Carolina Dance Masters. As a dedicated performer, James appeared regularly in local productions such as Forward Motion Dance, Dance-a-lorus, Arts Sensation, and Wilmington Dance Festival, while also contributing as a guest artist, choreographer, and former board member for Dance Elements Productions.

Dr. DeVita received his B.A. in History and Sociology-Anthropology from Colgate University, a M.S. in College Student Personnel from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration with a cognate in Cultural Studies in Education from Colgate University.

Antwan Clinton became the Assistant Vice President for Administration and Auxiliary Services in October 2024. Serving as the chief financial officer, he oversees key areas in Student Affairs, including Residential Life, The Commons, and Center for Well-Being facilities; Student Affairs Business Services Center; Event & Conference Services; and other auxiliary services.

Clinton is committed to fostering an environment of excellence and innovation in operations, business, and facilities management. He began his career as an Auditor for the State of Iowa, where he was assigned to the team responsible for Iowa State University and the University of Northern Iowa. He has also held mid-level and senior-level positions at Howard University. Most recently he served as Chief Operating Officer for a multi-million dollar food service management company. In addition, Clinton has provided consulting services to a variety of clients.

His professional development includes education and training with the National Association of College & University Business Officers (NACUBO) and the Central Association of College & University Business Officers (CACUBO). He held both the Certified Collegiate Retailer (CCR) and Certified Auxiliary Services Professional (CASP) designations, as an industry expert, by the National Association of College Stores (NACS) and the National Association of College Auxiliary Services (NACAS).

Clinton is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he received his B.S. degree in Accounting, and Howard University, where he received his MBA in Marketing. While completing his MBA Clinton was awarded the Reginald F. Lewis professional sponsorship where he attended the Washington Campus “Public Policy Education for Executives.”

Throughout his life he has worn many hats, but his favorite is being called “Pahgee” (Paaji) by his family and friends. In his spare time he volunteers and serves as president of his homeowners association. Clinton enjoys cars, motorcycles, and his dog Axle.​

Dr. Doug Garrard became the interim Dean of Students in May 2025. In this role he oversees Retriever Support Services, Retriever Care, and Student Conduct and Community Standards.

Dr. Garrard has over 35 years of student affairs experience. He believes that student affairs attends to the full student experience, supporting and engaging students through intentional interactions, programs, and services. Throughout his interim role he looks forward to opportunities for his office to add to the Division of Student Affairs’ vision of unlocking potential and transforming student lives.

Previously, he served as Associate Vice President of Student Life and Deputy Dean of Students at the University of Texas at Austin, a position that encompassed similar student-facing programs and services. In this role, he provided leadership and support to a team of 50 staff members to deliver programs and services to a diverse student population that exceeded 51,000. As AVP, Doug also co-chaired a university strategic plan workgroup that focused on eliminating barriers to academic success; launched the Successful Student Organization Program in collaboration with an external consulting group and campus partners; and developed a culture of responsiveness that prioritized care for staff and students. Additionally, he served as Assistant Professor of Practice in the UT Austin College of Education, teaching a graduate course on Assessment in Higher Education.

Dr. Garrard earned an Ed.D. and M.Ed. in Higher Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin, and a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

Dr. Kendall Pete became the Executive Director of Residential Life in January 2025, In this inaugural role, Dr. Pete oversees Housing Services, Residential Education, and Living-Learning Programs.

He joins us from Radford University, where he was director of residential life. Dr. Pete brings visionary leadership, a focus on values, and team-based strategic planning to every aspect of an inclusive residential experience. He supports the growth and development of staff, and is committed to providing resident students with transformative experiences that help them feel welcome, cared for, and prepared for success at UMBC and beyond.

Dr. Pete’s professional background has its roots in community psychology and clinical counseling. He is trained in human relations dialogue facilitation; group and individual counseling; and case management. Dr. Pete’s experience as a mental health professional mental health heavily influences his approach to his work, which has been useful while leading during crisis situations and organizational change in the higher education context.

As a scholar practitioner, Dr. Pete balances scholarship, teaching, and service activities while maintaining a full-time administrative role. He teaches as an adjunct faculty member of the Virginia Tech higher education program. Courses include university leadership and higher education administration as well as foundation courses such as the history of higher education. His research interests center on Black student affairs professionals and higher education organizations. More specifically, Dr. Pete’s research explores the career journeys of mid-level administrators, supervision, leadership, and healthy organizations. He contributes to the higher education profession in many ways. Dr. Pete currently serves as a reviewer for the College Student Affairs Journal and the Journal of College and University Student Housing. He has co-authored a book chapter on career transitions, and sponsored research centered on workplace well-being.

Dr. Pete’s professional involvement at the national level includes the supporting mental health sub-committee with The Association of College and University Housing Officers-International’s (ACUHO-I) Future of the Profession; and he is a coordinating faculty member of ACUHO-I’s Behavioral Well-being Institute, focused on improving mental health literacy in the residential community setting. Dr. Pete also serves on the ACPA – College Student Educators International’s Leadership Council with fiduciary responsibility for the association as a Member at Large. He has a strong commitment to the profession because Dr. Pete believes in the transformative power of education.

Dr. Pete received his B.A. in Psychology from Hampton University; a M.A. in Community and Clinical Psychology from Norfolk State University; and a Ph.D. In Higher Education Administration from Virginia Tech.

Outside of work, he is somewhat of a foodie, enjoys good music, volunteer service with his fraternity, and spending time with loved ones. After having completed his first flip, Dr. Pete is very into home design and renovation. He is patiently awaiting his debut on HGTV.