Meet the Staff

Natalie Bates joined Dalton State College as Director of Residential Life and is responsible for the overall leadership and management of the department. Her responsibilities include strategic planning, operations, assessment and supervision of professional and student staff members. Natalie holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Berry College and a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Alabama.  She enjoys watching SEC football, making soups and adventures with her husband, Nathan, daughters Addie Kay and Annie Lynn, and three dogs Paisley, Riley and Bentley.

William S. Melendez is a History Education major returning to the R.A. staff for his third year. He was born in New York City and was raised in Austell, Georgia. Before joining the Roadrunner family, William attended Georgia Cumberland Academy, a Seventh Day Adventist boarding school in Calhoun, Georgia. He loves to cook and enjoys the company of his friends. He is a founding father of Alpha Kappa Lambda, which is the first chartered social fraternity at Dalton State.

 Jazman Acosta is a nursing major and expects to graduate in 2016. Her hobbies include painting nails, watching Netflix, playing video games, and DIY projects. She was born in Whittier, California, but raised in Dalton, Georgia. She will be a RA for building 2213.

Drew Serrette is from Newburgh, New York. His area of study is Business Management. He is expected to graduate in spring of 2016. Drew’s hobbies include playing Xbox games such as Call of Duty, NBA 2K, and listing to music. He also enjoys working out and meeting new people. He loves to play sports, run track, and watching Basketball. His favorite sports teams are the Brooklyn Nets, New York Giants, and New York Yankees. Drew will be a RA for Building 2221 starting in fall of 2014.

Christelle Ryniker is a nursing major. She is planning to graduate in 2017 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing. She was born on a Marine base in California, but graduated high school in McDonough, GA. She loves to read and hike. She is very social and active; she tries to keep busy to stay entertained. She is very excited about this opportunity and hopes to make a difference here on campus! Next year she will be a RA of building 2228.

 Christian Roach is a sophomore majoring in Accounting. He plans on graduating in the spring of 2016. He was born and raised in Dalton, GA. His hobbies include: playing video games, hanging with friends, and watching Hulu and Netflix. Christian is a vegan and loves animals. Christian is very excited to be an Office Assistant for the Residential Life of Dalton State.

Derrick Henderson is in his junior year and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He is outgoing, fun loving, confident, and very respectful and willing to learn from anyone willing to teach. His hobbies include basketball, drawing, dancing, and football, track, playing video games and hanging out with his friends. He was born in Watts, California and moved to Georgia in the summer of 2012. His position here at Dalton State is a Facility Assistant and he has been in this position since April of 2013.