Liz Carrel, left, a Residential Experience Coordinator on the first floor of Nichols Hall, takes a few moments to play a video game with two of her floor’s residents. ASMSA added the REC position to the Residential Life staff this year as part of a threeyear investment in updating the department’s staffing model.
Live and Learn
RECs focus on student development When a student applies to attend ASMSA, much of the early discussion centers on whether a student will be able to adjust to the rigorous curriculum offered by the school. Just as important, though, is how a student will adapt to living in a residential setting away from their families. Will they flourish and make new friends? Will they want to stay in their room, hidden from their classmates? How will they handle the natural stress associated with leaving home while growing to be more independent? ASMSA has in recent years expanded programs and services that address these questions. One action the school took was to add a licensed counselor to its staff to ensure students had a professional to reach out to for help or social-emotional guidance as needed. The counselor leads groups that provide students an 8
opportunity to share their feelings and concerns in a constructive setting in addition to individual meetings as necessary. This fall, a licensed social worker will be added to that office. An assistant dean of residence life who lives on campus was added to the residential staff in 2019, providing a full-time position who serves as an experienced administrative presence during the evening hours when students are out of class and to help lead the residential staff, including Residential Mentors (RM). RMs live on the floors with students and lead various educational sessions, conduct room checks, and serve as first contact for students. The 2020-21 academic year completed a threeyear process of investment in an updated staffing model and additional personnel that underscores the
