Residence Life

Position: 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.

Position: 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 University Place Apartments

Hometown: Abilene, TX

Degrees earned: Bachelors in business management

What are your hobbies?: I love spending time with my people, going on walks, doing any craft, exploring new places, playing card games, and being mediocre at pickleball!

How many years in Residence Life? I was a part of the ResLife team for three years in college and loved it! I loved it so much that I wanted to come back and become an RD! This will be my first year as an RD, and I’m super pumped to be back at HSU! 

What is your favorite thing about working in Residence life? My favorite thing about working in Residence Life are most definitely the people I get to meet and work with!

What advice do you give those attending HSU? Get involved! Hardin-Simmons offers a ton of clubs and events that give you the chance to do what you love and meet really cool people that may turn out to be your forever friends! Or, if the club or group you want to be a part of does not exist, you have the opportunity to create it! Do college to the fullest!

Position: Residence Director Anderson Hall

Hometown: Plano, Texas

Degrees earned: BS in Biology with a minor in Biochemistry

What are your hobbies?: Lifting, Gaming

How many years in Residence Life? 2

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? ResLife allows you to connect with people you never thought you would otherwise.

What advice would you give those attending HSU? Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. At the same time, realize that it is ok to say no to some friendships.

Position: Residence Director of Anderson Hall

Hometown: Born and raised in Longview, Texas

Degrees Earned: B.A. in Youth Ministry with a minor in Psychology

What are your Hobbies? Computer Repair, Beat Saber, Binge watching the Flash

How many years in Residence Life? I was an RA but I’m working on my first year as a director!

What is your favorite thing about working in Student Life/Higher Education/Residence life? I like to see the potential in students, knowing where they are now and how I can lead them to find their full potential in Christ, school, and work.

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? Get out and be involved in at least one thing but not too many things. College is a great time to network and get to know many different people, however find those few that push you to be the best person you can be!

Position: 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.