For housing and residence life professionals, the beginning of the academic year is rarely just a busy season. It is months of planning compressed into a few intense days. We prepare buildings, train staff, communicate with students and families, manage assignments, respond to last-minute changes, and solve problems in real time. Then Move-In ends, and we are expected to keep going. There are roommate conflicts to address, programs to launch, conduct cases to review, faciliti

Let’s be honest. Working in housing is rewarding, but it can also be exhausting. One day you’re welcoming hundreds of students during move-in, and the next you’re responding to late-night calls, supporting students through crises, planning programs, and somehow finding time for meetings in between. The work never seems to slow down for long. It’s easy to tell yourself, “I’ll catch up over winter break,” or “I just need to make it to summer.” While those longer breaks can cert

Getting involved in your professional community is one of the most rewarding steps you can take toward personal growth, leadership development, and meaningful connection. Whether you’re new or looking to re-engage, there are several accessible and impactful ways to participate in our WACUHO community - joining a committee, signing up for WAVES, and attending virtual opportunities. Join a committee: Make an Impact Committees are the backbone of many organizations. They are w

As higher education professionals, we are deeply familiar with the rhythm of the academic year—bursts of energy in August, moments of momentum mid-year, and, inevitably, the fatigue that settles in as the year progresses. While we often design experiences to support social and community building, we can often overlook the equally important question: how are we sustaining our residents and ourselves? One program that has reshaped this conversation in my work is Camp Cozy, an a

Attending WACE is more than just a professional development opportunity with everything that is offered. Whether you’re a first-time or seasoned attendee, WACE offers spaces to learn, connect, and recharge alongside colleagues from across the region. WACE brings together over 250 professionals across housing and residence life, facilities, business operations, and more, all united by a shared commitment to student success. Take advantage of the knowledge roaming the conferenc

As we get closer to WACE, I’m often reminded of my first WACE conference—and the moment someone asked me to get involved within WACUHO. At the time, it felt like a simple invitation. Looking back, it was a turning point. Over the years, as I’ve become involved in different aspects of the association, I’ve been asked many times: Why do you keep showing up? And why should someone get involved in WACUHO—or any other professional organization in our field? With call-outs for

Why trust? It’s a huge part that people talk about and around when they discuss a team, a department, and an organization’s culture. Academically, trust has been defined as “one party’s level of confidence in and willingness to open oneself to the other party” (Kim & Lee, 2021, p. 413). Without trust, deep and strong working relationships cannot be made. When trust is broken, we do not have confidence that someone can do their job, will have our backs, or will keep private in

October is here, and with it comes costumes, candy, and creepy decorations... but if you work in housing and residence life, the real scares might look more like schedule mix-ups, budget surprises, and inboxes full of ghosted emails. Don't worry, I've been there. But with a few helpful (and mostly free) tech tools, you can keep those chaos creatures at bay and focus on what matters: supporting your students, building community, and maybe even enjoying a pumpkin spice moment o

It’s no secret technology is a part of our everyday lives. Our cellphones are incredibly convenient, as they serve as a centralized technological tool that afford us varied options for social connection, workplace efficiency, entertainment, and instant information accessibility. It makes complete sense why it’s the public’s favorite everyday tool. As technology continues to evolve and expands its reach (e.g., AI, automation, social media platforms), when do we reach a point o

Summer training season has a way of sneaking up on us. One moment it's quiet on campus, and the next your calendar is packed with all-staff meetings, campus partner meetings, crisis simulations, DEI workshops, endless prep work. There’s team bonding, ice breakers, policy refreshers and a whole lot of pressure. Pressure to be ready. Pressure to lead with clarity. Pressure to support others before the academic year even begins. And while these trainings do matter… they can als

Choosing Your Local Representatives Your voice matters now more than ever. Every election is your chance to influence your community’s direction and help shape a future that reflects your values. This is especially true when it comes to choosing local representatives—leaders whose decisions affect your neighborhoods, schools, public services, and daily life. Participating in elections is not just your right, but an important responsibility. Why Local Elections Matter While

In 2025, President Donald Trump's administration introduced significant budget reductions affecting postsecondary education, particularly impacting vulnerable student populations such as former foster youth and students with disabilities. These cuts, coupled with structural changes to federal education oversight, have raised concerns among educators and advocates. (Kiplinger - Will Trump's Education Dept. Order Hurt Scholarships and Key Tax Breaks?) Key Budgetary Changes T

In the wake of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders aimed at dismantling federal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, university housing professionals face new challenges in maintaining inclusive environments. These policy shifts, including the termination of DEI offices and the prohibition of DEI-related federal contracts, have created uncertainty within higher education institutions. (HR News and Analysis | HR Dive Leadership Conference) ​​ Unders

In today’s fast-paced workplace, where feedback is often external and reactive, how often do we pause to reflect on our own performance and growth? Self-appraisals, often associated with formal performance reviews, are more than just a professional obligation. They are an opportunity to deepen self-awareness, take ownership of our development, and realign with our goals. But let’s be honest—how many of us take self-appraisals seriously? Instead of viewing them as a “check-the

Attending WACE, or any professional conference, can be an invaluable experience for career growth and networking. Here are some key strategies to maximize your WACE experience: Prepare Thoroughly Before WACE, review the agenda and identify sessions that align with your goals and interests. Research presenters you'd like to connect with and prepare some conversation starters. Set clear objectives for what you want to achieve, whether it's learning about student housing trends,

I have heard over the years a few different narratives that are concerning in a profession that thrives when those “seasoned” professionals take the “newbies” under their wings. I have either heard “I don’t need a mentor I can figure out on my own” or “I don’t have time.” Yet the counter narrative is how necessary mentorship is, so where do we find that balance. Mentorship lately has been discussed as a meaning/necessary concept but how many of us truly engage in a meaningful