The role of a Residence Hall Director encompasses various helping professions, requiring emotional support, goal-setting, and difficult conversations. Implementing a trauma-informed approach emphasizes safety, communication, and relationship-building. Practical strategies for fostering this environment include prioritizing psychological safety, educating staff, and maintaining predictable communications, ultimately fostering growth and dignity among students.
Limits As A Student Staff Member: Know When And How to Refer
As a student staff member (and a peer helper), you have an important role, but you’re not a counselor, doctor, or security officer. Some situations will rightfully be beyond what you can or should handle alone. Knowing when to refer a resident to professional help (and how to do it sensitively) is a crucial skill. It’s not a failure... Continue Reading →
Managing the Unthinkable… Residential Student Death: Tips and Questions to Ponder for Res Life Pros
By the time this blog posts it will either have been a month or roughly a month and a half since our first (and hopefully) last student death on campus this academic year at Wake Forest University. With a student population (undergrad, graduate and the professional schools) of under 10,000 students we do not experience... Continue Reading →
Why Grief Matters in Residence Life and Higher Education
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 →



