Staff Welcome from the Division of Student Life
The Division of Student Life is pleased to announce the recent additions to staff who strengthen the student experience at SMC. Join us in the warm welcome to our new Gaels.
Brian Middleton, Director of Housing Operations and Auxiliary Services
Email:bhm2@stmarys-ca.edu
Dept Phone: 925-631-4241
Location: Ferroggiaro Hall 200
Brian began his journey at Saint Mary's on June 15 and has been fully engaged with new student orientation. Brian joins us from Bowles Hall Residential College (at UC Berkeley) and has previous experiences at Indiana State University and the Academy of Art University. Brian is providing leadership and direction for the operations of campus housing programs, marketing and communication, and auxiliary services that support on campus living.
Jeremy Penaflor, Director of Recreational Sports
Email: jnp9@stmarys-ca.edu
Dept Phone: 925-631-4728
Location: Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center
Jeremy Penaflor comes to Saint Mary's after a career as a collegiate volleyball coach of over 19 years. He comes by way of Ohlone College, having spent 14 years as head volleyball coach of the Ohlone College Renegades Volleyball program. Prior to Ohlone College, Penaflor was an assistant volleyball coach with the San Jose State University Volleyball program. Having earned his bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from San Jose State, Penaflor went on to attend California University of Pennsylvania to earn his Masters degree in Sports Management. Penaflor also brings a wealth of experience to SMC as he steps into his new role of Director of Recreational Sports in the Club Athletics Department. He served as Club Director for Ohlone Juniors Volleyball Club for over 10 years, managing multiple teams, players, and families of various age groups.
Penaflor also was a member of the committee that created Club Sports at San Jose State University. While at SJSU, he served as the first Club Sports Student Assistant to the director of Club Sports, and he also was a member of the Club Sports Council serving as the Club Sports Liaison to represent the student voice among the SJSU administration. Penaflor also brings a heavy interest in student success to SMC. At Ohlone College, he was an active member of the Student Health Advisory Committee, the Student Equity & Achievement Committee, a subcommittee member of the Summer Bridge/First Year Experience program, and he currently serves in a new joint committee between Ohlone College and Stanford University called the Smoke and Vape-Free Scholar Initiative Advisory Committee - a research based group that looks to decrease and/or eliminate the use of smoke and vape products on college campuses.
Prior to his professional career Penaflor was a member of the San Jose State University Men's Volleyball Club Team. As a student-athlete, he was named to the All-NCCVL First Team (2002, 2004). At the NIRSA National Championship Tournament, he was selected All-Tournament Libero for two tournament appearances (2002, 2003). Penaflor is married to his wife Sarah of 11 years. They have two daughters, Lilly (10yrs) and Vivian (6yrs), attending elementary school, and they recently got a new pet dog named Ryder (3 months). When not in the world of sports, Penaflor enjoys running, cycling, and having family time in Lake Tahoe or going on family camping trips.
Lindsey Nakashima, Director of Club Sports
Email: lmn1@stmarys-ca.edu
Dept Phone: 925-631-6294
Location: Joseph L. Alioto Recreation Center
Lindsey Nakashima comes to Saint Mary’s College of California (SMC) with over 10 years of experience providing educational services focused on elementary education, coaching women’s sports, and working with children, youth and college students. Growing up in Hawaii, she played soccer, volleyball, and cheer. Beyond athletics, she was a leader in her high school and worked closely with the Hawaii State Legislature as a chairperson for the Hawaii State Student Leadership Conference. Lindsey moved to California to attend Saint Mary’s College and graduated from the Kalmanovitz School of Education with her B.A. in Liberal and Civic Studies and Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She then spent the next 10+ years teaching elementary school in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, and coaching in San Ramon Valley Unified School District and Acalanes Union School District.
During her time as a student living on campus at SMC, she was on the Cheer team, worked in Recreational Sports as a Supervisor and Coordinator, worked in the office of the Dean of Academic Advising and Achievements, and was a Resident Advisor. Her college highlights include traveling with the Spirit Team to the West Coast Conference Tournaments for basketball, and NCAA March Madness tournament.
Always connected with her Gael “roots”, Lindsey is the Head Coach for the Saint Mary’s College STUNT Team, and was a former mentor teacher for graduate students pursuing their Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She continues to coach STUNT at Monte Vista High School and coordinates regional cheer camps with Varsity Spirit. In her spare time, she stays active by hiking, working with national cheer organizations, and watching sports. She loves anything “Aloha” and tries to live aloha everyday!
Travis Mason, Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Community Life, Student Rights and Responsibilities
Dept Phone: 925-631-4238
Location: Ferroggiaro Hall 200
Travis begins his journey at Saint Mary's on Monday, July 25. Travis is finishing up his doctorate at USC and was most recently the Associate Director of Community Standards at UCONN. Previously, Travis has spent time at San Jose State and the Istituto Lorenzo de’ Medici (Florence, Italy) as part of his many years in student conduct and student affairs. Travis will be living on campus.
Travis will be leading the Community Life team, including Dr. Calvin Monroe, Assistant Dean of Students, and Victoria Gonzalez, Coordinator of Community Life. The Associate Dean of Students and Director of the Office of Community Life, Student Rights and Responsibilities has leadership responsibilities that include overseeing and managing all aspects of the student discipline process, oversight of the Student Code of Conduct adjudication process providing a developmental and educational context for student conduct both on and off campus, compliance of Title IX as it relates to student on student cases, and representing the College and office to internal and external constituencies. The Associate Dean of Students and Director is responsible for developing the student care, case management, restorative, and accountability functions and responsibilities of a growing office, with an emphasis on supporting students in distress and/or crisis, and students who are experiencing personal difficulties impacting their student experience. This position serves the College as Chief Conduct Officer, a Title IX Deputy Coordinator for students, and Chair of the Student Outreach, Referral, and Behavioral Intervention Team.