ResEdChat Ep 86: Getting Involved with the ACPA CHRL with Drs. DeAndre Taylor & Leah Shaw

Dustin Ramsdell:
Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Roompact’s ResEdChat podcast. My name is Dustin Ramsdell. Every episode, if you’re new to the show, we feature a variety of topics that are of interest to hired professionals who work in and with university housing, residence life, residence education, whatever you might call it. Today is another just one-on-one episode, an explainer, if you will, on the ACPA Commission on Housing and Residence Life or the CHRL. This is something that we’re just exploring what this body is, what it does, how to get involved, some reflections of folks that have been intimately involved in this commission for a period of time. We’ll start with what we always do though, we have a returning guest, feel free to introduce yourself again, DeAndre, and a new person joining us. We’ll start with you, DeAndre, if you want to introduce yourself, your professional background briefly, and then we’ll go over to you, Leah, before we just talk more about the CHRL.

DeAndre Taylor:
Absolutely. Thank you so much Dustin and thank you Roompact for having us. I am Dr. DeAndre Taylor. I’m currently the Director of Housing and Residence Life at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, and I currently serve as the Chair for the Commission for Housing and Residential Life through ACPA.

Leah Shaw:
Hello, my name is Dr. Leah Shaw and I am Chair-elect for the Commission for Housing and Residence Life through ACPA. And then in my day job, I serve as Director of Residence Life for University Housing at Kent State University.

Dustin Ramsdell:
Perfect. And just in case folks aren’t up to speed on the Commission for Housing and Residence Life with ACPA, DeAndre, since you’re the current chair, I’ll let you explain the quick little elevator pitch of what the commission does, why it exists, and then we’ll go from there.

DeAndre Taylor:
Since 1962, the Commission for Housing and Residential Life has been a commission within ACPA. Now, we didn’t start having commissions until some years later, but we’ve been around in ACPA since 1962 and we are exactly what that is in terms of what commissions do, we provide leadership to ACPA in the profession, our profession, in general for student development in college, university residence hall settings. That’s through knowledge sharing, that’s through support resource sharing, that’s making sure we can recognize the great work that our colleagues are doing across the globe within Housing and Residential Life. And we’re just that catch-all for our profession, university Housing and Residence Life to make sure that we are supporting our colleagues, which whatever they may have, we meet our constituents where they are. Sometimes it could be senior level focused, sometimes it could be mid-level focused, sometimes it could be entry-level focused. And when we think about the makeup of the commission, we like to make sure that we have all voices represented to make sure that we are being that support knowledge-based and resources for our colleagues across the globe.

Dustin Ramsdell:
In a big tent organization like ACPA, it’s like obviously Residence Life is always going to be a big part of the campus experience for any institution. And I think like you said, it’s obviously there’s all the different folks that would be in those spaces of private public institutions and just the type of residence halls or the scale of what we’re talking about at the institution. Obviously no shortage of things to talk about and important group to be getting together to talk specifically about this work and how impactful it is on student experiences. We’ll start with you, Leah, for this question of how you each got involved. Your chair-elect, I am sure there’s a whole story that brought you to this moment of being chair-elect of the CHRL, regale us with this story.

Leah Shaw:
There’s always a story, Dustin. I first began my involvement with CHRL, I want to say in 2013. I was looking for a way to deepen my involvement with ACPA, actually had a couple of staff members who were involved with the commission. And I decided to put my name up to be elected into the directorate body. And I did that. Like I said, I think I first started in 2013, served as a vice chair for the commission and then life changes happened, found myself outside of Residence Life. Thank you for bringing me back into the fold for some years.
But then once I got back into housing work, decided to again wanting to reignite my involvement with ACPA. And I think the most beautiful thing about ACPA are the commissions and the work that they do. And found myself back on the directorate body for ACPA and I thought about it while we were at convention this year and I felt like this will be a good next step for me. It’s something that I had aspired to be in terms of being a future chair of the commission. And I’m like, “Now’s a good time for me to see if I’m elected to this role then it was meant for me to be in it.” And it just so happened that I was and so excited about the work that we’re doing and excited about what the future might hold.

