Change is a constant in campus life, but when your supervisor leaves their position, it can feel especially unsettling. Supervisors play a vital role in shaping the culture of a residence life team. They provide mentorship, guidance, and stability. When they move on, student staff and residents alike may feel uncertain about what comes next.
Here are some ways to navigate this transition with professionalism, empathy, and resilience.
Acknowledge your feelings!
It’s totally normal to have emotions regarding change. Change can be scary, anxiety provoking, and even exciting. When a supervisor leaves you might be feeling sad that your supervisor is leaving, frustrated that you need to navigate something new, or even relieved because the person who has been holding you accountable is stepping away, to name a few of the emotions you may be experiencing. I’ve noticed that when a supervisor leaves the supervisor or their student leaders will say that they cried, but if you aren’t feeling tearful, that’s cool too. There is not a “right way” to feel about a supervisor leaving.
Celebrate the impact your supervisor has made.
It is likely that your supervisor would appreciate some sort of recognition for the impact they made. Celebrating your supervisor can be as simple as a group card from the team, an email to them sharing what they mean to you, or just a statement of gratitude in your final 1:1 meeting. If you want to do something more than this, I recommend checking in with your supervisor to see if that’s something they want or would be open to.
When I left my last role, a student I had worked closely with had asked if she could throw me a goodbye party. I told her it wasn’t necessary, but I appreciated that she would care enough to consider something like that. She then reminded me that she loves putting together events and asked if I’d be upset if she did something. I shared that I wouldn’t be upset, that would be really sweet, but that it’s not something I expected. Before I moved away, she had a professional staff member call me and ask for help with an incident taking place in one of our programming spaces. I headed to the area to assist and was surprised by a goodbye surprise party with cake, flowers, balloons, and a bunch of Residence Life staff and student leaders. It was really thoughtful, but definitely above and beyond the expectation any supervisor would have when leaving their role. I will never forget how thoughtful of a gesture this was and how appreciated it made me feel.
Keep on keeping on.
While leadership changes, your mission continues. Keep focusing on your goal and make the transition seamless for your residents. You will still be expected to do the same things you had to do before including fostering an inclusive environment, building community, and supporting your residents. Though who you report to is changing, your job isn’t.
Stay Open to What’s Next!
You’re going to get a new supervisor who will inevitably have a different style of supervising and different expectations than your previous supervisor. For example, maybe your previous supervisor didn’t mind if you showed up 1 minute late to your weekly team meeting, but your new supervisor wants you ready to go 5 minutes before the meeting starts. Stay open to the new ways of doing things.
Seek clarity.
If you aren’t sure what you need to do or how your role may need to adapt with the loss of your supervisor, ask! Seeking clarity is the best thing you can do if you aren’t sure what you’re supposed to be doing. If you aren’t sure who to ask after your supervisor has left, their previous supervisor, often an Assistant Director of Residence Life, is a great first email to send. Typically a departing supervisor will also share some guidance regarding who you can look to as a “temporary supervisor” until a new person is hired.
Don’t take it too personally.
I’ve switched Resident Director roles a few times and it was never because of the students. It was because of factors like family obligations, location needs, retirement benefits, and pay. It is not about you when a supervisor leaves.
Check to see if you can stay connected.
If you want to stay connected with your former supervisor, I recommend asking them if you can stay connected with them via LinkedIn or through a personal email. It may also be in your best interest to ask your departing supervisor if it would be okay for you to reach out for a positive reference in the future, if the need arises as you are job searching down the road. The worst they can say is no.
While the departure of a supervisor can feel overwhelming, know that it’s going to be okay. You can grieve the loss of a supervisor and still be excited about having a new supervisor joining your team. Follow the recommendations above to make the transition as seamless as possible.
