ResEdChat Ep 177: Supporting Neurodiversity through Mentorship

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we welcome Dr. Shirley O'Brien, Foundation Professor for the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at EKU. This episode explores the collaborative partnership between the Occupational Therapy and Housing & Residence Life department to develop and implement theย Colonels Mentoring Colonels Peer Mentor Program, an initiative to support residential and commuter students who identify as neurodiverse.

ResEdChat Ep 172: Breaking The Circular Cycle – The 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice

In this special episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we have a rebroadcast from one of our more recent webinars. We started our monthly webinar series back in October of 2025 and if you are a Roompact member, you can participate in these live. For non-Roompact members, we make the recording available after the fact on our website. In this webinar weโ€™ll go over the 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice. It takes from all of the models to help you distill down whatโ€™s important for your residents and whatโ€™s on campus. As a framework, itโ€™s flexible and draws from best practices across the field.

ResEdChat Ep 148: Ghost Stories, Community Building, & Leadership Development In Residence Halls

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah and guest Evelyn Mendlowitz, Resident Director at Miami University of Ohio, to talk about ghost stories. What do ghost stories have to do with Residence Life, you ask? Well, let us tell you. Most, if not all college campuses have at least one ghost story, and oftentimes, these stories are clung to and repeatedly told and known. These stories, while often dark, provided important history into college campuses and can even invite students and staff alike to learn, lead, and build community together Noah and Evelyn discuss this topic, tell stories themselves, and provide advice rooted in trauma informed care and emotionally intelligent leadership for Residence Life staff to further incorporate storytelling into their regular practice.ย 

ResEdChat Ep 143: Everyone Can Be A Leader: Equity-Based Leadership in the Halls

On this episode of ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Ayanna Ross, Associate Director of Residence Life at Miami University of Ohio, to talk about studentย leadership development. Student leadership is integral to the college student experience, but how does it look in residence halls? How does identity come into play for students and staff as they are growing as leaders? Are we really doing enough? Noah and Ayanna discuss these topics, share insights into leadership theory, tell stories, and talk about tangible ways to help students grow as leaders while they are living with us in the halls.ย 

Living the Lesson: The Importance of Community Involvement for Residence Life Professionals

In the world of residence life, we spend a lot of time encouraging students to โ€œget involved,โ€ โ€œbuild community,โ€ and โ€œlive their values.โ€ We organize programming, lead dialogues, and guide residents toward civic engagement with the hope that these experiences will help shape them into thoughtful, connected members of the broader society. But how often... Continue Reading →

From Surviving to Thriving: Little Steps You Can Take to Foster a Positive Ecosystem for Campus Residents

Are you ready for your โ€œAre You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?โ€ question of the day? Here it is: What is an ecosystem? Khan Academy defines an ecosystem as โ€œa community of organisms together with their physical environment.โ€ Brittanica says something similar: An ecosystem is the โ€œcomplex of living organisms, their physical environment, and all... Continue Reading →

ResEdChat Ep 108: Safe Spaces, Strong Communities: Supporting LGBTIA Students in Housing

In this episode, join host Crystal and Travis Tucker,ย Assistant Dean and Director of the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Understanding at Princeton University, as they explore how campus housing staff can better support LGBT students by addressing privacy, community, and inclusivity. They discuss impactful policies, staff training, and partnerships, share success stories, and offer practical advice for creating spaces where students who identify as LGBTIA thrive.

ResEdChat Ep 87: Cultivating Community: Supporting Latine Students in Housing

In this episode of Roompactโ€™s 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 66: Cultivating Community: Sense of Belonging, Wellness, and Connection in Student Living Spaces

In this episode of Roompactโ€™s ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Liz Toombs, a Certified Interior Decorator and Owner of PDR Interiors. Liz shares her thoughts on several topics, including Greek Life, the connection between student living spaces and wellness, and the importance of belonging for college students. She offers tips on the dos and don'ts that come along with designing spaces and supporting students who are members of fraternities and sororities.

Beyoncรฉ, Belonging, and Residence Life

โ€œProfessor, whatโ€™s your favorite song on the album?โ€ The question was from one  of my students in our student leadership seminar, a course designed for incoming resident assistants, peer mentors, and orientation leaders. They were  talking about โ€˜Cowboy Carter,โ€™ the 27-track musical journey by Beyoncรฉ Knowles-Carter thatโ€™s got everyone donning cowboy hats, slipping into boots, ... Continue Reading →

Creating Inclusive Environments: Strategies for Building Community and Belonging in College Student Housing

Guest Post by Alex Baker, Student Affairs Professional In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, creating inclusive environments is not just a  moral imperative but also a modern necessity. Inclusivity is not just a concept for policymakers and  senior leadership; it's a practice that can and should be implemented at every level. This article aims... Continue Reading →

Up ↑