Photos Courtesy of Pepperdine University
Pepperdine hired two new HRL directors this year, Robin Gore and Maura Page. Gore will be in charge of housing operations while Page will oversee residence life. The split between the two aspects of HRL was initiated to have a more concentrated focus on each area.
“There are two directors this year. It’s a new split. Last year, there was an associate dean overseeing both areas, and then an assistant or associate director. This is the first year we have a split with residence life and housing operations,” Gore said.
Resident director Min-Jung Kim said having two directors each bringing their specialized talents on meeting the different needs of HRL is something she is thankful for every day.
“Together, the two directors, orchestrate a balanced symphony,” Kim said. “Pepperdine Housing & Residence Life is able to be successful at what we do under their two coordinated leadership, this I believe.”
Both Gore and Page said they have goals and projects to improve HRL this year. Gore said she is looking to get door access for resident directors and improve first-year residence halls.
“Door access for resident directors is kind of a bulky system right now, and I’m looking to streamline that within a software program we already have, in order to make some of our processes run more smoothly,” Gore said. “Another thing would be focusing on the repair and renewal of our residence halls so it looks more up to date and welcoming, especially our first-year residence halls.”
On the aspect of residence life, Page said she is looking to identify ways the HRL staff can positively impact the student living experience. She said a project she is working on is assessing relationships students have on campus as a living community.
“One thing that I am looking at specifically is the student experience in the halls, and I want to try to understand how students are connecting to their peers and to their roommate, and their community, and the identity that they form as they come to the university and become part of the community,” Page said.
Gore and Page said the transition to Pepperdine has been exciting and welcoming, both from students and professional staff. Prior to coming to Pepperdine, Gore worked in Residence Life at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville for 16 years. Page worked for six years at HRL in Linfield College in McMinville, OR. and another 10 years at Concordia University in Portland, OR.
“It’s been exciting. I think it’s been really encouraging. It’s a very supportive community, a high-achieving community, and it’s great to be a part of that,” Page said. “I think one thing that stands out to me is just how invested everybody is and care for students, so that’s been really heartwarming.”
Gore echoed Page’s thoughts on Pepperdine’s welcoming community.
“The people here both professional and student, are very welcoming and excited that we’re here, and it’s been an easy transition because people are excited that we’re here,” Gore said.
Gore elaborated on the positive differences of Pepperdine in regards to the work environment as opposed to her experience at other universities.
“From my experience at other universities, different departments or different offices work very independently, and this environment seems much more collaborative and investing and caring in the work we do and vice versa the work that they do. So that’s been a very welcome change,” Gore said.
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