Four new members of the ACUHO-I Executive Board were elected last month and will begin their terms on January 1, 2025. They will join the two ex officio members named by incoming presidentKathy Bush Hobgood.

  • Michael Griffel, University of Oregon | Vice President (3-Year Presidential Cycle, 2025-2027)
  • Brenda Ice, Brown University | Workforce Development Director (3-year term, 2025-2027)
  • Barry Olson, Western Michigan University | Facilities & Physical Environment Director (2-year term, 2025-2026)
  • Jeff Cooper, California State University, Monterey Bay | Business Practices and Enhancement Director (2-year term, 2025-2026)
  • Chandra Myrick, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville | Ex officio, Student Success Director (1-year term, 2025-2026)
  • Paul Riel, Boston University | Ex officio, Executive Leadership Director (1-year term, 2025-2026)


Michael Griffel is the associate vice president for student services and enrollment management, and the director for university housing at Oregon. He previously has served on the ACUHO-I Executive Board as theFinance and Corporate Records Officer and the Workforce Development Director. In addition, he has chaired several committees and volunteer groups and was part of the faculty for the Roelf Visser StudentHousing Training Institute, the James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute, and a regional Professional Development Institute.

Brenda Ice is the senior associate dean and senior director of residential life at Brown University. During her time in higher education she has served in various volunteer roles including time with the ACUHO-I Leadership Academy and The Placement Exchange. She was TPE chair in 2021.

Barry Olson is the associate vice president for campus life. His involvement with professional organizations includes time as the ACUHO-I/APPA Housing Facilities Conference Chair in 2013 and in various NASPA conference planning roles.

Jeff Cooper, the director of student housing and residential life, currently serves as the WACUHO representative to the ACUHO-I Foundation. Previously, he was chair of the Mid-Level Leadership Institute and contributed two terms as a faculty member for the James C. Grimm National Housing Training Institute. He also was a reviewer for The Journal of College and University Student Housing.

Chandra Myrick serves as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life and Executive Director of University Housing at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. In addition to her role as the Senior Housing Officer (SHO), she provides leadership to Student Life Communications and the Office of Assessment & Strategic Initiatives in the Division of Student Life. In 2021, Myrick was awarded the ACUHO-I Dissertation of the Year Award and the James A. Hurd Award in 2017.

Paul Riel provides leadership for a diverse group of auxiliary enterprises including student housing, residential and retail dining services, Terrier card, and campus vending.