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SWACUHO Executive Board Highlights — April 2026
Date: April 10, 2026
Meeting Time: 8:31am – 9:56 am
The Executive Board met virtually to continue strategic plan adoption, advance communication and technology practices, support upcoming professional development opportunities, and address ongoing operational and governance priorities.
Strategic Plan Adoption and Communications
The Board formally adopted SWACUHO’s new Purpose Statement and approved updates to the Strategic Focus Areas.
The Board discussed plans to share strategic goals publicly, allowing members to better see themselves in the work of the Association.
The Communications Committee will support a campaign to share elements of the Strategic Plan across platforms.
Strategic Plan webpage updated.
Professional Development & Engagement
The Mid-Level Steering Committee shared updates on the Mid-Level Summit (June 4–5), including speakers, registration promotion, and ongoing planning.
The Board discussed scheduling Virtual Roundtables through the summer, including both state-based and position-based sessions.
Program planning continues for upcoming showcases, workshops, and the annual “Best of” Series.
Technology & Communication Tools
The Board approved piloting Band as a communication platform and pausing use of GroupMe during the pilot period.
Continued improvements are underway for the SWACUHO calendar, website banners, and content visibility.
The Board reviewed options presented by the Career Pathways Committee for the future of SWACUHO’s LinkedIn presence, supporting a move toward a public group with moderated posting to increase engagement and visibility.
Corporate Partnerships & Sponsorships
The Board discussed strategies to expand and strengthen corporate partner engagement, including clearer expectations around communication.
Future outreach may include targeted vendor engagement and review of sponsorship benefits.
The Corporate Sponsorship Committee continues follow-up work after the Annual Conference.
Awards, Recognition, & SHINE Initiatives
Awards & Recognition is finalizing website updates and planning communications to support spring recognition efforts.
The Board discussed refining processes for recognizing retirees and memorial acknowledgements, with follow-up conversations planned with Awards & Recognition.
Leadership was encouraged to stay alert to campus-level awards and recognitions to elevate association-wide visibility for SHINE recognition.
Operational & Governance Updates
The Board approved adding Gaggle (email listservs) as a line item in the 2026–2027 Executive Budget to support growing membership.
Continued discussion occurred around the Donations Task Force, including identifying individuals with subject-matter expertise to support the work.
Updates were shared regarding nonprofit conversations occurring across other regions.
✅ Adoption of the new Purpose Statement
✅ Approval of updates to Strategic Focus Areas
✅ Addition of Gaggle service expense as a line item to the 2026–2027 Executive Budget
✅ Approval of Mid-Level Summit Registration Rates (electronic vote on 4/1/26)
Fiscal YTD
Current
Total Income
$285,746
Total Expenses
$(244,932)
Updated budget details are available via the Treasurer’s shared Google Sheet.
Graduate and Entry-Level Roundtable: April 21 (virtual)
Arkansas State Roundtable: April 22 (virtual)
Texas State Meeting: April 28 (virtual)
Mid-Level Roundtable: May 6 (virtual)
SHO Roundtable: May 8 (virtual)
Mid-Level Summit: June 4–5 (College Station, TX)
Campus Home.Live!: June 21–24 (Orlando, FL)
Reach out to your State Director if you would like more information about anything mentioned here!
Arkansas State DirectorLeanna PaytonHenderson State Universityarkansas@swacuho.org
Oklahoma State DirectorWhitney ArbaughNortheastern State University oklahoma@swacuho.org
Texas State DirectorNicholas BrownEast Texas A&M Universitytexas@swacuho.org
By Faith Earl
When I first stepped onto campus at ASU-Beebe in small Beebe, Arkansas, I was focused on the same things many new students are—finding my classes, meeting people, & figuring out how to live away from home. At the time, I didn’t realize that some of my most meaningful experiences would come not just from the classroom but also from the residence halls I called home and the communities built within them.
Living on campus quickly became more than just a convenience—it was my entry point into connection, leadership, and personal growth. The energy in the halls is unlike anything else on campus. Everyone is new, everyone is searching, and everyone is, in some way, becoming. Being surrounded by that kind of transformation every day is powerful––and it’s what drew me deep into housing and student involvement.
From the start, I was already engaged as a Student Leader Scholar and involved in SGA. Through that involvement, I connected with individuals in the Residence Hall Association (RHA), and what began as simply attending meetings and small events soon grew into something much more impactful. RHA gave me a vision for advocacy—creating spaces where residents felt heard, developing programs that brought people together, and recognizing the efforts of those who often go unseen.
Through those connections, I found both inspiration and direction. A current Resident Assistant (RA) encouraged me to apply for the role as she prepared to graduate. Taking her advice, I applied—and was selected to serve as an RA for the spring semester of my freshman year. That moment marked a turning point in my journey.
During my time as an RA, I began to see higher education as more than just my own academic path—it became a potential career. I grew increasingly aware of the many layers of Student Affairs and found fulfillment in supporting residents through everyday moments: conversations in the hallway, late-night lockouts, intentional programming, and the relationships that formed along the way. It was work that felt meaningful in both small and significant ways.
One of the most pivotal experiences during this time was attending the 2019 SWACUHO RA Conference (now known as the Student Staff Leadership Conference). This was my first introduction to SWACUHO—but certainly not my last. It expanded my perspective, connected me to a broader network of student leaders, and deepened my interest in the field.
As I approached the final stretch of my undergraduate experience, another unexpected opportunity emerged. In November of my senior year, my supervisor, Zack Tucker, shared that a Hall Director position would be opening over winter break. The role required graduating with a bachelor’s degree in the semester of starting the position. After thoughtful consideration, I decided to apply—and was selected.
