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Executive Board Highlights - March 2026

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 20:15:17 GMT

SWACUHO Executive Board Highlights — March 2026

Meeting Overview

Date: March 20, 2026

Meeting Time: 8:31am – 10:19am

The Board met to debrief the Annual Conference, discuss upcoming initiatives, and continue work on strategic planning and operational projects for the year.

Key Discussion Areas

Annual Conference and Program Development

Reviewed 2026 conference logistics, registration follow-up, and corporate sponsorship status (all payments now complete!).
Discussed future Pre-Conference session planning and aligning ownership with the Program Committee.
Program feedback, Best Of Series, and resource posting are in progress.

Strategic Plan and Membership Clarity

The draft Strategic Plan is under Board review for the next month.
State Directors will refine website language explaining membership date cycles and how new memberships align with annual terms.

Committee Engagement and Participation

Committee Co-Chairs will be added to future Exec Meetings on a rotating basis.
Several committee chair vacancies and interests were discussed; follow-up is underway.
Communications Committee received approval to begin a blog post scheduling system to ensure consistent year-round content.

Awards and Recognition

The Board supported updating the Bob Huss Outstanding Graduate Student Award criteria so nominees do not have to live in on-campus housing if they serve in housing roles.
Awards and Recognition has begun sending nomination packets and planning spring communications.

Corporate Partner Engagement

The Board discussed outreach to members from corporate sponsors.
Future work will include reviewing data-sharing practices, clarifying expectations, and potentially adjusting sponsorship benefits.

Technology and Communications Updates

177 new members were added to the SWACUHO Nation listserv.
Exploration is underway for targeted listservs, including Mid-Level and Graduate and Entry Level, if beneficial.
Several website updates were completed, including Strategic Plan placement, Affiliation Agreement page, Dues Rate Schedule, and updated Executive Board and Committee Chair pages.

Practice Improvements

The Board reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, including publishing abbreviated, Executive Board Highlights like this one.
The blog may eventually support dedicated search tools to help members easily navigate organizational updates.
Monthly budget/accounting summary will begin being provided.

Additional Operational Updates

Work continues on the Non-Profit Task Force, committee camp agenda, and items for the ACUHO-I Campus Home.Live! silent auction.
State Directors shared regional engagement plans and upcoming roundtables.

Voting Items

No voting items this month.

Treasurer Snapshot

Updated budget details are available via the Treasurer’s shared Google Sheet.
Robert C. Cooke Endowment Quarterly Update (Q4)
- Fund Balance: $42,232.85
- Available Funds for Distribution: $1,687.68

Scholarship Updates

Campus Home. Live!
- One scholarship awarded from the Robert C. Cooke Endowment Funds.
- Two scholarships awarded from the ACUHO-I Foundation.
NHTI
- Eight people from the SWACUHO region were accepted to attend NHTI.
- Four partial scholarships awarded from SWACUHO.

Upcoming Dates

L.E.A.D. Committee Workshop: April 3 (Virtual)
Next Executive Board Meeting: April 10 (Virtual)
Mid-Level Summit: June 4–5 (College Station, TX)

Questions or Ideas?

Reach out to your State Director if you would like more information about anything mentioned here!

Arkansas State Director
Leanna Payton
Henderson State University
arkansas@swacuho.org

Oklahoma State Director
Whitney Arbaugh
Northeastern State University
oklahoma@swacuho.org

Texas State Director
Nicholas Brown
East Texas A&M University
texas@swacuho.org

Hidden Moments

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 15:39:48 GMT

By JC Stoner

When I was an Assistant Director of Residence Life at the University of Texas at Arlington, “Liz” was an RA, but not in my supervisory umbrella. Based on community placement, Liz started the semester with the community development deck stacked against her for two reasons: (1) she worked in garden-style apartments; and, (2) her community was comprised of many student athletes.

Liz spent the entire fall semester trying to connect to the women’s basketball team in her community, with limited (if any) success in the transactional and countable ways on sociograms and assessment reports. Every time she knocked on their doors, nobody answered (even when she could see shadows moving through the peep hole). Any time she managed to catch one of them in person to invite to a program, they were “too busy” or “had practice”, even before she told them when the program was. But Liz persisted, which brings me to my all-time favorite RA story.

Towards the beginning of the spring semester, the women’s basketball team had an away game coming up. As I recall, it wasn’t even that special of a game. It wasn’t like a crosstown or division rival, so it wasn’t a game people were talking about. Student Affairs certainly wasn’t coordinating transportation and bus logistics to get students to demonstrate school spirit at a game several hours away.

Liz took it upon herself to hand write notes to the women’s basketball team in her community. Nothing extravagant; just something like “hey good luck at your away game this weekend. Building 28 residents are all behind you and we will be cheering from afar.” And the response Liz received? None whatsoever. But that’s okay because this is when the story starts to get good.

Fast forward two months to when it is time for the RAs to do health and safety inspections. Because inspections were a team effort, all the apartment RAs divided up rooms across all the communities which meant it wasn’t guaranteed that any RA would get their resident units to inspect. As it turns out, Liz’s inspection list included a woman’s basketball player’s room. Liz and her RA partner knocked, received no answer, keyed in, and then inspected the apartment just like every other apartment.

But this apartment wasn’t just like all the others because there was something Liz recognized taped to the vanity mirror in the bathroom. It was the handwritten card Liz had clipped to the apartment’s front door two months prior.

While I love this story for many reasons, the primary one is that it had a happy ending for Liz, who was over the moon feeling validated in her efforts. To help hammer home the point, I told Liz, “I don’t know about you, but I typically don’t hang meaningless crap on my bathroom mirror. I hang important things. Things that matter to me.”

This story is also a reminder that all too often our frontline staff never receive validation for their efforts, but that does not mean those efforts are in vain. Whenever I share this story, I am regularly amazed at the nuts and bolts of everything that had to transpire for Liz to experience this elevated moment. Truth be told, it was sheer happenstance. Another RA could have been assigned that room inspection. The letter could have been in a scrapbook of important moments. There are so many random things that happened that created that moment for Liz, and had the shifting sands of the operational landscape changed even slightly, Liz would have never have realized how much her effort mattered.

This story constantly reminds me that all too often our most junior staff don’t receive the validation of their efforts; but more importantly, it reminds me that those moments of connection exist even if nobody saw them.

But that also means that sometimes it is our job to help staff realize they matter above and beyond just simply saying “I’m sure there is a handwritten card hanging on someone’s mirror somewhere.”

J.C. Stoner, Ph.D.

Director of Housing Systems and Services

University of North Texas

A Successful Cliché

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:34:34 GMT

By Beth Eppinger

I was not yet 30 years old and was somehow a Director. My vice chancellor coached me during my first few years in the position to choose my battles wisely or to not die on my own sword. Those nuggets are not only cliché, but they can be downright insulting to someone who has a lot of passion. If I knew something needed changed or someone was not doing their job, there must be action, right?! My boss recognized that a feature of my organizational skills was the ability to remember all points of situation and map them out when asked. Instead of the devil being in the details, I was in the details. I needed to see the forest through the trees by choosing battles wisely to allow the ultimate goal to be reached.

Focusing on these details and not seeing action would have ruined multiple relationships across campus. A Facilities Director hanging up on me? An Admissions Director watching Netflix during work? A Contracts Director telling me I should be fired for a housing contract they approved the prior year? No medical protection for RAs if they were injured while performing duties? As Housing professionals, we do not operate in a vacuum. We cannot cancel every person or office that does something that impedes our work. We must monitor and adjust as we stay focused on the big picture. Heeding the advice of my supervisor to document and reorient my approach aided in multiple successes over time for my team and students. All those questions/situations mentioned above were eventually resolved, and my department was successful every time. Slow and steady wins the race.

Beth Eppinger

Assistant Director for Housing Administrative Services

Texas Woman’s University

Hello SWACUHO! - Next Installment Pre-Conference

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:49:37 GMT

By SWACUHO Executive Board

Our next installment of the Hello SWACUHO! digest is here! Read all about preparing for Annual Conference, Save the Dates, 2026 candidate information and Annual Conference information!

Hello SWACUHO! - Pre-Conference Sent 1.29.26

Reflections on SWACUHO’s 60th Anniversary

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 14:39:28 GMT

A Journey of Growth, Community, and Connection

As SWACUHO celebrates its 60th anniversary, I find myself reflecting on the many ways this organization has shaped my professional identity and personal journey. For me, SWACUHO has never been just a conference, it has been a community, a classroom, and a catalyst for professional growth.

My SWACUHO story began in 2009, when we (University of Central Arkansas) co-hosted the annual conference with Arkansas State University and Arkansas Tech University in Hot Springs, Arkansas. I had the pleasure of serving on the host committee that year, an incredible experience that I still often think about. Being immersed in the behind-the-scenes work that brings a conference to life, from taste-testing meals to justifying particular budget items, the experience gave me a newfound appreciation for the intentionality and collaboration that define SWACUHO. Even then, as someone who identified strongly as a super introvert, I felt welcomed into a professional family that encouraged me to contribute, participate, and, most importantly, grow.

