Housing and Residence Life: Community & Engagement | Competencies & Learning | Care & Case Management | Assessment
"The Traitors" TV show highlights how confidence, rather than dishonesty, can lead players to failure, reflecting similar dynamics in Resident Advisor teams. Five archetypes illustrate how strengths can hide blind spots. The piece emphasizes the importance of clear communication and documentation to prevent unresolved issues, urging self-reflection and growth within teams.
February has one of my favorite holidays of the year. It is a holiday that is, in my opinion, criminally underrated. No, I’m not talking about the lovey dovey Valentine’s Day - I’m talking about Groundhog Day. I grew up in, and still live in, Western Pennsylvania, just a stone’s throw away from the town... Continue Reading →
by Citklali Ibarra-Hernandez As a mid-level residence life professional, there are so many times when I find myself thinking or talking to colleagues about how different this generation of students is from the students at the beginning of my career. One of the greatest tools in my toolbelt for working with different generations of students... Continue Reading →
By Vicente Román Starting your first year as an RA is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming. Between programming, on-call duties, conflict resolution, and administrative tasks, it’s easy to feel like you need to devote every moment to your role. One key lesson I’ve learned from supervising Housing Assistants in graduate and family housing... Continue Reading →
So, you’ve officially landed the RA job. First off, congratulations! You’ve survived the interviews, the group process, and the waiting game. Now that the initial "I got the job!" high is settling, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and a sudden, slight panic about what actually happens next. Being a Resident Assistant is... Continue Reading →
The semester is winding down, and if you’re like most RAs or student staff members, you’ve probably reached that point where the finish line feels both agonizingly close and impossibly far away. One minute you’re worried about your own final exams and summer internship plans, and the next, you’re staring down a mountain of key... Continue Reading →
by Claudia González Kanady We have all heard the saying, “We must meet our students where they are at.” I hear this when I was in undergrad from 2003-2008 and then again during graduate school from 2009- 2011. This saying was overused during my Resident Director years too, all 6.5 years. Meet them halfway. As... Continue Reading →
In this episode of ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Keresa Murray, Resident Director at Ohio University as they talk about navigating conflict in the Residence Halls. Far too often, students and people at large avoid conflict whether it be out of fear, polarization, or even safety. That said, conflict and navigating disagreement are a crucial part of life and thus a crucial part of the residential experience that is important for us to talk about and reflect on as residence life professionals. In this episode, Keresa and Noah explore the talk about conflict management, share impactful stories, and provide practical advice to Residence Life Staff.
If you're an RA pondering whether to return next year, think about your schedule, commitment, and desire for the role. It’s important to know that being an RA isn’t just for benefits like free housing. Reflect on your experience and make sure it's the right fit for you and your residents!
The involvement of parents in residence life is increasingly vital due to the structured upbringing of current students. As many students rely on parents for guidance, engaging them proactively enhances support networks and promotes student autonomy. Strategies include providing resources, setting expectations, and facilitating parent-student communication, fostering a collaborative environment.
by Vicente Román The rising generation of college students is reshaping residence life practice in ways that require both reflection and adaptation. For professionals working with graduate and family housing populations, these shifts are especially pronounced. Students today are not only navigating academic responsibilities but also balancing professional careers, family obligations, and complex social and... Continue Reading →
by Mike Schilling, Ph.D. As a millennial student affairs practitioner—and more so as the millennial parent of a toddler—generational changes are often on my mind. I see how students engage with our residential environments, I see how my kiddo already understands how to “swipe” on a phone, and I know we need to continue to... Continue Reading →
by Diego Abraham The rising generation of college students is changing residence life practice through their earnestness, determination, and yearning for wealth, success, and admiration. I am of the very firm belief that in order to develop an excellent RA, you have to develop an excellent person. This particular role, alongside with the professional staff... Continue Reading →
Valentine’s Day can signify many different things for people. Some love the holiday, and will use it as a chance to celebrate everyone, no matter if the relationship is familial, platonic, or romantic. While others can’t wait for the season to end. Regardless of where on this spectrum you land, it’s undeniable that this holiday... Continue Reading →
by Sophia Muta My current favorite topic to talk about with my 18-year-old sister in her first year of college is about her use of AI. The big-sisterly advice I like to give her is to stop asking ChatGPT questions and start asking me first, so far, ChatGPT is winning the battle. While she may... Continue Reading →
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Jas chats with Sydney Rigdon, Assistant Director of Housing & Residence Life at Transylvania University. They explore why regional and state involvement matters, how professionals can find their way into their networks, and ways this engagement supports both individual growth and the broader field of student affairs. Let's discuss!
This might be a controversial hot take, but I’m grateful for how the pandemic impacted my career trajectory – let me explain. Throughout my career, I’ve worked in both bifurcated and non-bifurcated Housing and Residence Life departments, and my four years of working as a Residence Director were split by Covid – I have two... Continue Reading →
Every year (yes, academic AND calendar) I like to spend some time with my tarot cards as a point of reflection on what I’ve done and where I might need to go to live my best life. I think a lot about the messages that we can learn from the Major Arcana, which tell an... Continue Reading →
