AQUATICS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Interim Assistant Director of Facility Operations and
Anike Oladeji is originally from Atlantic Highlands New Jersey. She earned her B.A. from American University with a major in Psychology and a minor in Health Promotion. Before joining Mason Recreation in 2018, Anike worked in the field of recreation as a lifeguards for several years before serving as the Aquatics Coordinator at American University. As a 6 year DC resident, she is thrilled to see what exciting opportunities living in Virginia has to offer! In her spare time, Anike enjoys traveling, running races in Disney world, and playing with her cat Sage.
Anike's Advice to Mason Students: " Don't forget to text your friends. A solid support system is super important
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Competitive Sports, Camps, & Special Events
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Maintenance
Job Titles:
- Manager of Administration and Personnel
Dennis Kisielewski is a DMV native. He graduated from Mason in 2002 with a BIS in IT Management.
Dennis's Advice to Mason students: "Mason is an incredibly diverse and inclusive environment, filled with so many wonderful opportunities. Enjoy your time here and make the most of it!"
Job Titles:
- General Maintenance Worker, AFC
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Programs, Well - Being, & Assessment
Ethan Carter is originally from Mississippi. He attended the State University of New York College at Cortland where he received a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training and a Bachelor's degree in Fitness Development, as well as a Master's degree in Exercise Science. He enjoys playing and watching soccer (his favorite club team is Arsenal), and reading books on leadership and ethics.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant of Marketing
Haroon Bhatti was born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan. He later embarked on an educational journey that led him to Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom, where he pursued his bachelor's degree in business and management. During his undergraduate years, he balanced academics with his role as a Marketing Manager at Christian Life Centre. In May 2023, he successfully graduated. Presently, Haroon is pursuing a master's degree in business Analytics. Haroon enjoys Christian worship, road trips and playing basketball.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant of Outreach & Engagement
Jenna Davidson was born and raised in Yorktown, VA. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies with a double concentration in Legal Studies and Leadership & Organizational Development from George Mason University in December 2021. During her entire undergraduate career, she worked for Mason Recreation and thought she'd stick around a bit longer! She is currently working towards her Master Degree in Organizational Development & Knowledge Management. Her hobbies include crafting, coffee trips, and country music concerts.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Marketing & Communications
Jennifer De La Rosa is originally from Weslaco, Texas. She graduated from The University of Texas - Pan America with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication: Public Relations & Advertising, with a minor in Marketing. She received her Master's degree in Public Administration at The College at Brockport State University of New York. While there, she served as the Marketing and Communication Graduate Assistant for the department of Campus Recreation, as well as the 2016 - 2017 New York Student leader for NIRSA: Leaders in Collegiate Recreation. First and foremost, she is a fangirl, a foodie, and a dreamer of improbable dreams. She is a lover of books, cooking, hiking, and munchkin cats.
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Maintenance
Justin Acuna Originally from the Philippines (both parents) born in Secaucus, New Jersey. He attended George Mason University, and received his bachelor's degree in Health Administration and Policy, with a concentration on Health Systems Management. Fun Fact: I still like to roller blade!
Job Titles:
- Coordinator of Facility Operations
Laurel Dietrick is originally from Yardley, Pennsylvania. She earned her B.S. in Behavioral & Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Maryland in 2023. During her undergrad, she worked for UMD's Recreation & Wellness department for 3 years in Facility Operations and Student Personnel. She's excited to be on the other side of DC and living in Virginia and looks forward to trying out a whole roster of new restaurants. In her spare time, Laurel enjoys reading, hiking, spending time with friends, and cooking.
Job Titles:
- Interim Associate Director, Facilities and Maintenance
Lee Ann Houston is originally from Lynchburg, VA. She attended James Madison University where she earned a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology with a double minor in Business and Coaching. She was a member of a juggling group in elementary school. She loves spending travel, beach days, and giving lots of attention to her doggo Tater Tot.
Lee Ann's advice to Mason students: "Don't stress too much thinking that you have to know what you want to do as soon as you graduate. Take the opportunity to try lots of things (different jobs, travel, etc) and find your true passion. It may take years to do so, but once you do, you will find success and happiness."