Over the years, SWACUHO has continued to be a meaningful space for me to share my professional thoughts and experiences. It has always been an environment where people celebrate one another’s work, learn together, and collectively elevate the field of housing and residence life. Through presentations, conversations, and committee involvement, I have had countless opportunities to highlight the innovative efforts happening at my home institution. Whether it was showcasing a new initiative, discussing assessment findings, or sharing emerging ideas, SWACUHO provided a platform where our work felt valued and impactful. My engagement deepened through the various committees I had the privilege to serve on, each one offering new avenues to grow, learn, and give back. One of my most favorite roles was serving as the committee chair for the Research, Assessment, and Information Committee.

SWACUHO has also nudged me, sometimes gently, sometimes boldly, out of my introverted comfort zone. For someone who once preferred to remain quietly in the background, this organization has helped me find my professional voice. It encouraged me to present, to lead, to network, and to embrace opportunities I might have once shied away from. Some of the most meaningful professional relationships I have today began at SWACUHO.

One of the most unexpected and exciting opportunities SWACUHO provided was being featured on their podcast to discuss some of my ongoing research. Never would I have imagined that I would be speaking on a podcast about the work I was so passionate about. Yet again, SWACUHO created a space where I felt supported, encouraged, and confident enough to share my voice and my ideas with a wider audience.

Perhaps one of the impacts I’m most proud of, however, is the influence SWACUHO has had on the graduate students we work with at UCA. Over the last 16 years, we have introduced more than a hundred graduate students to the organization, many attending their first professional conference through SWACUHO. Watching these emerging professionals find their footing, make connections, and discover their own professional homes within SWACUHO has been incredibly rewarding. Some of them have continued to stay deeply involved, carving out their own paths of service and leadership within the organization. Knowing that we played a small role in helping them find their professional community is one of the most meaningful legacies of my involvement.

As SWACUHO celebrates six decades of fostering professional development, I feel immense gratitude. Gratitude for the opportunities, the relationships, the lessons, and the space this organization has created for so many of us to learn, lead, and belong.

Here’s to 60 years of growth, and to the countless stories, connections, and moments still to come. SWACUHO has shaped the past and present of my professional journey, and I am excited to see how it continues to inspire and impact the next generation of housing professionals across our region.

UCA Graduate Assistant Residence Coordinator, Kyle McCracken, and me at SWACUHO 2009 (sorry Kyle I had to! LOL)

Dr. Craig Seager
Director of Residence Life at University of Central Arkansas

Kindness, Collaboration, and Growth

On February 24, 1965, one of the most popular songs was “The Name Game” by Shirley Ellis. Which brings me back to my childhood, a silly game that we would play in grade school. Let’s play the SWACUHO Game…

SWACUHO, SWACUHO, bo-bac-uho

Banana-fana fo-fac-uho

Fee-fi-mo-mac-uho

SWACUHO!

What a fun way to think about the 60th anniversary of SWACUHO!

In all honesty, SWACUHO has been my professional home since 1998, and it’s hard not to reflect on just how much this organization has shaped my journey. I still remember walking into my very first conference at Texas A&M as a student leader, wide-eyed, eager, and not entirely sure what to expect. I can’t recall the name of the person who spoke that day, but I’ll never forget his message: be kind to people, especially those who have an influence on your role.

That simple advice stuck with me. Over the years, as I’ve grown in my career, I’ve realized how true it is. My success isn’t just about what I’ve accomplished, it’s deeply connected to the kindness I’ve shown to others: the colleagues who support me, the teams I lead, the students in our halls, and the organizations and institutions that make this work possible.

SWACUHO has been more than a network; it’s been a community that reminds me why relationships matter. Every conference, every conversation, every shared challenge has reinforced that lesson. And honestly, that’s what keeps me coming back year after year…the people, the connections, and the shared commitment to lifting each other up.

When I first started in this field, I looked at the leaders in SWACUHO as absolute legends. These were the people who seemed larger than life, shaping conversations, influencing practices, and setting the tone for what housing and residence life could be. I never imagined I’d have the privilege of getting to know so many of them personally, but I did, and I’m incredibly grateful for that.

I think back to folks like Dr. Bob Huss and Kent Sampson, who always made time for my questions when I was just an undergraduate student… and honestly, well beyond those early years. They never made me feel like my questions were too small or my ideas too naïve. Then there were trailblazers like Jill Eckardt, Dan Mizer, and Floyd Hoelting, people who let me pick their brains and offered encouragement when I needed it most.

As I grew in the profession, new voices became part of my circle. Don Yackley, Drew Jahr, and Beth Eppinger quickly became sounding boards for ideas, always willing to listen and challenge me in the best ways. And then there are those relationships that have deepened over time because of SWACUHO: Tanya Massey, Jessica Crabaugh, Laura Palmer, Maggie Guzman, Katy Pelton, and ShaRhonda Maclin. These are folks I don’t just call colleagues; they’re friends, and that bond exists because of this organization.

That’s the magic of SWACUHO. It’s not just about conferences or committees, it’s about the people who invest in you, who share their wisdom, and who remind you that we’re all in this together. Every conversation, every piece of advice, every moment of encouragement has shaped who I am as a professional. And I can tell you this: those connections matter more than anything else.

Now, here’s my challenge to you: get involved. Engage with SWACUHO, not just for what you’ll learn, but for the impact you can make. Volunteer for a committee, mentor a new professional, share your ideas, and bring that energy back to your home institution. The difference you make here doesn’t stop at the conference, it ripples through your campus, your students, and your colleagues. Together, we can keep building a culture of kindness, collaboration, and growth for 60 more years.

Dr. Delton Gordon
Senior Director of Housing and Residential Life at Oklahoma State University

Divergent Pathways by President Beth Eppinger

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 19:58:13 GMT

October 1 – 2, Baylor University hosted our organization’s Mid-Year Meeting at the Hilton Waco and Waco Convention Center. Their team was there in full force to welcome attendees and to continue formulating plans for our annual conference. February will be here soon, and I look forward to celebrating 60 years of SWACUHO with you! Corporate Partnerships enjoyed walking the exhibit hall, and they hope to “sell out” of booth space. The Program Committee successfully slated all programs and have many alternative proposals. Thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal! The Executive Board spent time virtually meeting with committee chairs, discussing their updates, and reviewing proposals. Our Placement Committee is now Career Pathways, and I am excited to see where their journey leads.

The Executive Board took time to review the Diversity and Social Justice Committee, the Institutional Diversity Award, and the Individual Diversity Award. The DSJ Committee has been dissolved. We thank Sydney and Josh for their leadership. The diversity awards, which received no submissions last year, were also dissolved. Our SWACUHO pathway must take the fork in the road and travel in a different direction.

One of my presidential objectives this year was to close out or refine our current strategic plan. In light of changes for our organization mentioned in my spring blog post and this blog post, the board spent time at the Mid-Year Meeting to sunset the current strategic plan, draft a purpose statement, and develop framework for a new strategic plan. Spoiler alert: Many key ingredients from our prior strategic plan show up in the new one that is being developed, including our Pathways focus area.

Other Fall Announcements:

· Our taxes are already filed! Thank you, Treasurer Ricky Harris!

· Our fall conferences will be kicking off October 24 - 25 with the Student Staff Leadership Conference in College Station!

· Our annual call for SWACUHO Awards submissions is NOW OPEN and closes November 15!

· Be sure to follow our social media @SWACUHO on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date!

I know our work is filled with challenges. Thank you for all you are doing for your students. Remember that your well-being matters.

If you would like to discuss this blog post or any SWACUHO matters, please reach out to President Beth Eppinger at president@swacuho.org.

My Student Affairs Journey

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 02:36:45 GMT

Every professional has a story about how they landed in student affairs—some stumbled into it, others chased it from the start. October is Careers in Student Affairs Month, the perfect time to share those journeys. In Housing & Residence Life especially, our paths are often winding, full of unexpected turns, yet strangely familiar too. Ready to hear how three colleagues found their way here? Let’s dive in.

A Student of the Journey

Like most of you, my student affairs journey started unbeknownst to me. Not like many of you (maybe some), it began at Oakland University where I had served as a tutor, desk worker, and orientation leader all before my junior year. The first time I heard of the career was in my junior year and my former academic advisor and current supervisor said have you ever wondered why you have liked all your jobs and never decided on a major for more than a semester? Well, that got me. I had switched my major 4 times at that point and was telling him how much I loved my job as a Student Success Coach and as a Housing Night Watch desk worker. He broke it down with me and showed me the conferences and the graduate programs I could get into. He even said I could become someone like our Dean of Students, who was iconic on our campus, it all depended on what drove me. Students. At the end of this conversation, he said I should look out for opportunities in Housing to get involved and ask my Residence Director about any others.

