Residence Life Staff
Bonita Bontrager - Director of Residence Life
Bonita Bontrager hails from Montana where she graduated from the University of Montana Western in 2008. Bonita brings valuable experience from working in the Residence Life Department at Western, as well as her role as a principal at a private school in Montana.
Bonita's responsibilities at Grand View include leading the Resident Assistant and Graduate Assistant staff, directing housing placement, working closely with maintenance and food services to care for students' needs, and handling residential concerns and disciplinary issues. While performing her duties at Grand View, Bonita's ultimate goal is to provide a positive college experience for students. Of all the aspects of her job, the part that brings Bonita the greatest joy is connecting with students through conversations in the hall or when students stop by her office to chat.
These many responsibilities fill Bonita's calendar from morning to night. But in her brief free hours she enjoys de-stressing by running and working out, reading a good book, playing keyboard and singing, and hanging out with friends and family where good conversation and laughter flow.
Bonita enjoys it when students stop by her office to chat and update her on their lives, so feel free to drop by her office to voice your thoughts and concerns or just to say hi!
Katie Meints - Housing Director
Katie Meints grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a HUGE Husker fan. She went to college at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and majored in Communication Studies with a specialization in Public Relations. Katie also minored in Business Administration and Marketing. While in college she served as president of her sorority and president of three honorary organizations.
Katie's role at Grand View is to create an atmosphere on campus that aligns with the institutional mission of the University. As Housing Director, she helps create an environment that allows all students to be successful and develop holistically through placements, proactive communications, activities, academic ties, and one-on-one personal interaction. Katie specifically oversees communications regarding new student placement and housing paperwork throughout the academic year and summer. She also directly advises the Residence Hall Association and all components within the structure. Katie works collaboratively with the Director of Residence Life and assists in the development of Residence Life.
Katie loves to travel and has been to India, Thailand, Cambodia and Singapore. Katie enjoys working with students so stop by her office if you have any comments or concerns, or just visit with her about her favorite television show, The Office!
Robby Patterson - Graduate Assistant Hall Director
Robby oversees Knudsen Hall and directs campus intramural activities. He is originally from Minneapolis, but has lived in Des Moines since attending Drake University where he graduated in 2010 with a degree in advertising management and a concentration in cultural studies. He decided to join the Residence Life team at after positive experiences at Drake as both a resident assistant and a peer mentor/academic consultant. He was also involved in Drake intramurals as an official and a participant. Although it isn’t immediately apparent, Robby considers himself to be a deep thinker and enjoys philosophical/spiritual conversations.
Ben Van Walbeek - Graduate Assistant Hall Director
Ben oversees Langrock Suites and Jensen Hall, and is the Viking Brigade advisor with Clayton. He was born and raised in Blue Grass, IA. Ben graduated from Grand View University in 2012 with a Business Administration degree with concentrations in finance and marketing. At his time at Grand View, he was a Resident Assistant for two year, Admissions Ambassador for two years, New Student Ambassador for one year, and involved in an array of other activities. During his free time, Ben enjoys traveling, playing sports, going to church, and building relationships with other people.
Zachary Zehr - Graduate Assistant Hall Director
Zach oversees the Hull Apartments and assists in conducting intramurals. He is from Ankeny, Iowa and attended the University of Iowa. Zach graduated in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology. This is Zach's first time working in a residential life environment, but he anticipates spending the remainder of his working career interacting with young adults, as he is currently pursuing a Master's degree in secondary student counseling.
Clayton Troxell - Graduate Assistant Hall Director
Clayton oversee the L Apartment building and assists Ben with Viking Brigade. He grew up in Antioch California and graduated from Graceland University in 2012 with a Business Administration major with an emphasis in Marketing and a minor in Art. Clayton decided he wanted to continue to work in Residence Life after working as a House President (RA role) in his junior year and a Student Life Intern in his senior year. He also participated in Intramurals, Campus Ministries, and many other various campus clubs and organizations. Clayton says his favorite thing to do is anything as long as there are friends to do it with.
**We also have a staff of several resident assistants, living on each floor and in the apartments to assist residential students.
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