In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Deanna Hughes, Associate Director of Residential Education at the University of South Florida-Tampa Campus, to discuss the art of balancing life as a housing professional, doctoral student, mom, and partner. Deanna shares valuable insights on time management, building support systems, navigating dissertation research, and embracing balance through simple joys like walking, journaling, and bowling. Tune in for an inspiring conversation filled with practical advice for managing it all!
ResEdChat Ep 85: Advice for ResLife to EdTech Career Transitions with Dustin & Paul
This week, we're bringing Dustin and Paul together to have a deep exploration of all the things any higher ed professional should consider before they make the switch into a career in education technology. They discuss everything from how to evaluate different company dynamics, corporate culture shock, and how to stand out to prospective employers.
Making Lateral Moves in Higher Educationโฆ Why?ย
So, youโre a higher education professional about to begin your job search wondering, โWhatโs my next step in my career?โ Vertical trajectory up the organizational chart is alluring for many, as it represents an idealized version of professional success in a capitalist society. After all, whatโs a more concrete example of your hard work than... Continue Reading →
Pivoting Out: When Your Next Job Takes You Out of College Student Housing
Housing is a unique place to hold a career due to all of the elements this functional area is responsible for. There are a lot of great experiences that can translate to future opportunities in which you can continue to build on a career within Student Affairs or pivot to a new field entirely. I... Continue Reading →
Moving Off As A Residence Life Staff Member: What I Wish I Knew
Moving out of the residence halls is a rite of passage for many of us working in Residence Life. For however long we called campus home, we did not pay rent; we got perks such as a meal plan, access to a gym, and free amenities (wifi, cable packages, utilities); and probably one of the... Continue Reading →
Leaping out of Residence Life: Tips to Land That Next Gig
Working in Residence Life enables us to be jacks of all trades. We Adjudicate, Budget, Counsel, Coach, Plan Events, Manage Projects, Respond to Crisis and more. You name it, we likely do it. But being a multifaceted generalist is not necessarily a long-term goal for all of us. Maybe you have an interest or passion... Continue Reading →
Public or Private? Where I found my fit in Residence Life
When it comes to finding your fit in Residence Life, it seems the differences in working at a private or public institution are not often discussed. Perhaps this stems from a tendency for professionals to stay within a certain institution type throughout their career or maybe it suggests that institution type is not a key... Continue Reading →
ResEdChat Ep 52: Working Abroad in Student Affairs, Housing, and Residence Life
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, guest host Stewart Robinette chats with two professionals who are currently working outside the United States at NYU Shanghai. They discuss how their careers took them there, what the differences are when operating a residence life program outside the United States, and the learning, experiences, and skills they gained along the way.
ResEdChat Ep 47: Wimer Alberto on GradGuard & Off-Campus Career Transitions
Dustin welcomes Alberto to the show this week, where they discuss his transition from a campus based position, advice for others considering similar transitions, and his current work at GradGuard.
ResEdChat Ep 39: Using the Doctorate To Amplify the Voices of Students and Staff
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Guest Host Crystal Lay speaks with Drs. Kawanna Leggett and Erik Sorenson, and future Dr. Alvin Mangosing about each of their decisions to pursue a doctoral degree and how they are using what they have learned to enhance the experience of their staff and students. ย They also highlight the importance of each person making educational and career decisions that make sense for themselves.ย Finally, they each provide their thoughts on whether one needs a doctoral degree to do our work in college student housing and residence life.
Sashay Away: A Long Time On-Campus Housing Professional Packs His Bags
I wasnโt supposed to live on campus originally. I had checked a box when I applied to the state institution 15 minutes down the road from my parents as a senior in high school. That checkmark could have very well shaped the next two decades of my life. Little did I know that by checking... Continue Reading →
ResEdChat Ep 25: Gustavo Tiffer on Pivoting to a Career Off-Campus
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Dustin chats with Gustavo about how navigated a path from residence life professional to working outside of higher ed in customer success at a tech company. If you have a topic idea or want to engage in the community discussion, use the hashtag #ResEdChat.
ResEdChat Ep 22: Shigeo Iwamiya on Managing Career Transitions
In this episode of the podcast, we welcome Shigeo to the show to reflect on his career in Residence Life and how he has navigated moving back and forth across the country as he's moved up in his profession. Shigeo shares insightful advice and genuine anecdotes from his life to help folks determine what is truly important as they make decisions about their next job. If you have a topic idea or want to engage in the community discussion, use the hashtag #ResEdChat.
Preparing Yourself for A Job Search in Residence Life (or Student Affairs… or Another Industry)
In a previous post, I wrote about how a supervisor might assist in supporting their staff member(s) through the job search season. As we are now entering a new year, and with some hopeful reflections motivating our purposes, it seems only fitting to now address this phenomenon from the perspective of the candidate. I want... Continue Reading →
Moving Up & Moving Off: Planning Beyond the Hall Director Role
I was 18 when I moved into my freshman residence hall, and had you told me at the time that I wouldnโt be moving out of a residence hall until I was 26, I wouldnโt have been able to fathom what that meant. However, by my first year of grad school, my live-on status felt... Continue Reading →
ResEdChat Ep 16: Crystal Lay and Reflections on a Career in Residence Life
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we talk with Crystal about her decades of experience working in Residence Life all the way from her time as a student. She shares reflections about crisis response, setting boundaries, and being able to bring your best self to work. If you have a topic idea or want to engage in the community discussion, use the hashtag #ResEdChat.
If These Halls Could Talk: Crafting Your Residence Life Story
Itโs the time of year when I begin to think about the importance of stories and traditions. Do you have stories or moments that stick with you? Do you have traditions that you have passed onto others in your family or friendship groups? What about in your workplace? Stories are โa description, either true or... Continue Reading →
Quiet Quitting, Acting Your Wage, and the Missing Piece That Keeps Many Women in Housing from Being Able To Do Either
You canโt scroll through LinkedIn or even TikTok nowadays without seeing articles or discussions about "quiet quitting" and "acting your wage." By now, most people know what these terms mean and how they differ slightly, but ultimately both mean: โDo the job you were hired for and only during the hours, youโre being paid to... Continue Reading →



