Student Life

Zia Ahmed Senior Director, Dining Services

Zia provides oversight and general direction for University Residences and Dining Services' food service operations, including traditional cafeterias, Ohio Union dining services, café and cart operations, catering, and food service at regional campuses and two child care centers. He is responsible for long-range planning, fiscal management, and staff recruitment and management. He holds a master's degree from the University of Akron, and joined the Ohio State staff in September 2010, having previously served 16 years at the University of Akron, most recently as director of dining services and administration.

Matt Couch, PhD Director, Student Activities and Orientation

Matt oversees student involvement initiatives, including student organizations, support for student governments, events and activities, leadership and service programs, and Student Life’s portion of new student orientation. Matt earned bachelor's degrees in psychology and linguistics from the College of William & Mary and both an MA and a PhD in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State. He has worked in Student Life at Ohio State since 1997.

Toni Greenslade-Smith Director, Housing Administration

Toni is responsible for housing contracts, leases, billing, and assignments for the Columbus and the regional campuses. She oversees summer conference housing and the STEP program fellowship awards. She received a BA in Spanish from Hiram College and an MA in higher education administration from Ohio State. She has been at Ohio State with Student Life since 1980.

Cheryl Lyons Director, Residence Life

Cheryl oversees the residential student experience for the students living in the residence halls on the Columbus, ATI, Mansfield, and Newark campuses. She supervises a team of professional, graduate and undergraduate staff who create and support experiences in the areas of community development, academic support, diversity, wellness, leadership and service. She received a BA in sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an MS in college student personnel services from Miami University. Before coming to Ohio State, Cheryl was coordinator of student development at California Polytechnic State University. She has worked for Ohio State in University Housing since 1997.

Karen Narwicz Director of Conference and Business Development

Karen oversees and directs high-impact corporate, university, and conference events for the Ohio Union while ensuring an extraordinary client experience. She is the liaison to industry influencers and key strategic partners while leading the sales operations for Student Life and its facilities. Through business development, Karen builds relationships with prospective and existing clients on a daily basis.

Before joining the Student Life staff in 2009, she specialized in event sales management, marketing, and medical sales within many successful corporate companies in Columbus. Karen earned a Bachelor’s degree from Ohio State and will always be a Buckeye for life!

Jeff Pelletier Director, Ohio Union Operations and Events

Jeff provides leadership and vision for all aspects of Ohio Union Events and oversees daily operation of the Ohio Union Events team, including collaboration with Student Life departments and other tenants housed in the union. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Boston College, 1994), a master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs (Ohio State, 2004) and a master’s in Business Operational Excellence (Ohio State, 2014). He is currently President-elect of the ACUI Board of Trustees. Jeff spent five years as an active duty officer in the US Navy working in the submarine and intelligence communities. Jeff is often seen running the streets of Columbus or trying to improve his dismal golf game.