Before I introduce you to the staff, it's important that I stress that they work for you, for the best experience possible at the Castle. I cannot tell you how easy it is to change something by simply asking, though there are always exceptions. Ask and you shall receive! I'm not kidding. Report a problem and it will probably be fixed before you can complain about it being "broken".

Dimitry Hermans left the program and was replaced after my semester. He was the resident coordinator of student services. The R.A.s work with her/him to insure a smooth, stable semester, and students can talk to her/him about anything ((s)he's trained in counseling). (S)he lives on campus in an apartment in the Main Castle, so you'll often see her/him hanging out in Sophies, in the V.B. lounge, and eating dinner in the dining hall.

Dulcia Meijers. The executive director of the program, and also a professor who has been with the Castle program since the beginning. We like to call her God, because she knows all, finds a way to get whatever she wants (for the program), and only appears when she has something important to say. I think she's the sweetest woman, and got that impression immediately. She's very respected, and has earned it. You'll notice her passion and unique way of giving speeches/lectures. She works very hard to run the safest and most pleasant program, and is therefore very busy and rarely seen. However, if you make an appoitment with the secretary, or happen to catch her, she'll talk to you for as long as she can. I'd like to mention how safe I felt with her during the unpredicable and daunting developments of Febuary and March 2003.

Chester Lee. The third key figure in the upper ranks of the staff, who is the assistant director, head of student affairs, and a professor. He, like Dimitry, lives in the Main Castle, but is not seen unless you catch him walking around on campus or in his office in the resource center. He keeps to himself, so I don't know too much about him, but he's got a great sense of humor that comes out at the most unexpected moments.

Huber Simons is the facilities manager/groundskeeper who is God of the physical campus. He can fix virtually anything, never be too shy to ask him to do so. His office is like a magic box: he goes in with broken object or needing something for a student, and comes out with a something repaired and whatever the student was seeking. If...when there's a problem in the computer lab, with the phones, with the dining hall toasters, in a student's room, he'll have it fixed in no time...granted someone notifies him. He has a great, warm personality and always seems to be smiling or laughing with the students.

Nelly. The food adviser (a chef does the actual cooking). Serious with a hint of humor. She has several apprentices working with her to prepare and serve the food. She owns an affordable (approx 40 euros) bed and breakfast up the street, called "De Grote Waay", which is a great place for friends and family to stay when they visit.

Till Lambert is the secretary in the office (some students don't learn where this is until halfway through the semester). I find her a lot of fun and very nice, though some students are scared of her for some reason. She has an often serious and blunt personality, so perhaps that's why. But, like most of the staff, if you respect them they'll respect you.

Doina (and Anna). Doina departed, with her young daughter, from the Czech Republic and found her way to Well, where she eventually was hired as part of the Castle staff. They live over the Under the Linen (see "Town of Well") in an apartment across from the staff bedroom and Karen Lindsey (spring professor). I've babysat Anna on a few occassions (while Doina took a break and did something fun for herself, for once) and she's a blast. Doina performs several duties, from helping Huber to maintaining the cleanliness of the Castle. I have a soft spot for her.