Dustin Ramsdell:
And I think that’s what, before we go to you DeAndre, just the reaction of, I think for me too in organizations like something like an ACPA, again, it’s a very big tent. You have to try to find your corner, your niche of that space. And I think for me, I’ve found that trying to really go deep on your interest in getting involved and maybe some structured or formal capacity is a great way to do that, I guess versus just feeling like you’re just floating around in that space and just like, “Maybe I’ll collide into something or someone or whatever meaningful,” or whatever. It’s like, “I want to be a part of the commission and I would like to be a part of the director and I want to have that feel more structured,” because I think you were even mentioning for one reason or another, people who are earnestly interested in getting involved with these things, life can get in the way or work can get in the way.
If you have something that feels like it anchors you to being like, “I have to attend board meetings in some frequency,” or, “I have to deliver on something.” My I guess reaction or reflection on what you’re saying. But DeAndre, how did you end up getting involved in becoming chair of this commission?

DeAndre Taylor:
Absolutely, and I would say that’s one thing that I really, truly appreciated with ACPA is that it creates pathways for its members to get involved within the organization. If you’ve ever gone to ACPA, we have what we call Celebrate ACPA. Now that term and the name of that event has evolved over the years, but it’s really a huge showcase on how its members can get involved. And I really appreciate that because as an entry-level professional, I guarantee you when you attend your first convention or when you attended your first convention as well, you saw a pathway for you to get involved with an ACPA. That’s my quick shout out to ACPA. Thank you for the work that our wonderful leaders and international office is doing. For me with getting involved with CHRL, I had a wonderful supervisor who is still a mentor of mine to this day, Dr.Laura Arroyo, and we were at a institution together, she was my direct supervisor and I had never gone to ACPA.
In 2017 in the beautiful city of Houston, as many say Beyonce’s hometown, I attended my first convention and I had no other choice but to attend CHRL. Laura at the time, either she was just a past chair, she was just going off her chair position, but nevertheless, that’s how I got involved with it. And I saw just a clear pathway. Obviously I was working in Housing and Residence Life, that had been my, and still is my professional area of expertise, but that’s how I got involved. Laura has been a great support system for myself. And just following her footsteps and just say, “Yeah, I want to do it.” And I met some incredible people, some incredible people that were doing great work within Housing and Residence Life.
And from there, no one for me I should say, I’m not going to speak in generalities in that sense, but for me, I never thought, “Can I be chair? Possibly, maybe not.” But I knew I was committed, I knew I was committed to the profession and it just happened. And I do think it’s a great opportunity and I want to give a shout-out to Brandin Howard, who is our immediate past chair, and he led our commission through a pivotal time. And matter of fact, I’ll give a shout-out to all past chairs who led their commissions through the pandemic. It was a different time, it was a different way of engaging the constituency. And I want to give a shout-out to Brandin because he allowed CHRL to continue to thrive, and that gave me the spark to say, “Hey, Dee, I think you might want to throw your name in the hat to lead CHRL in that next iteration of what it may become.”

Dustin Ramsdell:
And Laura, a friend of the show, she was on a past episode a little while back and it was a great one. And I think that idea of the personal connections through something like this, obviously are super impactful and just seeing other folks seeing model the way, especially like you’re saying through the pandemic, I’m involved in my alumni association for University of Delaware, for undergrad, and there’s some people who are on that board during the pandemic and they’re able to show such a stark contrast of like, “Oh my gosh, it’s night and day.” Obviously we’re doing no programming, no events to engage alumni or whatever else. We’re just looking at our bylaws and just being like, “Might as well try to update these things.” That’s important stuff. But also it’s just like, “How do we manage our resources to survive or feel like we’re still relevant and engaging people maybe virtually or whatever else?”
And that’s that idea of seeing somebody able to guide a commission like this or anything like that through a time where it’s just so many things, so many communities or things just fizzled out or really just lost all their momentum or having to start from scratch. It is inspiring to see folks push through that diversity and everything. And I think that idea that you had such a strong personal, professional connection in of somebody who was a mentor helped bring you into the commission. A favorite experience or reflection, something that you learned or obviously becoming chair I’m sure was just one of those favorite experiences, like getting this opportunity and everything. But we’ll start with you, DeAndre. I guess just if you reflect on just take this as you will, a favorite experience so far of just being a part of the commission, whether you were chair or not.

