The residential experience at American University is based on the idea that much of what students learn happens outside of the classroom setting. In this manner, Housing & Residence Life is committed to providing and supplementing quality programs and services that will enhance the academic pursuit of resident students.

HRL facilitates the holistic development of residential students in living-learning communities by incorporating faculty and staff in out-of-classroom collaborative learning opportunities. Our communities foster an environment that facilitates the holistic development of residential communities by incorporating faculty and staff in out-of-classroom collaborative learning opportunities.

The residence life team within HRL is comprised of the director of residence life, the assistant director for residence life, senior associate director, an associate director for each campus neighborhood, community directors, and assistant community directors. The staff collaborate with student staff to create a myriad of opportunities for residents to gain a better sense of self, community, and the world.