Trish Cendana, Eric O’Hara and Tyler Gailey from WVU Housing and Residence Life have transitioned into new roles, building on their experiences and initiatives to create opportunities for growth and development of students and staff living and working in the residence halls.
“Trish, Eric and Tyler are always focused on helping students have the best experience in the residence halls,” said Dean of Students Corey Farris. “I am pleased they are taking on additional responsibilities and I am confident that they will do even better things for students within their new roles.”
Cendana, who served as the executive director for Residence Life since 2015, will take on new responsibilities for housing along with her current residence life duties as the new executive director for Housing and Residence Life. Cendana will oversee approximately 400 staff members along with ensuring the care of 5,200 freshmen living in 14 residence halls.
Committed to enhancing the student experience, she has worked at the University for more than 30 years in various roles within Residence Life and the Office of the Provost. Cendana earned three degrees from the University, including her doctoral degree in educational leadership in 2012.
O’Hara, who has more than two decades of experience serving students and their families, has been named interim director of Housing Services. He has spent his entire professional career at WVU serving in roles that support and enhance the student experience, including associate director of Housing Services and assistant dean of the Office of Student Conduct.
Gailey has been named interim director of Residence Life. Gailey has served as the associate director of Residence Life since 2017, with a focus on the Living Learning Communities. Prior to his tenure at WVU, he served as the assistant director of Residence Life at Clemson University. Gailey is currently pursuing his doctoral degree in higher education at WVU.
“The Housing and Residence Life team has always worked collaboratively in support of our students,” Cendana said. “Tyler and Eric are well respected for their hard work and dedication, and I am excited about the opportunity to serve our institution in this new capacity.”