DeAndre Taylor:
My favorite part, that’s a great question. I’ve had so many fond experiences with CHRL, and I think one, the colleagues that who I’m still connected with who I have become friends, I think that’s a favorite experience. But not to sound cliche or simple, but each year I really look forward to looking at all of our sponsor programs or now our endorse programs because I get the opportunity to see what our colleagues across the country, across the globe, what issues that they’re experiencing on their campus and how they will share that with everyone when they come to convention. And I have so many fun experiences with ACPA. It’s been a stronghold within my professional journey for the past whatever, so many odd years. And I just think over my entire experience with it has been my favorite experience. I don’t know if I can pick one, but if I had to, I think it’ll be my colleagues that have become friends, but also seeing where past directive board members, how they advance in their careers as well.
Not saying that they got what they got because CHRL, I’m not saying that at all, but to see that they started off in a part of their leadership journey pass through CHRL. We’re not going to talk about the countless past chairs of CHRL or Commission III that have gone on to be ACPA presidents. We’re not going to talk about that, but there is a correlation for all those who are listening. If you become chair of CHRL, you may become president of ACPA. I’m just saying there’s a lot of wonderful people who are past chairs. Take a look at our website and you will see all of those wonderful names.

Dustin Ramsdell:
Very, very good plug there. And I think, I imagine that somebody like either of you would’ve said, just the people, that idea that you’ve been able to make those connections, see where people go from being part of the commission. Because I think that’s even just the idea, and hopefully it’s done in somewhat of an intentional way, but the idea of a natural transition of you’re always going to be getting new people and obviously the chairs are going to cycle and those things where it’s you may not be involved at the same level that you were perhaps a decade ago if you’ve been part of the directorate or whatever else of the commission. But it’s seeing, people who pass through this are able to build their social capital, build their knowledge, build their experiences, and make strides towards greener pastures, whatever that looks like for them and everything and maybe become ACPA president, who knows. But I just thought of another interesting question I’m going to ask after this, but Leah favorite experience so far of being a part of the commission?

Leah Shaw:
The first thing that came to mind honestly was my first year. It was like I said, 2013 in Las Vegas of all places. But my experience that I’m going to bring up is appropriate, but it was like, “Why are we in Vegas?” But it was honestly the first time I’m on the directorate body, it’s my first meeting and just the general excitement I felt for meeting these people, many of whom have become lifelong friends, but just excited for what the opportunity meant and just the excitement for the work that I thought I was getting ready to do and honestly, the opportunity to make an impact into this field that’s given me so much. Just that first year, that initial excitement, we all met and went to some restaurant on the strip, but just that first meeting in the hotel lobby was just very special because I was just so excited to be able to go on this journey with the commission. That is the thing that sticks out most to me.

Dustin Ramsdell:
I think that’s really bolding, circling, highlighting, underlining that the point of, “If you can get involved in something like this that’s a more formal structured conduit.” Because I think, again, some people are just going to be naturally good at making friends and connections and networking and all that thing. But the idea of you being a part of the directorate, having this core group of people that you’re working together on, a shared project. Obviously it’s a very unique one of a commission within this national organization of all student affairs professionals and all that. But it is like, “This is directly relevant to my day-to-day work, and it’s people who share values and different things like that.” And that being this catalyst to what DeAndre was getting at, just it’s the people, it’s the network, it’s the social capital, it’s all these things, these people that I could bounce ideas off of or maybe if I’m looking for a new job, they can maybe be helpful in some number of ways and those things.
There’s just so much benefit to that that I think whether you feel like you’re naturally good or competent in making those connections, it’s being a part of something like this can be such a helpful way to streamline or make it a little bit easier for folks out there. Before I lose the thread, you were already, imagining this maybe is going to be your answer as quick hot take of your favorite ACPA convention that you’ve been to because we’ve had Houston mentioned in passing, Vegas mentioned in passing. I was at that Vegas one as a grad student. That was a great one. Unique I think just because of the structure, because they had it fractured and all these little nooks and crannies of the different hotels and everything. And I’ve been to Indianapolis since I’ve gone to EdTech and stuff. I haven’t really been in a while, but I’m curious, hot take, favorite and you could maybe do a power ranking if it’s, “I like this one for this reason,” or, “This one for another reason,” but favorite ACPA convention, location and all that stuff.