Marie Taylor was born and raised in Austin, TX before heading to the state of Michigan for her undergraduate studies. At Hillsdale College she was on the Women's Swim Team earning 3 team and 3 individual conference titles. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a Mathematics Minor in May 2023. She is currently beginning her Master of Forensic Science, concentrating in Chemical Analysis. In her free time she enjoys reading, live-music, and a good latte.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant for Outdoor Adventures & the EDGE
Melissa Dolfi was born and raised in Richmond, VA. In May 2023, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Law and Society with a concentration in Homeland Security and double minor in Intelligence Studies and Geographic Information Systems. She is now working towards obtaining a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. She worked as a trip leader for Outdoor Adventures beginning in August 2021 and is excited to continue her professional career within the department. Her hobbies include reading, playing video games, spending time outside, and maintaining her freshwater aquariums.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Facilities & Risk Management
Michael Nunnally is originally from Danville, VA. He attended George Mason University where he received his Bachelor's degree in Health and Recreational Management with a Minor in Leadership. On his free time, he is heavily involved in his community, developing young athletes at the sport of their choice and he is also the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Brentsvillve High school. He also, loves watching his daughters play soccer year around.
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Outdoor Adventures
Having grown up in Alexandria, Virginia, Nick is a true native of Northern Virginia. After his undergraduate studies at William and Mary in History and Global Studies, Nick thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Northwest Trail, and split his time seasonally in the Blue Ridge mountains as a backpacking guide, mountain bike instructor, whitewater kayaking guide, and rock-climbing instructor, and in New Mexico as a snowboard instructor and backpacking guide. He completed his Master of Science at Old Dominion University in Park, Recreation, and Tourism Studies, where he also served as the graduate assistant for the Outdoor Adventure Program at ODU. In his free time, you can find Nick camping out, riding his bike on one of the local trails, or paddling his kayak on the river.
Nick's Advice to Mason Students: "Try something new and embrace the challenge that comes with it! This is the time of life to explore new opportunities and activities to discover the adult you want to be."
Job Titles:
- Assistant Director of Competitive Sports & Athletic Training
Job Titles:
- Associate Director for Team Training & Leadership
Rachel Iversen is originally from North Carolina. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she first received a Bachelor's degree in Therapeutic Recreation and then a Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling. Rachel enjoys hammock camping, spending time with nieces, and kayak surfing.
Rachel's Advice to Mason Students: "Approach your future with an open mindset, find opportunities where you can add value, and that provide growth to you, but don't let fear keep you there. Doors will open to new opportunities as long as you remain open to them. "Be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here." - Max Ehrmann
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Recreation
Tate is an accomplished campus recreation leader with a considerable amount of experience. He is an active participant in NIRSA (the governing body of campus recreation), where he is focused on promoting student success and creating inclusive environments across the nation. He brings a diverse set of skills and experiences in the field of recreation, student affairs, higher education, executive coaching, and research. His vast expertise in culture building, strategic planning, relationship building, and project management have been valuable in creating and implementing effective programs and initiatives. He has managed recreation personnel at all levels and in fast paced environments. Known best for his passion, personality, and ability to foster intrinsic motivation, Tate is driven by the desire to impact the lives of others just as his was at the beginning of his journey.
He received a Master's degree in Leisure Services Management from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor's in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas. Tate is expected to receive his Doctorate in Higher Education Leadership from Texas Christian University in the 2023-24 school year. When not working to promote high-quality recreation programs, he works as a NCAA Division 1 basketball official in multiple conferences. He enjoys reading, traveling, cooking, and most importantly, trying to keep up with his wife Devin and their four kids.
My advice to students: Focus on what you want to do, not what you want to be. When done in that order, I have found that fulfilment and meaning are centered in the path chosen… and the be part of life tends to snap in place.
Job Titles:
- Graduate Assistant of Well - Being
Sydney Farrar was born and raised around Richmond, VA. She earned her Bachelor's of Science in Psychology with a concentration in Work and Organizational Psychology from George Mason University in the Spring of 2023. She started here at Mason Recreation in the 2022-2023 school year as a Customer Service Assistant at the RAC. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in Applied Industrial and Organization Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and going on walks.
Sydney's advice to students is: "All you can do is try your best at everything you do."