Residence Life staff gains valuable insight at conference
Attendees of Brockport’s annual Resident Assistant Conference from Fredonia included: (top row, from left): resident director Fatihath Assani, resident assistants Ronny Nissen, Lucas Butchko, Peter Howlett, Jane McGowan, Kayla Makosiej, Josue Petion; (bottom row): resident assistants Diana Bateman, Nolan Ahearn, Jamie Gaiser and Grace Breen and resident director Tracy Halloran.
A Residence Life contingent connected with their peers from other SUNY schools, sharing knowledge and experiences, at the 37th annual Resident Assistant Conference held on Nov. 2 at the College of Brockport.
The conference, whose theme was “Out of this World,” provided an opportunity for resident assistants to learn how different residence life programs function, based in part on the student populations they serve, at SUNY schools as well as at private colleges.
Tracy Halloran, a resident director at Fredonia, said her staff learned about community building as a means to assist students in their transition to college life.
Key objectives of the conference included: identifying multiple levels of diversity and creating an inclusive community; educating students about healthy habits in relation to alcohol/substances, nutrition, stress, fitness, relationships and conflict resolution; creating a network of student leaders and professionals; and identifying and applying strategies in the areas of customer service, community building, motivation, leadership and conflict management.
Jerrell Mason, program director of Niagara University’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), which makes higher education possible for students who are academically underprepared and economically disadvantaged, delivered the keynote address.
Joining two resident directors, Fatihath Assani and Ms. Halloran, at the conference were resident assistants Ronny Nissen, Lucas Butchko, Peter Howlett, Jane McGowan, Kayla Makosiej, Josue Petion. Diana Bateman, Nolan Ahearn, Jamie Gaiser and Grace Breen.
Fredonia Residence Life staff attend the conference every year.
