Residential Center | Meet the Team

My name is Justin Woodard and I serve as the Director of the Residential Center. I have been at Bentley since 2010 working in various roles within the Residential Center.  I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH and a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from Miami University in Oxford, OH.  I grew up in southern New Hampshire and enjoy the New England fall foliage season the most. I have been to 37 states with plans to reach them all in the next few years.

My name is Sabrina Cruz and I am the Associate Director of Residence Life and Education in the Residential Center. I received my Bachelors Degree in Organizational Communication from the State University of New York at New Platz in New Paltz, New York. I then went on to receive a Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration with a Concentration in Student Affairs from the University at Buffalo in Buffalo, New York. I joined the Residential Center team in June of 2016 and have been with the team since. I am originally from Brooklyn, New York and am a New Yorker through and through. I rescued my pup Ollie through Last Hope K9 in March of 2021 and I love sharing about the dog adoption process!

As the Associate Director of Housing Operations, I oversee operational functions of the Residential Center such as housing assignments, occupancy management, residence hall opening/closing, and departmental technology. Prior to joining Bentley in January 2019, I worked in housing and residence life at a college in Connecticut. I am originally from the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, but I have loved making New England my home over the past eight years. I received my bachelor’s degree in sociology (minors in women’s & gender studies and political science) from Muhlenberg College and my master’s degree in higher education administration from Penn State. Outside of work, I am an avid reader and I have more than a thousand books in my home library! I am passionate about helping others discover and enjoy the many benefits of reading, so I am always up for a chat about books!

Cindy started at Bentley in August 2017 as a Senior Administrative Assistant. She has spent her time working in the Student Center and enjoys connecting daily with the students. Cindy previously worked as an administrative assistant in a high school special educational collaborative for 15 years. She is a resident of Chelmsford where she and her husband raised their two children. Her children are now graduates of Bryant University and UMass Lowell. These days, she is busy working on home improvement projects and enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.

My name is Alex Matos, and I am one the Assistant Directors in the Residential Center. A little bit about me is that I was born and raised in Portland, ME, I received my bachelor’s degree in psychology from Becker College and received my master’s degree in Higher Education with a Student Affairs Concentration from Purdue University Global. One of my passion areas is supervising and advising students as it allows me the opportunity to create meaningful connections and have a positive impact on students during their time here at Bentley.

My name is Otis Johnson, and I am one the Assistant Directors in the Residential Center. I was born and raised on the East Coast, where I studied at Old Dominion University. Traveling has always been a personal joy for me, and one of my passion areas for work is staff supervision and development. If you are someone navigating college keep in mind that what you put in can impact what you get back. Network and try new opportunities that can develop you for the future.

My name is Caitlyn Aborn and I joined the Residential Center team at Bentley in July 2021. I received a Bachelor’s degree in English from Salem State University as well as a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs. Prior to joining Bentley, I had worked in Residence Life at Merrimack College, deeply involved in Residential Education. I currently oversee the Student Office Assistants and have a passion for anything Disney - related.

My name is Brendan O’Connor and I am the Assistant Director of the First-Year Area. I am originally from a small town in Ohio and received my Bachelor’s in Statistics and Business at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and my Master’s in Higher Education at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I am currently enrolled in the MBA program here at Bentley and being a First-Generation Student myself, love helping other first gen students succeed! Reach out if I can help in any way!

My name is Keliana Doyle. I am originally from Worcester, Massachusetts and I studied Criminal Justice at Salem State University. I have a bachelor's degree in Administrative Criminal Justice and a Master’s in Criminology. During my studies, I served as a Resident Assistant and a Graduate Residence Director and I enjoyed those experiences so much that I decided to apply for a job in higher education!

If you are ever considering whether you would like to be an RA, do it! You won't regret it.

Emily Blanton (she/her/hers) joined the Residential Center in 2022. She is coming from Arkansas where she worked in Sorority and Fraternity Life. Emily is currently serving as the Residence Director for Slade Hall within the First Year Area.

My name is Marissa (she/hers), I was born in Worcester, MA. I received my Bachelor's degree in Healthcare Studies and Marketing from Salem State University. I am currently pursuing my Master's of Public Health at Boston University. I am passionate about advocacy, reducing social stigmas, and education to enhance student autonomy. Outside of work I love to dance, foster rescue dogs through their adoption, and try new restaurants. 

My name is Clara Machado, I was born in Brazil and grew up in St. Petersburg, Florida. I studied Management at Clark University, where I am currently pursuing my Master's degree. During my undergraduate studies, I served as a Resident Advisor and worked my internship in Clark's Residence Life Department. Prior to joining the team at Bentley, I served as an Area Coordinator at the College of the Holy Cross. I currently serve as the RD For Forest & Kresge Halls so if you need anything do not hesitate to reach out!

My name is Grant Spinella and I am the Resident Director for the North and Lower campus apartments. I received my Bachelors degree in Theatre from Dean College in 2019. I am currently working on obtaining my Masters in Higher Education Administration with a focus in Student Affairs from Southern New Hampshire University. I have a background in new student orientation, student activities, admissions, and student government work. I have a passion for teamwork and believe in the power of positivity and laughter. 

Hello! My name is Isa (she/hers) and I joined the Bentley Residential Life team in October 2023. I was born and raised in New York and earned my Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. After graduation, I served in the Immigration Law field as a paralegal for nearly three years before returning to Marist College as a Residence Director. It can be scary to completely switch industries, but it's okay for post-grad plans to change! Outside of work, I love attending concerts, hiking, and exploring new hobbies. If you need anything at all or just want to say hello, please do not hesitate to reach out!

My name is Gianna Larson, and I am the Residence Director of the Trees Complex. I received my Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Bridgewater State University in May of 2020. In May of 2022 I received my Master's degree in Higher Education from Merrimack College. Prior to joining the Bentley community in November of 2023, I worked at Merrimack College in the Office of Residence Life. I am from a small town located in Norton MA and love all things about living in New England. I am a proud first-generation college student and love to connect and support those I work with who also identify.