Residence life and education, residential curriculum and curricular approaches, student housing, and technology.
Several weeks ago I was speaking with a student who had recently found out their parents had to say goodbye to the family dog. They had shared this with someone else on campus and was met with a well-intentioned but ultimately unsupportive comment inquiring if and when they may get another fur baby. For this... 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 →
From the bustling dining halls to the quiet corners of study lounges, on-campus housing is a vibrant ecosystem buzzing with student life. But how do we, the dedicated professionals ensuring its smooth operation, truly know if we're meeting the needs of this diverse population? Enter the unconventional superpower: mystery shopping. Many years ago I got... 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 →
As a higher education professional, you may work with a variety of vendors, from those who provide essential supplies and services to those who offer more specialized products and services. When I think about my time as an earlier career housing professional, I recall very clearly being told by higher-ups not to tease or engage... Continue Reading →
The fall semester is a time of great change and excitement for all of us higher education professionals. New students are arriving, new classes are starting, and there is a renewed sense of purpose and energy. However, the fall semester can also be a time of great stress and anxiety. Long hours, heavy workloads, and... Continue Reading →
College can be a stressful time for students, and sometimes they may need extra help. Student of Concern teams (SOCTs) are a valuable resource for students who are struggling academically, mentally, or behaviorally and are one way that colleges and universities provide support for their institutional communities. When I was an RA, graduate hall director,... Continue Reading →
Over Labor Day weekend last year, I embarked on a journey unlike any I had yet taken in my life—a visit to the House of Mouse, or Walt Disney World in Orlando, FL. I had grown up like many others watching the Disney channel, taking in specials where our ambitious characters on the much anticipated... Continue Reading →
As we exit June, I think about Pride Month and how important this month is to so many. This month is a time to honor those who have blazed a trail of liberation from the Stonewall riots to today and to celebrate the many accomplishments of those within the LGBTQ+ community. Today, in 2023, there... Continue Reading →
I wasn’t 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 →
As we prepare to finish this current school year I wanted to share some conversation starters that I am hoping you may find helpful as you speak with your residents and students who may be preparing to possibly move from on campus housing to off campus apartments, houses, or other independent living options. Moving from... Continue Reading →
