Faculty Interactions

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:

Faculty In Residence

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.

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Dr. Courtney Baker smiling

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.

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Dr. Jananarthanan Jayawickramarajah smiling

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.

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Dr. Mignot photo

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.

Residential Faculty Mentors

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.