Leah Shaw:
My initial reaction as soon as you asked a question was 2016 in Montreal of all places, but for a variety of reasons, I really, really, really enjoyed the Montreal Convention. Second, I’m going to have to agree with Dr. Taylor there, Nashville. And I remember the signs, it’s like, “Don’t hug, fist bump.” It’s like, “Oh gosh, we’re hugging.” But I remember the signs and how everything changed so quickly after that. But also that was my first convention in a while just because of work obligations. I did other professional development opportunities. That was my first ACPA convention in a couple of years. Nashville is on the list, and then I would have to say my first one, which was 2011 in Louisville. Who knew what the journey that I would be going on after that very first convention of mine. I remember Van Jones was the keynote speaker that year. And then just to watch how the organization has grown and my involvement has grown and just everything has grown from that one little convention in Kentucky.

DeAndre Taylor:
I’m going to mention a few. I’m going to mention Boston. I enjoyed it. One because of just all the universities that are there, it’s a historic city. That was cool. I did enjoy Nashville and the reason why I enjoyed Nashville because soon after Nashville, you got home, everything that we knew of life as we knew it changed after that. Nashville was like this last sense of normalcy for many folks, at least for me. Outside of that, I would say those are my top two that I really truly enjoy. I also enjoyed New Orleans for many reasons. Again, another historic city, and it was cool to be there. Those would be my top three that I’ve been to. I would say Boston, Nashville for the significance, and then of course New Orleans.

Dustin Ramsdell:
It’s so funny, I just went on a family trip to see some friends in Louisville, it was a great time. And I think that idea of your first big, national student affairs conference, I think for a lot of folks, holds a lot of significance. And I think it gets around to a lot of cool cities because I think sometimes certain ones, certain organizations in their national conferences depending on their size, it’s like, “You can only go to a couple of different cities to be able to accommodate people.” And my impression if you like ACPA is pretty nimble. It could fit into a lot of different cities, which is great to, because obviously that idea that you can go to a historic city and have that as an avenue to get other stuff to do.
And then certain cities are just, I feel like just fun cities. There’s just a lot of cool, I imagine if they’re going to go to Denver at some point. I’ve been there. I love Denver. If they were to do it there I feel like folks that have a lot of fun. And I think that’s part of it is that environment and what feels like it’s more or less conducive, I guess, to people building those bonds and having a conference that feels manageable to navigate and all that.
I feel like a lot of people probably are like, “Vegas was my least favorite.” I’m like, “I could absolutely see why you would say that. It was not intuitive, I feel like.” But I think that’s always just a fun thing for me. I feel like you go to those conferences and be like, “I like this. I want more of this, less of that,” or, “This city is my favorite one to go. I’ll probably feel a little bit more incentive to go to the National Convention if it isn’t one of my favorite cities.” For me, that’d be like Baltimore, love Baltimore. Because I feel like a lot of the conferences baked their way through there, but I feel like NASPA I know has been there in recent memory.

DeAndre Taylor:
I feel like I heard Baltimore was on the list. I feel like I know ICA was there not too long ago, but I will add this though, Dustin, if you will. We hear about a lot of fun that ACPA has with the fond experiences, but we also do the work. When we go to convention and even through commission CHRL, we do the work. It is not just a conference of seeing your wonderful friends and colleagues and you come together. Sure, you have that family reunion feel, but don’t think the work is shorted in those experiences at all, and meaningful work is done as well. I want to also reiterate that. Meaningful work about being college student educators is done at ACPA and underscored through CHRL.

