Staff
STUDENT CENTERS TEAM
Clayton Arrington ✉
Senior Director | Student Engagement & Leadership
Clayton has been working at Vanderbilt since 2001, serving in a variety of roles to support students and the Vanderbilt community. After completing a degree at Middle Tennessee State University, Clayton received his Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration from The Ohio State University. Along with providing support for Student Centers, Clayton also works on special projects and initiatives within the Student Affairs Office. He enjoys helping students find a sense of belonging on campus and supporting professional staff in their development and career. His passion also includes coaching basketball and enjoying all that the summer brings
RESERVATIONS & SYSTEM MANAGEMENT
Karen Burnett ✉
Associate Director | Reservations & System Management
Karen helps faculty, students, and staff plan events on Vanderbilt’s campus—a role she finds both super fun and incredibly rewarding. She first fell in love with college life while serving on the programming board at Auburn University and later spent 17 years honing her hospitality and customer service skills at Gaylord Opryland Resort. Now with 15 years at Vanderbilt under her belt (don’t do the math!), she brings energy, experience, and a love of community to every event she supports. Outside of work, Karen lives way out in the country on her family’s farm with her husband, Erik, and their son, Jack. It’s a true family compound—her in-laws, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law all live on the property too.
Senior Coordinator of Reservations & System Management
EVENTS
Jordan Hajacos ✉
Associate Director | Events
Nashville native and Auburn University alum Jordan Hajacos has been with Vanderbilt University since 2008 and has been doing events for over 15 years. After joining the team as an event manager, Jordan now serves as an Assistant Director for Student Centers. A foodie and live music lover, Jordan’s sense for Nashville culture and cuisine helps her shape the unique event spaces at Vanderbilt University for clients. Outside of work Jordan enjoys spending time with her family, eating at all the local hot spots and enjoying the music scene.
Riley Munger ✉
Senior Coordinator of Events & Operations
Sarratt Student Center | Rand Hall / Student Staff Development
Riley joined Vanderbilt in spring 2021, bringing experience in student affairs and event management. He puts that background to work by supporting our student employment program and helping coordinate events across campus. When he’s off the clock, you’ll find Riley rock climbing, catching live music, playing a round of golf, or exploring Nashville’s food scene with his wife.
Abi Enockson ✉
Senior Coordinator of Events & Operations
Student Life Center, Alumni Hall/Student Staff Development
Abi joins Vanderbilt from Academy for the Arts in Asheville, NC, where she helped students and faculty bring music to life. A native of Fargo, ND, she graduated from St. Olaf College with degrees in Music (viola) and Management Studies. She’s worked in Minneapolis, Chicago, St. Louis, and Asheville, motivated by her love of people, education, and the arts. Off the clock, you’ll find her hiking, traveling, trying her hand at some Irish fiddle, or spoiling her perfect cat.
Charlie Gray ✉
Coordinator of Events & Operations
Alumni Hall, Rothschild Black Box Theater
Charlie first fell in love with working in live events when he worked for his alma mater’s radio station KSJS at San Jose State University. Originally hailing from Sonoma, CA, he has spent the last five years of his life working in live music and events here in Nashville for such companies as Paradigm Talent Agency, Wasserman Music, & Marathon Music Works. Most weekends you can still find him enjoying live music somewhere in the city, hiking around with his dog, or finding new restaurants to enjoy.
Zach Greene ✉
Coordinator of Events & Operations
Sarratt Student Center | Rand Hall, Community Event Space
Zach joins Vanderbilt from Corpus Christi, Texas where he previously worked at his alma mater, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi’s, Student Union as a student worker and professional staff. While there he oversaw building operations and worked with students and staff to put on many great events and shows. Zach’s passion lies within Student Unions, helping turn ideas from scratch into successful events, and helping students succeed. Outside of work, you can find him hiking with his dog Warden, frequenting Gold’s Gym, or following wherever the sound of country music is coming from.
Nikki Joyner ✉
Coordinator of Events & Operations
Nikki Joyner is a dedicated Events Coordinator with extensive experience in planning, organizing, and executing a wide range of corporate and social events. She is recognized for her exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and ability to manage complex logistics with professionalism and precision. Nikki is committed to delivering outstanding event experiences that align with client goals and exceed expectations. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys spending quality time with her husband and children and enjoying good food and her passion for college basketball.
Coordinator of Events & Operations
Commons Center
Anne joins us from Iowa State University, where she graduated with a B.S. degree in Event Management. While there, she worked as a Special Events Assistant at the Memorial Union and gained a passion for coordinating diverse events. She is excited to be at Vanderbilt and help make people’s dream events come to life. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her dog, Goji, reading, listening to music, traveling with friends and family, as well as finding new hidden gems in Nashville.
Alysha Patel ✉
Coordinator of Events & Operations
Student Life Center, Benton Chapel, Alumni Hall
Alysha Patel hails from Seattle, WA, but now proudly calls Nashville her home. A Seattle University graduate with a degree in Marketing and Management, she brings a background in sports, including time spent with Huntsville City FC, to her professional journey. A true Seattle sports enthusiast, she is especially devoted to the Mariners. Outside of work, you’ll find her dancing, spending time with friends and family, enjoying a bowl of mac & cheese, or re-watching her favorite Zac Efron movies with an enthusiasm that rivals her sports fandom.
