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 weโll go over the 3C Framework for Residence Life Practice. It takes from all of the models to help you distill down whatโs important for your residents and whatโs on campus. As a framework, itโs 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
Democracy in the Residence Halls: A Living Laboratory for Citizenship and Dialogue
Youโll have to indulge me, as I have been worrying a lot about the state of the nation lately, and one of the ways I can feel like I am doing something worthwhile is by thinking about how my work in residence life has supported students being good people when they leave our halls. When... Continue Reading →
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
Cultivating the โHome Away from Homeโ Vibe: Building Community in Apartment-Style Campus Living [Webinar Recording]
Labor movements are seeing a new burst of unions following COVID-19 impacts on working conditions. This session will work to demystify the world of unions by discussing the history and impacts of the United State's first Resident Assistant Union and how that's shaped daily life working as a residence director.
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 โget involved,โ โbuild community,โ and โlive 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 →
Navigating Service and Assistance Animal Policies in Campus Housing
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 →
From Surviving to Thriving: Little Steps You Can Take to Foster a Positive Ecosystem for Campus Residents
Are you ready for your โAre You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?โ question of the day? Here it is: What is an ecosystem? Khan Academy defines an ecosystem as โa community of organisms together with their physical environment.โ Brittanica says something similar: An ecosystem is the โcomplex 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 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.
Integrating Campus Partners into Your Community Development Plan
Programming has always been one of my favorite parts of being in ResLife. Bringing people together to share ideas, foster community, or just to have fun has always been useful in galvanizing an identity of unity within residence halls. And, when it comes to hosting educational events, the name of the game is work smarter,... Continue Reading →
Creating a Sense of Belonging in Residence Life: Lessons from T. Swift
Belonging is a fundamental human need, and nowhere is this more apparent than in the residence halls. As we all know, creating a sense of belonging is crucial for student retention and success, as it impacts not only their academic performance but also their emotional and social well-being. Who better to help us explore the... Continue Reading →
Strategizing Connections: Utilizing Community Development Plans
Letโs be honest: no one aspires to be an entry-level, live-in hall director their entire career. From my experience, most Hall Directors make it five years before they are looking to move up or out. And thatโs kind of how the role was designed: itโs meant to be a stepping stone, not a forever role.... Continue Reading →
ResEdChat Ep 66: Cultivating Community: Sense of Belonging, Wellness, and Connection in Student Living Spaces
In this episode of Roompactโs 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
โProfessor, whatโs 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 โCowboy Carter,โ the 27-track musical journey by Beyoncรฉ Knowles-Carter thatโs 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 →
Using Floor Sociograms To Help RAs Visualize Their Communities
Resident Assistants (RAs) play a crucial role in fostering a supportive and inclusive community within university residence halls. Understanding the dynamics and relationships among residents is essential for creating a positive living environment. A floor sociogram is a powerful tool that can help RAs gain valuable insights into these dynamics. In this blog post, we... Continue Reading →



