Meet the Team

Lead Team

Elizabeth Winberry

Elizabeth Winberry (she/her) is the Senior Director of Student Outreach & Support (SOS). Liz joined the Hopkins community in July of 2018. Liz has over 10 years of experience in higher education and clinical mental health services. She is responsible for overseeing Homewood crisis services and the SOS office which provides resources for Homewood students dealing with physical and mental health concerns, personal and family emergencies, financial issues, and other obstacles that may arise during their college experience.

Prior to joining Hopkins, Liz was the Associate Director of Student Outreach & Support at the University of Denver. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of MD and previously worked as a clinician at Colorado State University in the Counseling Center as well as a clinician working in an outpatient setting serving adults and children struggling with mental health and substance use disorders.

Liz enjoys combining her desire to work with college students and her passion for normalizing mental health care and help seeking behavior. She received her B.A from Seton Hall University in Psychology and her M.Ed. from Colorado State University in Community Counseling.

Jessica Mott

Jessica Mott (she/her), the Associate Director of Student Outreach and Support (SOS), joined the Hopkins community in October 2022. In her role, Jessica manages referrals of students to the office, supervises a team of four case managers, engages directly with undergraduate students, contributes to various campus-wide committees, and cultivates partnerships with other campus resource providers.

Jessica brings extensive experience working with youth and young adults in Baltimore in varied educational and workforce training settings. Prior to joining Hopkins, she developed programming and provided supportive case management and mental health/well-being support to youth and young adults. Additionally, she supervised graduate social work interns during their internship placements.

Jessica’s approach values understanding each person’s lived experiences, supporting individual needs and growth, and creating accessible, affirming, and effective practices. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan and a B.A. degree in psychology from Williams College.

Susan Kodzwa

Susan Kodzwa (she/her), Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support (SOS), became part of the Hopkins community in March 2022. With over 10 years of experience in student affairs, international education, housing, and residence life, Susan is dedicated to providing support, interventions, and connections to resources for students facing personal, medical, mental health, academic, and adjustment concerns. She specializes primarily in supporting international students and students with last names T-Z.

Before joining Hopkins, Susan served as a Case Manager in the Office of the Dean of Students at American University and as a Residence Director in Housing and Residence Life at Frostburg State University.

Passionate about assisting international students, Susan strives to help them integrate into the Hopkins community by enhancing their ability to seek support and resources. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a master’s degree in human resources management.

Ruth Sherman

Ruth Sherman (she/her), Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support (SOS), joined the Hopkins community in November 2019. In her role, Ruth provides support and resources to students needing a break to focus on their well-being; Ruth oversees the Medical and Emergency Leaves of Absence, facilitates students’ return to Hopkins as they pursue their degrees, and co-chairs Hopkins 360.

A staunch student advocate with over 18 years of experience advocating for students and families in education, Ruth streamlines processes and programs, fosters community, and cultivates a culture of care at Hopkins. Passionate about supporting students making the courageous decision to step away for their well-being, she equally prioritizes creating a supportive pathway for their return to live their best lives.

Before joining Hopkins, Ruth worked in Student Disability Services at Harford Community College and was a School Counselor in public education. She holds a B.S. in Mass Communications and an M.S. in Counseling.

Ruth empowers students to develop community, connections, and self-advocacy, fostering resiliency and self-awareness. She believes in cultivating a well-being-first mindset as students pursue their academic goals and personal dreams.

Case managers

Christine Choi

Christine Choi (she/her), Medical Leave of Absence (MLOA) Case Manager, joined the Hopkins community in December 2023 from Los Angeles, California. In her role, Christine provides support and resources to students with last names O-S and specializes in Medical Leave of Absence cases.

Before her time at Hopkins, Christine served as the Counselor and Coordinator of the Asian Resource Center in the Educational Opportunity Program at the University of California, Santa Barbara. With experience in higher education and student affairs spanning residential life, student conduct, medical education, multicultural centers, and academic advising, Christine brings a wealth of knowledge to her role.

Christine hopes to serve as a resource to Homewood students through a holistic approach to student wellness. She holds a B.A. in Asian American Studies & Global Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and an M.A. in Student Affairs Administration from Michigan State University.

Lindsay Jeffers

Lindsay Jeffers (she/any), First Generation & Limited-Income (FLI) Case Manager, joined the Hopkins community in December 2023. In their role, they support students of all backgrounds, focusing primarily on those who identify as first-generation and/or limited-income (FLI) college students, while also providing support to those with last names F-K.

Before joining Hopkins, Lindsay served as the Assistant Director of Programming at the Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities, a cultural center at Rutgers-New Brunswick. Lindsay holds a bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and a Master of Education degree in College Student Affairs from Rutgers University. Most recently, Lindsay completed a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership from the University of San Diego.

Lindsay is dedicated to connecting students with campus and community resources while also empowering them by affirming inner resources such as problem-solving, self-compassion, and resilience.

