Nam has 10+ years of experience working with college students in higher education. He received his B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Duke University, and M.A. degree in Socio-Cultural Anthropology from Cornell University. As a former international student, Nam brings both professional and experiential knowledge to the ALAC team.  He has a deep appreciation for the academic, cultural, and emotional challenges that many international students experience on campus. In addition to helping students achieve success on and off campus in their academic endeavors, Nam loves writing, playing basketball, and trekking in the mountains. 

Nam's class section is: Tuesdays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Schedule an Appointment with Nam.

Janelle has worked with first-year students for almost 20 years making this her passion and specialty. Her current role is Dean of the First-Year Experience at Rensselaer.  In this role Dean Fayette and her team provide support to first-year students and families through a comprehensive offering of programs and services. The goal of the FYE team is to successfully transition students into Rensselaer both socially and academically.  

Dean Fayette started her own academic journey pursuing nutrition and quickly realized that was not going to be her forever path. As a first-generation college student Dean Fayette worked her way through her education figuring out what she liked and did not like resulting in a bachelor’s and master's degree from SUNY Albany.  Dean Fayette’s journey for her degrees gives her passion toward helping others find their path. When not at work, you can find Janelle with her family and the family dog “Bella” doing anything outdoors; hiking, skiing, playing pickleball or hockey.   

Janelle's class section is: Mondays, 5:00 - 5:50 p.m.

Schedule an appointment with Janelle.

Erica has over 10 years of experience in Higher Education, with a diverse background in Residential Life, Career Development, Student Conduct, Title IX, and even coaching Women's Soccer as well as Men's and Women's Track and Field. She earned her B.S. in Business Economics from SUNY Cortland, where she was both a student-athlete and worked in Residential Life. Erica later went on to receive her M.A. in Higher Education Administration from Stony Brook University. 

Her passion for supporting students during pivotal moments in their lives is what drives her dedication to the field of Higher Education. Outside of work, Erica enjoys organizing firework shows (yes, she's a licensed Pyrotechnician!), hiking, reading, and spending time with her dog, Juneau, and cat, Mowgli.

Erica's class section is: Wednesdays, 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. (with Aaron Youmans)

To schedule an appointment with Erica, email hoerze@rpi.edu with a few times that work for you.

Lauryn is a graduate of Binghamton University (SUNY Binghamton), where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development. She is currently working toward her M.Ed in Trauma-Informed Education at Columbia College. 

During her undergraduate years, Lauryn served as a Resident Assistant, Peer/Career Advisor, Peer Health Educator, and as the President of a mental health advocacy club. These roles, along with her personal experiences, sparked her passion for trauma recovery, resiliency building, and mental health advocacy – key areas she now focuses on in her work in college health promotion at RPI as a Health Educator.

As a neurodivergent student, Lauryn initially struggled to balance her academic success, responsibilities, and cognitive/emotional differences. By connecting with campus resources and building a strong support network of staff and peers, she accessed accommodations and learned strategies to work with her brain rather than against it, eventually finding her rhythm and self-acceptance.

Outside of work and school, Lauryn loves reading contemporary/literary fiction, photography, reading the astrology charts & tarot cards of her friends, singing in the car, and spending time with her partner and their two cats, Marceline and Pabu.

Lauryn's class section is: Mondays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

To schedule an appointment with Lauryn, email malesl@rpi.edu with a few times that work for you.

David Milford holds degrees from Vassar and SUNY Albany in Biology/Psychology and Counseling, respectively. His hardest class by far was Organic Chemistry. In college David was part of the soccer team, ambulance squad, and ran the school’s coffee house. He is most proud of his 3 wonderful kids, and in his free time likes to hike, golf, and spend time at their family cabin. 

David's class section is: Wednesdays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Schedule an Appointment with David.

Arielle Roberts is a graduate from the University at Albany (SUNY Albany). She received her Bachelor of Arts in English & Africana studies, with a minor in sociology; she also earned her Master of Science in Educational Administration and Policy studies. During her time at SUNY Albany, she was a student athlete; and balancing the student athlete life was difficult at times. However, she cultivated her village, which helped her academically.  

Arielle has been in the education field for 14 years. As a learning skills specialist she works with students that have learning disabilities, and truly enjoys helping students achieve their academic goals.

Arielle's class section is: Tuesdays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Schedule an Appointment with Arielle.

Shelby is originally from North Chicago, IL!  She received her B.A. in Psychology from Aurora University where she was the self-described “over-involved” student. She was president of student government, a Resident Assistant, an Admissions tour guide, an Admissions evening shift telecommunications supervisor, the Homecoming and Special Events organizer, a work study in the Residence Life office, and a research assistant for both the Psychology and Sociology departments. She loved being involved in her campus community, but also did all of this to help her mom pay for her education.

Upon graduating early in 2015, Shelby dedicated her career to helping students become their authentic selves. Shelby has an M.S. in Higher Education Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is completing her Ed.D in Educational Leadership and Organizational Innovation at Marymount University. Her path in Higher Education has led her from Illinois to Durango, Colorado, and now here to Troy, NY to be at Rensselaer. When not on campus, Shelby loves to travel to new places with her husband, fuel her K-pop obsession or is working on her dissertation.

Shelby's class section is: Wednesdays, 3:00 - 3:50 p.m.

To schedule an appointment with Shelby, email robins12@rpi.edu with a few times that work for you.

Jeannie Steigler is a graduate of SUNY Oneonta and SUNY Albany. A Geology and Linguistics major, she struggled the most with her structural geology course while an undergrad.  Jeannie connected with her linguistics instructor because she thought her research was very interesting. As Director of ALAC, Jeannie has been working with students on probation and supporting students overall academically for over 25 years. She was recently named one of the Pillars of Rensselaer, the highest honor for an RPI staff member. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, walking, and cooking.  

Jeannie's class section is: Thursdays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Schedule an Appointment with Jeannie.

Bill has a BA in Geography from UAlbany. As a first-generation student, he struggled academically during his first year on campus (especially in his toughest class – Calculus II). He was involved on campus as an orientation leader and tour guide. Once he got connected through co-curricular activities, his grades improved! Getting involved helped him better manage his time and focus on his classes. The director of orientation at his undergraduate campus led him to a career on college campuses. Despite a rough start, Bill has gone on to receive a Master’s degree from Indiana University, and a PhD from UNC Greensboro. In his spare time, he likes taking day trips to small towns with his husband, Nate. 

Bill's class section is: Mondays, 4:00 - 4:50 p.m.

Schedule an Appointment with Bill.

Aaron is a member of the Dean of Students Office and works each day with students to break down obstacles and thrive here at Rensselaer. Originally from Virginia, Aaron studied Political Science at Christopher Newport University (CNU) in Newport News, VA. While at CNU, Aaron was a Resident Assistant and got involved in several clubs and organizations. As a B/C student, Aaron wasn’t going to initially continue his studies after undergrad, but after a few years off, Aaron went back to college and completed a master’s degree in counseling with an concentration in college student personnel at Shippensburg University in Pennslyvania. 

Aaron enjoys time with his partner (Archer Center Associate Director - Lecturer Amy Youmans) and miniature autralian shepherd Sunny! Aaron’s hobbies include gardening, hiking, and board games. 

Aaron's class section is: Wednesdays, 12:00 - 12:50 p.m. (with Erica Hoerz)

To schedule an appointment with Aaron, email youmaa2@rpi.edu with a few times that work for you.