Residential Education Professional StaffRecruitment Guide 2016

American University

A message from our Director:Greetings and thank you for considering American University as your future home! Our focus in one word is community! We believe that through the creation of community, individuals feel a greater sense of belonging and responsibility for those that are part of it. Our residential team is committed to creating community spaces that promote student learning, dialogue and self-discovery. We are a community that values diversity of thought and experiences, and through our recruitment efforts, we hope to hire new team members that will reflect and enhance this commitment.

Our team is built upon the belief that communities flourish when there is a mutual respect for individuality and a commitment that emodies the spirit of collaboration and partnership. We hope you are excited at the opportunity to help us build stronger and sustainable communities for the future! This recruitment guide will serve as a snapshot of our department. It is my hope that after reviewing it, this will be the first of many exchanges throughout your search process. We wish you the absolute best throughout your search.

Lisa FreemanDirector of Residence Life

Our Values:• Integrity: A search process is an opportunity for an employer to evaluate a candidate and for a candidate to evaluate a potential

employer. All employment candidates deserve to be evaluated as fairly and objectively as possible. In our searches, we endeavor to evaluate candidates on the basis of their applications and interview performance.

• Diversity: We strive to create search committees and assemble candidate pools that reflect varied viewpoints, perspectives, and experiences. The Office of Campus Life and Housing and Dining Programs foster an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative work environ-ment and are committed to the recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce.

• Efficiency: Conducting an employment search can often involve many complex, overlapping timelines and deadlines. We strive to be efficient during the job search process to ensure that candidates can make decisions in an adequate timeframe and a timely manner.

• Transparency: We believe candidates should be provided with information to understand our search process, timelines, and proce-dures. We commit to running a search where information is shared clearly and effectively.

• Professionalism: We believe in acting in an ethical manner in accordance with recognized ethics statements in student affairs.• Learning Opportunities: Housing and Dining Programs has a commitment to helping all candidates better themselves and to helping

them understand how we arrive at our hiring decisions. When requested, we endeavor to provide candidates with feedback about their candidacy and interview performance.

About American University

Home to approximately 3,800 live-on students with a total

student population of approximately 12,000.

Over 200 student-led registered student organizations.

About American University

Student activism has shaped the landscape of our campus and

promoted positive and sustainable change for community members.

AU is committed to acting on our values of social responsibility,

service, and sustainability.

The Mission of the Office of Campus LifeThe mission of the Office of Campus Life is to integrate students into a diverse learning community; promote their intellectual, social, and spiritual development; and, in collaboration with the faculty, prepare students for lifelong learning and global citizenship. The Office of Campus Life is committed to providing the foundation for a student-centered environment that is supportive yet challenging.

The Mission of Housing & Dining ProgramsHousing & Dining Programs develops inclusive, student-centered residential communities that enhance the academic experience of each resident while providing services that support the greater university community.

To that end, we are committed to:• Delivering quality opportunities and services that anticipate the needs and exceed the expectations of the

university community by ensuring that the residential and dining experience is our highest priority.• Providing safe, secure and well-maintained residential environments that promote personal success, social

engagement and global responsibility.• Fostering an appreciation of each individual in ways that increase awareness through active, intentional and

continuous engagement with diversity. Nurturing the holistic development of residential students through communities that promote co-curricular learning.

• Improving our practices and procedures through ongoing assessment, targeted goal development and benchmarking our progress.

The Mission of Residential EducationThe Residential Education Program (Res Ed) facilitates the development of residential students in living and learning communities by incorporating faculty and staff in out-of-classroom collaborative learning opportunities. Our communities foster an environment that promotes civilly, culturally and globally aware citizens that put ideas into action and action into service.