Maura Knestout

Maura Knestout (she/her), Student Athlete Case Manager, joined the Student Outreach and Support Office in December 2023 but has been a member of the Hopkins community since August 2017. In her role, she provides non-clinical case management for student-athletes and students with last names L-N.

Before taking on her current role, Maura served as an Assistant Cross Country/Track Coach at Hopkins. Her coaching philosophy extended beyond the track, incorporating group sessions addressing body image, mental health, fueling, and goal setting to ensure success both on and off the track. This ideology translates to her current work where she offers support to students facing challenges such as physical and mental health issues, personal and family emergencies, financial concerns, and other obstacles that may arise throughout their college journey.

Maura is passionate about supporting student-athletes and other students in achieving their goals of personal and academic success. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Syracuse University and a certificate in Health & Wellness Coaching from Georgetown University.

Joe Reyes

Joe Reyes (they/them), First Generation & Limited-Income (FLI) Case Manager, joined the Hopkins community in May 2023. In their role, Joe provides non-clinical case management primarily to FLI students while also serving non-FLI students with last names A-E. Joe actively listens to students’ needs and challenges, identifies appropriate support and resources, and collaborates with students to navigate obstacles.

As a Case Manager, Joe partners with academic advisors/success coaches in the Center for Student Success and staff in Student Disability Services to ensure comprehensive student support. Excited to assist students in accessing higher education, Joe is particularly dedicated to supporting those who may face unique challenges in understanding higher education.

Before joining Hopkins, Joe served as the Graduate Assistant for Student Care and Parents in the Dean of Students Office at Indiana University-Bloomington, providing case management support for 250-300 students. Joe holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from Saint Louis University and an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University.

Joe is deeply committed to student support, fostering a sense of belonging, and empowering students to achieve their goals.

Specialty support

Eileen Clinton

Eileen Clinton (she/her), Triage Specialist, joined the Hopkins community in May 2024. In this role, she coordinates the referral of students to the office, connects them with case managers based on their individual needs, and occasionally provides direct support to students in collaboration with campus partners.

Before Hopkins, Eileen provided direct clinical services to undergraduate students as a clinician-in-training at the James Madison University (JMU) Counseling Center. She also supervised Health Sciences undergraduate students within the JMU Health Center’s volunteer program and facilitated conversations about inclusion, access, and allyship as a Peer Educator for JMU’s Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression program.

Eileen approaches her work with students from a holistic perspective, showing curiosity about each student’s story and multifaceted background. She strives to foster self-growth and reinforce support-seeking behavior among students. She holds an M.A./Ed.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from JMU and B.A in Psychology from the College of William & Mary.

Taz Shah

Taz Shah (she/her), Resource Specialist, first joined the Hopkins community in 2015 as an undergraduate student and became a staff member in June 2024. As the Resource Specialist, she manages the Hopkins Food Pantries on the Homewood and East Baltimore campuses and provides resource navigation for all JHU affiliates’ basic needs. Taz works closely with SOS case managers and campus partners to advocate for student and affiliate well-being beyond the classroom.

A lifelong Blue Jay, Taz graduated from Hopkins with a B.A. in Public Health and MSPH in Human Nutrition – Dietetics. Before returning to Hopkins for her graduate program, she served as an Emerson National Hunger Fellow at the Congressional Hunger Center. Taz brings both lived and professional experience in anti-hunger policy and programs at local, state, and federal levels – feeding people is her passion!

Taz is dedicated to advocating for basic needs security of the Hopkins community and de-stigmatizing the use of resources like the Hopkins Food Pantry.

Xuxa Sky Lark

Xuxa Sky Lark (she/her), Leave of Absence Specialist, joined the Hopkins community in June 2024. In her role, she assists the LOA Case Manager and the Assistant Director of Student Outreach & Support with the administrative aspect of the leave of absence process, including outreach, programming, data collection, and record-keeping.

Before joining Hopkins, Xuxa worked at the Towson University Counseling Center providing administrative support to clinicians and connecting students to therapeutic services. Throughout her career, Xuxa has found fulfillment in student services, where she gets to help students in times of need.

With her experience and passion for working with college populations, Xuxa strives to be a great asset to her team in their mission to support students’ successful acclimation to college life and integration into the Hopkins community. She holds a B.A. in International Studies with a concentration in Social Justice and a minor in French from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Administrative Support

Niya Johnson

Niya Johnson (she/they), Administrative Coordinator, joined the Hopkins community in November 2022. In their role, Niya serves as the initial point of contact for members within the Hopkins community seeking to connect with the Student Outreach and Support office. Niya manages front office operations and provides valuable support to the Senior Director, Elizabeth Winberry.

Before joining Hopkins, Niya found success and fulfillment working as an administrator in both nonprofit and healthcare spaces. She holds a B.A. in English Language and Literature from Cheyney University of Pennsylvania.