The core of the Division of Student Life & Engagement is its team members. Meet the SLE Leadership Team who lead by example and encourage all team members to advance the culture of high performance within the division and across campus.
Tariq Sami Abdelhamid, Ph.D., PMP, CM-Lean, is the Chief Lean Enterprise and Analytics Officer for MSU's Division of SLE. Since joining MSU in August 2000 as an Assistant Professor in the School of Planning, Design, and Construction, Tariq has leveraged his background in civil and industrial engineering and operations research. In 2013, he transitioned to SLE to overhaul the annual Plant Cash process and established the Lean Performance Unit (LPU), focusing on process and performance enhancements using Lean Thinking principles. In 2020, the LPU merged with the SLE Assessment Office to create the Lean Enterprise and Assessment (LEA) unit. Tariq and his team employ lean thinking, assessment, and analytics to drive enterprise excellence and enhance Spartan experiences.
Diane Barker, chief planning and projects officer for the Division of SLE, has more than 30 years of experience working for Michigan State University (MSU). She has worked in food service, facilities, housing management and operations, sustainable initiative, and project coordination within the Division of SLE and enjoys the dynamic, collegiate environment of MSU.
Dr. Erin Carter is the Chief of Staff for Student Life & Engagement. She has held additional roles since 2008 at Michigan State including community liaison for the Division of Student Affairs and Services and graduate assistant to the Department Chair for Department of Educational Administration.
Kat Cooper is director of communications for the Division of SLE. During her tenure at Michigan State University, she has served as marketing and sales manager of the MSU Union, communications manager of Auxiliary Resources and of Auxiliary Enterprises. In 2010, Kat was named as one of their “10 over 10” award winners by the Lansing Chamber of Commerce.
Kathleen Duncan is the executive assistant to the vice president for Student Life & Engagement. She attended Northwood University, earning a bachelor's degree in business administration. She also received an associate degree from Lansing Community College in hospitality business and food service management.
Ray Gasser is the executive director of Residence Education and Housing Services at Michigan State University. Previously, he was director of University Housing at the University of Idaho. He has worked in housing since 1997 at six different institutions. He earned his doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Arizona.
Vennie Gore is the senior vice president for Student Life & Engagement at Michigan State University. He oversees all operations within the division of SLE and contributes to the oversight of MSU's University Licensing Program as well as the Land Management Office. Among other notable accomplishments, Vennie earned the 2016 Elizabeth A. Greenleaf Alumni Award from Indiana University and recently completed Harvard's Institute for Educational Management.
Jeff Latinen is the executive director for Auxiliary Sports Group. Previous to this position, he served as manager for the Breslin Student Events Center, a role he has held since 2016. He joined the Breslin Center in 2014 as the assistant manager. He has served as director of Student Fitness Center and assistant athletic director for Facilities and Special Events at University of Detroit Mercy, as well as the associate facilities supervisor and Yost Ice Arena manager at the University of Michigan Athletics. His career started as an operations supervisor with Global Spectrum, University of Phoenix Stadium.
Kelly High McCord brings a wealth of experience to the SLE team, having served MSU for seven years as the Brody Neighborhood Engagement Center Director, continually improving that program as it has grown and evolved. Before that role, she spent seven years as Assistant Director for Residence Life here at MSU. During that time, she and Diane Barker led the planning and development of the neighborhood concept and served on the project that developed the university-level space committee.
Denise Ngubeni currently serves as the Director of Digital Strategies and Services (DSS) for Student Life & Engagement. She provides oversight for DSS team. She also serves as a Strategic Integration Manager, acting as a liaison between DSS and representative departments. She was previously an Event Coordinator for Forest Akers Golf Course. Denise has over 18 years of experience in SLE. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Hospitality Business from Michigan State University and is a Licensed Project Management Professional.
Robert Patterson is chief financial officer for the Division of SLE. He has 30 years of experience in financial and managerial accounting, with 21 years at Michigan State University (MSU). He earned a degree in accounting from MSU and is a Certified Public Accountant with the state of Michigan.
Dr. Genyne Royal is the Assistant Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University, where she earned her Ph.D. in higher education administration, a master’s degree from North Carolina A&T State University in counseling, and a bachelor’s degree in vocal music from Shaw University, in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Rebecca Selesky currently serves as the executive director of Culinary Services at Michigan State University. She provides oversight for residential dining, retail operations, concessions, and support services. She was previously the general manager of the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center. Rebecca has over 15 years of leadership experience in the hospitality industry.
Allyn Shaw, Ph.D., is the Assistant Vice President for Student Development and Leadership and Dean of Students at Michigan State University. After serving nine years, as the Associate Director, Office of Faculty and Organizational Development and Director of Leadership Development Programs, Shaw transitioned to his Student Affairs position in 2014. He has also worked at the University of Richmond and the University of Tennessee.