Throughout the summer and into the start of the current semester, the Office of Residence Life has undergone several changes. With a new office, new personnel and new dynamics, the office is prepared for what the academic year may bring.
The majority of changes throughout residence life fell under the umbrella of personnel. Mike Mullen and Akirah Massenburg were promoted to assistant directors of residence life and one of two graduate assistants have been hired.
“Akirah is responsible for the oversight of the east side of campus and will also assist with housing assignments and community programming,” Sue Kramer, director of residence life, said. She added, “Mike will oversee the houses and west side of campus, manage the desk assistant program and assist with day-to-day conduct cases.”
Allan Meads recently joined the residence life team as a graduate assistant living in Xavier Hall and managing Xavier and Woodcrest. He is a recent graduate of Cheyney University and is pursuing his masters degree at West Chester University.
Residence life is also in the process of interviewing and hiring a second graduate assistant.
When it comes to the staffing addition, Kramer said, “Graduate assistants offer another layer of support to the community in the residence halls.” Kramer added, “They will work with staff to enrich the opportunities and experience of the community while supporting the visions of the department and college.”
The department has also promoted two resident assistants, John Eddings and Lilly Hatheway, to student programming assistants. Programming assistants will help resident assistants in planning and executing floor activities and fundamentally promoting the community aspect of living in a residence hall.
One of the more evident changes is that the team has shifted office locations. Now located in Founders 113, Kramer is very happy with the change.
She said, “Whether you’re headed to ITR, the cafeteria or even classes, the new move gives us the opportunity for a lot more student interaction and traffic. It’s nice.”
Ultimately, Kramer is looking forward to what the year has in store for the office and her team.
