Residence Life in the COVID Era – with Katherine Warren

Student Housing Matters

Student housing professionals have faced one challenge after another in 2020. When it comes to residence life, this has not been an ideal year, as the pandemic has kept us from doing most of our traditional programming. So, how are housing directors building community in the COVID era?

Katherine Warren is COCM’s Assistant Director of Residence Life Campus Housing at Illinois Central College. She earned her BA in Communications and Media Arts from Bethany College and her master’s in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Katherine chose a career in student affairs because she loves working with college students as they begin to carve out their own niche.

On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Katherine joins Leigh Anne to discuss the recent roundtable she led with COCM housing directors across the country and share the team’s commitment to maintaining a positive attitude as we adapt to changing circumstances. She describes the challenges housing directors face in preparing for 2021 and explains what our colleagues are doing to maintain their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing through this challenging time. Listen in for Katherine’s insight on how COCM housing directors are innovating around residence life to build community (within social distancing guidelines) and facilitate student interaction online.

Topics Covered

Katherine’s approach to the recent roundtable discussion she led with COCM housing directors across the country

The COCM team’s commitment to maintaining a positive attitude as we adapt to changing circumstances

How housing directors are building community through pop-up events and DIY programming

The challenges housing directors face in preparing for 2021 (i.e.: RA interviews, room selection, etc.)

How housing directors are using Discord and social media platforms to promote community and interact with students

What our COCM colleagues are doing to maintain their mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing

How COVID is teaching Katherine to be more intentional about making time to do the things she loves

Connect with Katherine Warren

Katherine on LinkedIn

Connect with Leigh Anne

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Capstone On-Campus Management

Leigh Anne on LinkedIn

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