Housing and Residence Life: Community & Engagement | Competencies & Learning | Care & Case Management | Assessment
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 evolving landscape of residence life, emotional intelligence and authentic connection are becoming increasingly vital components of effective leadership. One concept that has gained significant traction in both academic and professional spaces is vulnerability—not as a weakness, but as a profound measure of courage. For professionals in student housing, embracing vulnerability offers a path... Continue Reading →
Restorative justice (RJ) is a transformative approach to student conduct. Rooted in ancient traditions and embraced by various cultures across history, RJ provides a structured, empathetic framework for addressing misconduct that emphasizes accountability, community healing, and behavioral change. For residence life professionals, it represents a powerful alternative to punitive and purely developmental disciplinary models. Want... Continue Reading →
Advising a Residence Hall Association (RHA) is not a job for someone who wants the spotlight. It’s for those who find satisfaction in seeing others step confidently into leadership, navigate the challenges of collaboration, and shape their own on-campus communities. It’s a role that requires balancing active mentorship with intentional restraint. You are the behind-the-scenes... Continue Reading →
Hiring student staff in residence life is a critical and complex responsibility. It's a process that sits at the intersection of student development, operational success, and institutional values. As we strive to build high-performing, diverse, and resilient teams, we are continually seeking that elusive formula for success. While a one-size-fits-all solution doesn’t exist, data-driven insights... Continue Reading →
In an increasingly globalized higher education landscape, international students are not only a vital part of university communities but also a population that faces unique challenges navigating life on U.S. campuses. For residence life professionals, understanding these challenges and how to actively support students through them is critical to building inclusive, responsive, and vibrant living... Continue Reading →
As student populations evolve and the expectations of residential education shift, the need for impactful, engaging, and responsive training for student staff has become increasingly evident. Many institutions are moving beyond traditional lecture-based training models to embrace experiential learning as a core methodology. This approach emphasizes "learning by doing" and offers residence life teams more... Continue Reading →
In recent years, the presence of service and assistance animals in college and university housing has grown considerably. As institutions strive to accommodate a diverse range of student needs, understanding the legal landscape and implementing clear, fair policies is essential for residence life professionals. This article provides an overview of the governing laws, definitions, policy... Continue Reading →
For many professionals working in college housing, the assumption is that students living in residence halls (with access to dining plans) are among the most food and housing secure on campus. However, this assumption often overlooks the nuanced realities of food and housing insecurity that persist even within the residence halls. These are critical issues... Continue Reading →
Looking for a framework to develop your residence life and education model? Roompact's new book, A Residence Life and Education Model: Community, Competencies, & Care, can help. This book offers a practical framework for designing a residence life and education model that will help you rethink how your department supports student development, engagement, and success. And... Continue Reading →
When it comes to seeking out professional and personal development opportunities, I am like a frantic squirrel hunting for nuts. There is so much I want to learn and so many skills I want to add to my repertoire. I attend workshops, watch seminars, host a weekly trivia game at a local bar, I’ve collected... 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 their influential work Reframing Organizations, Lee Bolman and Terrence Deal describe four frames through which organizations can be understood. In previous articles we’ve explored the structural and human resource frames. In this, we will be discussing the Political Frame, which offers a particularly relevant lens for examining university housing, a dynamic environment where competing... Continue Reading →
You’ve got the inside jokes, flexible deadlines, and quick-wit in the group chat. You’re relatable, approachable, and your RAs like you… but are you actually supervising? Supervising students is more than just being fun or chill. It’s about co-creating relationships that foster guidance, support, and accountability. By avoiding true supervision in the name of being... Continue Reading →
In recent years, student activism has reemerged as a defining characteristic of college and university life across North America. While the causes and contexts vary (from calls for institutional divestment to labor rights for student workers) the common thread is clear: students are demanding a more active role in shaping the institutions they are a... Continue Reading →
Creating an inclusive environment for students with disabilities in residence life is more than a legal or procedural obligation. It's a commitment to equity, dignity, and belonging. Residence life professionals are in a unique position to influence the campus experience for students with disabilities through intentional practices that promote accessibility, awareness, and identity development. The... Continue Reading →
Residence life professionals have long emphasized the importance of the first-year experience, but what about our second-year students? The sophomore year presents unique challenges that, if left unaddressed, can impact academic success, sense of belonging, and retention. Institutions continue to rife their approaches on how to intentionally support these students during a pivotal time in... Continue Reading →
It’s that time of year. Students are cramming for final exams, holding their last student org events, and carrying stuff out of their residence halls by the laundry basketful. Over in professional staff world, we’re holding closing staff meetings, gearing up for move-out, and suddenly— somehow —the inbox feels like it’s bursting at the seams.... Continue Reading →
