Faculty Interactions

The Faculty in Residence (FIR) is a full-time faculty member who lives in a residence hall on campus and serves as a positive and visible leader, teacher, and mentor to students living in the residence halls. FIRs facilitate, promote, and encourage intellectual, social, and cultural development, as well as provide assistance to students seeking academic support and guidance through programming, one on one relationship building, and the sharing of academic resources. FIRs work with our Housing and Residence Life staff to provide supportive environments where students can learn and develop.

Professor Emily Harris (Faculty-In-Residence, Greenbaum Hall)
Emily Harris is a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Health Policy and Management. Professor Harris is a life-long resident of Gretna, Louisiana, save for the twelve years she lived in Boston. She holds a B.S. in Communications from Boston University and a Master in Health Administration from Tulane and is currently working on her Doctorate in Public Health in leadership, advocacy, and equity. Prior to joining Tulane, Professor Harris worked at a leadership development firm that advanced organizational culture through ethical leadership principles. Professor Harris also held various leadership positions at Children’s Hospital in clinic management and revenue cycle. Professor Harris enjoys advising students on potential career paths and exploring the interdisciplinary nature of learning. As a Faculty in Residence, she hopes to contribute to an inclusive community that fosters a love of learning outside the classroom. Professor Harris enjoys reading, leading her daughter’s Girl Scout troop, watching volleyball, and sharing a good laugh with friends. Professor Harris is joined by her husband, Tom Weathers, AIA, and their daughters Isla and Asa.

Dr. Matt Barrios (Faculty-In-Residence, Weatherhead Residence Hall)
Matt Barrios is a Senior Professor of Practice in the Physics and Engineering Physics Department. Dr. Barrios is from Westwego, LA and holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and a M.S. and PhD. in Mechanical Engineering from Florida State University. Prof. Barrios worked as a Cryogenic Engineer for Michigan State University’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams and was Cryogenic Operations Supervisor at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory before joining Tulane in 2016. In addition to teaching, Dr. Barrios enjoys advising students on career paths, internships, and research opportunities, participating in activities from recruitment to graduation, and working with students in labs, on projects, and in the Makerspace. As a Faculty in Residence, Dr. Barrios hopes to expand on these activities to help make our student experience a well-rounded, inclusive, and welcoming one. Dr. Barrios enjoys watching and playing sports and attending New Orleans’ many festivals. Dr. Barrios will be joined by his wife, Dr. Maggie Salib-Barrios, Nurse Practitioner and Instructor of Clinical Nursing at LSUHSC, and their son Cameron.

The Residential Faculty Mentor (RFM) Program, co-sponsored by the Office of the First-Year Experience and Housing and Residence Life, aims to increase meaningful engagement between full-time faculty and first-year students in residence halls. Through co-curricular experiences and mentorship, the program supports the healthy transition of every student to the academic and social communities of the university, so all new students understand how to be a contributing member to the classroom, live independently, and develop and sustain healthy relationships, mentorship, and campus engagement.

RFMs will be hosting lobby hours in the building and events throughout the year. While you should get to know all of your RFMs, one faculty member is specifically assigned to you. Look for an email from them this week as they introduce themselves and let you know how to set up a one-on-one conversation over coffee or tea.

Butler RFMs:

• Dr. Katie Russell (Professor of Practice, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering) - Favorite course to teach: Unit Operations Laboratory. Advice for first-year students: Don't be afraid to reach out to your professors. Favorite thing about New Orleans: Food and festivals. Learn more about Katie.
• Dr. Mollye Demosthenidy (Clinical Associate Professor, Global Health Management and Policy) Learn more about Mollye .
• Dr. Ryan McBride(Administrative Associate Professor, English) Learn more about Ryan.

Josephine Louise RFMs:

• Chloe Raub (Head of Newcomb Archives and Vorhoff Library Special Collections, Newcomb College Institute) - Favorite course to teach: I don't teach my own courses but I love working with professors to bring special collections and archives into the classroom. Advice for first-year students: Make time for the many wonderful speakers Tulane brings to campus, these are often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. Favorite thing about New Orleans: Year-round gardening! Learn more about Chloe. 
• Dr. Holly Flora (Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs & Professor, Art History) - Favorite course to teach: Medieval Manuscripts. Advice for first-year students: Stay true to who you are. Favorite thing about New Orleans: There is truly no other city with New Orleans’ cultural riches. Plus, food. Learn more about Holly.
• Dr. Leslie Geddes (Assistant Professor, Art History) Learn more about Leslie.

Monroe RFMs:

• Dr. Amy George (Senior Professor of Practice, Spanish and Portuguese and Linguistics) - Favorite course to teach: Translation Studies Theory and History. Advice for first-year students: If you’re having a hard time with something, don’t be afraid to ask for help! Favorite thing about New Orleans: The people! The food! The community! Learn more about Amy.
• Dr. Marie Dahleh (Associate Dean for Strategic Innovation and Program Development & Senior Professor of Practice, Mathematics) Learn more about Marie. 
• Dr. Elizabeth Kalos-Kaplan (Director of Freshman Writing & Professor of Practice, English) Learn more about Elizabeth.
• F. Thomas Luongo (Associate Professor, History) Learn more about Thomas. 
• Dr. John (Ray) Proctor (Assistant Professor, Theatre and Dance) Learn more about Ray.

Sharp RFMs:

• Dr. Jimmy Huck (Administrative Associate Professor, Latin American Studies) - Favorite course to teach: Liberatory Education and Ethical Service. Advice for first-year students: Daily attendance in class if worth a letter grade. Be there! Favorite thing about New Orleans: Crawfish boils, po-boys, and Commander’s Palace bread pudding soufflé. Learn more about Jimmy. 
• Dr. Brooke Grant (Professor of Practice, Teacher Preparation and Certification Program) Learn more about Brooke.
• Dr. Brittany Kennedy (Senior Professor of Practice, Spanish and Portuguese) - Favorite course to teach: Colloquium on Modernism. Advice for first-year students: Don’t let preconceived notions of “college life” determine your college experience. Be open to things you may not think you like and that challenge you. Favorite thing about New Orleans: The sense of community you feel even as you walk down the street. Everyone says hello, and there are times when you feel like we’re all in this NOLA thing together. Learn more about Brittany. 
• Dr. Roberto Nicosia (Professor of Practice, Italian) Learn more about Roberto. 

Warren Hall RFMs:

• Dr. Katelyn Black (Professor of Practice, Neuroscience) - Favorite course to teach: Brain and Behavior. Advice for first-year students: Go to office hours and get to know your professors, They are here to help and will be great resources to you. Favorite thing about New Orleans: There are always flowers in bloom. Learn more about Katelyn.
• Dr. Megwen May Loveless (Director, Portuguese Basic Language Program & Senior Professor of Practice, Spanish and Portuguese) Learn more about Megwen.