Residence Life

Our staff is dedicated to the learning experience of our students by building a community cultivated in a Christ-centered and transformative living environment.

Meet Your ResLife Staff!

Kelley EasonPosition: Director of Residence Life

Degrees Earned: B.A. in Religion with a specialization in Foreign Missions

Hobbies: Reading, traveling, baking, and collecting books, globes, tea pots, and house plants.

How many years in Resident Life: 3 years as the Director of Housing of a smaller college and 5 ½ years as a Resident Director/ Residence Life Coordinator at a sister school.

What is your favorite thing about being in this field?: Going to college is such a bewildering time for students. They are navigating becoming an adult, being a student, and deciding who they are and what they want to become. The best part of my job is watching those transitions and providing students opportunities to grow and connect to others.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life?: I applied to HSU in order to continue being a part of a Christ-centered atmosphere, advance my education in higher ed, and help grow the department of Residence Life!

What advice would you give those attending HSU?: Show up. Show up to class, show up to activities that sound fun, show up for your friends and most importantly – show up for yourself.

Blake AshfordPosition: Residence Director

Hometown: Anson, TX

Degrees Earned: Degree in Business Administration

What are your Hobbies? Hanging out with my family. I am also a big fan of the Dallas Cowboys.

How many years in Residence Life? Working on my first year.

What is your favorite thing about working in Student Life/Higher Education/Residence life? My favorite thing about working in Residence life is the relationships you build. It’s fun to see students grow during their time at HSU. Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? I applied to be in Residence Life because I strongly felt this is where the Lord was leading me. I wanted the opportunity to walk alongside students and help them take their next steps with Christ.

What advice would you give those attending HSU? The advice I would give to those attending HSU is to enjoy every moment. Take this time to build relationships, make memories, and most importantly grow in Christ. Matthew 7:7 states, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” This season in your life goes quickly, so don’t wish it away. Be intentional with your time and seek His presence continually. “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” -Psalm 105:4

Position: Residence Director Anderson Hall

Hometown: Bristow, Virginia

Degrees earned: Bachelors in Composite Science Education

What are your hobbies?: Anything creative, I love crafting, sewing, baking, and of course, meeting new people.

How many years in Residence Life? How long and what capacity?: This is my first year as Anderson’s Residence Director. However, when I attended HSU, I was a Residence Assistant for a year in the University Place Apartments.

What is your favorite thing about being in this field?: There’s lots of things that I love about residence life, but the best is being a part of a team that is so committed to the students and to building relationships.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life?: I applied to Residence Life because over my years of attending, HSU became my home, filled with great role models and encouragers.

What advice would you give those attending HSU? For those attending HSU, my piece of advice would be to go all in for campus events. College can be a time or growth and joy but it all depends on who you surround yourself with.

Position: Residence Director of Behrens Hall

Hometown: Wellington, TX

Degrees earned: Bachelors in Agriculture and Applied Economics

What are your hobbies?: Hunting, Fishing, and Camping

How many years in Residence Life? I have been in ResLife for 1 Year

What is your favorite thing about working in Residence life? The impact that I am able to make on Residents and RAs and the bonds that are built around campus.

What advice do you give those attending HSU? Enjoy this time while you have it and be as involved as you can, the connections and fun you have now will be remembered for the rest of your life.

 

Position: Residence Director of Ferguson Hall

Hometown: Fort-Worth, Texas

Degrees earned:  Bachelors of Science

What are your hobbies?:  I love to watch movies and I am open to exploring the possibilities of fun in a safe manner.

How many years in Residence Life? Here at Hardin Simmons, I have been an Resident Assistant for 3 years prior to me getting promoted to being  Resident Director.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? I have a heart for youth and believe that I can have an impact through God’s gifts he has given me.

What advice would you give those attending HSU? Desire being loved by God. I will put my bottom dollar on the relationship you will develop over these new seasons you are entering.

Leandria ThurmanPosition: Residence Director of Lange Residence Hall

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Degrees Earned: Associate’s in Science from Dallas College; B.A. in Graphic Design from Hardin-Simmons University

What are your Hobbies? I love drawing, especially my own original characters! I love to write, listen to music, cook, dance and go on cool adventures with my friends!

How many years in Residence Life? This will be my second year in ResLife! I was an RA for one year here at Hardin-Simmons!

What is your favorite thing about working in Student Life/Higher Education/Residence life? My absolute favorite thing about working in higher education is the relationships you build and the connections you make. It brings me joy when I am able to pour into someone else. I truly enjoy making a difference in someone’s life.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? I applied to be in Residence Life because I wanted to make a huge difference in the students’ lives. I believe Residence Life is the best place for this because it enables you to be very hands on with the students. It gives you a chance to mentor and help guide students during this time in their lives.

What advice would you give those attending HSU? My advice to students would be to step out of your comfort zone and seek God in all you do. Go experience different cultures and be open to them! You never know what doors it will open and what people you will meet! Through all of this, never forget to seek God! He has the best plan for you, and it is all awesome! He will completely blow your mind! A relationship with him is totally worth it! Adventures with God are always the best!

Seth TiemeyerPosition: On Campus Houses Residence Director

Hometown: San Antonio, TX

Degrees Earned: BSHS in Fitness, Recreation, and Sports Management; Minor in Marketing

What are your hobbies? Playing any sport (preferably basketball), board gaming, gaming, NFTs, videography, watching movies, adventuring in nature, and reading.

How long in Residence Life? This is my first year in Residence Life!

What is your favorite thing about this field? Interacting and engaging with students!

What advice would you give those attending HSU?

Many people attending college are still searching for their purpose, much like I was at times during my stay at HSU. All I know is if God is real and if His word is true, then everyone who turns from their sin and places their faith in the saving work that Jesus Christ did on the Cross will have a real, life-fulfilling purpose. Don’t spend all your time at HSU focusing on your studies. A degree and a well-paying job will never bring us true satisfaction; only Christ can do that.

And, a few more things:

  • Life is more than grades, money, possessions & status. All of those things are passing away.
  • Here are three things that are eternal – God, God’s word, and people’s souls. Those are the three things we should devote our lives to.
  • Read the Bible more than you look at your phone.
  • Exercise and laugh!
  • Life is better spent with family and friends.
  • Play outside and laugh some more.
  • Joy comes from contentment in Christ, not your significant other.
  • Giving is better than receiving.
  • Our chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.