Housing And Residence Life

PRofessionAL stAff RecRuitment guide

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Dear Prospective Staff Member:

If you asked any given student what the best thing about Gonzaga is, you would be likely to hear: “the com-munity.” The Residence Life staff at GU is integral in helping create those connections amongst over 3000 on-campus Zags. Specifically, the Residence Director team works with each other, our student staff and lead-ers, Student Development Division colleagues, and faculty to create experiences for our residents to live in true community with each other. RDs at Gonzaga are well-respected on our campus and in the Housing profession. We continually work toward positive change at the University and in the lives of our students.

It is an exciting time to be at Gonzaga. Below are a few of the highlights from our department that are worthy of sharing:

• Gonzaga continues to boast extremely high retention and graduation rates.• Campus community and student leaders are continually recognized with PACURH and NACURH “Of the Month” and “Of the Year” awards. • The Vice President of the Student Development Division is a huge proponent of the on-campus living experi-ence, student leadership, and professional development.• The Dean of Student Engagement was instrumental as a previous leader in Housing and Residence Life here at GU.• The President was an RA, an RD, and Associate Director of Residence Life, and more here at GU earlier in his career and he is a strong supporter of the work that we do.• Green Dot – a power-based personal violence prevention strategy is a strong part of the work done at Gon-zaga. The Residence Life professional staff has been integral in the implementation of this program, going through facilitator training, and presenting the Green Dot message to hundreds of students at various events around campus. • The Hemmingson University Center is opening this fall! It will be the campus hub for dining, student activi-ties, campus meetings, University Ministry, and Study Abroad. • The Residence Life staff has created a Community Development Model for residential students that is truly a best practice in our profession. This model is based on moving us from a place where our student staff are programmers for the campus to a place where they serve as mentors for our residents. • Both our men’s and women’s top 25 ranked basketball team have had another exciting year, with students camping out for tickets to the bigger games.

It is a great time to be a Zag! We hope that you will take the time to learn more about us. I look forward to meeting you.

Sincerely,

Esther GainesAssociate Director of Residence Life

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Mission Statement

The Housing and Residence Life Department at Gonzaga University develops a living experi-ence that compliments and enhances the academic life of our residents. Operating within

the context of our Jesuit tradition and the University mission, we steward well-kept and diverse housing options, create dynamic and impactful student leadership positions,

operate a values-based system of student accountability, and demonstrate a caring concern for all students.

Through intentional exchanges with our staff, the Housing and Residence Life Department provides campus residents with the opportunity to live in true community with each other. We seek to create avenues for students to trans-form their lives, attitudes, beliefs, and interpersonal skills by encouraging them to: 1) Connect to the people, place and purpose of Gonzaga University2) Interact with peers from all backgrounds and corners of the world3) Engage actively in building and main-taining a thriving community4) Reflect personally and collectively upon the rich experiences they encounter

Vision Statement

WHo We ARe

Job PurposeResidence Director PositionCandidates must be enthusiastic, highly motivated, and be able to balance administrative duties with a strong student development focus. The Residence Director (RD) is responsible for creating commu-nities that foster personal growth and student involvement. Supervised directly by an Area Coordina-tor, this entry level professional opportunity is a live-in, 12-month position that encourages positive communities and effective administration of a “block” of on-campus residence halls or off-campus apartments and theme houses.

Our Mission and PurposeThe Residence Director supports the Jesuit mission of cura personalis by facilitating student and community development and integrating the academic and co-curricular experiences of residents through personal interactions. This position also supports the Housing and Residence Life mission, as well as the four pillars of our Community Development Model (Connection, Interaction, Engage-ment, and Reflection). Residence Directors supervise and mentor an undergraduate student Assistant Residence Director and a student leadership team of Resident Assistants, and in one instance Com-munity Advocates, providing challenge and support to them in the areas of their academic workload, job responsibilities, leadership skills, and personal growth.

Additional ResponsibilitiesThis position also serves as a University conduct officer and may work with the Office of Community Standards facilitating off-campus or other conduct cases. A key element for a successful Residence Director means they will manage the residences’ fiscal and physical resources including budget man-agement, processing financial paperwork, and attention to current and future facilities needs. Special projects and collaborative opportunities within the department, at Gonzaga University, and in profes-sional organizations are available and encouraged.

• Bachelor’s degree and post-graduate student development experience (a Master’s degree in college student development or a related field may substitute for experience) • Understanding and support of the Jesuit, Catholic, humanistic mission of this liberal arts university• Demonstrated passion and commitment to college student life • Ability to relate well and be a mentor to a diverse population of college students, having a genuine interest in their development • Experience in encouraging the planning, coordinating, and facilitating of creative events and ap-proaches to community development • Experience with university conduct processes and practices.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in college student personnel or a related field

