Vice President, Auxiliary Services
Kristian Klinger, Vice President, Auxiliary Services began his tenure at Boston University in October 2022. Kristian has more than 30 years of experience in hospitality and auxiliary services. He spent the previous two plus years as Senior Associate Vice President of Auxiliary Services at Syracuse University. In this role, he oversaw operations in Food Services; Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services; Parking and Transportation Services; Drumlins Country Club; Minnowbrook Conference Center; the Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center; the Lubin House; the Syracuse University Campus Store and Trademark Licensing.
Prior to joining Syracuse University, Kristian spent 11 years as Assistant Vice President within the University of Southern California’s (USC) Auxiliary Services department. While at USC Kristian also taught an introduction to foodservice class that was part of a Master’s in Dietetics program through the USC Davis School of Gerontology. Kristian earned his EdD at the USC Rossier School of Education, his MBA at the USC Marshall School of Business and holds a bachelor’s degree in German and International Relations from the same university. Kristian is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served our country as an air traffic controller.
As Vice President for Auxiliary Services, Kristian and his team below have oversight and leadership responsibilities of Food Services and Convenience Stores, Housing, Parking and Transportation, Events & Conferences, Agganis Arena, Fitness & Recreation Center, Barnes & Noble @ BU, Vending Services and Trademark and Licensing. As Auxiliary Services touches nearly every aspect of University life, Kristian and his team collaborate with other campus and community leaders to advance a number of key initiatives in an effort to enhance the living and learning experience for the University’s diverse student population.
Auxiliary Services Leadership Team
Paul Riel, Associate Vice President, Auxiliary Services, joined the University in March of 2018. Paul provides leadership for a diverse group of auxiliary enterprises including student housing, residential and retail dining services, Terrier card, and campus vending. Prior to his appointment at Boston University, Paul served as the Assistant Vice President for Residential and Dining Services at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. While at Northwestern, Paul developed and managed their $500 million-dollar housing master plan that included renovations, new construction, and the creation of engagement centers within residential spaces. Paul also had a leadership role in negotiating a comprehensive bid process for a new food service provider. He co-chaired the Undergraduate Residential Experience Committee, which developed a model to transform the Northwestern undergraduate residential experience. Before joining Northwestern, Paul spent 15 years at the University of North Florida (UNF) as the Director of Housing and Residence Life, and prior to UNF he worked for 10 years at Jacksonville University.
Shane Cutler, Assistant Vice President, Auxiliary Services, joined the University in 2014 as the General Manager of Events & Conferences. In this role, his team successfully expanded services and programs for the University community, completed numerous facilities upgrades, and implemented rejuvenated marketing and sales efforts that led to sustained revenue growth. In addition, Shane supported the relocation of the Barnes & Noble Bookstore from Kenmore Square to West Campus and more recently assumed the role of senior lead, managing the non-medical logistics and operations of the University’s COVID-19 quarantine and isolation system. Shane was promoted to Assistant Vice President in March 2022. As Assistant Vice President, Shane provides leadership for the day-to-day operations of Agganis Arena, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, Physical Education, Recreation, & Dance (PERD/FitRec), Events & Conferences, Parking & Transportation Services, and University Licensing. Before joining BU, Shane served as the Director of Conference & Event Services for ten years at the University of Vermont (UVM). Before UVM, Shane served in several roles at Bowling Green State University and Plymouth State University.
Nishmin Kashyap, Executive Director of Housing, joined the University in 2011. Her primary responsibilities are managing Undergraduate Housing, Residential Safety, Residence Services, and The Terrier Card Office. Nishmin is also responsible for leading the implementation of a new online housing system as part of a multi-year effort to upgrade the University’s legacy systems. Prior to her appointment at Boston University, Nishmin worked at Boston College, New York University, and University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Nishmin has over 23 years of experience as a Student Affairs/Housing professional.
Billy Hajjar, Director of Parking & Transportation Services, joined the University in 2013 with over 16 years of parking and transportation management experience within the City of Boston. Billy is responsible for parking and transportation services for the Charles River Campus, including the shuttle bus service (The BUS) and implementing the University’s Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program.