Sure enough, an email came out about attending OPE to all student staff to see who wanted to go to Wisconsin to be the interviewer for the graduate assistant positions we had vacant for the next year. This OPE experience changed my life like no other. I had the chance to learn about the ‘why’ of so many people that were eager to start their student affairs careers. I was also able to start a mentorship with my future supervisor in my RA role. He taught me so much about crafting my resume, cover letter, and how to interview in the placement exchange. Wild to think that an introvert like me was going to a placement exchange with hundreds of people that I didn’t know and talk to them like I had known them for more than a day. I don’t do small talk. This led me to the University of Central Arkansas. I was lucky enough to have moved across states along with a friend from Oakland and started this program together. Today, we are very much still the greatest of friends.

At UCA I would grow into my own as an RHA and NRHH Advisor and host a conference for SWACURH. Those two years I developed an understanding of what the field is and what it would mean to be a professional in my future ‘adult’ job. I am grateful for the friends I made, the classmates that aided my education, and most of all those that pushed me to be better whether you knew it or not. The impact this experience had on me is one for the books and cannot be fully described in words.

Who would have thought that I would still be in Arkansas today. It has been almost 7 years since my first job here at the University of Arkansas. While I was a Hall Director, I got to expand on my ability to participate in professional organizations and conferences. I was supported in being a Regional NRHH Advisor for SWACURH that taught me how to balance my roles, time, and energy. The COVID-19 pandemic and all that occurred in 2020 helped me find my professional voice and my drive as an educator in new ways. Professionally, I learned how to dedicate time to my own development in addition to my students. In 2018 I was a participant in SWACUHO-U and that led me to want to contribute back to the experience. I joined the Professional Development committee and helped transition it to an online experience during the pandemic. Little did I know this was setting me up to be the chair in the long run and one of the first chairs to bring SWACUHO-U back to an in-person experience.

My ‘new’ ‘adult’ job now is the Assistant Director for Residence Education here at the University of Arkansas. I supervise hall directors, and I do outreach for students in crisis. If you asked me what drives me today in my career, it stays the same. Students.

But students are not just the ones enrolled in classes. They are you. New experiences come up all the time. You could have a long-term goal of having a doctorate and not know when to start or what program. Then suddenly you are 2 years into a Human Resources Development doctorate program. The journey will always surprise you.

While I type this blog here, I am surprised with it. In that reflection I have determined one thing to be true, let the journey surprise you and let yourself be a student of the journey.

Maddie De BucceAssistant Director for Residence Education-University of Arkansas

When a Paycheck becomes a Calling

When people ask how I got into Student Affairs, I usually laugh and say, “Well, I definitely didn’t plan it.” My path wasn’t a straight line—it was more like a winding road with detours, wrong turns, and a few people pointing me back on track.

I grew up in a single-income household, so money was always a factor when it came to college. My family wanted me to go, but a university just wasn’t realistic at first. Then I received the President’s Leadership Scholarship at Rose State College, and that changed everything. It didn’t just cover tuition—it opened the door to experiences that ended up shaping my whole future.

Funny enough, I actually started out as a Criminal Justice major. That lasted one semester. I realized very quickly that science was not for me. Like, at all. (What’s biology? jk.) So I shifted gears, and honestly, I’m glad I did.

While at Rose, I jumped into everything—clubs, volunteer work, events. I even tagged along with recruiters to local high schools. At first, it felt odd. Me, an introvert, talking to groups of high school students about college? But I ended up loving it. That was probably the first real spark for Student Affairs. I didn’t know the name for it yet, but I loved connecting with students, sharing resources, and helping them imagine themselves in college.

Later, one of my advisors encouraged me to transfer to the University of Central Oklahoma and finish a bachelor’s in Strategic Communications. My “plan” at that point was corporate communications—helping organizations with internal culture and messaging. But then a former supervisor asked me to come back to Rose State and work in the housing department. I said no. For six months. (Yes, I was that stubborn.) Eventually, I gave in because I needed the money while finishing my degree.

That’s when everything shifted. What I thought would be just a paycheck became a calling. I loved Student Affairs—the late-night conversations, the quick “how’s your day going?” chats, the chance to walk alongside students through all the ups and downs of college. Cheesy as it sounds, I thought I was opening doors for students, but really, they were opening the door for me.

I did take a short detour to the Foundation and Resource Development office, helping raise money for scholarships. The work was meaningful, but I missed being in the thick of things with students. I missed hearing about their classes and their weekend plans, celebrating the little wins, and being there when things got hard. That’s when I realized where my heart truly was—right there in the halls, in Residence Life.

Looking back now, I see how much the Student Affairs professionals in my life shaped me. They encouraged me, believed in me, and pushed me toward opportunities I never would’ve taken on my own. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. And that’s exactly the kind of influence I hope to have on the students I work with—that one day they’ll look back and remember that someone in Student Affairs cared, listened, and reminded them they belonged. That’s the full-circle moment I live for.

If you had told 18-year-old me—the quiet Criminal Justice major who thought she’d end up in corporate communications—that I’d be running around at housing events, laughing with students, and helping them figure out college life? I would’ve rolled my eyes and said, “Yeah, right.” But here I am. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Danielle Cornejo
Assistant Director of Residence Life-Rose State College, Oklahoma

Finding Joy in Creating Spaces Where Students Can Learn, Lead, and Thrive

Howdy SWACUHO!!

My name is Madison Evans, and I currently serve as a Community Manager at Texas A&M University. My journey in Residence Life began during my freshman year at Mississippi State University, where I took on the role of Resident Advisor. At the time, I was pursuing a degree in Criminology with the hope of becoming a Behavioral Analyst for the FBI. However, my experience as a RA opened my eyes to the transformative impact we can have on students’ lives. Being a part of committees in the departments allowed me to gain insight on what a full-time profession in Residence Life looked like and that’s when my path shifted towards student affairs.

Transitioning into supervisory roles- first as a desk manager, then a graduate student, and now as a full time professional did not come without its challenges. I have stepped into teams that were accustomed to different leadership styles and have not taken to change very well. I knew that I would need to be very intentional in being a supervisor to them. I know that I am a supervisor who builds trust and rapport, while also holding them accountable when necessary. Over time, I’ve come to define my supervision style as one that is rooted in Sandford’s Challenge and Support Theory. I strive to uplift and empower my staff, all while encouraging them to growth through constructive challenges. I am still evolving in this area, and I am thankful to have a former supervisor, now mentor, and a current supervisor who models this same supervision style with me. They remind have or do remind me of my professional goals even when I lose sight of them.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working Residence Life at Mississippi State University, the University of Central Arkansas, and now Texas A&M. Each institution has helped me grow in my passion for leadership development. From Chairing SAACURH RBC to Co-Chairing SWACUHO SSLC, I’ve found joy in creating spaces where students can learn, lead, and thrive.

Another area I’m deeply passionate about is supporting first-year students in their transition to college. For the past four years, I’ve overseen the operations of a first-year residence hall, where I’ve witnessed the amazing process of learning, unlearning, and relearning that these students undergo. It’s a vulnerable and often overwhelming time, but also one filled with resilience and growth. I believe that learning outside the classroom is just as important as what is happening inside it. From organizational involvement and programs to conduct conversation and roommate mediations, these experiences shape a student’s co-curricular journey and contribute to their holistic development.

Thank you for allowing me to share a bit of my story and what led me to Residence Life. I am excited to continue learning, growing, and connecting as I continue my professional journey!!

Thanks & Gig’ Em

Madison Evans
Community Manager- Texas A&M

Hello SWACUHO! - Next Installment

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 22:10:21 GMT

By SWACUHO Executive Board

Our next installment of the new Hello SWACUHO! digest is here! Read all about what Exec Board has been up to and upcoming events!

Hello SWACUHO! - Summer/Fall Sent 8.27.25

From Sunrise to Spotlight: Celebrating Success and Embracing Opportunity

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 18:03:15 GMT

By President Beth Eppinger

I am excited and humbled to share that our organization is doing well. This summer we approved a balanced budget for this fiscal year, our taxes were filed, all executive board members and committee chairs are still onboard and thriving, and sponsorships are increasing! There are A LOT of opportunities right now for membership involvement to continue the success of our organization:

SWACUHO 2026 Program Proposals. YOU have a topic that is waiting to be shared in a program session at our annual conference in February. The August 30 deadline for submissions is quickly approaching. Please consider submitting a program proposal, and then tell your supervisor to do the same.
Student Staff Leadership Conference. Texas A&M is excited to host your student staff October 24-26! To prepare for the conference, they are asking advisors and attendees to submit program proposals.
Senior Housing Officer Workshop & SWACUHO-U. Denton, Texas, will be the host city of both mini conferences in early November. If you are a new entry-level housing professional or senior housing officer, please plan to attend!
Diversity. The Diversity and Social Justice committee recently hosted a town hall, and now they are seeking feedback for the future direction of their committee. Please consider taking the quick survey!
Frank Cloud Award of Excellence. The topic has been announced, and case studies are due October 1. Learn more about the award and process Here.
Host SWACUHO 2028! Are you in Texas? Would you be interested in hosting SWACUHO 2028? Reach out to conferences@swacuho.org for more information!
Membership Drive. Institutional memberships are valid October – September. Please ask your SHO if they have paid for membership so you may continue to have access to all things SWACUHO. If they need assistance with renewal, they may reach out to their state director or our Technology Coordinator.