Dustin Ramsdell:
And I think that’s again, to the point of if you’re looking for something that can be this north star for you, going into these huge, daunting, I’m sure at times overwhelming conventions for people is, one, the kinship spirit of, “The CHRL people that I maybe have been working with on a directorate or just involved with.” And then you had mentioned in passing the endorsed sessions, that could just be a through line of like, “I want to make sure if nothing else, I try to catch those because obviously those are going to be super relevant and I’ve been curated to support me in my work day to day.”
And I think it’s obviously you need good balance. You want have that family reunion fun and of reconnecting, sharing coffee and meals with people, but that only matters in so much as you do the work, you make sure to find those structured opportunities to learn and grow. And I think commissions like this one, being able to help guide people through the larger experiences like ACPA. And that I think is a natural segue as we’re closing out advice for others who want to get involved. If they’re starting from scratch, they’re us talk, they’re like, “This sounds really amazing. Where do I start? How do I get involved?” And we’ll start with DeAndre if you want to kick us off.

DeAndre Taylor:
I would say email CHRL I think is the best way to get involved. We do think about from the perspective of not everyone may not have the financial means to come to convention, and we want to make sure that we are being accessible through our constituents. If you work in Housing and Residence Life, you are a constituent constituent of CHRL. And I would say if you want to get involved, the best way that you can is to email us. I’ll share that email address here in a second. But then also when you come to convention, please come to our open business meeting. It’s always a great time. We have panels. For the past four years, we’ve had panels that discuss the hot topics that are impacting us within Residence Life. And then we have a group discussion. We’ve had phenomenal discussions over the past couple of years.
Some of those highlights include what does it mean when we say Residence Life? That has a different context from here in the States and from other countries when we think about historical impact on indigenous populations. Those have been topics that have come up. We’ve talked greatly about the impact of international students and living on campus and what does that mean. And I would say the best way to get involved if you want to get involved, one, is to email us. If you don’t remember anything else, just remember to email us. And then two, if you’re coming to convention, come to our open business meeting. I guarantee you, you will be able to get involved with CHRL. And our email address is C-H-R-L-@A-C-P-A.N-C-H-E.E-D-U.

Dustin Ramsdell:
Perfect. And we’ll link out. I know there’s a landing page too that has some other information as well. But good to have that way to contact to start the conversation. Don’t overthink it. Just reach out. Just start doing the thing. Leah, I guess any advice from your perspective, you’ve now been stepping into being the chair, advice for getting involved and I guess moving your way up the commission.

Leah Shaw:
Sure. I think it’s important to note that involvement with the CHRL doesn’t mean you have to be on the directorate body to be involved with the work that we’re doing in the commission. There are numerous ways to be able to connect with us, whether it’s through a webinar, whether it’s through some of the town hall meetings and things that we offer throughout the calendar year, and ways that you can still stay connected to us even if you don’t have the means to be able to travel to convention every year. You don’t have to start off immediately on directorate body as you reach out to us and just say that you want to be involved, we can find a place for you to be able to plug into the work that we’re doing. That is what I would add to what has already been stated.

Dustin Ramsdell:
That’s a good call out. Because I think so many of these conversations, obviously that is your world and your perspective is being part of the director being chair and all that thing, but just the idea of being on our specific email list to get the heads-up about the stuff we’re doing, just sitting in the open meetings and making space for that. And I think that it’s good advice I think for wherever someone is at to start the conversation, show up and to just be aware and as folks are maybe thinking about making their plans for the national conference next year. Recording this in September 2024, people starting to make their plans and stuff, I’m sure. But just really appreciate both of you, the work that you’re doing, all that you shared, your reflections and everything and what ways to connect with the commission and both of you in the description for the episode. But just thanks so much for hanging out and thank you DeAndre for coming back to the show and a rare return guest, it’s always nice.

DeAndre Taylor:
Thank you very much, Dustin. Appreciate it.

Leah Shaw:
Thank you for having us.