Graduate Assistant
Maya is a first-year master’s student in the Higher Education Administration program at Peabody College. She graduated from the University of Virginia with a B.S.Ed in Youth & Social Innovation this May. During her time in undergrad, she discovered her passion for student affairs and supporting student voice and events. Outside of classes, you’ll find her taking pictures of sunsets, attending sports games, and rewatching her favorite shows for the hundredth time.
FACILITIES AND OPERATIONS
Sara Cope ✉
Associate Director | Facilities & Operations
Sara has been at Vanderbilt since 2014 when she started the Higher Education Administration Master’s program at Peabody College. After joining the Student Centers team in 2016, Sara has held many roles: Event Coordinator, Senior Coordinator focused on the student employment program, and now an Associate Director focused on the department’s Facilities and Operations. She truly loves the atmosphere of learning at VU and the ability to serve on a team where staff and students collaborate and grow together. Outside of work, she is busy keeping up with three rambunctious kiddos and spending time with her husband and dog. She is a proud alum of Centre College (Danville, Kentucky) and is a member of the Nashville Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association.
Brooklyn Barnes ✉
Senior Coordinator of Facilities & Operations
Sarratt|Rand, Community Event Space, Student Life Center, Zeppos, Rothschild, Carmichael, Women’s Center, KC Potter Center, Center for Spiritual and Religious Life, Project Safe, Black Cultural Center, Center for Student Wellbeing, and University Counseling Center
Brooklyn comes to Vanderbilt from Knoxville, TN, where she worked as a Student Building Manager at The University of Tennessee’s Student Union while completing her Bachelor’s in Education. Through her work there, she oversaw events and facilities operations, became an active volunteer for ACUI’s Regional Leadership Team, and discovered a newfound passion for college unions and their influence on campus to foster collaboration, community, and positivity. In her free time, Brooklyn enjoys staying active through hiking, running, and doing yoga. She is also an avid foodie who loves good books and spending time with friends.
Jess Bostic ✉
Facilities & Operations Coordinator
Commons Center, Alumni Hall, Benton/All Faith Chapels, Kissam, and E. Bronson Ingram, Leadership and Service Space, Multicultural Community Space, Student Engagement Space
Jess is a proud Belmont alum with a BBA in Music Business and has a longtime love for live events. After previously working with Student Centers as an Event Manager, she’s excited to be back – this time in a new role with Facilities & Operations – after taking a creative detour to chase her dream of becoming a hairstylist. When she’s not on the job, you’ll find her adventuring with her musician husband and their daughter, catching concerts, or planning the next family trip. Music and travel are her love languages!
Coming Soon!
Facilities and Operations Coordinator, Student Centers and Greek Life
PRODUCTION SERVICES
Jonathan Spencer ✉
Associate Director | Production Services
Jonathan brings a long list of professional experiences in the Audio Visual space, including work at the Omni, Embassy Suites, and Lipscomb University. Jonathan is originally from Louisiana and completed his Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications with a Recording Industry Management emphasis at Middle Tennessee State University in 2000.
Sr. Coordinator of Production Services
JT relocated to Nashville from New Haven, Connecticut. He received a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Southern Connecticut State University, as well as a graduate certificate in audio engineering from the Yale School Of Drama. Before joining the team at Vanderbilt he had an active and eclectic career in theatrical sound in the Northeast, following his passion of facilitating art through the creative use of technology. When he’s not working he enjoys fishing, road trips, and dreaming about New Haven pizza.
Production Services Assistant
Suzanne has been swimming in the Social Religious Building (now the Wyatt Center), caught a train at Union Station, ridden in a paddle boat at Centennial Park (Lake Watuga), and on the Skyliner (a wooden roller coaster) at the fairgrounds. Now, she works in a booth designed by Sir Cecil Creape (Russ McCown) of Creature Feature.
Production Services Assistant
Brady is originally from Illinois where he received his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Illinois State University. After working in the Exercise Science field in Denver, Colorado, he relocated to Nashville to pursue his new passion in the Audio-Visual industry. After completing his Associate of Applied Science in Audio at the SAE Institute of Technology, he worked at SAE as a Studio Technician, Audio Engineer, and Repair Technician. Outside of work, he loves spending time with his wife and dog, playing guitar, going to concerts, and traveling to National Parks.
Production Services Assistant
Presley was born and raised in Forth Worth, Texas and went to Belmont University, where she received her Bachelor’s in Media Production and where she got her start in working in live event production. In and outside of school, her experience ranges from live theater to concerts to sports production. When not working, she is a film enthusiast and avid book reader, and occasionally plays video games, even if she isn’t that great at them.
Production Services Assistant
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, Jaylin is a multiyear audio technician having graduated in Recording Arts and Show Production at FIRST Institute in Orlando, FL. He has worked for notable theaters around Orlando, such as the Dr. Philips Center for Performing Arts and the Orlando Shakes Theater. He relocated to Nashville to further his knowledge, experience, and education here at Vanderbilt University.