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SHRL Places Student Wellbeing on the forefront with Professional Staff Positions

Student Housing & Residential Life (SHRL) at University of Houston (UH) fosters a community that nurtures academic success, student growth and development and diversity. Seizing the opportunity to better support residents in their holistic development, SHRL recently hired Kelsey Reynolds (’17) to serve as its first assistant director for Student Success and Wellbeing.

Wellbeing is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as “the state of being, happy, healthy, or prosperous.” Reynolds is no stranger to helping young adults achieve wellbeing. Prior to stepping into this role, they worked as a clinical social worker providing hands-on treatment to clients while teaching them self-advocacy support strategies.

A graduate of UH and Southeastern Louisiana University, Reynolds is excited to return to the UH campus where they can work to equip students with tools for balancing their academics workloads, prioritizing mental health, and developing independent-living skills.

“I am really proud of the UH for creating this role and giving me the opportunity to make an impact on the residents I am able to work with,” Reynolds said.

Reynolds is not alone in the charge to provide wrap-around support to residents. By the end of the academic year, they plan to manage a team of four Residence Life Coordinators (RLCs) who will also have experience in social support.

“We currently have one RLC, Chris Douglas, in the Quad Residence, but the team will be expanding soon with additional staff joining us in January,” said Reynolds. “It takes a village, and I am excited to be play a role in the village we have at UH.”

Reynolds plans to provide dynamic programming for residents by pairing upper-class students and first-year students together to form mentoring relationships. Additional programs aimed at assisting students in developing their interpersonal skills, self-awareness and personal identity to build emotionally intelligent leaders are also in the works.

Please join SHRL staff in welcoming Reynolds to this new role!

Conference Funds Provide the True Cougar Experience to Deserving Students

The Cougar Experience Scholarship aims to bolster student success at the University of Houston (UH) by awarding selected students financial support for on-campus housing. During the 2022-2023 academic year, Student Housing & Residential Life’s (SHRL) Conference Services & Guest Housing unit contributed more than $26,000 to the Cougar Experience Scholarship fund.

Since its inception in 2014, the Cougar Experience Scholarship has provided $4,000 ($2,000 per semester) in funding to first-year students who demonstrate financial need and submit a short essay as part of their scholarship application. Awarded students enrich their first-year experience by living in the Cougar Experience Scholars suites at Cougar Village II and are encouraged to actively participate in campus activities. Financial contributions from supporting partners, like SHRL, are critical to the academic and social success of students who benefit from the fund.

“This year we netted more than $800,000 in revenue from summer conference and guest housing,” said Mackenzie Wysong-Bentley, associate director of housing operations. “I am so proud of the work of our team. The fact that a small portion of our funds can provide a once-in—a-lifetime experience to a handful of deserving first-year students is truly incredible to witness.”

Approximately 3% of the revenue generated from Conference Services & Guest Housing is given in support of the Cougar Experience Scholarship, with contributions surpassing $100,000 since 2018.

Data reveals students residing in residence halls are more successful than their commuting counterparts in persistence and retention.

To learn more about the Cougar Experience Scholarship, visit the Division of Student Affairs website. For more information about Conference Services & Guest Housing at UH, click here.

Graditude and Giving: Fostering Community Connection

November is a wonderful time to reflect on what we are thankful for. At the University of Houston (UH), we are starting the month by celebrating our vibrant community, campus, and cherished traditions during Homecoming Week, from Nov. 6 – 11. This is an exciting time to connect with friends, engage in special UH events and organizations, and proudly showcase your Cougar spirit to the world!

As the month unfolds, Thanksgiving, an American holiday centered on both gratitude and comfort food, reminds us to reflect on the things we value most in life and practice appreciation. Here are some strategies to experience gratitude, connect with the community and strengthen our bonds.

Embrace Gratitude

1. Gratitude Journaling: Take a few moments each day to write down things you are grateful for. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude and observe how it transforms your outlook on life.
2. Express Appreciation: Show your appreciation to friends, family and peers. A simple "thank you" or a heartfelt note can brighten someone's day and strengthen your connections.
3. Share Stories: Share your stories of gratitude and encourage others to do the same. Hearing about the positive experiences of others can inspire and uplift the community.

