Terri Thayer (she/her)
Director for Residence Life 

Terri Thayer is an enrolled member of the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation. She has a bachelor’s degree in history from Western Washington University and a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Leadership. Terri has worked in higher education for over 15 years in number of departments. She enjoys cooking, traveling and being creative. Terri loves to laugh!

Terri is excited for the opportunity to work within Cedar Hall and understand the honor it is to build and live on the land originally cared for by the Salish people. She believes that Cedar Hall will continue to practice a legacy of caring and community. Everyone has a unique story and Terri hopes that Cedar Hall will provide residents with the opportunity to live their authentic selves while creating relationships of respect and caring for each other.

Starr Ramirez (she/her)
Residence Life Operations Manager 

Originally from Houston, Texas, I have called Whatcom County home for the past 11 years. Before joining Whatcom Community College, I served as an early-entry kindergarten teacher in Salt Lake City, Utah, where I developed a deep passion for working in educational settings. I am currently studying political science and history at the University of Washington and love learning about how historical events have shaped our current ways of living. Being a proud Latina, I am dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive community at Cedar Hall by creating a welcoming environment where students can express their unique identities and celebrate their culture and beliefs.

In my personal time, you can find me exploring the natural beauty of Washington state with friends and family. I also love to volunteer throughout the community by teaching arts and music to at-risk youth, hoping to make a positive impact in their lives while also advocating for art and music programs in the K-12 public school system.

Dawson Kamalu-Nako (he/him) 
Residence Life Coordinator

Professional Experience: I have my BA from the University of Western Washington in Political Science and Social Studies. I have worked with K-12 as a para educator back in Spokane, WA and for the last two years I have worked for the Office of Off Campus Living at WWU as the peer lead mentor and then the program manager for the office. Being the oldest of five children I have always been in the role of watching out for and taking care of my siblings and those experiences long with my work experience as a basketball coach, ref, peer lead mentor and program manager at WWU will allow for me to connect with the students that I will be responsible for at all levels and I look forward to growing my experience and those future relationships.

Personal: Being Native Hawaiian is something that I probably wear on my shoulders and is a big part of my identity and I look forward to meeting people of all backgrounds while in this role. When not working I love to play pool, basketball, video games, and watch tv and movies. I'm a huge sports fan as well as a huge movie and history buff.

Zack Bonacorsi (he/him)
1st Floor Resident Advisor

Hi, I'm Zack. I grew up in San Diego, California before moving to Washington in late 2019 to be closer to family, since then I've lived all around the Bellingham area. Before working in Cedar Hall, I worked at the Whatcom County Boys & Girls Club and volunteered at various organizations. I graduated high school in June 2024 and I'm currently working towards an Associate of Arts & Sciences in Psychology, I chose this path because I'm interested how the human mind works, and because careers in psychology tend to be focused on helping people in one way or another.

I enjoy photography, spending time with animals, traveling, tabletop and video games, world history, movies, and computer science/engineering. When I'm not at work, I'll probably be doing something related to one of these things.

At Whatcom, I look forward to meeting new people and working to foster a sense of community in student housing.

Haley Sackrider
2nd Floor Resident Advisor

Hi! My name is Haley, I'm 24 years old, and I'm so excited to be part of the Residence Life team this year! I began my academic journey at Whatcom Community College just las year and am currently working toward three certifications related to office administration and clerical work.

I'm really looking forward to supporting residents however I can, whether that's answering questions, providing resources, or just being a friendly face around campus.

In my free time, I love diving into hobbies that help me relax and express creativity. I like gaming - especially drawn to cozy, story-driven games that offer a great escape. I also enjoy experimenting with aquaponics, which combines my love for nature and sustainable systems. Crafting is another big part of my life; whether it's crocheting or trying to out new DIY projects, I enjoy working with my hands. Thrifting is my favorite way to shop - I love the thrill of finding unique items.

As your RA, my goal is to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels safe, respected, and heard. I'm always here to lend an ear, answer a question, or just chat about your favorite games or DIY projects. Don't hesitate to reach out or say hi - I'm really looking forward to getting to know all of you this year!