Kristoffer Brassil, General Manager at Agganis Arena, joined the University in 2004 as the arena’s Event Manager. Kris was promoted to Assistant General Manager in 2005 and to General Manager in 2007. Since opening in January of 2005, Agganis Arena has ranked in the top 15 venues worldwide for ticket sales in like size venues as reported by the trade publication Venues Today.
Caitriona Taylor, Executive Director for Physical Education, Recreation and Dance joined the University in 2022. She is originally from Cork, Ireland, and has lived in Connecticut and Massachusetts for over 30 years. Her life’s passion is to help people grow and develop into their true, healthy self. She attended Boston University, where she completed her bachelor’s in international relations, and Boston College, where she graduated with an MBA in global management and master’s in higher education. While attending BU, Caitríona was a work study student employee in the PERD Aquatics and Marketing departments. She has worked in recreation and athletics for over 15 years, including at MIT, and most recently as director of recreation at BC. She has served as executive director of the Public Accountancy, Massage Therapy, and Veterinarian Boards for the State of Massachusetts, as CEO of the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, president of a fitness equipment company, and co-founder of a start-up athleisure apparel company. In her spare time, you can find her near or on the water hanging out with friends and family.
Shawn Stone, Manager of Vending Services, joined the University in 1989. As manager of Vending Services Shawn oversees all appliance rentals, student shipping and storage, as well as laundry and vending machine operations.
Kurt Mahnke, General Manager Barnes & Noble at Boston University, joined the Barnes & Noble bookstore in June of 2019. As general manager, Kurt is responsible for managing one of New England’s finest collegiate bookstores serving students, faculty and staff. After graduating from Boston University (CAS ’04 Magna Cum Laude) Kurt joined Barnes and Noble College, holding various management positions in Boston and Cambridge over the last 15 years.
Michelle Freedman, Executive Director for Events and Conferences joined Boston University in October of 2022. As Executive Director, Michelle oversees the day-to-day operations of all aspects of Events & Conferences including supporting University institutional events and expanding the external conference and events portfolio. Michelle also provides high-level leadership and direction to the staff responsible for the Tsai Performance Center. Michelle has over 18 years of experience as a leader in the hospitality and events industry including over 11 years in Higher Education. Prior to joining BU, Michelle served as Director of Event Management at Boston College and Director of Special Events at Pine Manor College.
Jonathan Webster, Director of Dining Services (Aramark) joined Boston University in July of 2022 and oversees BU Residential and Retail Dining, 660 convenience stores, Charles River and Questrom Catering, and the BU Pub. Jon began his career at Caltech, overseeing residential and retail dining, catering, and off-site operations including NASA’s JPL facility. Jon’s 14 years at Caltech culminated with the opening of two new facilities: the Hameetman Student Center and the Bechtel Residence. Subsequently, Jon oversaw Bon Appetit Management Company’s services at NBCUniversal West Coast which included opening the Universal Studios Lot and 10 Universal City Plaza, and operating DreamWorks Animation Studios’ locations. Prior to joining BU, Jon spent 13 months as the Executive Director of Hospitality at Syracuse University orchestrating a full department restructure including creation of a campus culinary culture, revisioning the campus residential program with the assistance of a student feedback committee, re-opening the Carrier Dome, re-booting the campus country club restaurant, and implementing department wide process improvement and standardization.
Kevin Dawber, Director of Finance & Business, joined the University in 2014 with over three years of experience in private sector accounting & finance. Kevin is the lead fiscal and budget officer for Auxiliary Services’ finance and business functions. Kevin provides leadership, oversight and coordination of all finance, budget and administrative functions, analysis, reporting, and planning within Auxiliary Services, and provides support to all units throughout Auxiliary Services focusing on day-to-day accounting functions and various business processes.
Maggie Chen, Manager of Finance & Business, joined the University in 2021. Maggie has over 6 years of experience in private sector financial reporting. Prior to working at Boston University, Maggie was the manager of financial reporting at BNY Mellon focused on managing the fund reporting workflow and reporting system enhancement with use of automation. Maggie supports the Director of Finance and Business providing finance, budget and administrative functions, analysis, reporting, and planning within Auxiliary Services, and supports all units throughout Auxiliary Services focusing on day-to-day accounting functions and various business processes.