The Tropicana Gardens Staff continually strives to make the overall Tropicana Gardens experience a positive one. The Executive Director, the Director of Residence Life, and the two Assistant Directors oversee the general operations of the entire building, as well as offer assistance to residents. The Director of Finance and Administration and Desk Attendants operate the front desk and office, and answer questions for residents and parents. The Area Director of Facilities and his team oversee building maintenance. The Housekeeping Staff is responsible for light housekeeping of the suites and building. The Resident Assistants are students from UCSB or SBCC and are trained for over 8 weeks to assist you with any of your needs. Each staff member is here to better your Tropicana experience and should be treated with the same level of respect and dignity that they give you.
Management Team
Dave Wilcox Executive Director of Tropicana Gardens
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Ben Sample Executive Director of Tropicana Del Norte and the Villas at Tropicana
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Laura Adams Director of Leasing and Administration
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Melissa Crews Director of Residence Life
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Dave Sample Area Director of Facilities
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Wendy Ballard Director of Marketing and Front Desk Operations
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Joe Hill Director of Technology
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Erin Garcia Front Desk Supervisor
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Assistant Directors
Matt Alsheikh Assistant Director of Residence Life
Jamie Flanagan Assistant Director of Residence Life
Jessica Sweeney Assistant Director of Residence Life
Ari Adachi Assistant Director of Marketing
Resident Assistants
Troy Akin Martinique RA
Erika Bellitt St. Lucia 2nd Floor RA
Tom Felt Cayman 1st Floor RA
Ryan Fluence Barbados 2nd Floor RA
Jenny Heintz Martinique Sundeck RA
Jimmy McCann St. Croix 2nd Floor RA
Chris McClinton Cayman 2nd Floor RA
Amber Phares St. Croix 3rd Floor RA
Bre Piantanida Barbados 3rd Floor RA
Chris Rosner St. Lucia 1st Floor RA
Our team is here to ensure that day-to-day living at Tropicana Gardens runs smoothly. While providing a sense of security, they more importantly help students develop skills needed to live away from home, maintain strong personal relationships, and achieve academic success.
I remember asking my mom with awe “You mean you’re going to let me live there!? “ My college plans had come together fast and I had decided to go to SBCC, but I had no idea where to live. Trop provided everything I could ask for. -Adam S.
I always wanted to have a University dorm room feel and Tropicana is just that. It has very friendly staff and excellent facilities. If I didn’t live here I never would have met so many people and established the amazing friendships that I have today. -Jaclyn M
Without Trop, a student would go from living at home straight to living on their own. Trop is the perfect in between step because the people at Trop are friendly, helpful and welcoming... -Annie J.
I have thoroughly enjoyed being at Trop. I love having so many different bonding experiences, events, activities. I personally love the food here and I think the location is ideal… -Lauren F.
