Housing and Residence Life: Community & Engagement | Competencies & Learning | Care & Case Management | Assessment
In the world of residence life, we spend a lot of time encouraging students to “get involved,” “build community,” and “live their values.” We organize programming, lead dialogues, and guide residents toward civic engagement with the hope that these experiences will help shape them into thoughtful, connected members of the broader society. But how often... Continue Reading →
CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. DING. SWOOSH. CLICK. CLICK. CLICK. On the eve of RA training one year, many of my colleagues stopped by my office to see where that boisterous clicking sound was coming from. “Is that what I think it is?” a colleague asked. “A typewriter? Yes, it is!” I replied in a... Continue Reading →
In a profession where every day brings a new challenge—mediating conflicts, fostering community, supporting students in crisis—creative thinking isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. As a residence life professional, I lean on an invaluable tool I learned in my undergraduate education to sharpen that creativity: poetry. For me, reading and writing poetry isn’t just a personal... Continue Reading →
In the dynamic and emotionally nuanced environment of residence life, professionals are expected to lead, support, and mentor students while navigating their own complex personal and professional development. One often-overlooked challenge that many in the field face is imposter syndrome. The persistent feeling of self-doubt despite evident success or qualifications. But what is it? How... Continue Reading →
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we will be discuss "The Superhero Complex in Student Affairs." The superhero complex refers to a mindset where student affairs professionals feel the need to "save the day" constantly—taking on excessive responsibilities, overworking, and sacrificing personal well-being in the name of student support. This can stem from a deep commitment to student success but often leads to burnout, lack of boundaries, and an unhealthy work culture where self-sacrifice is the norm.
Picture this: the halls are closed, your end-of-year report is done, and students have departed for summer. This feeling is right around the corner! Even if you’re heavily involved in orientation, camps and conferences, or preparing for training, the beginning of summer has a way of getting residence life professionals to reflect, rest, and dream... Continue Reading →
“Wait, you actually know what ‘Army of Darkness’ is?” my student asked. “What a silly question, of course I know the 1992 Sam Raimi directed classic, it was a huge part of personality in college,” I thought to myself. I had made a fleeting reference to the film ‘Army of Darkness’ in a meeting I... Continue Reading →
In student affairs, especially Housing and Residence Life, we do what I like to call "shadow work"—outside the classroom, in late-night conversations, in the spaces where students grow into themselves. In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Host Jasmine Nettles and guest Bernard Nichols talk about understanding "why" we do what we do, what keeps us going, and how our personal values and lived experiences have shaped the way we show up for students.
Yes, I know there is a whole book about saying yes to new adventures, experiences, opportunities, people, jobs, you name it…find a way to say yes to it. Now, I never read that book but the title basically summed it up for me. This is my last blog post for my year of writing and... Continue Reading →
Regardless of when this blog is posted, I can still say Happy New Year to you! I hope the new year is off to the start that you were hoping for. If it's not, there is still time to turn things around (fingers crossed). A new year brings new possibilities, new adventures, new challenges, new... Continue Reading →
An attitude of gratitude. I often have to remind my son, being grateful for what you have should never be taken for granted. The world does not owe anyone anything. So I try my hardest to have an attitude of gratitude. I personally celebrate Thanksgiving so when November rolls around each year, I get extra... Continue Reading →
Why is it August already?!? Like, who authorized this? It was just May two seconds ago but now it’s August and in my case our students are headed back to campus. Now, your new academic year may not start until September but either way… Happy New (Academic) Year to us all! It seems only fitting... Continue Reading →
Housing professionals are well accustomed to the process of handling a crisis. When your work involves maintaining the everyday homeostasis and safety of an unpredictable community, your ability to maintain calm and handle a situation can become almost uncanny. In our roles, we encounter a variety of urgent issues, from the most ridiculous of situations... Continue Reading →
A little over a year ago, I left my “covid institution” and transitioned into a role that allowed me to get back to the things that excited me about higher education. I was able to learn and flex new skills, I was shaping the student experience through systems and policies, and I generally felt that... Continue Reading →
I was recently taking a moment to tidy up my office and came across the children’s classic, "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" by Laura Joffe Numeroff, staring back at me from my bookcase. This book was gifted to me by my partner many years ago and has been a wholesome story I have... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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 →
