UM Housing Leadership

John Nugent, Interim Executive Director of Housing & Community Standards

Phone: (406) 243-2611John Nugent
John currently serves as the Interim Executive Director of Housing and Community Standards and began working for UM Housing in 2017. He oversees all aspects of the University's comprehensive Housing operation and serves as the University's Senior Student Conduct Officer responsible for administering the Student Code of Conduct. John received his Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Sociology – Personnel and Human Relations and his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from Washington State University in Pullman, WA, and is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership – Higher Education Doctoral program at the University of Montana. Before coming to the UM, John worked for five years as the Assistant Director of New Student Programs at Washington State University, and prior to that worked professionally in housing and residence life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and WSU. John grew up in Missoula and was excited to return after fifteen years away. In his free time John enjoys spending time with his husband, Kyle, and daughters, Abbi and Rose; spoiling his golden retrievers, Molly and CJ; and being outside exploring all that Montana has to offer.

Marcey Campbell, Associate Director of Fiscal Operations

Phone: (406) 243-5075Marcey Campbell
Marcey currently serves as the Associate Director of Fiscal Operations. She began her career at UM in 2020. Growing up in Montana she has loved the outdoors, the four seasons it has to offer, and the University of Montana campus.   In her free time she has volunteered for many non-profits including those raising funds for local breast cancer survivors, Castlemans disease, and for local members of our community.  Marcey has two daughters both in college and has been married to her husband of 24 years. In her free time you can find Marcey usually out enjoying our mountains and close by lakes, and Montana Grizzly Football

Harley Lathrop, Associate Director of Facilities

Phone: (406) 243-6034Harley Lathrop

Harley currently serves as the Associate Director of Facilities and began working for the UM Housing in 2014. He oversees all the maintenance in the Residential Halls, University Villages & LCV apartments. Prior to this, Harley was supervising custodial and maintenance crews in Hospital facilities in Montana and Colorado. Harley serves on the UM Campus Safety Committee. Harley and his wife, Jamie moved to Missoula in 2007 to attend the University of Montana. In his free time, you can find Harley cooking, landscaping, and spending quality time with his wife, Jamie, and children, Ryan, Bridger and Emma. He enjoys all that the Montana great outdoors has to offer, his favorite outdoor activity is pursuing upland game birds with his two Germain wired-haired dogs Freda and Lady.

Melissa Neidigh, Associate Director of Operations

Melissa NeidighPhone: (406) 243-2009
Melissa has served as the Associate Director for Operations since May 2012. She oversees human resources, operations, technology, and training for full-time staff. She also oversees the Griz Card Center, serves on the Sustainable Campus Committee, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Team, and the Diversity Advisory Council. Melissa received her BS in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire and her Master of Public Administration from the University of Montana. She worked at the Griz Card Center for 6 years prior to moving over to Turner Hall. She also worked in the nonprofit sector in the Twin Cities and was an Americorps VISTA in Minneapolis before moving to Montana. Melissa served as a fellow for the University of Montana's Women's Leadership Initiative (2019). She is also currently serving as president for the National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU). In her free time she enjoys playing board games, spending time with her family, and enjoying the outdoors in the shade.

Robin Joseph, UM Housing Office Manager

Robin JosephPhone: (406) 243-2612
In her Office Manager, Robin supervises the UM Housing central office staff, and oversees conference housing and Winter Break housing. Robin graduated from the University of Montana with a BA in Psychology and has been working in UM Housing for over 30 years. She started in Brantly Hall when it was a residence hall, and has also worked in the Griz Card Office, University Villages, and Student Conduct before becoming the Office Manager. If you ever need help, see Robin. If she can not help you, she will find someone who will. In her free time Robin enjoys taking naps and spending time with her two children.

Jace Whitaker, Associate Director of Residential Experience and Student Success

Phone: (406) 243-5095assistant-director-of-residential-education_jace-whitaker.jpg
Jace Whitaker currently serves as the Associate Director of Residential Experience and Student Success. Prior to that, he worked as an Assistant Director of Residential Education and the Area Coordinator for UM Housing’s apartment communities. In addition, he has worked in areas of new student orientation, fraternity and sorority life, and student activities at Boise State, Indiana University, and the University of Georgia. Born and raised in Idaho, he joined the United States Navy out of high school and has served for over 14 years in the security and force protection community—with deployments to Iraq and Kuwait. As a first-generation college student, he received an Associate of Science in Marketing Management and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Boise State University, while most recently completing his Master of Science in Education from Indiana University. In his free time, you can find Jace working out at the Campus Rec Center, running obstacle course races, hunting and fishing, snowboarding, and anything else that gets him out of the city.

Jessica Robbins, Assistant Director of Student Care and Case Management

Phone: (406) 243-5178Jessica Robbins

Jess currently serves as the Assistant Director of Student Care and Case Management. She began working at UM in early 2023. Previously, she worked as a case manager in several K-12 school districts in Alaska and Montana, as well as at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, MA. She and her family have lived in Missoula since 2016 when her husband was hired on faculty at UM. Born and raised in Homer, Alaska, Jess is thrilled that she and her family have permanently settled “out west” following a couple of cross-country moves. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA and her Masters of Arts in Teaching from the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, AK.  

Lynette Porter, Assistant Director, Facilities & Custodial Operations

Phone: (406) 243-5805Lynette Porter

 Lynette is the new Assistant Director of Facilities and Custodial Operations. She is a Missoula native and has been going to Griz games since she was a kid! She has extensive background on how the residence halls flow since she served as a student temp custodian, student and then her mom Evy retiring after 24 years of custodial work here at the U of M. She studied briefly for her accounting degree before having to set school aside to welcome her daughter Mia into the world! Lynette loves to spend time with her family and watching her kiddos play soccer and softball! Go Griz!

Michael Burk-Boggs, Assistant Director of Assignments & Occupancy

Phone: (406) 243-4513Michael Burk

Michael currently serves as the Assistant Director of Assignments and Occupancy. Michael grew up in Great Falls Montana, and graduated from the University of Montana in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Sociology. Previously, he worked in UM Housing as a Resident Assistant in Miller and Jesse Hall for 3 years. In his free time Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, watching movies, and traveling.

Darby Waldbillig, Assistant Director of Community Standards

Phone: (406) 243-5929Darby Waldbillig

Darby currently serves as the Assistant Director of Community Standards and began working for UM Housing in 2023. Previously, she worked within Residential Life and Housing at Carroll College in Helena, MT and Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. Additionally, Darby spent two years working as a Recreation Center Manager in Baker, MT. Darby received her Bachelor of Arts from Montana State University in Political Science in 2016, and will complete her Master of Science in Management and Leadership in 2023. Darby grew up in the Missoula area and is excited to return home and be closer to family. In her free time, you can find Darby babying her houseplants, playing Pokémon Go, and spending time outside with her husband, Austin, and her daughter, Siobhan.

Danny Diaz, Assistant Director of Apartments and Residential Services

Phone: (406) 243-5098 Danny Diaz photo
Danny currently serves as the Assistant Director of Apartments and Residential Services and began working for UM Housing in Fall 2023. Previously, he worked with Housing and Residential Life at South Dakota State University, University of Northern Colorado, and the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Additionally, Danny has spent 2 years as an EMT and Firefighter in both Colorado and Iowa. Danny received his Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science from Carthage College in 2014, then his Masters of Education from the University of Arizona Global Campus in 2016. Danny grew up in Chicago, Illinois and is excited to continue his career in Higher Education in Montana, away from big city life. In his free time, Danny likes to spend time outdoors hiking or camping, following all sports, and watching movies or shows.