ACUHO-I Report: This summer I attended ACUHO-I in Columbus, Ohio. Thank you for the opportunity to represent our region during the Regional Presidents Meeting. President-elect J.C. Stoner and I advocated for transparency and communication, spoke about best practices for regional leadership with other presidents, and previewed a comprehensive event calendar shared by all regions. J.C. and I, along with other executive board members Delton Gordon, Ricky Harris, and Mackenzie Wysong-Bentley, hosted our regional reception and enjoyed catching up with more than 70 SWACUHO members and friends. If your school is not a member of ACUHO-I due to financial constraints, there are institutional membership scholarships available from ACUHO-I. Please reach out to me at president@swacuho.org for more information.

All Things August: We are only six weeks removed from the summer solstice, yet all things related to FALL in our jobs ramp up right now. At least the weather reminds us it is still technically summer. TWU Executive Director Jill Eckardt recently asked her staff how they decompress or take a break during a big move-in day. Answers included 30 minutes away with their notifications silenced, visiting another building, changing their socks, eating in their apartment, and more. My answer is waking up early enough to arrive to campus to ensure things are ready to go and then relaxing in a golf cart in a quiet parking lot while enjoying the sunrise. I breathe deep and snap some photos before the day begins. Find your moment during move-in to recharge. You, your staff, and your students will be better for it. I hope all your trainings go well and that you witness greatness in your team this month. Do not hesitate to use your resources such as the SWACUHO listserv if you have a question. Send a few fun staff move-in photos to communications@swacuho.org. Take time to submit a SWACUHO 2026 program proposal by August 30. Have a fantastic opening!!

Beth Eppinger

SWACUHO President

Mr. Stoner Goes to Washington (Part 2)

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:36:00 GMT

by J.C. Stoner, President-Elect

This is a continuation from Part 1.

I arrived at the Texas Capitol by 7:00am on Tuesday, May 6 to provide testimony on “the importance of ensuring stable housing for students and the way that housing plays a critical role in student success” for HB 2476. The Committee on Higher Education hearing wouldn’t start for another hour, so I had plenty of time to live in my own head. I wandered around the Capitol looking for room E2.306. Now I used to work in housing operations where we would walk housing properties all day every day and I’ve walked some doozy of some buildings with complex numbering schemas, but I couldn’t find E2.306. It wasn’t on the second-floor east wing as one might intuitively think. A police officer ended up directing me to the underground basement extension down an exceptionally long hallway.

I connected with the Chief of Staff. She took me to get registered as a witness. When entering my information into the computer, she told me to make sure I typed everything correctly and to double check. Was this a problem people had? Spelling their name correctly? I remembered the last piece of advice I got during my drive the night before: “the most important thing you need to do is not embarrass yourself.” I guess the first way to avoid that is to spell my name right.

I then went into Representative Simmons office and met all her staff. It was a really special moment. People kept coming in and talking shop. They were delivering folders, talking about past bills and the rush to end the legislative session. I asked them about the funding, and the description I got finally connected with me.

“Think of it this way: This bill is creating the bucket, but not putting any money in it. Then later down the road someone else will fill the bucket. The Comptroller has the discretion to fill the bucket at any time, but eventually our goal is for this grant to be a line item in the actual state budget with regular funding.”

Representative Simmons came in and we talked for a few minutes. I learned her backstory and the backstory of many in her office. By now I was starting to feel it. There was a juice in the air. Nobody was running around cutting people’s ties or anything like that, but there was an undeniable energy.

We went to the committee hearing and Representative Simmons, her Chief of Staff, and I sat in the corner and waited our turn. The Chief of Staff told me that I would go up there when called. But there was a problem. There were three chairs, but only Representative Simmons and I would be up there; or would we be rotating? “The most important thing you need to do is not embarrass yourself.” I should have watched some more videos of past hearings to see where people sat…

I leaned over to the Chief of Staff, “which chair do I sit in?” She responded, “the one on the right.” Got it.

The representative got up and introduced the bill. While talking, she said “11.8% of community college students in Texas experience homelessness…” Oh uh. My statement said 8% of college students, but I knew from my research her stat was also true. The difference was the modifier “community college students”. What would it say if the witness she invited shared differing statistics? I quickly scratched out 8% on my handwritten notes and scribbled in 8%-12%. Working in housing has certainly taught me to think quickly and be adaptable under pressure.

The committee chair finally called me up. I sat down and thought, “here we go. Don’t embarrass yourself.”

“You’ve registered as James Staner? Or is it Stoner?” Uh oh. What is going on? Did I actually spell my name wrong?! Maybe he was just being courteous to pronounce it correctly?

“Uh… Stoner.” Now I’m swimming in my head and didn’t hear him ask me to confirm my neutrality on the bill.

“I’m sorry?”

“You are neutral on the bill?”

“That’s right.”

Time to get back in control and act like I belonged. So I started reading my statement.

It went reasonably well for my first time doing something like this. I don’t think I embarrassed myself. A few key notes about my statement that I think are important for anyone who ever does this for their first time:

I am employed as a state employee, but I was not there for that role and I was not representing my institution. I made it clear from the outset that I was here in my capacity as President-Elect of SWACUHO. I never mentioned my job title, my responsibilities, or my school. “I am here in my capacity as President-Elect of SWACUHO…”
I was taught growing up when speaking to people to “Look at me, speak to me, smile at me.” I had observed that most people who came before just read the statement with little eye contact attempted. The few times I tried looking at the committee I got a little off on the statement. I’m here to deliver the statement, not build a relationship. Deliver the statement and save the eye contact for Q&A.
Two minutes goes fast, but with enough practice, it doesn’t go that fast. I ended up only using 1 minutes and 53 seconds. Even with limited time there is always time to slow down.
I’ve learned from hearing a lot of staff advocate for various things or construct arguments for changes is they would have been better leaving their emotions at the door. Sometimes trying too hard to create an emotional reaction undermines the content. Stick to the facts and let the facts speak for themselves.

Next up was the questions the committee could ask. This is where all control goes out the window. I’m not reading a statement anymore. I would be responding in real time to unknown prompts, if any questions were even asked. I was told I wouldn’t likely get any questions, but of course I did.

The first question I received I didn’t fully understand in the moment. I thought I did, but afterwards, when processing the exchange, I realized I may have missed the actual question buried in there. This tends to happen when housing professionals try and explain the nuances of our field to people who aren’t housing professionals. I imagine the same is true when I ask anyone a question about what they do.

The second question I received was about how the grant might impact existing financial aid like Pell grants.

The words of my friend the night before echoed in my head about deferring a question I either don’t know or aren’t qualified to answer. But I didn’t need that advice because I’ve told countless students working front desks that we are not experts on financial aid and we shouldn’t be giving details about how financial aid packages apply to student housing costs. There is just too much risk if they say something wrong or, more often, the person asking hears something else.

And then it was over. I went back to the Representative’s office and we talked some more.

I witnessed another conversation that was fascinating to me. Some staffer came in to deliver another folder. This person told the staffer “I watched the feed about the bill you just presented. That was a really good layout.”

What struck me about this interaction was two things:

This person was talking to the staff member and said, “…the bill you presented.” This staffer wasn’t even present at the hearing, but clearly there was an acknowledgement of all the backend work and how everyone in the representative’s office made that moment happen. I was reminded that an RA may give a resident their key on move-in day, but it took the assignments staff to create the booking, the maintenance techs to turn the room, the housekeepers to clean the room, and everyone else to make that first moment happen for a new resident.
He didn’t focus on the content or the purpose; he focused his compliment on the “layout.” I took that as how the bill was presented and the logical flow to introduce an idea and support it. Presentation matters.

Before I left I told Representative Simmons and her staff that it was kind of fun to be a part of the process. Representative Simmons leaned over to me, smiled, and said: “Isn’t it?”

Is this how people get into public policy? Is this how people transfer their housing skills into anything? A single two-minute moment?

They thanked me for my participation and how valuable it was. And then I was on the back on the road. Less than 20 hours from when I left, I was back in DFW.

Here is a link to the video recording of the hearing.

14:10 – bill introduction
16:52 – beginning of my statement
19:20 – questions
21:55 – bill closing

J.C. Stoner, Ph.D.

