Meet the Commuting Student Services Director

Anita Ellis
Director of Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach

I have been at Hofstra University for over twenty years. I received my bachelor's degree in creative studies and master's of science in education.

As the Director of Commuting Student Services and Community Outreach at Hofstra, I work with two different student populations: off-campus students and traditional commuters. The off-campus population comes to speak to me for an array of reasons including issues with their landlords/property managers, problems in their off-campus communities, and for advice about their leases. Our traditional commuter population comes to see me with questions about bus/train schedules and best commute routes to avoid high traffic areas. A majority of the traditional commuters come to our lounge to ask about getting involved on campus and to rest with a cup of coffee. We encourage all of our commuter students to integrate with their neighbors and attend our office programs. I love to engage the student at office programs and events. One of our most successful events is Shake-A-Rake in which our students interact with each other and members of the neighborhoods in the surrounding Hofstra area to clean up parks and help the elderly rake their leaves.

Personally, I love to be active. I enjoy yoga, meditation, boxing, and Muay Thai kickboxing. I am involved in two non-profit organizations to help children in need. Additionally, I am very involved on Hofstra's campus. I raise money for five endowment scholarships, a medical school grant, and one annual scholarship for students in need. The five scholarships are divided into the following recipients: two to students with cancer, one to a student with learning disabilities, one to a student in a fraternity or sorority, and one to a student who is involved in community service. I work hard to give back to the community. I live everyday by my mantra, "students first!"

Off-Campus Living & Commuting Student Services
Room 221, Mack Student Center