Through the Faculty-in-Residence program, a faculty member lives in the residence halls, holds office hours, and organizes activities for first-year students.
“Believe it or not, you do actually get living quarters fit for humans,” jokes Geography faculty member Amy Rock, the program’s first participant. She lives on the first floor of Sunset Hall, where she serves as the resident faculty member for 200 freshmen. Her living quarters include a large office, living room, kitchen, private bedroom and bathroom.
As the Faculty-in-Residence, Rock supports freshmen in a number of ways. She gets to know students on a one-on-one basis, answers questions about academics and support services, and acts a bridge between students and the administration.
“First year students are sometimes shy about asking for help and interacting with faculty,” she explains. “My job is to be there to help break down those barriers. I also do a lot of little things to get them acquainted with campus and give them a ‘brain break,’ ” Rock says.
Unlike community advocates who organize social events for other students in the residence halls, Rock develops both social and academic programming. On Sundays, she hosts a math and science tutoring session through the Learning Center. She also organizes guest speakers, field trips, and a weekly arts and crafts night.
Students are encouraged to email Rock with activity and programming suggestions.
“I like that we can help with the ideas she comes up with,” says Michelle Goldberg, a freshmen biology major from Laguna Hills, Calif. “It’s an awesome program.”
Faculty members interested in participating in the Faculty-in-Residence Program can visit humboldt.edu/reslife.