Residence life and education, residential curriculum and curricular approaches, student housing, and technology.
Professionals supervising student staff, such as RAs and peer mentors, face unique challenges distinct from those supervising other professionals. Effective supervision involves understanding decision-making limits, providing clear instruction, and fostering collaboration. The role is both challenging and rewarding, emphasizing continuous learning and support for staff in their supervisory responsibilities.
Do you actually know how to have a 1-on-1 meeting? For most of us in residence life, one-on-one meetings with supervisees are built into the job. But when’s the last time you thought about how you’re doing them? Too often, we slap them on the calendar and call it “supervision,” when in reality, they’re structured... Continue Reading →
At some point in your time as a student leader, you may get a different supervisor. Sometimes this happens because you are put on a different community/building team at the start of a new school year, while other times it is because a supervisor has left and a new supervisor is hired in their place.... Continue Reading →
A tale as old as time! A supervisor asks, “How do you like to receive feedback?” and the supervisee confidently replies, “I prefer direct feedback.” Time passes, the supervisor provides that direct feedback, and suddenly, the supervisee is shocked, defensive, and hurt. Everyone leaves the conversation feeling a little worse for wear. Feedback is one... Continue Reading →
For this week's episode of ResEdChat, guest host Dustin Ramsdell chats with Alexis Karakas about her experience helping her student staff members understand the relevant skills they gain during their time serving the department, no matter what industry they pursue after graduation. Alexis also details her approach to this work, and what makes it so important. Guest: Alexis Karakas (she/her), Residential Living Coordinator, University of California - Irvine Host: Dustin Ramsdell, Independent Higher EdTech Content Creator
We know through our student educational work, whether within a curricular model or otherwise, that student learning happens with or without us. While every school has its own needs and philosophies informing their process, most schools incorporate current RAs in some part of the process. Participating in interviews on the other side of the table, so-to-speak,... Continue Reading →
On this episode of ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Jess Castaneda, Resident Director at Tulane University, as they talk about critically conscious supervision of graduate assistants of color in Residence Life. Graduate Assistants or GAs are the future of our far-from-perfect field. Systemic inequities exist within higher education that are crucial to unpack, dismantle, and reflect on. GAs are uniquely situated between student and staff, thus meaning that GAs of color can and do experience those same systems in more than one context. Thus, this makes the duty of full-time staff members in residence life to practice this form of supervision to properly support them. Thus, in this episode, Jess and Noah explore the concept of Critically Conscious Supervision, share impactful stories, and provide practical advice to Residence Life Staff.
Residence life supervisors spend a lot of time and energy supporting staff who are struggling, and rightfully so. But you can’t forget about the anchors of your team. You know, the ones who turn things in early, show up to every event, and volunteer before you even finish the sentence? That’s right, I’m talking about... Continue Reading →
This summer marked my third RA training where I didn’t have an RA staff to supervise. After spending four summers with boots on the ground in the thick of training season, the first RA training I experienced without a staff was tough. Seeing the energy, the triumphs, the chaos, it all made me miss being... Continue Reading →
There isn’t a guidebook for firing an RA. I mean, there are usually work rules, job descriptions, and an HR department that lead us to the decision. But none of that will prepare you for the human side, like how it feels to deliver the news, how to cope afterward, and how to move forward... Continue Reading →
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal talks with Matt Nelson, Director of Residence Life at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, about what it means to lead with intention and care. Our guest shares how values like recognition, patience, and empathy shape their approach to supervision and offers practical, creative strategies to support diverse teams, build morale, and stay grounded as a leader.
Unlock your potential by building intentional mentoring relationships and a personal "board of directors" to turn guidance into lasting success. Join Dr. Gregory R. Thompson, University of lowa, and the UMR Professional Development Committee as we dive deeper into mentorship through engaging discussion and practical tools.
Blank stares. Awkward transitions. Forced ice breakers. A general air of dread. If that sounds like your training sessions or staff meetings, you’re probably not alone. Every year, thousands of residence life professionals roll into a new academic cycle with PowerPoints, printouts, and prayers as they facilitate these. While some chaos is to be expected,... Continue Reading →
You say you’re just being supportive. Available. Helpful. You tell yourself it’s what good leaders do. But when you zoom in, your staff treats GroupMe like a lifeline, you check your email like its social media, you’re one RA’s missed deadline away from crashing out. This blog post is for the supervisors who feel themselves... Continue Reading →
In the dynamic and emotionally nuanced environment of residence life, professionals are expected to lead, support, and mentor students while navigating their own complex personal and professional development. One often-overlooked challenge that many in the field face is imposter syndrome. The persistent feeling of self-doubt despite evident success or qualifications. But what is it? How... Continue Reading →
You’ve got the inside jokes, flexible deadlines, and quick-wit in the group chat. You’re relatable, approachable, and your RAs like you… but are you actually supervising? Supervising students is more than just being fun or chill. It’s about co-creating relationships that foster guidance, support, and accountability. By avoiding true supervision in the name of being... Continue Reading →
I recently read The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer and percolated on the ideas of reciprocity in human connections. In "The Serviceberry: An Economy of Abundance," the author, a botanist by training, explores how ecological relationships can inspire a shift from extractive, scarcity-driven economies to systems rooted in reciprocity, mutual flourishing, and gratitude. Using the... Continue Reading →
In this episode of ResEdChat, join Noah and Nick Stanford, Senior Academic Advisor at Miami University's College of Engineering and Computing to talk about RA supervision and the concept of "challenge and support" as it relates to that conversation. They discuss challenging RAs to grow as individuals and people, the intricacies of that work, share impactful stories, and offer practical advice for helping RAs not only be successful at their jobs but to grow as students and people as well.
