Tag: Topic Organizational Culture

How Change Models Help Us Better Support the Student Experience in Residence Life

8 steps

Residence life is one of the most change-saturated environments on a college campus. Students arrive during moments of transition, staff juggle evolving expectations, and institutions regularly introduce new priorities, policies, and pressures. In this context, change can either feel intentional and supportive or confusing and destabilizing, often simultaneously.  Change models provide residence life professionals with... Continue Reading →

Scary Stories to Tell in the Residence Halls

Ghost

One of my most beloved autumnal traditions is re-reading the Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark book series. For those who aren’t aware, this is a children’s book series containing urban legends, folklore, songs, and ghost stories. The trilogy of books are perhaps best known for the macabre hand drawn illustrations that accompany the... Continue Reading →

Creating a Culture of Psychological Safety in Residence Life

Heart plugging into a brain

In residence life, building community is foundational. Yet, achieving it necessitates cultivating an environment where students and staff feel psychologically safe. Psychological safety, a concept rooted in organizational behavior and leadership theory, refers to an environment of rewarded vulnerability. It is a culture where individuals feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves... Continue Reading →

The Political Frame: Competing Interests and Shared Goals in ResLife

Four Frames - Political

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 →

ResEdChat Ep 120: Yes, You’ve Got This: Fighting Imposter Syndrome in ResLife

Ever feel like you're faking it in housing? In this episode of ResEdChat, Crystal chats with Dr. A.J. Lauer, from Thriving Ibis Leadership Solutions, about imposter syndrome, identity, and the pressures of being the “expert” in res life. Tune in for real talk, empowering tips, and a reminder that yes, you belong here. If you have a topic idea or want to engage in the community discussion, use the hashtag #ResEdChat.

This Meeting Couldn’t Have Been an Email

email

This meeting could have been an email. How many times have you said this? How many times have you heard this? Within higher education, we’re notorious for having standing meetings that are often longer than they need to be, knowing that the information could have been communicated via email. Amidst the chaos that was my... Continue Reading →

The Human Resources Frame: Creating a People-First ResLife Experience

Four Frames - Human Resources

University housing plays a critical role in shaping students’ college experiences. A well-organized residential system fosters academic success, social development, and personal growth. However, managing university housing requires careful planning, coordination, and adherence to established policies. One way to understand the complexities of this system is through Bolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model. In this article,... Continue Reading →

The Structural Frame: ResLife’s Blueprint for Success

Four Frames - Structural

University housing plays a critical role in shaping students’ college experiences. A well-organized residential system fosters academic success, social development, and personal growth. However, managing university housing requires careful planning, coordination, and adherence to established policies. One way to understand the complexities of this system is through Bolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model, particularly the Structural... Continue Reading →

ResEdChat Ep 79: Asking the Question: How Does it Feel to Work Here? with Dr. Erica Alcantara Aros

ResEdChat - Dr Erica Alcantara Aros

In this episode of Roompact’s 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 →

How Are We Promoting and Ensuring Wellness During ResLife “Recruitment Season”?

Person calmly sitting cross legged

In residence life, we’re constantly hiring! Every year, we launch the recruitment and selection process for student staff, exploding the outlook calendars of everyone. From marketing, to reviewing applications, facilitating interviews, and spending out offer letters–it doesn’t stop! Professional staff vacancies can pop up at any time, keeping the hiring cycle humming. Hiring new student... Continue Reading →

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