ResEdChat Ep 173: The Lost Art of the Door Dec: Exploring Residence Life Traditions

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Pamela Ianiro, Area Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati, as they talk about and explore residence life traditions. From door decs to behind closed doors, Residence Life professionals around the country engage with traditions, but where do these traditions really come from? What was their purpose originally? What is it now? How do these traditions guide our work? In this episode, Pamela and Noah explore these traditions and examine the impact the serve now while telling stories and also providing advice for staff looking to learn from and interact with the traditions we all know and (sometimes) love.

March 26, 2026

Breaking The Circular Cycle: The 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice [Webinar Recording]

2025.11.18 Webinar - The 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice

How many different "residence life models" have you seen in your career? Probably a lot. It's time to break the cycle. In this webinar we'll go over the 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice. It takes from all of the models to help you distill down what's important for your residents and what's on campus. As a framework, it's flexible and draws from best practices across the field.

November 21, 2025

ResEdChat Ep 131: New Book on the Three C’s Framework for ResLife Practice

We're pleased to bring you this bonus episode of ResEdChat where Paul shares more details about a brand new resource from Roompact to help residence education leaders create a framework for their practice. Focused on the "Three C's" of Community Development, Competencies, and Care, Paul explains how this eBook came to be and how he hopes professionals across the country will use it to elevate their work.

July 14, 2025

“We Don’t Do Residential Curriculum Anymore” (What?!) Towards A Holistic Residence Life Educational Model

Or "We’re moving away from curriculum." Every now and then I hear this phrase from a school and I find it strange. What does that even mean? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?! It's almost like I don't even understand it. As I pondered this question, I've come think it's because I have a different understanding of... Continue Reading →

July 16, 2024

What ResLife Professionals Can Learn From The Manga/Anime “Naruto”

My favorite show of all time is Naruto. If any fans out there want to get into the specifics, I'm especially a fan of Naruto: Shippuden. If you're unfamiliar, Naruto is a Japanese manga series written by Masashi Kishimoto. Its anime companion aired in 2002 and was completed in 2007. Subsequently, Shippuden began in 2007... Continue Reading →

February 20, 2024

Cruisin’ Through College: What Residence Halls Can Learn from Cruise Ships

My undergraduate friends and I decided it was time for a reunion this winter break. Since graduating in 2021 and 2022, our crew had been experiencing the inevitable scatter that comes with leaving college life behind. No more meet-ups at dining halls. No more easy, late-night walks. Pre-funded and pre-organised events obviously became obsolete as... Continue Reading →

January 23, 2024

ResEdChat Ep 58: Justin Mason on Using a Strengths Based Approach in Residence Life

In this final episode of the year, Dustin chats with Justin about his background leveraging the CliftonStrengths assessment to empower student and staff to do their best work. He shares how he discovered this tool and advice for others looking to utilize it.

December 14, 2023

Navigating the Homecoming: Challenges College Students May Face Returning Home (Part 2)

The transition from the bustling independence of college life and a new place to lay one’s head in the residence halls to the familiar comfort of "home-home" can be a bittersweet experience for college students. While the prospect of reuniting with loved ones and reconnecting with childhood roots holds immense appeal and nostalgia for some,... Continue Reading →

December 12, 2023

The Many Ways of Defining “Home” in College and University Residence Life (Part 1)

As we enter fall and winter break season and many of our students may soon depart their residence halls and apartments to travel back to spend time with beloved family, friends, and pets, I wanted to dig a little deeper into the concept of “home” and what that means, both from a physical and philosophical... Continue Reading →

December 5, 2023

3 ResLife Pro Quick Tips for Incorporating Universal Design Principles into Your Daily Work

For Pro Staff For Student Staff Roompact's "Quick Tips" series highlights ideas and suggestions you can put into your practice as either a professional staff or student staff member working in residence life and education. Click to read more from the series. Universal Design is an approach that aims to create inclusive and accessible environments... Continue Reading →

July 28, 2023

Retreating in Residence Life: A Tradition Worth Keeping?

When you hear the word retreat, what comes to mind? For me, it’s statements like, “Lets start with an icebreaker,” “Everyone say your name, title, and what you do,” and “What is a fun or little known fact about you?” It’s traveling to a near or far location and blocking off your calendar. It’s sharing... Continue Reading →

July 18, 2023

ResEdChat Ep 36: Kendra Sherman on Bringing Residence Life Abroad

This week, Dustin chats with Kendra about how institutions can think about integrating a supportive residence life experience to study abroad programs and why it is important for student success. Kendra also shares anecdotes from her story that help inform her perspective as well as changing dynamics in the international education space.

June 29, 2023

6 Quotes from Ted Lasso That Speak To Residence Life Pros

As we say goodbye to Ted Lasso, we thought it only appropriate we revisit some quotes from the show. There's a reason why this show is so popular, particularly among student affairs and residence life folk, it speaks to our authentic hopes and wishes for our students and the values we try to uphold in... Continue Reading →

June 1, 2023

The Complicated Relationship Between Residence Life and Bulletin Boards

Bulletin boards have been a fixture of most residence life departments for decades. Creating fun, engaging, and educational bulletin boards is a common requirement for resident assistants and student staff. But since the advent of the internet, smart phones, and all of the other ways we can now engage residents, do bulletin boards still have... Continue Reading →

May 17, 2023

Arts-Based Practices in Res Life: Introduction and Strategies

This is part of a multi-part series on utilizing principles and techniques from arts-based research practices and applying them to the residents life setting. Explore more parts in the series:Introduction and Strategies | Community Building | Residential Curriculum The history of residential life on college campuses spans far back into the 1600's. One of the... Continue Reading →

April 18, 2023

A Love Letter to College Student Housing

As I sat down to author my final blog submission for this yearlong reflection through writing, my relationship with the profession kept coming up. If you add up my first experience of on-campus housing as a first-generation freshman, elected as hall president in my mostly male residence hall, I am wrapping up my 21st year... Continue Reading →

March 28, 2023

Four Ways to Incorporate Restorative Practices into your ResLife Work

Four Ways to Incorporate Restorative Practices into your Work

This post is one in a series about integrating Restorative Practices into a model for residential learning. Start with the introduction as a primer and explore posts on other strategies you can utilize with a restorative lens.| Introduction | Roommate Agreements | Floor Meetings & Circles | Curriculum Development | Residential Curriculum | Intentional Conversations... Continue Reading →

March 21, 2023

Stuff We Say in College Student Housing

In our field, there are a lot of buzz words that we use. While some are helpful, some dictate how we move about in the work. I want to explore some of those sayings and how they land for me. As you read through, think of a time when you have used or heard these... Continue Reading →

March 14, 2023

Tag: Topic About Residence Life