Position Summaries

Assistant Director of Curriculum & AssessmentThe Assistant Director oversees all aspects of co-educational, on-campus living for their respective side of campus. Functional responsibilites include:• Directly select, supervise and train 2-3 full-time professional staff• Provide leadership for all residential curriculum initiatives within Residential Education• Oversee recruitment and selection for all student staff positions within Residential Education• Evaluate and assess all residential curriculum initiatives• On-call emergency response

Community DirectorThe Community Director managers all aspects of co-educational residence halls housing 400-1,200 students. Functional responsibilities include:• Student staff supervision, selection and training• Judicial administration• Hall council advising• Facilities operation, desk operations• Educational programming• On-call emergency response• Possible collateral assignments such as advising the Residence Hall Association, departmental

committees and other professional development opportunities

Residence Education CoordinatorThe Residence Education Coordinator supports the planning and implementation of residential education initiatives. Functional responsibilities include:• Administrative support and assessment• Staff recruitment, selection and training• Educational and departmental functions

Residential Operations CoordinatorThe Residential Operations Coordinator supports the planning and implementation of residence hall desk operations. Functional responsibilities include:• Administrative support for residence hall front desk services• Administrative support and assessment• Staff recruitment, selection and training

About Housing & Dining Programs

Operations & AdministrationThe Operations & Administration team within Housing and Dining Programs oversees all aspects of student assignments, meal plans, billing and residence hall access. The Operations & Administration team is an integral component in providing an unparalleled level of service to our students, their families, and our campus partners.

University Conferences & Guest ServicesUniversity Conferences & Guest Services (UCGS) hosts thousands of guests year-round from across the globe. The guests range from adult conferences and youth/sports camps, to summer interns and a variety of AU sponsored programs. The UCGS team works to provide exemplaryaccomodations, dining, and meeting spaces at a reasonable rate to meet our guests’ needs while staying in the Washington D.C. area.

Residential EducationResidential Education is focused on providing our students with opportunities to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting. Through intentional interactions and dialogue, our students are provided with opportunities to explore topics relevant to their academic pursuit, while engaging with community members that represent diverse backgrounds.

170Student Staff

6Residential Communities

8Living Learning Communities

8Living Learning Communities

18Professional Staff

2Faculty in Residence

Our Residential Curriculum is built upon theories of student development and learning. Our curriculum is an intentional way of promoting learning for college students in a residential setting. Through our curriculum, we promote academic engagement while helping students make meaning of their experiences and develop a sense of belonging. Our curricular efforts are tailored to meet the needs of a diverse demographic of students and are implemented sequentially to support students as they transitition from year to year. Through our curriculum, we help students learn about themselves and others while demonstrating an openness to views different from their own.

Residential Curriculum

The curriculum is implemented under the direction of Community Directors and Assistant Community Directors. Resident Assistants play an integral role in the implentation of this curriculum by creating community development plans that connect student needs and interests with our learning goals. Additionally, Program Associates have the opportunity to help students connect their academic interests with experiential learning outside the classroom.

We collaborate with a number of campus partners to promote the continuation of learning in the residential setting. Our Faculty-In-Residence program is designed to engage students in out-of-classroom learning, while building connections between students and faculty. In addition, we partner with the Residence Hall Association (RHA), our Public Safety Community Liasions, and Campus Life colleagues. Through these relationships, we are able to engage our students in meaningful dialogue.

Academic Success & Exploration encourages students to discover academic and research opportunities while discerning a vocational path for the future. Students will engage with diverse faculty, staff and peers in scholarly discourse to develop critical thinking skills that support their ability to conceptualize, analyze and synthesize information they learn. Students will identify, examine and evaluate the necessary skills to construct effective academic goals and integrate principles of learning into students’ daily life and career planning.

Academic Success & Exploration

Community Engagement & Responsibility promotes individual and collective involvement in identifying issues that impact local, national and international communities. Community members will develop a sense of self and empathy for others, identify ethical leadership principles and practices, collaborate and problem solve, and share a commitment to creating an environ-ment of engagement and citizenship.

Community Engagement & Global Responsibility

Holistic Living focuses on the pursuit of personal and community wellness that encompasses the mind, body and spirit. Through reflection and change-oriented discussions, community members will actively examine the relationship between life choices, health and well-being, and will develop help-seeking behaviors that promote self-efficacy and persistence.

