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Residence Life

Life at TU / Residence Life

Mission of Residence Life

Our mission is to support the Tiffin University community by providing affordable residential facilities that empower our students to achieve holistic success. We strive to offer living environments that inspire academic achievement, student involvement, personal, and professional development, while focusing on community, safety, wellness, inclusion, and respect. Residence Life aspires to develop students who want to be civically engaged, professionally focused, and life-long learners.
At Tiffin University, we believe in the development of independent decision-making skills. This process is an important part of the family-style approach of small group living, as well as promoting a living-learning environment. The hallmark of Tiffin University’s on-campus living is “community.”

Tiffin University provides you with an excellent opportunity for interaction with other students. This interaction with others leads to greater maturity, a development of self-identity, realization of strengths and weaknesses, and a broadening of one’s perspectives. When you live together in a community you will find that there are many opportunities to learn from each other. You will find that it is easier to share talents, experiences and skills through on-campus living.

Each hall, house, and apartment is supported by a Resident Assistant (RA) who functions as a student advisor and resource for the residents. The RAs are responsible for helping to maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning while also building community with the residents. Throughout the year, the RA’s will plan educational, cultural, and social activities that are designed to build positive communities on campus. Additionally, the RA provides a great variety of services from mediating roommate conflicts to initiating needed maintenance or repairs. Your RA is your first point of contact whenever you have a question!

Each night, a team of RAs is on duty to make sure that the halls, houses, and apartments are safe. This is a good time for students to get to know the other RAs in their Neighborhood.

All Residence Halls are equipped with:

  • XL twin bed and mattress
  • dresser
  • desk and chair
  • wardrobe or closet space for each student

Please Note: Handmade lofts are not permitted on campus. The furniture in most halls is designed to be lofted or bunked. Maintenance will loft the furniture when a work order is completed by your RA.

The following are also important qualities of living on campus:

  • Access to laundry equipment is available. No quarters or swipe card needed.
  • Each hall floor or house has a lounge equipped with a television and microwave.
  • Wireless internet access is available in all residential halls.
  • Access to Residence Life Cinema, a collection of free movies available to stream on your computer, tablet, or phone. You must be on campus and connected to DragonNet!

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Have Questions or Need More Information?

If you have any questions or concerns, or need more information, please do not hesitate to contact the Student Affairs Office at (800) 968-6446, ext. 3264.

We are here to help you!

Residence Life Staff

dakel patterson

Dakel Patterson

Student Affairs
Dean of Student Development and Transformation
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Degrees & Certificates

Master of Business Administration, The University of Findlay
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Sociology, The University of Findlay

Dakel holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from The University of Findlay and a double Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology from The University of Findlay. He enjoys all sports, coaching track and field athletes and custom cars!

Stephen Sanney

Student Affairs
Assistant Dean of Student Life
567.268.6080
More Info
Degrees & Certificates

B.A. in Psychology, Albion College
M.A. in Higher Education, University of Michigan – Ann Arbor

In the role of Assistant Dean, Stephen oversees the student conduct process and supervises the areas of Residence Life, Housing Operations, Student Engagement, and Campus Safety.

jill aldrich

Jill Aldrich

Residence Life, Student Affairs
Director of Housing Operations
419.448.3264
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Tiffin Ohio native, Jill Aldrich came to Tiffin University in the summer of 2004 and serves as the Director of Housing Operations.

Jill has over 21 years’ experience in higher education.  She has served in various roles, ranging from an Assistant to the Dean of Students in the School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences, Undergraduate Admissions visit coordinator to where she now happily hangs her hat in Residence Life and Student Affairs.

Jill earned her Bachelors of Business Management in 2015 while also completing a minor in Marketing and Equine Management from Tiffin University. 

Being around students, helping them grow and find their way in life has always been what fills Jill’s cup.  Known as the campus mom she is always willing to help guide students, be a listening ear, cheerleader and voice of reason for them. 

Jill is the proud mother of two grown daughters and two stepsons.   Lately though, being GG to her two grandbabies has been pretty hard to top on the scale of happiness and joy. 

It is Jill’s hope that every student that graduates, has the right tools to be successful in their next journey; both socially and in their careers.

laine gallant

Laine Gallant

Student Affairs
Area Coordinator
419.448.3346
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Degrees & Certificates

B.A. in Communication, Heidelberg University

Laine Gallant is originally from Defiance, OH and first came to Tiffin in 2017 to pursue a Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Heidelberg University, later switching to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. They worked in the Office of Admission at Heidelberg starting at the beginning of their sophomore year, served as an orientation leader in 2019, and also worked there as an admission counselor for one year after graduating in 2021. Through their experiences working in enrollment and as an orientation leader, Laine developed a love for working with students and helping them be successful in college. In their free time, Laine enjoys video games, TTRPGs, binge watching TV shows and movies, and spending time with friends.

Elizabeth Neace

Residence Life
Residence Life Coordinator
419.448.3451
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Degrees & Certificates

B.A. in Psychology, Grinnell College

Elizabeth Neace is a recent graduate from Grinnell College, who has obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. Through her experiences working with Residence Life, Elizabeth has developed a passion for supporting students on campus through creating environments that foster community, engagement, and belongingness. Her role encompasses developing and implementing residence life programs that cater to the diverse needs of our student body, as well as ensuring a safe and welcoming environment for all residents. Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as playing video games, reading, and riding roller coasters.