Captivating speakers and a slate of can’t-miss sessions are waiting for you.
Dr. Delmy M. Lendof, Pratt Institute
Opening Keynote: Connecting with the Compass Guiding Your Life
In housing and residence life we have often used the term “lifers” to describe our love and passion for the work and how it’s beautifully aligned with our values. Over the last five years global, national, regional and state level events impacting higher education have been felt by housing and residence life professionals in unique ways. Many professionals are questioning the decision to stay in the profession while others are challenged to remember the passion that led to falling in love with it. This session will provide an opportunity for reconnecting with the personal compass guiding our lives as housing and residence life professionals by providing an opportunity to reflect on how to align an inner compass towards a future that brings together personal aspirations, fulfillment and connection to the why we first fell in love with the profession.
About Dr. Delmy M. Lendof
Dr. Delmy M. Lendof is a Student Affairs professional with over 25 years of experience working in higher education and serving students at public and private universities. She currently serves as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Pratt Institute. Before joining Pratt, Dr. Lendof served in several key student affairs positions at New York University (NYU) and held student affairs positions at Rutgers University; Teachers College, Columbia University; and State University of New York College at Old Westbury. She serves as an adjunct assistant professor at NYU Steinhardt and Teachers College, Columbia University
Jade Laplante and Jason Mahon, Rochester Institute of Technology
Session 1: Nurturing Neurodiversity: Strategies for Intentional Supervision
“Neurodiversity” is being discussed increasingly in higher education, particularly in supporting neurodivergent students. You or one of your colleagues likely identify as neurodiverse and may face challenges in the workplace every day. This session will discuss neurodiversity from the perspectives of a supervisor-supervisee team who both identify as neurodivergent. Through both literature and lived experiences, they will share some of the strategies that support their success and some of the challenges they face, and they will equip you with some tools to support your neurodiverse staff better.
Zoie Hancock, University of Washington
Session 2: Lightening the Load: How to Incorporate AI in Our Work
When we have a seemingly never-ending list of competing tasks, being able to find efficient workflows and tips to cut down on administrative work can help us refocus our efforts. ChatGPT’s rapid growth has hurled artificial intelligence software into the public eye. This session is designed to introduce housing professionals with skills and strategies to incorporate AI tools into your existing work. We’ll look at some examples of implementation, discuss ethical considerations, and have plenty of time to work hands-on with tools!
About Zoie Hancock
Zoie is a Conduct Specialist in the office of Community Standards & Student Conduct at the University of Washington where she adjudicates cases of behavioral and academic misconduct and leads conduct assessment and evaluation work. Prior to her current role, Zoie was a Resident Director at Northwestern University and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Zoie is passionate about helping student affairs professionals learn how to leverage artificial intelligence in their work and how to engage students in conversations about the ethics of AI in their academic and leadership endeavors. She is part of the AI Community of Practice at the University of Washington where she works with peers across campus to explore new applications of AI in higher education. Zoie earned B.A. degrees in English, Linguistics, and Korean Language & Culture from Indiana University before going on to the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa to pursue her M.A. in Second Language Studies.
Dr. Delcenia Collins-Murrell, Boston University
Session 3: Telling the Story
Are you ready to demonstrate the impact of your work? Live-in staff plays a vital role in creating and cultivating an environment that enhances and complements the student experience. Learn and understand how basic assessment strategies can be utilized to tell the story of the co-curricular experience (e.g., Living Learning/ Themed Communities, programs, hall council, leadership positions, etc.) students receive while living in the residence halls.
About Dr. Delcenia Collins-Murrell
Dr. Delcenia Collins-Murrell is the Director of Student Services at Boston University, leading support services for students facing personal crises impacting their success and retention. She oversees the student intervention team, basic needs programs, and the emergency assistance fund. With over 13 years of leadership experience in housing and residence life, she previously served at the University of Louisville, University of Texas at Austin, and other institutions. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Texas at Arlington, a Master’s from the University of Central Arkansas, and a BA from Mississippi State University.
Ray Hebert, Emory University
Session 4: Building Bridges
It takes a village to shepherd students through their college experience. Live-in staff members play a key role in that journey. However, there are likely facilities staff in the buildings who make, or could make, a sizable contribution to your efforts. But where do you start when building that collaborative relationship? In this session we will discuss best practices to establishing a positive working relationship with facilities staff members at all levels. Ray will share ways you and your students can show appreciation for facilities staff. Finally, he will share a little bit about my journey from a live-in residence life staff member to facilities and operations, and some aspects of facilities management that may appeal to your skill set, interests, and career goals.
About Ray Hebert
Ray Hebert is the Director of Facilities and Operations for Emory University’s Housing Operations in Atlanta. He joined Emory in September 2020 after holding leadership roles in residential life and facilities at UMass-Amherst, the University of Connecticut, and Capstone On-Campus Management at the University of Maryland. With 16 years of experience, Helbert combines a passion for student development with expertise in building management to create spaces that support academic success and staff well-being. A Louisiana native, Ray holds a bachelor’s in political science and a master’s in human resource leadership from LSU. He became an APPA Certified Educational Facilities Professional in 2022 and is pursuing Lean/Six Sigma certification.