Talking Stick - January/February 2009 - (Page 29)

Maurice Washington, director of housing and residence at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, also enjoys the quality of interactions that he can have within a niche community – in this case, the distinct culture of students at a historically black college/ university (HBCU) for men. His experiences in teaching and training student leaders empower him to serve as an ally and positive role model for all types of Morehouse men, and he is grateful that so many students look to him as a resource. In addition to his interactions with student leaders, Washington also conducts necessary assessments to determine the needs, trends, and issues affecting the overall student population. As all the senior housing officers we interviewed agreed, interactions with students serve to inform their practice in an important way. Richard DeCapua, director of residence talking stick nov 08.pdf 1 01/12/08 life at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, views these interactions as a major determinant of his success as a departmental leader. He believes these students need to know that “they are part of the ResEd family” and they need to “feel that I’m accessible but that I’m still in charge.” At the end of the day, he wants students to view him as an agent of change so that he can “bring student concerns to the senior level.” Niendorf uses her student interactions to learn more about the department: Which buildings are the party buildings? The resident assistants know, and “they’ll tell you if they trust you.” Many of the senior directors spoke of the importance of establishing trust in and among all levels of their departments, especially for the student staff. DeCapua notes that his students are very intelligent and that “they can’t be fooled by a dog and pony show.” 8:28 PM He stresses the importance of being open and honest because otherwise “you will lose them, and then you will be lost.” The central theme emerging from these shared experiences is that cultivating these connections not only enhances the student experience but also enriches the jobs and lives of senior housing officers. It’s a learning experience in which both sides end up wiser and more caring and more informed. tS Luke LaCroix works as an assistant director of residential education and housing at The College of New Jersey in Ewing. E-mail: LukeLaCroix@gmail.com. Anastasia “Stacy” is an assistant community development educator at Ulrich New York University. E-mail: aru204@nyu.edu. C M Y CM MY CY CMY K (2009) http://www.erezlife.com http://www.erezlife.com http://www.erezlife.com

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Talking Stick - January/February 2009 Contents Online Now Vision Just In Your ACUHO-I Transitions Res Life Facilities Business Special Focus Calendar Assessing Assignments On Your Honor Conversations First Takes Reporting Out Welcome Snapshot

Talking Stick - January/February 2009

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