Desired Qualifications

WHAt We do

• Assist students in creating and maintaining vibrant communities that contribute to the development of the whole person—mind, body, and spirit. • Supervise and mentor residence life student staff (RAs and in one case, CAs) and a student Assistant Residence Director. o Meet regularly with staff individually and conduct weekly staff meetings. o Disseminate information, provide training experiences, foster personal and professional growth, and develop a sense of team cohesiveness. • Provide and foster opportunities for student growth and community development; including the de-velopment of interpersonal skills, engagement with issues of social justice, academic goals and career objectives, healthy personal lifestyle choices, and an appreciation of diversity. • Serve as a primary agent for the University with students renting Gonzaga-owned houses and off campus properties (when applicable). o Coordinate annual theme house recruitment process. o Educate students about lease terms.• Act as a University agent with students and parents regarding student concerns, conflicts, residence hall procedures, damages, and off-campus properties.• Serve as a conduct officer for the Housing and Residence Life office, taking primary responsibility for coordinating the conduct interventions for many residents across campus. • Maintain a visible presence in the residence halls through participation in residence functions, at-tendance at resident meetings (including Block Council), involvement in student events, and frequent walk-throughs of the block. • Act as a part of the central management team of the Office of Housing and Residence Life. • Participate in system wide Residence Life management duties such as advising small and large stu-dent groups, managing program review, attending to creation and production of department profes-sional literature, participating in recruiting, selecting, and hiring and training of Residence Life stu-dent staff. • Serve in the on-call and crisis response rotation for all residential students. • Provide input to department, division, and university initiatives through collaborative work efforts. • Coordinate day to day housing operations for block including hall openings and closings, room changes, and damage assessments. • Create a block budget and maintain block and block council account tracking.• Collaborate effectively with the maintenance and custodial departments toward appropriate upkeep of the physical facility.

Essential Functions

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“Highlight of working at Gonzaga is the student leaders. They are head and shoulders above any other places I have been. Their maturity, reflectiveness, decision making, and attitudes are ahead of their peers around the na-

tion. They make this job easier and this department more fulfilling. They have been a big chunk of why my transi-tion was easy.”

-Joshua Tepps, Current Residence Director

“I really feel trusted here to do my work which moti-vates me to do it well. Work gets busy, but I enjoy my

colleagues and students, so it allows me to push through tasks that don’t provide me with as much enjoyment as others. It’s a cycle that allows me to want to do my work

for others and not just myself.”-Kyle Myers, Current Residence Director

“The highlight of working at Gonzaga’s Residence Life is THE PEOPLE! It sounds cliché, but it’s true! This is

such a special place of growth – personally, departmen-tally and institutionally. No day is the same as the next!”

-Maria Rivera, Current Residence Director

HigHLigHts fRom PRofessionAL stAff

WHAt otHeR oPPoRtunities HAve you PuRsued outside of

youR dAiLy WoRk?

“Working with the Division Assessment Commit-tee, collaborating with Student Wellness creating a six week dinner series focused on building self-

esteem around body image, and volunteering over Spring Break: Mission Possible Portland.”

-David Benam, Current Residence Director

“I have been given the opportunity to work with and advise an on-campus group called Knights, 30 sophomore male students that focus on service to GU and Spokane community. I am also a facilitator for the Integritas work-shop, a values-based seminar that allows students that have been through the conduct process to understand and identify their values, GU’s Jesuit tradition, and how they can meld together. Both of these opportunities have al-lowed me to reach out to students that I wouldn’t normally see in the Housing & Residence Life Community and

build positive relationships with them.”-Kyle Myers, Current Residence Director

“Being an RHA advisor and advising conferences, hosting two regional conferences, serving on the NWACUHO board

of directors, attending conferences, lectures on campus.” -Esther Gaines, Current Associate Director

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“Spokane is like a big jelly donut. It looks pretty good on the outside, but the true treasure is as you bite into it to discover all of its delicious secrets. Spokane is truly a treasure to enjoy, from outdoor recreational escapes to city

entertainment and dining. I love being able to spend time downtown going to a concert and the very next day hiking in the woods! Spokane is a blast and I’d pick that Donut any day!”

-Jared Payton, Current Area Coordinator

WHAt is youR fAvoRite tHing About Life in sPokAne?

“Spokane has a little bit of something for everyone. It’s a big enough city that we get a ton of concerts and shows that come

through, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s close to a lot of awesome places, like Seattle, Coeur D’Alene, and Portland.

If you love the outdoors, there’s a ton to do here and in the area. We’re within a day’s drive from several national parks and other

recreational areas.Spokane is also home to some major events. Hoopfest is the

world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and Bloomsday is an annual 12K with over 40,000 participants each year. Who knew?”

-Rachel Rasmussen, Former Residence Director

“I love the outdoors. I enjoy being surrounded by trees and mountains. I also love the food culture of Spokane. So many unique restaurants!”

-Renee Howells, Current Graduate Residence Director

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WoRking At gonzAgA

David Benam- Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityNico Bernabe - Residence Director, Boston CollegeManny Cannady - Assistant Director for Outreach Services for the Gender Relations Center, Notre Dame University Esther Gaines - Associate Director for Residence Life, Gonzaga UniversityNicholas Grainger - Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityDave Houghlum - Interim Director of the Moreau Center for Service & Leadership, University of PortlandRenee Howells- Current Graduate Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityColleen Wood - Director of Student Conduct, Chapman University Shane McKee - Director of Student Involvement and Leadership, Transylvania University Steve Mencarini - Director of the Center for Leadership, Elon UniversityNicola Miller - Assistant Director for the Center for Cura Personalis, Gonzaga UniversityJustin Muzzi - Assistant Director, Fordham UniversityKyle Myers- Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityOlivia Phillips- Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityJess Porras - Undergraduate Academic Advisor, George Washington UniversityRachel Rasmussen - Health Educator, Gonzaga UniversityMaria Rivera- Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityJoey Sammut - Program Coordinator, Gonzaga UniversityChè Simon - Front Desk Coordinator and Reservations, Stanford UniversityGreg Simons - Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Loyola Maryland UniversityAdam Strenge - Resident Hall Director, Dakota State UniversitymonCatie Sturn - Area Coordinator, University of MontanaJoshua Tepps- Current Residence Director, Gonzaga UniversityJill Yashinsky-Wortman- Director for Center for Cura Personalis, Gonzaga UniversityErin Yastro - Associate Director of Residential Life, Colgate University

Where are they now?

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www.twitter.com/gonzagahousing