COCM recently promoted three of its veteran student housing professionals: Vallyn Merrick, Corey Reedy, and Jennifer Hornbuckle.
In recognition of Jennifer Alvarez Hornbuckle’s outstanding efforts and performance, COCM is pleased to announce her promotion to Regional Vice President. Jennifer will now have supervision of communities in addition to the University of Maryland communities. Jennifer joined COCM in 2011 as the Director of University Affiliated Housing at Towson University. She took some time away in 2017 to work with Sodexo as their National Brand Manager for Student Living. Jennifer returned to COCM in the summer of 2017 to serve as the Regional Manager for Courtyards and South Campus Commons at the University of Maryland. Her vast Student Affairs and Housing experience began as a Resident Assistant as an undergraduate at the University at Albany. She then worked as a Resident Director at the University at Albany for two years, followed by three years at Towson University as a Residence Life Coordinator. Jennifer then served as the Assistant Director of Operations for Assignments and Dining Programs at American University in Washington, D.C. Her passions and advocacy lie in leadership, Mental Health, and Women’s Issues. Jennifer has contributed to COCM’s growth in these areas, including serving as chair of the COCM Womxn’s Alliance for 3 years. Jennifer is a graduate of the University at Albany with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and African American Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration and Policy Studies.
In recognition of Corey Reedy’s outstanding efforts and performance, COCM is pleased to announce his promotion to Associate Vice President For Operations. Corey’s role will also include Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity responsibilities for COCM. Corey joined the COCM team in August of 2010 to serve as Director of Operations at Bowling Green State University. Corey was promoted to Regional Manager in 2014 and has most recently served as a Regional Vice President. Prior to joining COCM, Corey was the Director of Housing and Residence Life at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia. He also worked in student housing at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Clemson University. Corey is passionate about helping others achieve success and figuring out what fulfills them. He holds a Master’s degree in human resources development and a Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University.
In recognition of Vallyn Merrick’s outstanding efforts and performance, COCM is pleased to announce her promotion to Associate Vice President of Operations. Vallyn’s role will help to expand COCM’s corporate support to team members. Vallyn joined the COCM family in 2011 as the Director of Housing at Coppin State University. While with COCM, Vallyn also served as Director of Affiliated Housing at Bowie State University, Regional Manager working with campus communities in Maryland and Massachusetts, and most recently as a Regional Vice President. Vallyn’s approach to the ever-changing landscape of student housing is to commit to solving problems by taking a holistic approach to decision making, taking a step back to allow herself to be guided by the varied viewpoints of customers from every facet of an operation. In March 2021, Vallyn was awarded COCM’s Womxn’s Alliance Leadership Award for her forward-thinking, support of womxn, and contribution to the success of women both within COCM and beyond. Vallyn is a graduate of Howard University, where she started her student housing career as a Resident Assistant while pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Sciences. She continued as a Graduate Assistant and later Community Director as she completed her Master’s in Education.