Meet the Staff

James H. Lynch, Jr., Esq.
Director, Student Life and Study Abroad
Professor, Business Law
B.S., Lynchburg College, VA
J.D., University of Memphis, TN

Professor Lynch began his career at AUR as an adjunct professor of business law in Fall 2000 and was soon hired fulltime to also work in Student Life. What was then a single-person effort serving approximately 200 students, under Jamie Lynch’s leadership the Office of Student Life has grown into a five-person department covering Student Life, Study Abroad and Housing responsible for serving a student body of over 500. While at the same time working closely with his staff concerning the daily task of serving the present student body, Prof. Lynch has established, developed and nurtured vital relationships with both study abroad programs and local housing agents. He has lived here since 2000 and is fluent in English and Italian.

Katherine E. Bemis
Coordinator, Housing Services
Office of Student Life

Kathy Bemis began her career at AUR in January 2002 as Administrative Assistant to Reception, and was soon dubbed “First Face of AUR”. This position gave her daily contact with the entire university community as well as the community outside the campus and allowed her to develop a comprehensive practical understanding of both. She was promoted to the newly created position of housing coordinator in July 2004 and now concentrates full time on student housing coordinating closely with her Student Life teammates. She enjoys contact with the students as well as the opportunity to exploit her own problem-solving, organizational and communication skills alongside a strong and enthusiastic team. An American citizen born in Costa Rica, Ms. Bemis speaks fluent English, Italian and some Spanish. She has lived in Italy since 1992.