Our Staff
Professional Staff
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Dustin Hunt
Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life
Dustin joined the COCC Housing and Residence Life Department in August of 2021. Before joining the COCC team Dustin worked as a Resident Director at Boise State University. Dustin earned Associates degrees in Mathematics and Secondary Education from Northwest College in Powell, WY, a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA, and a Master of Science in Counseling from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, WY. A native of Montana, Dustin enjoys being in the mountains, watching football, traveling around the Northwest, and sitting down with a good book.
The Assistant Director is responsible for much of the operational management of on-campus housing.
Contact Dustin: dhunt2@cocc.edu, 541-383-7588
Nicole Sharp
Residence Life Coordinator
Nicole joined the housing team in the fall of 2021 as a Community Assistant before becoming Residence Life Coordinator in the Fall of 2022. She graduated from COCC in June of 2022 with her Associates of Transfer- Business degree, and is currently working on her Bachelors in Business Administration. Nicole has been a leader in many different capacities throughout her life, the most important to her being the oldest of 3 kids. She leads the Community Assistants with a youthful, joyful, and compassionate energy, always giving residents a smile and a listening ear. Nicole is always up for an adventure and loves exploring Central Oregon.
The Residence Life Coordinator is responsible for the supervision of the student staff, day-to-day interactions with students, and development of community programming.
Contact Nicole: nsharp2@cocc.edu, 541-383-7593
Kate Donahue
Administrative Assistant
Kate joined the Housing and Residence Life Team in January 2017. She brings many years of experience of working with students at her previous position at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. Kate brings welcoming energy, creative problem-solving, kindness and a sincere appreciation of students living and learning in a college environment. On weekends, you can find Kate caring for her animals and digging in the dirt at her hobby farm, Midnight Sky Farm of Tumalo, outside of Bend.
The administrative assistant provides clerical support to the Housing and Residence Life Office as well as the residents living in Wickiup Hall.
Contact Kate: kdonahue@cocc.edu, 541-383-7545
Community Assistants
Each community of students has a Community Assistant (CA) who is selected and trained to assist with student concerns, be they personal, social, or academic, as well as general college and community needs. CAs work to develop programming that builds relationships between the students and promotes a sense of community throughout the residence hall. The CA team is "on duty" during the evening and weekend hours. Additionally, CAs are trained to handle emergency situations, enforce college and residence hall policies and regulations, as well as carry out general administrative tasks.
Ethan Livingston
Hometown: Tigard, OR
Ethan is from Tigard, Oregon, where he has lived his entire life. He spent his first
year of college in Klamath Falls, studying business at the Oregon Institute of Technology
(OIT). Near the end of his first year, Ethan applied for the CA position at COCC to
continue his education and to help build a community where people feel they belong.
He is entering his junior year for the 2024-2025 school year, continuing as a CA and
pursuing his business degree.
Lauren Berkey
Hometown: Culver, OR
Lauren is a dedicated second-year CA and an Outdoor Leadership major with a passion
for building strong communities. Raised in Culver, Oregon, she plans to continue her
education at Southern Oregon University after this year. Lauren is excited to apply
her skills and knowledge to another year of leadership and adventure at COCC.
Lidya Harms
Hometown: Wilsonville, OR
Lidya Harms has lived in Wilsonville, Oregon, for 13 years, though she was born in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. At the age of 7, she was adopted into the U.S. along with her
younger sister, who was 3 years old at the time. This is Lidya’s second term at COCC,
where she is studying Fire Science in hopes of becoming a firefighter, ideally in
the Bend area. Throughout high school, she played lacrosse, soccer, and basketball,
with lacrosse being her favorite sport since third grade. Lidya enjoys reading, watching
horror movies, and hiking. One day, she hopes to visit Ethiopia with her sister to
share the remarkable yet complicated stories of their lives in the U.S. with their
family.
Anna Robinson
Hometown: Paisley, OR
Anna is in her sophomore year at Central Oregon Community College, pursuing an Associate
of Arts Oregon Transfer Degree in Elementary Education. She spent her early childhood
in Prineville, Oregon, before moving to Paisley, where she now considers her hometown.
Anna graduated as the valedictorian of Paisley High School and participated in volleyball,
track, and FFA. She enjoys playing volleyball, paddleboarding, reading, traveling,
and exploring the mountains. Anna is passionate about serving her community and helping
others whenever needed.
Owen Taylor
Hometown: Corvallis, OR
Owen grew up in Corvallis, Oregon, before moving to Bend. This is his second year
at COCC, but his first year as a CA. He is enrolled in the Engineering Transfer Program.
In his free time, Owen loves to play sports like basketball, sand volleyball, and
spikeball, and he recently began snowboarding. He also enjoys watching movies, especially
those based on true stories, and cooking (though he admits he dislikes doing the dishes!).
His favorite dish to make is chicken fettuccine. Owen is excited about the upcoming
school year!
Devon Smith
Hometown: Ukiah, CA
Devon is joining the CA team after studying social work at Portland State University.
She has returned to Bend to focus on preparing for a career in the healthcare field.
Devon loves living in peaceful, beautiful places, and enjoys taking trips to the ocean
and visiting friends whenever she can.
Beckett Noel
Hometown: Philomath, OR
Beckett is in his second year at COCC, working towards an Associate of Arts Oregon
Transfer Degree with plans to earn a bachelor’s degree from OSU Cascades. Having spent
most of his life in the small town of Philomath, Oregon, which is near Corvallis,
Beckett enjoys wheel-throwing pottery, cooking, and counseling at summer camps. When
he isn’t studying, he’s likely camping or exploring the outdoors. Beckett is excited
to meet new people and make new friends during the school year.
Noelle Carlson
Hometown: Bay Area, CA
Noelle is in her second year at COCC, where she is completing her degree in Criminal
Justice. She has spent most of her life between the Bay Area in California and Southern
Oregon. Outside of school, Noelle enjoys spending time outdoors and looks forward
to meeting new people and being part of the housing community.
Kennedy May
Hometown: Bend, OR
Kennedy was born in Syracuse, New York, but spent most of her childhood in Central
Oregon, where she graduated from La Pine Senior High School. She is currently working
towards a Pre-Law degree, with plans to transfer to the University of Oregon after
two years. Kennedy enjoys exploring local vintage and thrift stores, playing the latest
Zelda game, and hiking the trails in her Jeep Wrangler. She is excited to get to know
her peers and be a helping hand around campus.
Emily Schwertfeger
Hometown: Hermiston, OR
Emily has lived in Hermiston, Oregon, her entire life. This is her second year at
COCC, where she is working on a transfer degree in Psychology. She has three dogs
and a cat at home. In her free time, Emily enjoys creative activities like painting,
coloring, and crocheting. She is also an avid reader and book collector, with over
250 books in her collection. Some of her favorites include The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Cruel Prince, Normal People, as well as the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series.