President-Elect

SWACUHO

Gearing Up for Move-In Day: Tips and Insights from Residence Life and Housing Experts

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:41:00 GMT

By Candice Olson, Program Manager, Texas A&M University

As the new academic year approaches, universities and colleges across SWACUHO nation are preparing for the annual move-in day, a pivotal event for both new and returning students. Residence Life and Housing system experts share their insights and advice to ensure a smooth transition for students.

Cambelle Olson, Resident Advisor at Texas A&M University, emphasizes to new and incoming residents the importance of preparation. "Bringing a wagon or renting a dolly can save a lot of time and effort," she advises. "It's also crucial to dress comfortably, arrive early, and have everything ready to unload quickly, as move-in parking is limited to one hour."

Emma Waters, Senior Resident Advisor at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, says that staff have music playing from a loudspeaker over the entire parking lot, which welcomes lots of smiles, laughs, and dancing. This is the first time staff meet new students and their families. “This vibe was a wonderful welcome [when I was] a new student myself, and has been an exciting tradition to continue,” Waters said.

Beth Eppinger, Assistant Director for Housing Administrative Services at Texas Woman's University, discusses the evolution of their move-in process. "Partnering with University and Student Services (USS) to provide a cruise ship-style move-in has made the experience easier for everyone," she explains. Eppinger notes that high satisfaction and room cleanliness are key indicators of a successful move-in. However, communication remains a significant challenge. "Despite our efforts to provide information through multiple mediums, there's no guarantee that everyone will read and understand it," she says. Parking is another common issue.

Monica Vera Leandro, Assistant Director – Housing and Residence Life at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, highlights the challenge of balancing resources while ensuring a positive move-in experience. "We must be fully prepared well in advance, especially for early arrivals due to programs or personal circumstances," she says. Leandro's wish list includes a full fleet of branded move-in carts to reduce wait times and make the process less physically demanding.

Planning for move-in day is a year-round effort for these colleges and universities. From recording notes and conducting satisfaction surveys to updating websites and soliciting volunteers, the preparation is extensive. Despite the challenges, the goal remains the same: to create a welcoming and efficient move-in experience for all students.

As move-in day approaches, students are encouraged to prepare thoroughly, engage with their new community, and take advantage of the resources and support available to them. With the right approach, move-in day can be the start of an exciting and successful academic journey.

Waters has great advice on making one’s move-in and first week experience special. “The best way to facilitate the connections between new roommates or floor mates is by saying ‘yes’ to the activities provided around campus and within the hall. This time is candid and unknown, but what is beautiful about it is that everyone is experiencing these things, and it provides the perfect atmosphere for building friendships and learning about people,” Waters said.

Mr. Stoner Goes to Washington (Part 1)

Fri, 30 May 2025 15:39:07 GMT

by J.C. Stoner, President-Elect

In my first semester of college (Fall 2001) there was a moment where I briefly considered adding an economics minor to my architecture major. Why? Because President Bartlet went to college for economics and maybe me, being someone not all that special in any particular way, might want to be President of the United States someday. But I didn’t add that minor. I was going to be a landscape architect. Then I was going to be a high school physics teacher. And now here I am. I like to think about the roads not taken. But sometimes those roads come back around.

On Friday, May 2^nd, the SWACUHO President inbox got an interesting email out of the blue. Coincidentally, the Executive Board was meeting at that time the email was received, so we discussed it.

The email was from the Chief of Staff¹ for Texas State Representative Lauren Ashley Simmons (District 146) explaining they were introducing a bill (HB 2476) “relating to a grant program for living expenses for certain students enrolled at public institutions of higher education.” Representative Simmons was requesting someone from SWACUHO come to the capitol to “testify on the importance of ensuring stable housing for students and the way that housing plays a critical role in student success.” From reading the bill, it appeared to be providing grant funds for unhoused and homeless students.

Well, this was certainly a new one…

The request to appear was for that coming Tuesday at 8:00am, less than 70 hours away. We were on the clock. Executive Board discussed this request and given the current landscape of state government and higher education in Texas, there were rational and legitimate concerns about participating. Questions being shared and posed included:

Do we actually have to commit to supporting the bill? The request didn’t say that, but is it implied?
What would it say about us if we did not participate in something aiming to help vulnerable students across Texas?
Could we justifiably present testimony on something that may impact all Texas public member institutions without consultation?
Are any of us even qualified to discern bill language to know what it actually means?
Are there any “but’s” in the bill?
Should we/can we provide a written statement instead?
If we do choose to participate, can we logistically throw it all together in less than 70 hours (and less than 12 business hours)?
Does SWACUHO even want to be on the state’s radar right now?
Is there any potential fallout or ramifications for participating given the current landscape?

Ultimately, I personally felt that this is something we were elected and appointed to do; and, if there was fallout or ramifications, isn’t that sometimes the cost of leadership?

But the clock was ticking. SWACUHO President Beth Eppinger and I swapped several messages over the weekend. I volunteered to write up a statement, send it to Executive Board first thing Monday morning, and say I was available to go (after clearing it with my Executive Director and Associate Vice President).

In preparing a statement, I realized the request didn’t even ask for our support. It didn’t even ask for commentary on the bill at all. They simply wanted us to talk about “ensuring stable housing for students and the way that housing plays a critical role in student success.” That’s an easy ask. We all do this every single day. I wrote up a two-page statement that could serve as a written or verbal statement. In hindsight, it read like a love affair with student housing talking about our front-line residence life staff and their programmatic efforts and our facilities staff who keep our buildings functioning, all of whom serve at 3:00pm and 3:00am and every hour in between. If a window of opportunity presents itself to talk about the unsung heroes in campus housing, you better believe I’m going to take it.

Midday Monday, Executive Board approved the statement and voted to send me to Austin. I booked a hotel across the street from the capitol, submitted my vacation time (since I would be off the clock as an Agent of the State every minute I was in Austin, TX), and took my commute home, grabbed some clothes, and was off to Austin.

I had 3.5 hours on the road where I kept thinking about how unqualified I was to be doing this. Let’s get a couple things out of the way. I am not media trained. I have had no interaction with legislative liaisons. And of course, I couldn’t stop thinking, “how in the world can a state bill administering grant money only be 2.5 pages long when I can’t even write a key audit procedure in less than four pages…

I also couldn’t stop thinking about my role with SWACUHO. No matter how well intentioned the bill was in delivering services to students in need, where does the money actually come from? I was reading this bill and it sounded like the money existed or is coming from the State Comptroller, but would it actually become an unfunded mandate for colleges and universities to cover the costs as things sometimes do? This would disproportionately impact our smaller schools…

Needless to say, I would take any advice I could get.

So while driving I called a couple longtime friends of mine. One serves as in city/county government in Minnesota and the other is a director of a state-wide agency in Texas who interacts with the state legislature on budgetary items. A few things I learned in those conversations:

When serving as a witness, you are either testifying “FOR the bill,” “AGAINST the bill”, or “ON the bill”. Providing a neutral stance is testifying ON the bill.
Practice, practice, practice.
Don’t undermine yourself by saying things like “I am not an expert” or other such diminishing comments.
Don’t say “that’s a good question,” because every question a legislator asks is, of course, a good question.
It’s okay to say “I don’t know the answer to that” or “I don’t have that information on hand” provided you make sure to immediately follow with “I will gather that and get back to you.” Then actually get back to them.

In retrospect, there are some pretty practical professional development lessons within those items. Everything we learn is scalable, I suppose.

I got to my hotel at 10:30pm. I opened up my inbox to find I had received an email while driving from the Chief of Staff about logistics for the next morning. She said I would have two minutes to speak.

So I guess I would be spending my evening “trimming” my two-page statement… with an axe. So I did. But I didn’t have a printer and the hotel printer wasn’t working, so I scrawled it out on a pad of paper. I watched Schoolhouse Rocks’ “How a Bill Becomes a Law” and went to bed.

I got up early Tuesday morning, finished editing my dramatically truncated statement, practiced it several times, put on my big kid clothes, took a deep breath, and walked to the Capitol building. Experientially, this might be a defining moment. And when a defining moment comes along, you define the moment or the moment defines you.

It was an overcast and dreary day. But it was a good day to be a part of the process.

My experience at the capitol will be shared in Part Two.

¹In her email, Chief of Staff Mo Jenkins identified herself as a former RA at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi and explained how she “[knew] firsthand how impactful housing can be to a student’s academic journey” and how she believed testimony from SWACUHO “would go a long way to driving that point home.”

Hello SWACUHO! - Next Installment

Wed, 28 May 2025 18:08:24 GMT

By SWACUHO Executive Board

Our next installment of the new Hello SWACUHO! digest is here! Read all about what Exec Board has been up to and upcoming events!

