In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal connects with Demarcus Merritt, Sr., Assistant Director of Residence Life at George Mason University, on how burnout and the expectation to "push through" have become normalized within housing and residence life. Through a thoughtful conversation on supervision, wellness, move-in culture, and professional sustainability, Demarcus challenges us to rethink... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, host Paul sits down with a member of the Roompact Blog Cohort, Matthew Inman, to discuss a wide range of topics from focusing on students' socio emotional learning to Pizza Hut (yes, Pizza Hut). As a recently graduated Masters degree student from Clemson University, Matthew also reflects on lessons... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, we discuss the unique challenge that comes with the RA and student staff role: balancing being a community leader while still being a college student yourself. From navigating friendships with residents, to handling uncomfortable social situations, and from maintaining professional boundaries, to protecting your own well-being in the student staff role. Whether you’re struggling with saying “no,” figuring out how close is too close, or trying to maintain a healthy social life while on staff, this episode offers honest advice and practical strategies for maintaining balance in the residence halls.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest  Siobhàn Anderson-Judkins as they talk about student staff supervision. Student staff, RAs, or whatever other acronym your institution uses are all coming into the role for different reasons; so how can we best supervise them? How do we hold them accountable while also being... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Sarah Leahy, Associate Director of Campus Life for Residence Life and Housing at Dickinson College to discuss breaking unhealthy professional norms, creating more human-centered work environments, establishing healthy boundaries, and helping emerging professionals build confidence, self-advocacy skills, and sustainable approaches to leadership.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, host Paul sits down with Roompact Fellow Natasha Monteith to discuss simple actions departments, supervisors, and administrators can take to get better at operationalizing the use of assessment data. This includes collecting the "correct" data, while balancing staff time and effort, and integrating it in to daily practice.

In this episode of Roompact's RA*EdChat, we go behind the scenes of residence life to explore how strong staff relationships shape the RA experience. “Behind the Scenes: Working With Your Team” dives into collaboration, communication, and peer support, highlighting how successful communities are built not just through resident connections but through trust and teamwork among staff members. We meet with Katelyn Neeley, a community director who shares knowledge and personal experience on the topic, as well as advice for RAs. 

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest DJ Harris-Sumrall as they talk about the job search. Whether you love it or hate it, the sometimes dreaded job search is a part of every Residence Life Professional's story but what does it really look like? In the changing landscape of higher education, how people job search and how people experience interviewing is changing as well. Listen as Noah and DJ tell stories, discuss interview prep and give advice, and also think about how to center the self in the job search as well.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Taj Julien, Residence Hall Director at the University of Connecticut, to discuss entering housing and residence life from a nontraditional pathway. Taj shares how their identity, previous experiences, and support from supervisors have shaped their professional journey, and why different perspectives make our field stronger.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, host Paul sits down with Roompact Fellow, Erin Simpson, to discuss how residence life departments can find a secure footing when external forces can make it feel like they're being asked to make hard pivot. Paul and Erin also discuss how departments can find solutions that borrow from others while contextualizing them to the unique needs of their students.