Meet The Gonzaga Hall Staff

Meet Your Area Coordinator/Associate Director

Jason Downer: Associate Director of Residence Life. Originally from Rochester, NY, Jason graduated from Canisius College in Buffalo, NY with a Bachelors of Science in History. He also received his Masters of Science from Canisius, in College Student Personnel Administration. Prior to coming to Fairfield, Jason was a graduate Hall Director for two years. At Fairfield, Jason oversees the housing lottery, OCB lottery, general housing assignments. In addition he works with the RAs and residents of Gonzaga Hall to build a great community.

Meet Your Resident Assistants

Michelle Gingras: Michelle is a senior from Morris, CT but currently lives in North Carolina. Her birthday is December 2. This is her second year as a Resident Assistant. She is a Nursing major who enjoys going to the gym and reading. Michelle lives by the quote "Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take, but by the moments that take your breath away."

Laura DeFrancesco: Laura is a senior and new to our staff this year. She is from Stratford, CT and her birthday is February 4. She is majoring in International Studies and has two minors in Asian Studies and Math. Laura's most moving moment while at Fairfield was her trip to Pueblo, Mexico. She was an RA for eleven high school students of which only two were bilingual. She gained a cultural prospective that she had understood before.

Fenwick Gardiner: Fen is a Biology major from North Kingston Rhode Island. He is a senior and has been an RA for 2 and 1/2 years. He was born on May 14. His most moving experience at Fairfield was when he attended the 19th annotation of the spiritual exercises of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. The guided retreat created a pathway for a broadened world view, which resulted in a greater desire to discover and interact within the world that has been so gracefully created for us by God.

Derek Curley: Derek is a first year RA and a junior this year. He is English major and has a minor in music. His birthday is December 30 and is from Winthrop, MA. Derek is involved in the Ham Channel, the Jazz ensemble, and floor hockey. He likes the book House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski and enjoys the TV show "Lost".

Michal Horicka: Mike is a junior and a first year RA. He is a double major in Finance and Economics and has a minor in Accounting. Mike's birthday is July 26 from Stamford, CT. On campus, Mike is involved with FUSA, Freshman Orientation, and an active member of the Finance Club. He enjoys hockey, snowboarding, cycling, weight lifting, and rugby. Don't be surprised to see him at the gym!

Chelsea Bailey: Chelsea is the senior RA of Gonzaga Hall and this is her second year as a RA in Gonzaga. She is graduating this year and is from Granthom, NH. Chelsea's Birthday is November 21. Her major is English with a concentration in professional writing. Chelsea is involved with IRHA executive board and is a Fairfield Corps member. Her favorite shows are "Grey's Anatomy" and "Sex and the City".

Jamie Abromaitis: Jamie is a first year RA. She is a junior from Southbury, CT. Her major is Psychology and her birthday is April 26. On campus, Jamie is involved with FUSA senate and she is a FYE facilitator. She also is an orientation leader and the class of 2009's Student Representative on the University Council. Jamie enjoys hanging out with friends and family, spending time at the beach, reading a good book, and shopping. She is our RA for the living and learning communities located on the third floor of Gonzaga.

Chanelle Blake: Chanelle is a junior nursing major from Stratford, CT. Her birthday is June 18 and this is her second year as a RA. Her most moving moment at Fairfield was during a conversation with a professor where he explained how communication is essential among students, professors, and peers in order to build relationships. She learned that conversation is the key element to learn about others and uses this advice everyday as a RA. In her free time, Chanelle takes pleasure in reading, shopping and volunteering.