Hello SWACUHO! - Pre-ACUHOI Sent 5.28.25

A Message from President Beth Eppinger

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:32:09 GMT

By President Beth Eppinger

Greetings, SWACUHO! Since the annual conference in Norman in February, SWACUHO Leadership has been busy with continuing the work of our organization. Committee chairs have been trained, and committee meetings have started. During our Executive Board meetings, we have discussed legislative matters that affect our campuses and the student housing professionals who work there. We do not have all the answers to the rapid-fire changes in how diversity, equity, and inclusion are managed in the academy. However, after serious consideration, we have removed the SWACUHO Diversity Statement from our website, and we have removed the Equity, Access, and Inclusion section from our strategic plan. Change is ongoing, and this will likely include a repurposing of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee. As your president, I will continue to engage with other regional leaders and ACUHO-I leadership as we continue to monitor policies that may impact our membership.

These changes are occurring to ensure our members may freely engage with our organization as part of an extension of the good work they are doing on their campuses. Our member institutions will be able to host and participate with SWACUHO events with no barriers. It is understood there are different interpretations of how to comply with policies. Feelings you have around this topic are valid. Regardless of differences, what I have always experienced in our organization is that we can find common ground, and I look forward to a renewed focus on those areas as an organization. SWACUHO is more than words on a page. Our 60 years of history inform our future, and we will continue to adapt as an organization. SWACUHO is resilient, and I firmly believe you are as well. SWACUHO will continue to provide educational opportunities coupled with care and empathy.

I hope move-out and closing goes well for you and your campus. I know summer is a different kind of work, but just as busy. May you find time to rest and prepare for the fall semester. It will be good to see you and your colleagues at summer events such as the Mid-Level Summit, Arkansas Drive-in, or Campus Home Live!

If you would like to discuss this blog post or any SWACUHO matters, please reach out to President Beth Eppinger at president@swacuho.org.

My Mid-Level Experience

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:47:07 GMT

By Communications Committee

The Communications Committee reached out and asked two members of the region to share their journey and thoughts on their Mid-Level Journey. Read on below to hear what they had to say!

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Before last year, I had built a career out of being a Residence Life Coordinator. With seven years of RLC experience at three institutions, I accepted a new role as Assistant Director of Residence Life at the University of Oklahoma last summer.

Despite knowing that many RLCs move to AD roles after only a few years, once I accepted the role, I was grappling with doubts about whether I was capable enough, smart enough, and if I wanted to take on the challenges of moving to a new type of job.

As a first-generation student and professional, no one in my family had ever held a role like the one I was stepping into. There were no examples, no insider information on how to succeed. Like it or not, my only professional “strategy” was to wing it, lean on my colleagues for help, and hope for the best.

After officially moving into my role last June, the summer was hectic.

Prior to accepting the AD job, I had been making drastic changes to our RA training experience by developing online learning modules to be used in a hybrid learning model for Fall 2024. I wasn’t ready to let that project go before seeing the fruits of my committee’s labor. Unfortunately, that choice meant from May to August, I was essentially working as both an AD and an RLC at the same time. Summer was a whirlwind of planning RA training, writing modules, interviewing RHA/NRHH exec board members, and planning large-scale Fall programs and curriculum workshops.

My saving grace was attending the National Housing Training Institute in Seattle, WA, in summer 2024. Thanks to a generous scholarship from SWACUHO and support from OU, I spent a week with talented mid- and upper-level professionals, dissecting our roles from every angle, and answering thought-provoking questions. That experience helped me realize I was more ready for this position than I had initially thought.

Stepping into your role won’t always be seamless and can come with some serious turbulence. But like many things, it will settle with time as you grow stronger in your own abilities. Give it a chance and don’t be your own worst enemy when it comes to imposing self-limitations. Once you stop fighting yourself on what you’re capable of, the possibilities that emerge from an open mind and heart are truly limitless.

Samantha Brooks, Assistant Director of Residence Life

The University of Oklahoma

I spent multiple years as a hall director and coordinator and enjoyed every minute of supervising student staff directly. When the opportunity presented itself for me to take the next step in my professional career, I must admit that imposter syndrome kicked into high gear. Although I knew deep down that I had the experience and knowledge to move forward, the voice in the back of my head was telling me I wasn’t worthy. It was a tough battle to fight and one that continues, at least in some ways, to this day.

As I entered the mid-level role and fought the intrusive thoughts, I was eager to supervise in-hall coordinators and share my knowledge with them. I can honestly say that the experience has exceeded my expectations. Calling it rewarding might be a bit of an understatement. I have enjoyed pouring into others to help them become better supervisors and professionals. I thrive on building personal relationships to get to know each person for who they are and to meet them where they’re at. Being in a mid-level role has allowed me to continue to grow my supervision skills while also feeling rewarded by knowing that I am making at least a small difference in the professional lives of others.

Ricky Harris, Associate Director of Residence Life

University of Central Arkansas

Hello SWACUHO! - Newsletter: Pre-Conference Edition

Tue, 28 Jan 2025 20:26:23 GMT

By SWACUHO Executive Board

The next installment of our newly redesigned newsletter is here! Lots to know and review before we gather together again in February from Save the Dates and Reminders to candidate information and Business Meeting items!

Hope you enjoy reading and please feel free to email webmaster@swaucho.org with feedback so we can continue to improve in keeping everyone up to date with all things SWACUHO!

Hello SWACUHO! - Pre Conference Sent 1.23.25

Hello SWACUHO! - Newsletter

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 02:40:30 GMT

By SWACUHO Executive Board

The Executive Board and Communications Committee have had several talks about our former newsletter. We are excited to announce the launch of our brand-new newsletter!

Each edition will bring you the reader's digest of the latest updates, insights, and highlights from the region. The hope is our newsletter will keep you informed and connected with all the important happenings.

Hope you enjoy reading and please feel free to email webmaster@swaucho.org with feedback so we can continue to improve in keeping everyone up to date with all things SWACUHO!

Hello SWACUHO! Post Mid-Year Sent 11.15.24

Moroccan Mayhem: When COVID Crashes the Camel Ride

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 19:56:02 GMT

By Crystal Romero, Institute for Shipboard Education: Semester at Sea

“I’m sorry, kiddo. It’s COVID,” Nurse Bob said, leaving me in disbelief. “But I don’t feel sick at all! I usually run a fever, and I’m supposed to lead a camel trek through the Sahara in just three days!” I pleaded, desperately trying to hold back tears. This was the last thing I wanted to hear right before one of my most anticipated field programs during this four month voyage around the world. I had been chosen as a Trip Liaison for Semester at Sea's fall 2024 voyage in Morocco, and my excitement had been through the roof. Instead, I was whisked away to an isolation room, left alone until I could be tested again. Not only was I now in quarantine, but I had also lost my chance to participate in the camel trek entirely.

The last time I visited the continent of Africa was in 2019. I was volunteering at a school and staying at a backpacker hostel in Cape Town, South Africa. One of my first days at the school, I noticed a little girl laying on the ground during recess. Walking over to her, I quickly learned that she was not feeling well and was burning up from a fever. Days later I learned that this child had the flu and would not be returning to school for several days. Consequently, I myself came down with the flu and was sick for the remainder of my time in the country. Being ill is obviously never a good time, but when it is compounded by being so far from home and having severe control issues, it is also a journey through a myriad of emotions.

After several days of solitude in quarantine, my mind had little to do but wander, and that's exactly what it did. I found myself reflecting on my reasons for embarking on this journey, allowing a wave of nostalgia to wash over me. I embraced my homesickness and pondered how the rest of the trip would unfold if I felt this way. Working for Semester at Sea had been a long deferred dream of mine and one that I wanted to gain a perfect experience from. It was hard for me to let go of that image. Then, in the midst of this low moment, something remarkable happened: my community rallied around me. I started receiving encouraging notes slipped under my door and in my mailbox. My residents and colleagues reached out with texts and calls, checking in on me, and some even snuck me extra snacks. It’s hard to wallow in self-pity when you're enveloped in such warmth and support.

As I sat in my isolation room, those small gestures started to shift my perspective. Each note reminded me that I wasn’t truly alone, even if I felt it. My mind began to wander back to my experiences in South Africa. I remembered the little girl on the ground and how helpless I felt in that moment. But just as I couldn’t change her circumstances, I also couldn’t change my current situation. What I could do was choose how I responded to it.

Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, I was cleared to leave isolation, but the lessons I learned stayed with me. This time, I vowed to embrace the unpredictability of travel and the inherent challenges that come with it. I realized that sometimes our plans get derailed, but it’s in those moments that we learn the most—not just about the world, but about ourselves.

One key lesson emerged from my time in quarantine: community matters. The support I received taught me the importance of connection, whether near or far. It reminded me to reach out to others in their times of need, as well.

When I finally joined the rest of the shipboard community, I did so with a renewed sense of purpose. I approached the journey with a deeper appreciation for the people around me and the unpredictability of life. Yes, plans can change in an instant, but it’s the way we navigate those changes that defines our experience.