Holistic Living

Multicultural Awareness & Inclusion acknowledges and celebrates difference and actively promotes interactions between individuals from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences. Through the promotion of intentional interactions, community members will explore identities, develop greater self-awareness, personal accountability, and encourage the preservation of dignity and respect. Our primary goal is to create a sense of belonging and value for all community members.

Multicultural Awareness & Inclusion

Meet the Residential Education Team

Name: Daniel DeHollander (he/him/his)Hometown: Hilton, NYUndergrad: SUNY College at GeneseoGrad School: University of ArizonaRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I am a former Walt Disney World cast member.

Name: Greg Miller (he/him/his)Hometown: Reston, VAUndergrad: Christopher Newport UniversityGrad School: Old Dominion UniversityRole: Case ManagerInteresting Facts: I’m the only member of my family under the age of 60.

Name: Gian Manuel-Alvarez (he/him/his)Hometown: Bayamón, Puerto RicoUndergrad: American UniversityGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I have dual citizenship.

Name: Aleshia Faust (they/them or she/her)Hometown: Philidelphia, PAUndergrad: Washington CollegeGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I’m a picky eater...I hate cheese but still love pizza.

Name: Mikaela Falwell (she/her/hers)Hometown: Sacramento, CAUndergrad: San Fransisco State UniversityGrad School: UT KnoxvilleRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I love to bake!

Name: Rachel May (she/her/hers)Hometown: Durham, NCUndergrad: UNC Chapel HillGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I taught English in Sudan at universities in the capital.

Name: Stan McNutt (he/him/his)Hometown: Pittsburgh, PAUndergrad: Nyack CollegeRole: Berkshire Community CoordinatorInteresting Facts: I once met Bill Murray and we made Ghostbusters jokes together.

Name: Sydney Johnson (she/her/hers)Hometown: Louisville, KYUndergrad: Miami University of OhioGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I met two members of Earth, Wind, & Fire at the airport once.

Meet the Residential Education Team

Name: Jake Frasier (he/him/his)Hometown: Richmond, VAUndergrad: Christopher Newport UniversityGrad School: Florida State UniveristyRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I’m mildly obssessed with my two cats, Barnaby & Bentley.

Name: Hillary Roviaro (she/her/hers)Hometown: Winter Park, FLUndergrad: Rollins CollegeGrad School: Miami University of OhioRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I really love oven baked tater-tots.

Name: Greg Miller (he/him/his)Hometown: Reston, VAUndergrad: Christopher Newport UniversityGrad School: Old Dominion UniversityRole: Case ManagerInteresting Facts: I’m the only member of my family under the age of 60.

Name: Katie Fults (she/her/hers)Hometown: Wisconsin Dells, WIUndergrad: University of Wisconsin-SuperiorGrad School: Michigan State UniversityRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I danced in the Macy’s Day Parade.

Name: Aleshia Faust (they/them or she/her)Hometown: Philidelphia, PAUndergrad: Washington CollegeGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I’m a picky eater...I hate cheese but still love pizza.

Name: Izzi Stern (she/her/hers)Hometown: New York, NYUndergrad: American UniversityGrad School: George Washington UniversityRole: Case ManagerInteresting Facts: My favorite place in D.C. is the Kennedy Center.

Name: Leota Wilson (she/her/hers)Hometown: Winston-Salem, NCUndergrad: NC StateGrad School: UT KnoxvilleRole: Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I taught English in Beijing, China!

Name: Angel White (she/her/hers)Hometown: Richmond, VAUndergrad: George Mason UniversityGrad School: American UniversityRole: Assistant Community DirectorInteresting Facts: I’m a registered amateur boxer and am a boxing instructor.