Balancing my final semester as an undergraduate while preparing to step into a professional role pushed me to think seriously about my future in higher education. Through many conversations with faculty and staff, I began mapping out my next steps. That process ultimately led me to apply to the Arkansas Tech University Student Affairs Administration online graduate program. In a moment that felt both exciting and affirming, I received my acceptance less than 24 hours after submitting my application.
Graduate school, combined with my role as a Hall Manager, further solidified my passion for the field. During this time, I reconnected with SWACUHO and attended my first Annual Conference in 2023. That experience was transformative—I built meaningful professional connections, gained valuable knowledge, and created memories that will stay with me for a lifetime. It was also at this conference that I became involved with the Communications Committee, where I now serve in my second year as co-chair.
Returning to campus after that conference, I felt re-energized. I was encouraged not only to continue my graduate studies, but also to pour back into my staff and residents while continuing to explore the many opportunities within higher education.
That momentum carried me into the next chapter of my journey. In Fall 2023, I graduated with my Master’s in Student Affairs Administration. Shortly after, in May 2024, I accepted a full-time Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) position at the University of Central Arkansas. In this role, I’ve had the opportunity to supervise a residence hall while advising both RHA and NRHH—bringing my journey full circle in many ways.
Of course, this journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Balancing responsibilities, managing expectations, and supporting students through difficult moments all require patience and resilience. Yet, those challenges have also been some of my greatest teachers. They’ve shaped me into a stronger leader, a better listener, and a more thoughtful advocate.
Looking back, I can confidently say that my involvement in housing has defined my college experience—and my career path—in ways I never expected. It’s where I found purpose, built lasting relationships, and developed skills that extend far beyond campus.
For anyone beginning their journey in higher education, my advice is simple: get involved, stay curious, and don’t underestimate the impact of community. You never know where a residence hall hallway might lead you—but it just might change everything.
By Matthew J Grief
This article was originally published on the SWACUHO Blog in October 2022 but lost during a website migration. It is republished here with permission of the author.
Some of you might remember the political satire dark comedy Netflix put out about a comet coming to destroy earth and the government urged people not to look up. Some of you might find that many of your students don’t look up at people in the eye but spend most of their time looking down at a phone. Many people do much of their communication these days looking down and not looking up, and many people do much of their driving looking down at their phone which is a whole other topic for another day.
You are probably asking, what does it matter whether I am looking down, as long as I am doing my job? Well, sometimes you do have to look up and that is important when you are dealing with housing on a university campus. People for years have asked me why I walk around the housing facilities so much, and when I do, why am I always looking up? That is a multi-part question that might require a bit of explanation, but while I have your attention looking down reading this, I might as well share.
As a Senior Housing Officer, and even before I held that position, I was very concerned about how my housing areas looked. I wanted to make sure no matter where I worked, the presentation of our housing program would be top notch. Damaged screens, trash on balconies or on the grounds, blinds broken and dangling, green pools, filthy breezeways, and dirty windows are just a few of the things that would drive me nutty.
One thing I have practiced for over 30 years is that I am not too important to pick up a piece of trash. Now if it was nasty, I would find some way to retrieve it without touching it with my bare hands, but I wanted to set the example of how the housing area should look. This has continued to be one of my key goals as I walk around the housing complexes, and at times I am looking down to see the trash on the ground, so while there are good reasons you should look down, you should also look up regularly.
Why look up? I’m glad you asked. Most problems, both inside and outside, can be found by looking up. When evaluating an area, I always start at the top by looking at the roof (if I can see it) to see if the shingles or roofing is still intact. I then work my way down to the facia of the building and all the nooks and crannies, to make sure we have no rotting wood or holes that little critters can sneak into. And yes, we have had everything from possums to squirrels living in attics.
As I am visually working my way down the exterior of a building, whether brick or stucco or some other exterior covering, I look for cracks. These cracks could show where you are beginning to have a foundation problem. As your eyes work their way down, —you can see screen issues, broken windows, balcony issues, and even erosion issues which could have a significant impact on the structure.
This simple practice can be done on the inside of buildings where you can see if there is a possible water leak in ceiling tiles, cracks in sheetrock, moist discolored walls, door frames rubbing, toilet leaks, all the way down to torn carpet or flooring cracks.
As you can see, it is very important to look up because your problems that start up high, will likely affect so many more people below and the building itself. Don’t think you are a professional housing staff member who can’t do this. Housing staff are usually the first one to see problems, especially if you don’t have maintenance staff regularly in your facilities. Anyone can do this if they just look up!
Matthew J Grief Associate Vice President for Student Affairs at The University of Texas at Dallas
SWACUHO Executive Board Highlights — March 2026
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.
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.
No voting items this month.
Robert C. Cooke Endowment Quarterly Update (Q4)
Fund Balance: $42,232.85
Available Funds for Distribution: $1,687.68
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.
L.E.A.D. Committee Workshop: April 3 (Virtual)
Next Executive Board Meeting: April 10 (Virtual)
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 & Services at University of North Texas
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 EppingerAssistant Director for Housing Administrative Services at Texas Woman's University
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
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
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.
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 at University of Arkansas
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 CornejoAssistant Director of Residence Life at Rose State College, Oklahoma
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 EvansCommunity Manager at Texas A&M
Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers
624 W. University DrivePMB 418Denton, TX 76201
webmaster@swacuho.org
