Opening Session

Jamal Holtz

Students' Association President

Jamal Holtz, born and raised in Washington, DC. Jamal is currently a POSSE scholar at the University of Rochester where he serves as the President for the Student Government Association. As former Vice President, he has led the historic change to the safe Ride Home Program, working to make it a more efficient program; including an app and 15-passengeder van. In addition, he has worked to increase student engagement in SA across the University. Jamal has led the Gender Inclusive Working Group, established a student advisory board to the University President, and much more!

Back at home; Jamal serves on the DC Mayor’s Board of Commission on Juvenile Justice, and currently works for LINK Strategic Partners, as an Associate, gaining skills in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. At LINK Strategic Partners, Jamal helps lead the firm’s community engagement work for a variety of clients and causes.

Brian Magee

Associate Director of Student Activities

Brian Magee, Associate Director, has worked in Wilson Commons Student Activities for over four years. In his current role, he oversees all large-scale programming on campus, community weekends, student organization advising, and event registration. He received his BA in Spanish and Biology from the University of Rochester, a Ed.M. from the University at Buffalo, and most recently an Ed.D. from the Warner School of Education. For over 10 years he has worked and published on aspects of college student leadership development, including currently serving on the Inter-Association Leadership Education Collaborative (ILEC). His research interests focus on college student leadership development through programming, mentorship, and intentional experiential learning experiences.

Anne-Marie Algier

Associate Dean of Students

Anne-Marie Algier, Associate Dean of Students, has been involved in student life at Wilson Commons Student Activities for more than 20 years. Her educational background includes a B.A from SUNY Geneseo, an M.A. from SUNY at Buffalo, and an Ed.D from the Warner Graduate School of Education. She focuses on creating an inclusive and dynamic community environment, encouraging all students to define their passion and become involved in organizations.

Jeffrey Runner

Dean of the College

Jeffrey Runner became dean of the College in 2017. As dean, he leads the units, programs, and initiatives that serve both academic and non-academic needs of undergraduates in Arts, Sciences, & Engineering. Runner joined the faculty of the School of Arts and Sciences' Department of Linguistics in 1994. He has been a professor of linguistics since 2015, and was appointed chair of the department in 2014. He is a member of the Center for Language Sciences an interdisciplinary center supporting research and training in natural language - and served as its director from 2009-14. He was also director of graduate studies in linguistics from 2015-16, and has been a faculty associate of the Susan B. Anthony Institute for Gender and Women's Studies since 2003. Runner's research focuses on syntax and has been supported by National Science Foundation since 2002. He is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Ph.D).

Laura Ballou

Assistant Dean of Student Life Operations

Laura Ballou, Assistant Dean of Student Life Operations, has worked in Wilson Commons Student Activities for over 15 years. She received her BA from the University of Rochester where she was very active in student life including serving as a founding board member of the Community Service Network. She received her MSW at the University of Michigan. She believes in creating community spaces that support the vibrant student life on campus. She is an active volunteer with the Association of College Unions International.