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 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!

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.

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 six 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!

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.

Jared Berman (he/him) has grown up and lived in Massachusetts his whole life. Originally from Weymouth, MA, Jared completed his undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Upon completing his undergraduate degree, Jared went on to Suffolk University to pursue a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration, while working in Student Leadership & Involvement. After finishing his Master's degree, Jared joined Bentley University where he began his time as a Falcon as the Residence Director of Forest & Kresge Halls for 3 years. Currently serving as the Assistant Director of the First-Year Area, Jared is excited to get back to his orientation/programming roots to ensure an enjoyable experience for all first-year students living on the Bentley Campus. Jared's advice for all first-year students is to enjoy the moment, get involved and know there is a network of folks on campus who are ready to help you succeed throughout your career as a Falcon.

My name is Caitlyn Aborn and I joined the Residential Center team at Bentley in July 2022. 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.

Joel Madru (he/him/his) joined the Residential Center in 2022. Joel is currently working on his MBA and he serves as the Residence Director for Orchard North, Orchard South, Cape House, Castle House, and the North Campus Apartments.

My name is Melissa Henriquez and I was born and raised in Queens, New York. I attended the University at Albany for both my undergraduate and graduate studies. I earned a Bachelors in Journalism and a a Masters in Higher Education. As a first generation college student myself, one of my passion areas is working with other first-generation Latinx students!

Cole Taylor joined the Residential Center team at Bentley University in September of 2021. He has almost 5 years of Residence Life experience. Previous to Bentley, he served as an Area Coordinator at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. Cole received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Lasell College (now known as Lasell University) in Newton, Massachusetts. He is from Standish, Maine – just half a mile from the St. Joseph’s College of Maine campus. Cole identifies as a transgender man (FTM) and is open about his transition journey in hopes of helping others who may be struggling to find and/or openly explore their own identity(s) and all that can come with that experience

Jas completed their undergraduate degree at with Honors at University of Massachusetts Boston and received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology and Sociology. They wrote their thesis on the portrayals of Black Love in Film. They have worked in Residence Life at the Boston Ballet School and completed a certificate in Non Profit Management at Tufts University. Jas has an interest in the intersections of art, education, business and social justice. After their time with the ballet they went on to work in K-12 education which they enjoyed, but their calling is in higher education. Outside of their work with higher education, Jas is in the process of becoming a doula and enjoys organizing open mics. 

My name is Brendan O’Connor and I am the Residence Director for the Trees Complex. 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.