Sharon G. Oelschlager

Director of Residence Life

Sharon Goedert Oelschlager has been serving students on the Bluff as the Director of Residence Life since the fall of 1986. She received her BA from Edinboro University and went on to earn her Master's of Science degree in Counseling and College Student Personnel at Western Illinois University. She also studied in the University of Pittsburgh Doctoral program for Curriculum and Supervision.

Since taking the position over 20 years ago, Sharon has seen the Office of Residence Life grow exponentially. She served on the committee that oversaw the construction of Vickroy Hall, one of the newest Living Learning Centers on campus, and was very involved in transitioning Citi-line Towers into Brottier Living Learning Center. She has seen Duquesne University grow as well, specifically by housing the resident student population, from 1,500 residents in the past, to this year's record high of 3,439 residents - 1,310 of whom are freshmen. Sharon is proud to say that "Everyone had a pillow!”

Not only is Sharon responsible for ensuring that every resident has a safe and healthy place to lay their head, she is also responsible for carrying on the Residence Life programs that have become tradition on Duquesne's campus. These include the Director's Circle Honor Society, the annual freshman talent show, Super Sophomore Saturday, DU Junior ring blessing ceremony, and countless programs, including weekend programs.

In addition to her aforementioned achievements as the head of the department of Residence Life, Sharon has worked with on countless committees. Some of the most notable committees include the President's Strategic Planning Committee, DU Support Council, Auxiliary Services Advisory Committee, Campus Committee Risk Team, Student Life Leadership Awards, and the Beard Award for Leadership in Ethics Selection Committee.

Sharon is active in her profession as well, She is a member of the Association of College University Housing Officers International (ACUHO-I,) for which she was the chair of the host committee responsible for coordinating the annual conference for over 1000 members of the international organization; she is also a member of the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education, the Pennsylvania College Personnel Association and hosted the NASPA, Region II Mid Managers Institute.

“I am proud to be a member of the Duquesne University community and happy to be a part of what makes it such a great place to learn and live. I want to extend my appreciation to each student for choosing Duquesne, to be not only their University, but their home as well.” -- Sharon Goedert Oelschlager