Meet Our Team

Michelle Etchart serves as the Assistant Vice President of Student Development. Her primary responsibilities include leading the division’s focus on student success and retention, developing strong working relationships with campus partners and coordinating professional development for staff and graduate students who work in Student Development.  Michelle completed a Master of Education degree in Higher Education at Oregon State University.  Michelle joined Seattle University in 2002 as Director of Leadership & Community Service and over the past 15 years has developed a deep commitment to Jesuit education and the students of Seattle University

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Gretchenrae Campera is a first-gen, queer, Filipina educator from Seattle, WA. She received her bachelor's degree from Seattle University in Psychology and her Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Vermont. When not at work, Gretchenrae enjoys cardmaking, eating her way through the Pacific Northwest, and running.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Maya is a first-year graduate student in the Student Development Administration program. She's lived all over Western Washington, but calls Seattle home. Maya graduated from the University of Washington in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and is excited to be returning to the higher education sphere to support programming around student success at Seattle University, with an emphasis on the Ignite Mentorship Program. Outside of school, Maya knits, basks in the gray Seattle weather, and continues her hunt for the best ice cream in the city.

Samantha Penjaraenwatana is a First-Gen, Asian American born in California and raised in Bellevue, Washington. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology from the University of Washington Bothell. Samantha is a first-year graduate student at Seattle University pursing her Master’s in Student Development Administration. As the Graduate Coordinator for First-Generation Initiatives, Samantha supports First-Gen students in their transition into college through educational programming and the First To Soar peer mentor program. Samantha’s interests includes playing as a tourist around WA state, crafting ideas from Pinterest, and spending time with her dog, family, and friends.

Jessica Vilai is a graduate student in the Student Development Administration program. She grew up in Tukwila, WA. She graduated from the University of Washington Bothell with a B.A. in Society, Ethics, and Human Behavior and Law, Economics, and Public Policy. As the Graduate Coordinator for Student Veteran Initiatives, Jessica supports SU’s student veterans, while also overseeing the Redhawk Resource Hub Desk. In her free time, she likes to binge watch on Netflix, find new places to eat on Yelp, and look up travel deals.

Alli Botelho was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. She received her bachelor's degree from Seattle Pacific University in Psychology. Currently, she is a first-year graduate student studying Student Development Administration at Seattle University. As the graduate coordinator for the Commuter Link, Alli is passionate about creating a warm and inclusive space on campus for commuter students to call home. Her interests include spending time with family and friends, trying new food places, and taking pictures.

Kayla is currently pursuing her Master's degree as a continuing student in the Student Development Administration program. She was born and raised in Salinas, CA and graduated from Sonoma State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Human Development. From her previous experience as a Resident Advisor, her interest in higher education include Residence Life and Housing and Student Conduct. She is passionate about continuously learning in order to gain a better understanding of how to support a diverse range of students and their unique needs. During Kayla's free time she enjoys board games, horror movies, tv shows, exploring the PNW and Seattle area, spending time with friends, and playing with her cat.