In the end, I not only learned about the resilience of my spirit but also about the power of community. And while I had initially feared that my dreams were slipping away, they transformed into a profound journey of connection and understanding—one I would carry with me long after the sun set over the Sahara.

Get AMPed Up!

Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:44:01 GMT

By President-Elect Beth Eppringer

Are you sending a delegation from your department to the Student Staff Leadership Conference? General registration ends September 15th, and capacity is limited! Just thinking about the conference gets me AMPed up, and I’m not even attending! Yes, this blog post is a sales pitch for the conference. The SSLC is a perfect development opportunity for our future colleagues. Right now there are full-time professionals in SWACUHO who attended the SWACUHO SSLC (formerly RA Conference) as an undergraduate. Perhaps their experience nudged them toward the profession. I know my one weekend at the RA conference at UNI was an unknown puzzle piece in developing me for the rest of my college career and beyond. And, it wasn’t the sleeping on the floor of a lounge or managing an alcohol incident that were the highlights.

If you’re still with me, here are some talking points to use to convince someone your university needs to be in attendance.

1. Invest. Show your student staff you care about their development. By investing in their development, you are building stronger leaders for your department. In just a few years, these students could be the advisor taking your delegation to the conference. Your are building future leaders!

2. Represent! School pride is infectious. Everyone in SWACUHO already knows TCU has a great department culture of involvement and leadership. Having your delegation at the SSLC will do the same. Then, when graduate school applications and job searching comes along in the future, candidates will remember your institution’s name.

3. It’s Manageable. The conference is quick, and your delegation can be any size. How much is spent on registration and the hotel is up to your department based on delegation size.

4. It’s Fun! Memories are made during the travel portion of the weekend, students see their networks grow, and the host campus always provide a variety of experiences.

Now that you are certain your school will be represented at the SSLC, go a step further. Encourage the delegates to submit program proposals, create a roll call, and design a banner. Thank you to Texas Christian University for hosting! Reach out to Fred Dillard at conferences@swacuho.org to learn about YOUR chance to host next year!

Balance

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 15:11:05 GMT

Dr. Nechele McClinton-Gates, University of Central Arkansas

There can be balance! As an individual who has been working in Housing and Residence Life in some capacity since 2008, I, too, have heard the many concerns surrounding the work/life balance in this world. I will also say that I have been a participant and enabler of this world as well. However, it wasn’t until I encountered difficulties and health scares in my family life that I knew some reprioritization had to take place. Specifically, I remember traveling back and forth from Texas to Arkansas to sit beside my sister while she was in her hospital bed after suffering from a Subarachnoid Hemorrhage and as I was spending the little time I had with her, I was also working on sending out Student Staff Offer Letters. Offer Letters…while my sister was in the hospital sick and of course I had to drive back in a short period of time to be on call because being short staff is just part of the gig. After really looking at that situation, I knew I wanted to make a change.

I started to be more efficient and effective during my work hours, so that there was little to no time that I took work home with me. I set boundaries with my staff where I was only contacted if I was on duty or if there was something personal happening in their life. This set the foundation for when I got married, I already had several boundaries set in practice. This was important to me because in order for me to develop the Godly, Kingdom marriage that I desired my husband had to be my number 1 priority. So, balance and boundaries are important because he can’t be my number 1 priority if I am spending an excessive amount of time after hours or during the weekend at work, if I have several non-emergency phone calls/texts during our time together, or if I am being excessive in my bonding time with my work family. Everything can be done in moderation and with balance. It’s just a matter of changing your perspective on what makes you a good employee, what your values are, or what makes you connected to your staff. If that doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to change your location to a space that correlates with your new found values.

The Life of A Graduate Hall Director - A Reflection

Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:00:00 GMT

By Marianna Canales, Texas State University

I vividly remember my first day of Graduate Hall Director training. After an incredibly long day of learning every policy and procedure, I couldn’t help but think, “What did I get myself into?”. You see, I didn’t have a traditional residence life background. I wasn’t a resident advisor (RA) in undergrad, but I lived in the residence halls the first two years and then the university apartments. I was fairly confident that those experiences would be enough to prepare me to be a graduate hall staff. Unfortunately, it turned out I knew very little about the responsibilities and work that residence life professionals deal with on a day-to-day basis.

Reflecting back on where I started and where I am now, I cannot compare the amount of growth and opportunities that I had at Texas A&M University to any other assistantship or program that I would’ve been a part of. It is astonishing to think about the type of person I was when I first began the job and the individual that I have grown into two years later. It is one thing to find individuals who will help you and pour into you, but it is another thing entirely to find a whole community that not only believes in you but is willing to guide and push you into the professional they know you can be. I will always cherish and appreciate the family that I built and how they gave me the opportunity to live and grow out of my comfort zone.

Being a full time graduate student and working part time, it can be difficult to manage competing priorities when you are the type of individual who wants to do it all. I wish I could say I found a balance and sometimes said no to opportunities, but that is not what happened. I immersed myself in all that Residence Life and my program had to offer. I learned to embrace it all and ended up loving a functional area that was supposed to be a pit stop. I continually asked myself what type of impact I wanted to make and how I wanted to be remembered. I didn’t know how to go about leaving my mark which is why when I first started I felt like I didn't know what I was doing—until I did. I believe that is how a lot of us start in these positions. In Residence Life we hit the ground running and I hopped right on board. I relied on my gut, and as time went on, I relied on my experiences, training, and interactions to guide my decisions. I consistently asked questions, which everyone in the department and program was always willing to answer. When there were opportunities to share my ideas, there were individuals who were willing to meet me halfway. Most importantly, I was surrounded by great supervisors and mentors who took the time to get to know me and my passions. The amount of professional development I received through the department and the willingness of others to teach me, helped me see the value in what we do. It helped me realize that in our profession it is the little things that can have the greatest impact.

As graduate students, we are at a pivotal point in our professional journey. We are trying to find our way and make meaning of our own experiences. We are trying to learn about who we are and figure out the professionals we want to be. When I started, I just knew that I wanted to be the change that is seen in higher education. I didn’t have a clear why until I saw the value in the work that I was doing. It took me a while to realize the true value that my RAs played in my role. I like to tell them now that they are the hands and feet of the organization and I cannot do what I do without them. The sense of accomplishment I feel, the supervisor, and the leader that I am today, is because of my past Lechner/McFadden and FHK Complex staff teams. I, surprisingly, learned so much from them and I can only hope that they learned just as much from me. When I first started the job, I knew that I wanted to make an impact and help students. What I didn’t realize was how students help and teach us to be better professionals. I was not expecting 22 resident advisors to leave such an impact on me and influence the person I was becoming. They became my why. They shaped my outlook on supervision, showed me the leader I want to be, challenged my thinking, helped me come up with innovative solutions, and even encouraged me to apply for my doctoral program. It is for them that we do our work and it is because of them that we will continue to do our best and never settle. My staff will forever have a special place in my heart.

Balancing graduate school, work, family, friends, and any other extra curriculars is tough. However, it taught me to make the best of situations and to be grateful for the chances we are given to make a difference in the lives of others. I learned that we are not the outcome of our circumstances, but we get to choose our outcomes and hopefully change the circumstances in which we are given. I learned the art of having difficult conversations while being clear and kind. If you knew me before my time in Residence Life, conversations, especially difficult ones, were not always easy for me. I have now learned to handle them with my head held high and with grace. I gained confidence in myself and in my decisions, which has allowed me to share my thoughts and insights in different spaces. I became more aware of my surroundings and utilized crisis management skills during power outages, many fire alarms, and flooding. I was able to bring my own personality and positivity into my staff and community, which unsurprisingly, ended up being my favorite part of the job. I “choose success” on days when the going got tough, but found value in being able to make my own decisions and learning when I made a mistake.

As a Graduate Hall Director, I realized that I was prepared to be the future of the profession and take on my first full-time job as a Residence Director at Texas State University. I even left with a sense of purpose and drive, and is why I will continue my education through my doctoral program. I can already see how my experiences at Texas A&M University are going to make a difference in the work that I will be doing in this new role and all that I be learning in the classroom. As a new professional and an individual who will continue to pursue their education, I have found that it is passion and willingness to adapt that makes a difference in our roles. I appreciated and valued the mentors and leaders who set the bar high and were great examples for me to follow. I want to encourage full-time professionals who have the opportunity to make an impact on graduate students, to continue to be our guides as we navigate all that residence life and higher education encompasses. You might not realize it, but the part you play makes a big difference and you help shape and mold us into the professionals that we will become.

8 Ways Housing Officers Can Help Students Move to School

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 13:08:22 GMT

by Collegeboxes,Vendor

8 Ways Housing Officers Can Help Students Move to School

Moving to school is an exciting yet stressful time for many individuals. Students, parents, and campus housing professionals all play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth and successful transition. While parents and students undoubtedly have an influence, campus housing professionals can have the most significant impact on moving day.