Meet the Res Ed Leadership Team

Name: Lisa Freeman (she/her/hers)Hometown: Silver Spring, MDUndergrad: Clark Atlanta UniversityGrad School: North Park UniversityRole: Director of Residence LifeInteresting Facts: I worked for the ‘96 Olympics.

Name: Seth Yates (he/him/his)Hometown: Pompton Lakes, NJUndergrad: American UniversityRole: Residential Operations CoordinatorInteresting Facts: Judge Judy is my spirit animal.

Name: Kari Lorentson (she/her/hers)Hometown: Fishers, INUndergrad: American UniversityRole: Residential Education CoordinatorInteresting Facts: My favorite place to run in D.C. is around the Tidal Basin.

Name: Lindsay Whipple (she/her/hers)Hometown: Golden Valley, MNUndergrad: College of St. CatherineGrad School: University of St. ThomasRole: Assistant DirectorInteresting Facts: I volunteer with D.C. public libraries!

Name: Cait Bjellquist Hometown: Rockaway, NJUndergrad: Arcadia UniversityGrad School: University of VermontRole: Assistant DirectorInteresting Facts: I have a Corgi named Finn and have been doing crossfit for 2 years!

Our Residential Communities

Anderson Hall

Class Designation: First-Year StudentsNumber of Residents: 772Number of student staff: 20 RAs, 16 PAsSpecial Populations: University College & Leadership AcademyOverview: Anderson Hall houses the largest number of students of any residence hall and provides students with communitystyle living. Anderson Hall is home to one of two Faculty-In-Residence. In addition, Anderson houses the Housing & Dining Programs main office.

Letts, Clark & Roper Halls

Class Designation: Mixed PopulationNumber of Residents: 718Number of student staff: 18 RAs, 3 PAsSpecial Populations: AU Scholars, Social Jus-tice LLC, 3-Year Scholars, All-Female WingOverview:Letts, Clark, & Roper Halls are home to first year students and several upperclass students (Roper Hall). These buildings offer traditional community style living with shared floor loung-es and kitchens on each floor. Letts, Clark, & Roper are home to a number of unique living and learning opportunities for AU students.

Leonard Hall

Class Designation: First-Year StudentsNumber of Residents: 370Number of student staff: 7 RAsSpecial Populations: Washington Mentorship Program, Washington Semester Program, Transfer Students, School of Professional & Extended Studies, All-Female floorOverview:Leonard Hall is home to a broad range of students, both domestic and international. It offers traditional style housing and is home to the Provost’s office as well as the Hatch, a student lounge and programming space.

Hughes Hall

Class Designation: Mixed PopulationNumber of Residents: 312Number of student staff: 6 RAs, 1 PASpecial Populations: Honors, Community Based Research Scholars, Frederick Douglas Distinguished Scholars Overview: Hughes Hall houses many of the university’s academic programs and offers community style living. Hughes has first-year, sophomore, upperclass, and transfer students. Hughes is home to the Office of Honors and Scholars Programs.

Residence Hall Profiles

Cassell Hall

Class Designation: Sophomore & UpperclassNumber of Residents: 358Number of student staff: 7 RAsSpecial Populations: NoneOverview: Cassell Hall is the newest addition to the on-campus living portfolio. Housing primarily Sophomore students, Cassell provides students with suite style living, complete with their own restrooms and common living spaces. Cassell has 7 residential floors, one of which is substance free, and also houses 1 of the 2 fitness centers on campus.

McDowell Hall

Class Designation: Sophomore StudentsNumber of Residents: 369Number of student staff: 7 RAsSpecial Populations: Residential Community Clusters (RCC), Faculty-In-ResidenceOverview: McDowell Hall offers traditional style living with shared bathrooms and double rooms; however, some apartment style rooms are available for students in RCCs. McDowell is home to our second Faculty-in-Residence. McDowell is also home to one of our two sub-stance free floors on campus.

