What is The Future of RDs? – A Holistic Approach to Identity Development

Guest Post by Shaunese Johnson, Residence Life Professional

What does identity mean to you? While I don’t remember when I first heard this question, I self reflected on this question throughout rather it was conscious about it or not in college, graduate school, and now as a Student Affairs professional. It’s important to remember as a person nobody’s identity is “new.” Centuries ago people didn’t have labels, the resources, and even the support to be their authentic selves. In this century not everyone has the space to be themselves. That is where the role of Student Affairs professionals especially where the Resident Directors (RDs) come in. 

Resident Directors or more than providing a home to live with, but I look at them as providing the foundation of the University. Sometimes RDs are the first faces students see on campus when they arrive and they are the first interactions on campus. Throughout my time as a Hall Director I have had the privilege of being a confidant to students in their most vulnerable state. These experiences range from students learning and expressing their gender identity or sexual orientation, cutting ties from their religion that they were familiar with, a realization about their culture, and understanding their race in the spaces they encounter on a daily basis. 

Resident Directors no longer have a choice but it’s an obligation to be an advocate, create safe spaces for students, and address their own identities, power, and privilege within higher education institutions that were not designed for minoritized students. While I am still a student professional actively learning on a day to day basis, here are a few ways that Resident Directors and Student Affairs Professionals as a whole can carve a more inclusive and safe environment for students:

1. Be involved in your campus community 

Students will recognize your face, rather you believe this or not. They will recognize you in the Residence Halls, out and about, and what programs, events, and organizations you’re a part of and chose to attend. This implies to take the initiative to “show up” for your students and be an advocate for them. Is there a student organization having a town hall meeting for more just and fair practices on campus? What about an identity based Living Learning that wants to have more inclusive programs in their community? Maybe one of the campus organizations is sponsoring a fundraiser event for underprivileged folx? Regardless of the event, organization, program, etc it’s important to be active and involved in these spaces. 

2. Cultivate A Safe & Intentional Environment in your office 

When students enter your office, what is your focal point, what type of atmosphere do you want to create, and what impression do you want students to leave with? Do you have fairy lights to create a relaxing atmosphere? How about creative pictures on your wall? Do you want students to see your Pride flag, Black Lives Matter flag, or other identities displayed in your office? These can all be symbolic and create different meanings for your students. Placement is important. Be mindful of where you have things advertised in your office. For my current office for any kind of identity based events and events on campus in general I have them displayed right outside my office so students can read and look at them as they’re walking in, and also can access them outside of my office hours.

3. Have a balance of being human & a professional 

This is one that comes with time and confidence, especially already living where you work and working where you live. Students want and look for authenticity on campuses, especially institutions that are predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), religious institutions, and institutions that are far from major cities/more centralized communities. In addition to students seeking out people who look like them, they also seek people who can relate to them as well. While it’s important to create boundaries with students and be a professional, it’s also good to have a balance of being mindful of when you need to be more vulnerable and show up as your authentic self more. A quick reflection activity to assess this is to think about a time when you truly felt like your true self at work or when you disclosed a part of your identity to relate to a student? Or maybe the last time you went to a student event or organization focused on marginalized identities and advocacy. Unfortunately in the society we live in it’s challenging and sometimes even dangerous to be yourself depending on your environment, institutional type, etc. therefore as long as you’re comfortable with how you show up as your authentic self that is the most important thing that matters. 

It’s important to remember being an Resident Director and within any field within Student Affairs is that we are all human first. We are going to make mistakes and stumble here and there. It’s about what we learn from these experiences, and how we can be a better person and professional moving forward.