Illustration by Jaylene Arnold.

I’ve worked at AU for two years. Before that, I was the associate director of residence life at the University of Richmond.

My job is to oversee the department responsible for the residential experience of about 4,000 students on campus. A typical day includes talking with my supervisees about current projects and trends, meeting with partners like the dean of students, and working with my team to make sure we’re developing every day. My office is in Anderson Hall. 

My go-to lunch spot is Jetties for the Broad Street cheesesteak. My favorite place on campus to steal a quiet moment is the SIS lobby. I love the natural light, the access to the Dav, and seeing students in their element. My go-to order at the Dav is a caramel macchiato.  

Campus is at its prettiest when the winter weather starts to break, and the quad is full of students again. I show my AU spirit by signing off my emails “with Eagle pride.” This is not the first time I’ve been an eagle. My alma mater, SUNY Brockport, has an eagle mascot, so I love repping both schools’ gear whenever I can. 

The person who helped show me the ropes is my counterpart, Mason Henderson, director of housing. He’s guided me, [offered] advice, and helped me understand the inner workings of AU. I’m still finding my community, but I identify strongly with the Division of Student Affairs. I work alongside individuals who have similar passion and care for the institution. 

Mine is a higher education family. My husband works in housing and residence life at George Mason University, where we live on campus, and my dad also worked in student affairs—so being close to a college campus has been part of my life forever. I was an RA for most of my college experience, and as I was wrapping up my time, I [found myself] hoping to see someone like me doing this work. Being a Black woman in leadership, [representation] is important to me, and being able to have a meaningful impact is why I do this work. 

My work-from-home rituals include letting in a lot of natural light and powering through the day with water, coffee, or a smoothie. My favorite day of the workweek is Thursday—or “Friday Eve”—as it allows me to take stock of the week, reset my focus, and prepare for Friday.

When I’m not at work, you can find me at the movies. I love being in the theater with popcorn. The best movie I’ve seen recently is Toy Story 5, which I watched with my kids. My hobbies include planning events and staying involved with the Association of College and University Housing Officers–International. My most Washington moment was taking the Metro from Fairfax to a Nationals game. 

The last great book I read was The Identity-Conscious Educator: Building Habits and Skills for a More Inclusive School by Liza Talusan. The last great show I watched was Boston Blue. I am also a huge Grey’s Anatomy fan. I’ve watched every episode, including all the spin-offs. The last great meal I ate was a Wagyu steak with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted broccoli in Orlando. 

If I wasn’t in higher education, I’d be an event planner. I would have my own business and help folks plan their special moments, from engagements to retirements to weddings. But my job at AU is best because I get to help students call AU home. My team and I have a hand in a [transformative] experience for students as they evolve into adults. I also love empowering and developing my team members to become better professionals.