Nebraska Hall

Class Designation: Upper-Class StudentsNumber of Residents: 267Number of student staff: 6 RAsSpecial Populations: NoneOverview:Nebraska is the only apartment style housing on campus. It offers upper-class students an opportunity to have their own room in an apartment with 2-3 other individuals. Each apartment is equipped with a full kitchen and private restroom. Nebraska allows students an opportunity to live an indepent life-style while still having the support of live-in staff.

Centennial Hall

Class Designation: First-Year & SophomoreNumber of Residents: 399Number of student staff: 6 RAsSpecial Populations: NoneOverview:Centennial Hall is connected to Anderson Hall and provides suite style living for students where two rooms are adjoined by a shared bathroom. Centennial is home to the Perch, a student lounge and social programming space.

Residence Hall Profiles

Coming Fall 2016 - East Campus

3Residence Halls

570New Bed Spaces

3Residential Desks

3Residential Desks

14Resident Assistants

2Professional Staff

Compensation & Benefits

Live• Live-on professional staff are provided a fully furnished apartment with all

utilities (internet, HD cable, electricity etc.) included. On-campus apartments come equipped with a dishwasher and washer/dryer.

• Live-on staff are eligible to have a dog or cat after verification of eligibility.• Professional staff are eligibile to have a roommate.• Staff have access to restaurants, museums, monuments and professional

organizations.

Work• Engage in meaningful professional development through on-campus and

off-campus involvement.• Develop and explore your professional and personal values while gaining new

understanding of professional competencies.• Work in an environment with professionals from diverse backgrounds, passions

and interests.• Comprehensive benefits package. For more information, check here.

Grow• Involvement is supported at the regional and national level within the field, and

professional staff are encouraged to attend a variety of conferences.• There are a number of opportunities to gain impactful leadership experiences

including serving on committees, workgroups or special assignments.• Staff are empowered to bring their creativity, innovation, and unique skillsets

to introduce and create sustainable best practices.• Staff develop professional knowledge competencies and skills within all aspects

of our department with specific intentionality on their speciality areas.

Jake FrasierCommunity Director

As a new staff member at AU it was really refreshing to feel supported by my leadership to bring my unique skills into the work I do. Since starting at AU in 2014, I’ve been able to take on new opportunities and lead initiatives among my peers. Coming from a larger insitution to AU was exciting because we’re always willing to try new things and see what works! There’s been a real balance of being able to grow in my day-to-day responsibilites while also being afforded unique oportuni-ties to try new things.

In addition, I’ve been able to pursue my own involvement by serving on two NASPA Knowledge Community Leadership teams, and sitting on the Office of Campus Life Professional Devel-opment Committee here at AU.

Professional Development

Our work is our students. The main goal of our training and professional development is to improve our work with students and the quality of the student experience. We value learning and development that is:

• Individualized: We view development from a holistic perspective. It is a journey that involves both our personal and professional growth. We provide resources to aid our staff in their overall development and attempt to tailor these resources to their individual needs. We expect that staff members are involved in directing their own development and endeavor to work with them in developing individualized experiences.

• Shared: Professional development, as a shared commitment of all staff, requires that we each invest in our own and in each other’s learning. Through collaborative experiences, we share our current knowledge and expertise and have a commit-ment to sharing what we learn with each other.

• Engaged: Development is both a personal and professional journey. In our training and professional development activities, we seek to become better university cit-izens and help American University advance as an institution. American University is intentional in the way we plan for your future. We help you to formulate a guide and plan to help you achieve your goals on your path through the field of Student Affairs. American University strives to connect you with regional and national orga-nizations as well as encourage involvement on different committees and projects.

• Sustained: Development of one’s self is an ongoing commitment. To this end, we strive to provide formal, regular training and professional development sessions for our staff. We also communicate opportunities for involvement on campus and in the region and nation.

If you are interested in working with the Residential Education team at AU, we invite you to view our job descriptions and apply through our Human Resources website: bit.ly/grow-at-auhdp

For questions, please contact housinganddiningjobs@american.edu. Please make sure to include the position you’re applying for in the subject line.

If you have a TPE Candidate number, please also include that in your communication.