ResEdChat by Roompact

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

In this episode of Roompact's RA*EdChat, we go behind the scenes of residence life to explore how strong staff relationships shape the RA experience. “Behind the Scenes: Working With Your Team” dives into collaboration, communication, and peer support, highlighting how successful communities are built not just through resident connections but through trust and teamwork among staff members. We meet...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest DJ Harris-Sumrall as they talk about the job search. Whether you love it or hate it, the sometimes dreaded job search is a part of every Residence Life Professional's story but what does it really look like? In the changing landscape of higher education, how people job search and how people experience interviewing is ch...

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

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

Door decorations and bulletin boards are more than check-the-box tasks; they are often the first impression residents have of their community. In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat,, we sit down with a Nikki Garcia to explore how RAs can create intentional, engaging, and meaningful visuals that go beyond aesthetics. From planning timelines to interactive strategies,...... Continue Reading →

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest, Dr. April Callis, as they talk about strategies for supporting trans and nonbinary students living in residence halls. Trans and nonbinary students are a population often overlooked at universities; how are Residence Life staff uniquely situated to be able to provide that often missing support? Where a student lives wh...

In this episode of ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Desmond Thomas, Meeting Logistics Coordinator for AME Church, to explore what it’s like to enter housing and residence life from another profession. Desmond reflects on what drew him to the field, the skills that carried over, and how his prior experience shaped his approach to the work.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Host Paul Brown sits down with 2026 Roompact Fellow, Amanda Knerr to talk about assessment in residence life. Assessment can be scary. It can be difficult. But it doesn't have to be. Amanda and Paul talk about tangible and tangible steps departments can take to make assessment infused in all departmental practices from formative to summative.

This episode of RA*Chat features insights from Tim Turner, offering advice to help RAs navigate move-out with confidence and care. From handling damage-related conversations and conducting thorough room checks to managing residents' emotions, Tim emphasizes the importance of clear communication, accomplishments, and getting support from peers and supervisors. He also shares strategies for managing...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest, Emily Abrams, Assistant Director of Dow STEM Scholars at Michigan State University, as they talk about crip theory and its implications for Residence Life Staff and for the halls themselves. Student Development Theories give us language through which to understand and implement our work and crip theory is no different,...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we welcome Dr. Shirley O'Brien, Foundation Professor for the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy at EKU. This episode explores the collaborative partnership between the Occupational Therapy and Housing & Residence Life department to develop and implement the Colonels Mentoring Colonels Peer Mentor Program, an initiative to suppo...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Aaron Lucier, Interim Director of Housing & Residential Life at the University of South Carolina Upstate. Aaron reflects on what mattered most, how the field has evolved, and the lessons learned along the way. From leadership and identity to the moments that sustained them, this conversation offers insight and guidance for the ne...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Host Paul sits down with one of our 2026 Roompact Fellows, Kaleigh Mrowka, to discuss student learning and curriculum, restorative practices, and encouraging campus dialogue. An interesting through-line develops which can give residence hall professionals multiple strategies and elements to incorporate in their work of making meaningful spaces for resident...

In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, join Da Zhane’ Sinclair for advice when everything goes wrong in the middle of the night, and how you respond. This episode dives into the high-pressure reality of on-call life, unpacking how to make quick, confident, and policy-aligned decisions when it matters most for students! From managing emergencies to navigating resident conflict, we explore strategie...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Pamela Ianiro, Area Coordinator at the University of Cincinnati, as they talk about and explore residence life traditions. From door decs to behind closed doors, Residence Life professionals around the country engage with traditions, but where do these traditions really come from? What was their purpose originally? What...

In this special episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, we have a rebroadcast from one of our more recent webinars. We started our monthly webinar series back in October of 2025 and if you are a Roompact member, you can participate in these live. For non-Roompact members, we make the recording available after the fact on our website. In this webinar we’ll go over the 3C Framework for Residence Life Pract...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal sits down with Ryan Taylor-Gonzalez, Assistant Director of Learning and Assessment at CSU Monterey Bay, to talk about the transition from hall director to mid-level leader in housing. Ryan reflects on the growth, identity shifts, and leadership lessons that come with stepping into broader responsibility.

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Host Paul sits down with one of our 2026 Roompact Fellows, Erin Long, to discuss all things co-curricular learning. Erin recently completed her PhD at the University of Texas at Austin and her dissertation focused on students perceptions of co-curricular learning and its implications for practice. Professionals who have curriculum and learning elements in t...

In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, we sit down with Jose Rivera to break down how to distinguish typical roommate conflict from situations that require higher-level intervention. The conversation covers documentation best practices, referrals, collaboration with professional staff, and how to balance empathy with policy enforcement. Especially in complex, real-world situations, RAs like you fa...

In this episode of ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Keresa Murray, Resident Director at Ohio University as they talk about navigating conflict in the Residence Halls. Far too often, students and people at large avoid conflict whether it be out of fear, polarization, or even safety. That said, conflict and navigating disagreement are a crucial part of life and thus a crucial part of...

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Jas chats with Sydney Rigdon, Assistant Director of Housing & Residence Life at Transylvania University. They explore why regional and state involvement matters, how professionals can find their way into their networks, and ways this engagement supports both individual growth and the broader field of student affairs. Let's discuss!

In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal is joined by Jennifer Pridemore, Financial Advisor at Northwestern Mutual, for a practical and compassionate conversation about financial wellness for live-in housing professionals. Together, they explore how living on campus shapes financial habits, the importance of planning early, and ways to build healthy, realistic money practices. This episode...

In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, we we are joined by Marcus Zacarias (UC Berkeley) to solve the puzzle of low attendance and low energy. The secret? It doesn’t require a massive budget or hours of planning. We dive deep into the art of micro-programming and intentional conversations. Discover how RAs and student staff members can maintain community momentum even during the busiest times of t...

On this episode of ResEdChat, join our host Noah Montague and guest Ben Williams as they talk about the needs of residential LGBTQIA+ students and the role of Residence Life Staff in supporting this population. While no student population is a monolith, especially when we are talking about marginalized students; LGBTQIA+ students have unique situations, supports, and joys that are crucial to consi...