When I'm not doing schoolwork, researching, or examining things under my microscope, I enjoy PC games, crocheting, and playing guitar. 

Feel free to reach out at any time to chat, for friendly support or someone to try a new restaurant with!

Maavie Slone (she/her)
2nd Floor Resident Advisor

Hey y'all, I'm Mavvie! I'm from a small town called Morristown, Tennessee - so if I sound a little different, don't worry, I promise I'm just like you. Before coming here, I worked in customer service at Lowe's (can't tell you much about tools, but I can tell you how to break one). I moved here on my own to start fresh and chase a better life, so if you're ever feeling a little homesick or out of place, come say hi. Trust me, being 40 hours away from home can feel like another world - I get it.

Right now, I’m working toward my nursing degree, and when I’m not at work or in class, you’ll probably catch me playing video games or spending way too much money on clothes (fun fact: I don’t wear the same outfit twice in the same week—it’s just not my thing).

I’m really excited to meet new people and build a supportive, welcoming space here. So don’t be afraid to say hey if you see me around—I’m always down to chat. :)

Josef Kolke (he/him)
3rd Floor Resident Advisor

Hey there, I'm Josef! I grew up in Enumclaw, a small town near the base of Mt. Rainer and moved to Bellingham a few years ago to begin my degree in Computer Science - Cybersecurity.

On the weekends you can usually find me playing magic at Cardhaven, exploring various trails nearby, or just wandering through various bookstores looking for nothing in particular. Usually during the week, you can find me working on class work, editing, writing, taking care of my plants, or playing video games.

I became an RA to help build a community of people from all walks of like and I'm excited by this opportunity. I love meeting people and having conversations so feel free to say hi!

Hannah Roorda (she/her)
3rd Floor Resident Advisor

Hey! I'm Hannah. I grew up on a farm where I spent most of my childhood playing in the dirt surrounded by plants and chickens. I dug deeper in my local community by volunteering at the Food Bank, getting involved with the Association for Washington Archaeology, and teaching kids ballet after 10+ years of experience with various dance companies including Pacific Northwest Ballet. After finishing my AA at Whatcom I followed my love for the planet and creatures to the Enviro Science BS at Western.

When I'm not doing schoolwork, researching, or examining things under my microscope, I enjoy PC games, crocheting, and playing guitar. 

Feel free to reach out at any time to chat, for friendly support or someone to try a new restaurant with!

Beck Fisher (he/him)
4th Floor Resident Advisor

Hi, I'm Beck! I've lived in Washington my entire life and honestly wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I recently moved to Bellingham to start my journey at WCC, where I'm working toward an associate degree in chemistry with plans to transfer to UW.

I love thrifting, listening to music, and I've recently gotten into working out at the campus gym. Some of my favorite artists right now are Fakemink, Cameron Winter, and Saam Sultan. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me at the gym or grabbing something to eat.

I applied for this job because I love helping people and being a part of this great community!

Paw Wah (she/her)
4th Floor Resident Advisor

Hi, I’m Paw. I’m originally from Spokane, Washington, and graduated high school in June 2024. Leaving behind my family and friends, I made the big girl decision to come to Bellingham to enroll at Whatcom Community College. Everything was new, the faces, the streets, the community but that leap marked the start of something exciting.

I'm now pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business, passionate by my dream of one day opening a Thai cafe . Cooking isn’t just a hobby of mine, it’s a dream and passion i’m excited to share with others through delectable, authenticity, community rooted flavors.

Beyond the classroom, I love hiking, being out in nature, and traveling. I also enjoy shopping, capturing moments through photography , and, when I unwind, you’ll often find me playing my favorite video game; roblox. These activities keep me balanced, inspired, and ready for new challenges.

At Whatcom, I’m eager to meet new people, build meaningful connections, and ensure every student feels as welcomed and supported as I did when I first arrived. Student housing should feel like a safe, friendly, home feeling space, and I’m committed to helping make that a reality.