As professionals specializing in college move-in services, Collegeboxes has had the opportunity to visit numerous campuses and witness countless move-ins. Through our experiences, we have gathered plenty of successful ideas that we are eager to share with you. If you are seeking innovative move-in strategies, here are eight effective methods to assist students as they transition into their new campus residences.

1. Offer Move-In Resources

There’s a good chance you already provide some type of move-in resource for students to help them get settled. But if not, it’s something we highly recommend. It could be a welcome packet containing detailed information about moving procedures, essential contacts, campus maps, and tips for settling in. Or it could be online guides, FAQs, and helpful PDFs posted on your website or distributed via QR code that help students prepare for the move. If your campus already provides this service, perhaps it’s time to review your content and determine whether there’s room for improvement.

2. Host Orientation Programs

Many schools utilize orientation programs to help students and parents get comfortable on move-in day. Typical orientations include campus tours to help students familiarize themselves with key locations such as dorms, dining halls, libraries, and health centers. Not only do orientations familiarize students with their surroundings, but they also give students the opportunity to meet other students and start the settling in process.

You can take this a step further by developing some “welcome” events, such an ice cream social, BBQ, or game night to help students acclimate and feel welcome. Be sure to invite the parents and current residents as well. Although this may not directly ease the stress of move-in day, it can help reduce some of the other anxieties students and parents experience during this time and foster a healthier atmosphere for the weeks to come.

3. Establish Move-In Day Support

One of your primary goals as a housing professional is to not only get students moved in, but to also keep things organized and on schedule. Unfortunately, you can’t be there to lend a helping hand to every family, but you can take steps to make things easier.

Clear, helpful signage is a simple, yet effective way to point people in the right direction and cut down on confusion and congestion. If possible, we also recommend providing loading and unloading assistance, either via volunteers or staff members, to make the process easier on families. Finally, set up information booths to hand out your move-in resources, answer questions, and give directions.

4. Provide Moving Equipment

Does your campus have dollies, carts, or any kind of moving equipment readily available? If not, it’s time to acquire some and make sure families know they are available when moving to school. These tools will go a long way toward helping families get their items through the hallways, up the elevators, and into their dorms more efficiently and with less effort.

5. Be Flexible with Move-In Scheduling

The fewer students moving in at one time, the less congestion and confusion there will be. Seems simple enough but can be one the more impactful strategies we recommend. If you can, stagger move in times and offer flexibility to accommodate more schedules and reduce traffic jams and overall stress. We also recommend offering early move in. A few days before your official move-in, allow some students to get their things moved to avoid the rush and give them extra time to settle in.

6. Follow Up and Improve

Think about past campus moving days. Were there any specific hang-ups or areas that caused confusion? Try to identify these and other areas that need improvement. Call on your own experiences to improve upon your existing moving strategies and help build new ones. In addition, strategize a way for students to leave feedback so you more easily identify stressors moving forward and make improvements accordingly. This could be as simple as comment cards, or it could involve something more interactive, such digital surveys. This feedback will be vital to enhancing your operation and ensuring future success.

7. Stay in Constant Contact

We encourage you to keep your incoming students in the loop as best you can leading up to move-in. Send regular emails or messages with updates and any essential information that they might find useful. This can also be a great time to distribute maps, instructions, rules, or anything else that would be helpful to review before things begin.

Pro tip: campus emergency contacts can come in handy in an unexpected situation. Be sure students are prepared as best as possible for a variety of situations.

8. Direct Students to Additional Services

Not all moving help needs to come from you and/or campus staff. There are additional, external resources out there that can help students with their moving journey. For instance, Collegeboxes provides services that streamline the moving process for college students. Professional movers do the heavy lifting so housing officers and their staff can focus on keeping things running smoothly.

Collegeboxes partners with campuses across the U.S. and Canada, aiming to provide a low-cost solution that helps students and colleges alike. Learn more about our partnership program and how we can help student housing officers. By offering comprehensive support and resources, you can help make the transition to school as smooth and stress-free as possible for students and their families.

Life's Divide Line

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 15:44:44 GMT

by Dr. Delton Gordon, Arkansas Tech University

Lately, I have pondered the distinguishable moments in my lifetime, both personally and professionally. While there have been memorable moments, like marrying the love of my life, being present for the birth of my son, graduating with my PhD., or getting my first Senior Housing Officer role, my life can easily be divided into Delton before turkeys and Delton after turkeys.

We started our flock of chickens shortly after moving to Arkansas. My wife, Sarah, had always dreamed of having chickens so she could name them after Disney Princesses. I quickly went about researching and building a chicken coop as well as adding a run so the newest members of our family could get about safely. Sarah took online classes to understand chickens and the care. It became a passion to understand these simple, but fascinating animals. It was important to get breeds that laid beautifully colored eggs or the birds themselves had unique traits. If you are aware of chicken math, you’ll understand, but quickly eight birds turned into fifteen. After the first year passed and we had fallen in love with the descendants of dinosaurs, we decided to “order” a few birds from an online breeder. This was a whole new level of obsession, allowing us to choose one or two of each breed, a plethora of procurement options were now available to us.

Farming and ranching were quite prominent in my genealogy research, with my fifth great grandfather and his brothers settling the lands of Effingham County, Illinois with their hogs. They are noted in the History of Effingham County Illinois (1883, Perrin, W.H.). They were quite the nuisance as they herded their swine through other settlers’ property. I suppose that is why fences became popular. Thus, the desire to raise and care for animals runs strong though my heritage.

However, while chickens were certainly the starting point, I ultimately fell in love with raising turkeys. On a whim, I decided to order one turkey to surprise the family. It was a heritage breed, Bourbon Red Turkey. Most larger breed chickens are easily distinguishable at birth what sex they are, however Turkeys are much more difficult. So, it would be months before we knew if it was a jake (male) or a jenny (female). Thus, making naming of our turkey a little challenging. After a few months go along, we realized our turkey was a hen, and thus Thursday was christened. I’m here to tell you, that’s when I knew my life would change.

Turkeys are inquisitive, curious, and quite social. Thursday is no exception; she absolutely loves people…maybe more than her fellow turkeys (definitely more than ducks)! There are lots of moments in life where we can look back and say, my life was different before…this job, this person, this pet, this trip…but I am here to tell you, I can easily say, my life with turkeys (especially Thursday) is a clear dividing line. I challenge you to think about your life’s dividing line…what are things/people/places that you can distinguish a clear before and after?

PhD Journey - A Word From Our President-Elect

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 16:12:56 GMT

by Beth Eppinger, Texas Woman's University

Dealing with Life Changes / A Personal Reflection

Fri, 10 May 2024 01:56:05 GMT

by Drew Jahr, Texas Tech University

Change is a fact of life and dealing with it can be difficult for anyone. For me, to truly deal with the change, I find that I need to do a lot of self-reflection to determine what is causing me the difficulty. Recently for me, change has come from a lot of different directions. Being the President of SWACUHO came with a lot of responsibilities and follow up. Now that role has concluded, and thus I have experienced a lot of change within my priorities and how I organize my time. It has left me a little confused on how to re-focus my energies.

Another major change I have been addressing has been changes within my department. Last year, we went through a major re-organization, and I needed to spend significant time setting the vision for my department and supporting my team through the associated changes. I also found myself re-focusing the value I place on my work. My work is what I do, it is not who I am. This was a realization that recently hit home for me. It has been a struggle but rewarding as I have continued to work on myself. We all struggle from time to time, but it is how one bounces back that truly matters. Do you allow the changes to overcome your life or do you take the changes as potential successful opportunities to learn and continue growing as a professional.

Recently, I decided to make a commitment to re-evaluate my view on life and work. It was truly something I had needed to do for many years, but I never took the time to do it. I made excuses such as not having the time, or something else was more important. Ultimately, I never did it. Several years ago, I had a colleague tell me “No one ever put on their tomb stone 'I wish I could have worked more!' Another colleague asked me “Do you want to work to live or live to work?” These comments did not mean much at the time they were shared, but now they have progressed to being front and center on my mind.

For those that don’t know, last year I went on a river cruise to celebrate the 50-year wedding anniversary of my parents. During that time, I was able to do some self-reflection and not be disturbed by work. I realized I want to work to live, but I am currently practicing live to work. I find that it seems like all I do is work. Even when I am not at work, I work. While I do get enjoyment out of the work I do, I know it is not a healthy way to live one's life.

Now comes the challenge that I need to address. What does one do about it? The work still needs to get done and the philosophy of working to live should not be an excuse for not getting things completed and being seen as dependable in the workplace. While I am early in this journey, I hope that I can find that balance in my life. Time will tell. If anyone else is going through a similar journey, I wish you well. Should you want to connect and share your journey and tips that you have found successful, please reach out.