As part of Tulane’s Residential Curriculum, Housing and Residence Life offers a number of opportunities for residents and faculty to interact in in meaningful ways. By bringing faculty and residents together, residents are empowered to form academic support systems, engage more deeply in their studies, and form lasting relationships with their community. Our faculty-driven programs include:
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.
Dr. Courtney Baker (Faculty-In-Residence, Greenbaum Hall)
Dr. Courtney Baker moved to New Orleans in 2012 to join the faculty at Tulane after spending time in Philadelphia, Upstate New York, and Western Massachusetts. She is a clinical psychologist, and, as an undergraduate, she majored in Psychology and English at Oberlin College. Dr. Baker’s research focuses on child mental health and, in particular, on how teachers and schools can support the well-being of children who live in poverty. As Faculty in Residence, Dr. Baker is excited to support students as they navigate their academic curriculum, make choices for their future careers, and leverage their university learning to solve real-world problems. She enjoys traveling, scuba diving, reading, trying new things, cooking, baking, and doing yoga. Dr. Baker is joined in Greenbaum by her family, including Dr. Mike Hoerger, faculty in the Departments of Psychology, Psychiatry, and Medicine, their son Henry, and twins, Jacob and Elise.
Dr. Jananarthanan (Janan) Jayawickramarajah (Faculty in Residence, Weatherhead Residence Hall)
Dr. Jayawickramarajah was born in Sri Lanka, but spent much of his childhood abroad and moved to the United States for his undergraduate education. He joined the faculty at Tulane in 2007. His research work has been funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health and broadly encompasses biological and materials aspects of supramolecular chemistry. Dr. Jayawickramarajah views the role of a faculty member as not only conducting transformative research and education but also as a facilitator who supports the growth of students into civic-minded and community-engaged leaders. Whenever the opportunity arises, he loves to travel with his family and to explore new countries, cultures, and cuisines. Dr. Jayawickramarajah will be joined in Weatherhead by his wife, Dr. Mehnaaz Ali, an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Xavier University, and their three children.
Dr. Charles A. Mignot (Faculty-In-Residence, Wall Hall)
Dr. Charles A Mignot is a Senior Professor of Practice in French and Linguistics and the Director of the French Language Program. Dr. Mignot was born in France and raised in Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, and Asia. After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English and Linguistics from French universities and a PhD in French Linguistics at the University of Texas at Austin, Dr. Mignot joined Tulane University in 2013. His teaching and research interests focus on the syntax of natural languages, the learning and teaching of foreign languages, as well as on the concept of intercultural competence as a framework to foster equity, diversity, and inclusiveness in education. As Faculty in Residence, Dr. Mignot aims to bridge the gap between faculty and students, offer academic guidance to Wall residents, ensure their well-being, develop their intercultural competence, encourage student engagement and learning experiences, and help create a residential community where all can live, learn, and grow in a positive environment. Dr. Mignot identifies as gay, uses the pronoun he/him/his, and was a first-generation college student.
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.
