We're pleased to welcome Sam Ferrigno back to the podcast this week. She talks with Dustin about her experience being a writer for the blog this past year as well as her integration of the stoic philosophy into her work. Sam explains the basic tenets of stoicism and how it strives to create better balance in a world that is often chaotic and unpredictable.
ResEdChat Ep 94: Exploring the Impact of RELI with Nate Gordon
This week we're diving deep the impact and how to get involved with the annual Regional Entry Level Institute (RELI) with our guest, Nate Gordon! He shares with Dustin his past experiences with RELI and how it helps attendees prepare for whatever future their career brings.
ResEdChat Ep 93: Self-Awareness and Beyond: Emotional Intelligence for Housing Professionals
As housing professionals, we help students navigate lifeโs ups and downs, trauma, and a wide range of incidents and emotionsโall while striving to remain calm and composed. Crystal is joined by Dr. Joshua Fredenburg, President and Founder of the Circle of Change Leadership, as he explores the concept of emotional intelligence, sharing practical tips on how to cultivate self-awareness and apply it in daily housing situations.
ResEdChat Ep 92: Creating a Modern Housing Operations Unit with Dr. Zach Blackmon
This week, Zach shares with Dustin insights from his experience managing housing operations, including assignments, meal plan administration, and off-campus student services. They discuss how to balance operational efficiency with meeting the expectations of students and leadership, all while maintaining a high level of service and satisfaction. Zach also explains the importance of data-driven planning, leveraging technology, and being adaptable in an evolving landscape.
ResEdChat Ep 91: The Power of Partnership: Working Together with Campus Police to Support Students
Crystal is joined by Doreen Jokerst,ย Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Safety and Chief of Police at CU Boulder.ย In this episode, they explore the collaboration between housing professionals and campus police, highlighting the importance of open dialogue and mutual support in enhancing the student experience. We also discuss how to navigate challenging conversations about successful partnerships while being mindful of the influences of fear, lived experiences, and identity.
RA*Chat Ep 90: Nurturing Scholars: RAs’ Role in Supporting Academic Success
In this episode of Roompactโs RA Chat, Crystal is joined by Kathryn Palmieri, Managing Director at the Engineering Student Success Center and College of Science Student Success Center at San Jose State University. Join KP as they share tips on making the most of your campus resources, how to connect with your academic advisor for personalized guidance, and the best ways to create spaces in your residence halls that foster both community and academic success.
RA*Chat Ep 89: Shine Brightly Without Burning Out: Tips for Introverts in Housing
In this episode of Roompactโs RA Chat, Crystal is joined by Brooks Hetle, Associate Director of Residence Life at North Dakota State University and current President of the UMR-ACUHO region.ย Join them as they unravel the myths surrounding introverts and their leadership potential, with Brooks sharing invaluable insights on how to care for yourself and recharge while juggling a student staff position full of social interactions and activities.
ResEdChat Ep 88: “Why Roompact?” with Paul Gordon Brown
We're excited to welcome Paul back to the show this week to explore what qualities make Roompact as an education technology company unique. He shares with Dustin how the small but mighty team has navigated growth, partnerships, and funding to create a business that truly stands out from its peers.
ResEdChat Ep 87: Cultivating Community: Supporting Latine Students in Housing
In this episode of Roompactโs RA Chat, Crystal is joined by Dr.ย Geneva Reynaga Abiko, Founder and Executive Director, Borderlands Therapy Collaborative, PLLC and theyย talk about the importance of recognizing the unique identities within the Latine community and the significance of truly understanding and appreciating all students for who they are and identifying what each student needs to thrive on our college campuses.
ResEdChat Ep 86: Getting Involved with the ACPA CHRL with Drs. DeAndre Taylor & Leah Shaw
This week, we're excited to feature the ACPA Commission on Housing & Residential Life (CHRL) by talking with both the outgoing and incoming chairs, Drs. DeAndre Taylor and Leah Shaw respectively. They chat with Dustin about what CHRL is, how to get involved, and their reflections on their experiences so far.
ResEdChat Ep 85: Advice for ResLife to EdTech Career Transitions with Dustin & Paul
This week, we're bringing Dustin and Paul together to have a deep exploration of all the things any higher ed professional should consider before they make the switch into a career in education technology. They discuss everything from how to evaluate different company dynamics, corporate culture shock, and how to stand out to prospective employers.
ResEdChat Ep 84: Creating Moments of Magic for Roompact Schools with Matt Unger
We have a special episode this week with the return of Roompact's fearless leader, Matt! He joins Dustin to talk about the premise of "magical moments" when it comes to customer service, how Roompact seeks to create these moments, as well as how other leaders can take inspiration from this example.
ResEdChat Ep 83: The Importance of Living Learning Communities with Chester Miller
This week, Dustin sits down with Chester to explore his background and the impact of Living Learning Communities (LLCs) on the student experience. He also shares how residence life professionals can launch or expand the proliferation and utilization of LLCs at their institution.
ResEdChat Ep 82: 2024 ACUHO-I Internship Reflections with Seferine Baez!
With the start of a new academic year means it is time to say goodbye to another ACUHO-I summer intern at Roompact. As has become tradition here, we welcomed Seferine back to the podcast to speak with Dustin about what she has worked on these past few months, what she's learned, and what she is looking forward to as she parts ways with Roompact.
ResEdChat Ep 81: Integrating ACUHO-I Standards Into Practice with Dr. Jeanette Zalba
We're pleased to welcome Jeanette to the show this week where she and Dustin discuss the importance and methods of utilizing the ACUHO-I Standards in our departmental processes. Jeanette also shares some reflections on recently earning her doctorate in Educational Leadership.
RA*Chat Ep 80: First Impressions: The Crucial Role of RAs and Campus Partners on Move-in Day with Dr. Andy Johnson
In this episode of Roompactโs ResEdChat, Crystal is joined by Dr. Andy Johnson, Director for Operations & Outreach at the University of South Florida. Andy shares insights on common questions students and families have as they prepare for campus move-in and highlights the numerous campus partners involved in this major production. Additionally, Andy and Crystal... Continue Reading →
ResEdChat Ep 79: Asking the Question: How Does it Feel to Work Here? with Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros
In this episode of Roompactโs ResEdChat, Crystal is joined by Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros, Leadership & Workplace Culture Consultant with Mentor Culture Consulting. Erica defines workplace culture and explains how to assess it during a job interview. Erica and Crystal also discuss navigating boundaries for staff in live-in roles, being open to feedback, and thoughts... Continue Reading →
RA*Chat Ep 78: I was an RA: The Key is Excitement and Belief! with Brittney Henton
In this episode of Roompactโs RA*Chat, Crystal is joined by Brittney Henton, former RA and an Educational Services Representative in schools and libraries, and a Brand Partner with PaperPie (formerly Usborne Books & More). Brittney shares the things she learned as an RA and how they continue to influence her life as a wife, and... Continue Reading →



