We’d like to introduce the Roompact Blogging Cohorts for the upcoming year!
Roompact hires bloggers to further increase our contributions to the field through the free dissemination of ideas and knowledge. Every year we refresh our blog cohort with new writers. Earlier this spring, we did a search for part-time bloggers, professionals who liked to write and who were looking for a little side hustle. We also hire two cohorts: one focused on graduate students and professionals as an audience and one focused on RAs and student staff as an audience. Below you can learn a little more about the writers that will be sharing their talents with you in the coming year. We’ve already got some really interesting and exciting pieces planned.
If you’d like to join the Roompact Blog Cohort, be on the look out for an announcement in January 2027. We’ll likely run a very similar process to the one we ran this year.
Professional/Grad Audience Cohort
Mike Schilling (he/him/his) is a student housing practitioner & scholar from New Jersey who has spent most of his career in the inter-mountain region. He holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Mathematics from the College of William & Mary in Virginia and both an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Arizona. Mike’s passion areas include crisis management and response, organizational behavior and sociology, workforce sustainability, residential curricula, and living learning communities. Outside of work, Mike loves to cook, bake, watch TV & movies, read books & comics, and spend quality time with his wife and son.
Citklali Ibarra-Hernandez (she/her/ella) serves as the Associate Director of Academic Engagement & Curricular at San Diego State University. Originally from California’s Central Valley, she is a proud first-generation college graduate of both UC Merced and San Diego State University. Citklali is passionate about residential curriculum, academic initiatives, and collaborating with brilliant colleagues to enhance staff experiences. She is deeply committed to creating intentional learning opportunities that support student success. Outside of work, Citklali enjoys reading, spending time with loved ones, and exploring coffee shops. Fun fact: her dog, Maya, is named after her favorite residence hall she has served!
Matthew Inman is a student affairs educator dedicated to creating welcoming learning environments where students and staff feel confident, curious, and connected. His work is shaped by experiences mentoring first‑generation and low‑income students and guiding students and staff in several roles at institutions nationwide. He is particularly interested in student development theory, data and assessment, educational philosophy, and initiatives that make the college experience more intentional. Outside of work, Matthew enjoys exploring the outdoors and discovering new places to wander.
Jordan Dedrick (she/they) currently lives in Amherst, MA where she serves as an Area Assistant Director at UMass Amherst. Their professional interests include policy, student conduct and compliance, conflict, mediation, and Resident Assistant self-efficacy, and supervision. Jordan has worked in housing since 2012 when they were hired as a Desk Assistant. Outside of work, Jordan is a fitness instructor and an anime nerd who draws manga style pieces for conventions.
Sophia Muta (she/her/hers) self-identifies as a Midwest Princess after spending her entire life living and working in the Midwest. Sometime during her undergrad at Iowa State University, Sophia realized teaching in a traditional classroom was not her vibe, so she went on to earn her MA in Higher Education with a Concentration in Social Justice and Diversity from the University of Michigan. Today, Sophia is passionate about combining equitable, inclusive practices with supervision, education, and advocacy. Sophia spends her free time reading, crafting, teaching barre classes, and hanging out with her dog.
Student Staff Audience Cohort
Danielle Jones (she/her/hers) is a Residence Life professional who started in the field as a Community Assistant in 2016. Danielle earned her Bachelor’s degree in English, Writing at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership with a focus in College Student Affairs from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania (now Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania). As a professional, Danielle’s passions include student and professional staff support and development as well as disrupting the “norms” of higher education. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and baking.
Kate Pilcher (she/her/hers) started as a residence assistant at The University of Tennessee at Martin while earning her Bachelor’s of Science, and is now working towards her Master’s of Science at the university where serves as a Hall Director for Residence Life. Kate is dedicated to helping students thrive through building strong communities, feeling supported, and making sure they feel like they belong in the college community. When she’s not working or doing class work, Kate is likely reading, spending time with loved ones, or cuddling with her cat.
Erin Brown (she/her/hers) is a Residence Life Coordinator at Colorado School of Mines, overseeing a first-year hall. Erin completed her B.A. and M.S.Ed. at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2021 and 2022, respectively. She became an RA during her freshman year of college and after graduating moved to Colorado to work as a Resident Director. In her work, Erin most enjoys RA training, move in, and being someone residents can stop by to talk to anytime. She also loves cozy video games, photography, and spending time with her partner.
Vicente Román (he/him/él) is a residential education leader from Baldwin Park, CA, and a proud first-generation professional. He holds a B.A. from UC Berkeley and an M.Ed. from USC. Vicente’s work combines strategic vision with culturally responsive approaches to foster belonging, accountability, and holistic growth for both scholars and staff. He builds systems where underrepresented voices are heard, valued, and uplifted. Outside of work, Vicente enjoys volunteering, attending movie screenings, and playing Pokémon Go.