Give Back to the Community

November is a great time to give back to the community and spread kindness. Here are some ideas to make a positive impact:

1. Support your community—there are a lot of events to cheer folks from Nov. 6-11. Show up, wear red! Contributing to the community does not have to be challenging; it really can be as simple as being present. If you are looking for more meaningful involvement, consider seeking out volunteer opportunities. Whether you are helping at a local food drive or participating in a charity event, your efforts can make a difference.
2. Random Acts of Kindness: Practice random acts of kindness daily. Smile freely, leave a kind note for a roommate or lend a helping hand to a classmate. These small gestures create a ripple effect of positivity.
3. Support Local Causes: Get involved with causes that matter to you. Support local charities or campus initiatives that align with your values and encourage others to do the same.

Strengthen Community Connections

This month offers an opportunity to build meaningful connections with others:

1. Say Hello to Your Neighbors: A recent survey revealed that greeting six neighbors regularly can significantly boost personal happiness and general wellbeing.
2. Host Community Gatherings: Organize or attend community gatherings, such as group trips to the dining hall or movie nights. Creating spaces for interaction fosters a sense of belonging and camaraderie.
3. Attend Campus Events: Participate in campus events and clubs. Engaging with diverse groups enriches your college experience and broadens your social circle.
4. Practice Active Listening: When engaging with others, practice active listening. Show genuine interest in their experiences and perspectives and be open to learning from one another.

As we celebrate November's spirit of gratitude and giving, let us remember that our connections with others are essential to our well-being. By expressing gratitude and embracing opportunities to give back, we cultivate social wellness within ourselves and our communities.

Together, we can create a supportive and inclusive environment at UH where everyone feels valued and appreciated. Let us celebrate the power of community and the joy of shared experiences.

Happy November, and may your journey toward enhanced social wellness be filled with kindness and connection!

Resident Advisors Share Freshman Experiences with First-Year Students

In early October, Student Housing & Residential Life (SHRL) Faculty-in-Residence Jerrod Henderson, Ph.D., hosted a panel style program titled "What I Wish I Knew Freshman Year.” During the event, Cougar Village II residents enjoyed refreshments as resident advisors (RAs) discussed topics including time management, communication, teamwork and adaptability. The RAs also shared personal experiences like their biggest challenges, achievements and lessons learned in their freshmen year.

Thank you to the residents and panelists for your engagement in this memorable and beneficial event!

Featured Events

Announcements and Resources

Resident Advisor Recruitment

Looking for a rewarding on-campus job experience? Apply to be a Resident Advisor (RA) with Student Housing & Residential Life!

RAs are a critical part of the UH experience, working to support community development, student success, and relationship building. Positions are available in SEVEN residential communities for the 2024-2025 academic year.

The RA application period runs through Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, through Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.

For a more in-depth look at the RA position, you are encouraged to attend the following events:

Information Sessions

• Wednesday, Oct. 25 at 6 p.m., The Quad Multipurpose Room
• Thursday, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., The Quad Multipurpose Room
• Thursday, Jan. 18 at 4:30 p.m., Virtual

For ADA accommodations or to request additional information about these events, contact Griselda Quezada, program coordinator for selection and training, at gquezad4@central.uh.edu.

To apply, log in to Access UH and click the Myhousing icon.

Four Ways to FixIT

Student Housing & Residential Life strives to provide convenient, comfortable and secure residence halls. If you come across any maintenance issues in your room, suite or residential building, please report it in one of four ways through the University of Houston’s (UH) maintenance system, FIXIT. Remember, maintenance issues must be reported before an attempt to resolve is made by UH Facilities.

Residents should submit a FIXIT request to ensure maintenance issues are resolved in a timely manner. Staff in UH Facilities are working hard to respond to requests in the order they are received and building emergencies. If you have reported an issue and have not experienced a resolution, please visit the front desk of your residence hall for assistance.

Let us work together to make UH living communities the best they can be!