Residence Life Professional Staff
Residence Life is committed to walking with you throughout your university experience – and helping you get where you want to be. The residence life staff is trained to create living atmospheres where you can make friends, live responsibly, and create the memories of a lifetime! Throughout our programs, you will find an emphasis on a personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a commitment to the advancement of His Kingdom. We believe that during the college years students should grow as balanced persons emotionally, socially, culturally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually. Residence Life programs and activities are designed with this student’s growth in mind. Please join us in these exciting opportunities.
The Residence Life Staff are professionals who serve full time directing the various living-learning communities here at Northwest. They also are associate members of the university faculty. Some of their duties include supervision of student staff, crisis intervention, developing personal relationships with students, planning and implementing educational programs and social activities, and assisting residents in all aspects of their spiritual, academic, and personal growth.
Larissa Lilly | Dean of Students
Larissa Lilly serves as the Dean of Students. Her passion is to build community and help facilitate opportunities for students to find a place to belong at Northwest. Larissa oversees our Residence Life & Housing and Community Life departments and works within conduct and student leadership. Larissa has been living intentional life with college students since 2008. Though originally from a farm in eastern Washington, Larissa has found this work has taken her all over the US, but was happy to move back to the PNW in 2016. Her top five strengths are Achiever, Responsibility, Activator, Developer and Restorative. She’s a strong Three on the Enneagram and loves talking with students about how their personalities and stories play out.
Larissa and her husband Curtis live in the heart of campus. They have three young children: Zia, Iry and Booker. You will often see them as a family eating in the Caf, walking across campus or cheering on our Eagles! In her time away from work, you can find Larissa enjoying time with her family, fellowshipping with friends over meals, or at a local coffee shop. Come on by her office in the Pecota Center and ask her to take you to coffee!
Alissa Vinje | Apartments & FIRs Area Coordinator
Alissa Vinje serves as the Area Coordinator for the Guy, Perks, & Crowder residence halls.
She is an NU alum from Mukilteo, WA. She received her BA in Educational Studies with an endorsement in Instructional Design and has faithfully served in Admissions as the Campus Visits and Events Coordinator before her time in Student Development. Alissa found her love for higher education and importance of developing the next generation through her two years as a Resident Assistant and her senior year as the SAB Student Director. She loves to find ways to celebrate, encourage, develop and cheer on others in the big moments and in everyday life. She passionate about encouraging and developing students holistically. And to be a resource and advocate for students as they start exploring who they are called to be and what it means to be a faithful disciple of our Creator.
Alissa is an enneagram nine and her top strengths are arranger, connectedness, developer, strategic and positivity. She is actively using these strengths to build relationship with students and staff at Northwest University.
Ryan Colombe | Gray Beatty Area Coordinator
Ryan Colombe serves as the Area Coordinator for Gray & Beatty residence halls.
He is a Biola University graduate with a BA in Organizational Communication. Originally from Kansas City, KS, He brings a passion for authentic connection and a heart for community. His time at Biola deepened his love for intentional relationships and helped shape his desire to walk alongside others in their faith and personal growth. Ryan enjoys sharing meals and coffee with friends, heading outside for adventure in the great PNW, and relaxing with his vinyl collection.
He is committed to creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and encouraged as they discover the beauty of the Lord in themselves and others. He is excited to partner with students and staff in this next season and looks forward to all that God has in store.
Regan Thomas | Guy, Perks, & Crowder Area Coordinator
Regan Thomas serves as the Area Coordinator for the Guy, Perks, & Crowder residence halls.
She is a BIOLA graduate, born and raised in San Jose, CA. She received her BA in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Biblical Studies. Currently, she is pursuing her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at CCU, with a hope to help set minds and hearts free from darkness. Regan has always had a love for building relationships for Christ within her peers and those younger than her. After college, she lived and served faithfully for four years at SAMBICA, a Bible Camp on Lake Sammamish, where she saw campers and college staff alike get baptized, grow in faith, and boldly proclaim the good news of the Kingdom.
She loves to champion students in their development, encourage through trials, and inspire those towards their calling and purpose. She hopes to lead students by her example in what it looks like to live grounded in your identity as a child of God, diligent to care for others.