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, Prichard Hall

Hometown: Abilene, TX

Degrees earned: Bachelor’s in Fitness, Recreation, and Sports Management with a minor in Psychology

What are your hobbies? Cooking and baking (especially sourdough!), long walks, church, puzzles

How many years in Residence Life? How long and what capacity? I have been in ResLife for 3 years as an RA (2 years in Lange and 1 in UPA)!

What is your favorite thing about being in this field? I love getting to know so many people, hear their stories, and see them use their unique giftings!

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? I want to serve others the way that Christ served, and to help them find their belonging where they are!

What advice would you give those attending HSU? College is a unique opportunity to serve and grow. Spend it well! Plug into a local church, read the Bible, build meaningful relationships, and redeem the time. As Jim Elliot worded it, “Wherever you are, be all there! Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God.”

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: Residence Director of Lange Hall

Hometown: League City, Texas

Degrees Earned: Bachelor’s in Psychology

What are your Hobbies? I love crocheting, scrapbooking, and watching movies.

How many years in Residence Life?  I have been involved in Residence Life for three years. During this time, I have had the opportunity to serve as both a Chaplain and a Resident Assistant.

What is your favorite thing about working in Student Life/Higher Education/Residence Life? My favorite part of working in Residence Life and Student Life is the connections I am able to build with others. It is incredibly fulfilling to be part of students’ journeys, supporting them through challenges and celebrating their successes.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life?  I had such a great RA before me that I felt like I could do that for someone else. I loved my experience working in Residence Life so much that I knew I had to come back as an RD!

What advice would you give those attending HSU?  Get involved! Go to campus events and join clubs that interest you; this is one of the best ways to meet new people and build your community. Don’t just stay in your room, put yourself out there, and take advantage of all the opportunities college has to offer. Most importantly, finding a church or faith community that feels right for you.

Hometown: Granbury, TX

Degrees Earned: B.S. In Music from HSU, with a focus on Worship Leadership

What are your Hobbies? I love to write and produce music, lead worship around the community, or dive into fictional worlds with movies and books. I like to end every day spending time with my wife and our two cats.

How many years in Residence Life? This is my first position in ResLife! Even though I never got involved during college, many mentors and friends in ResLife have greatly impacted the way I see community and belonging as a whole.

What is your favorite thing about working in Student Life/Higher Education/Residence Life? We get to heavily impact the experience of any student in our building not only with direct words and actions but by the culture we set.  Whether an RA/RD is the first or last person someone sees each day, we can steer everyone to Christ by the way we carry ourselves in the highs and lows.

Why did you apply to be in Residence Life? I strive to use all of my practical leadership skills and ministry-focused calling to change a student’s experience for the better. I know that my extroverted personality and passion for student activities will flourish.

What advice would you give those attending HSU?Try something! You may never expect yourself to be a BSM Leader, or an SGA rep or a member of that musical ensemble, but you never know how it can challenge you for the better.  Also, get your chapel credits as early as you can — it’s fun to get plugged into community!