This fall, Houghton College welcomed two new Residence Directors (RDs). A.C. Taylor joined Shenawana Hall and Beth Phifer became a part of Lambein Hall. As RDs, Taylor and Phifer will oversee their respective residence halls and are each responsible for the maintenance and residents of that building. They will report to Marc Smithers, the Assistant Dean of Students for Residence Life and Programs. With their past experiences in Residence Life and shared enthusiasm for the job, both Phifer and Taylor are well prepared for their new positions.
Phifer has known of Houghton College for many years, with one of her favorite college professors having graduated from Houghton. Her undergraduate work focused on counseling, but Phifer said that she felt led by God to do work in Residence Life. That work is not unfamiliar to Phifer as she was a Resident Assistant during her undergraduate studies at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, and most recently she acted as an RD at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Last year, she applied to Christian campuses with openings for an RD closer to her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She wanted to work at a Christian establishment because she also received her education at a Christian liberal arts institution.
“In a Christian setting there is more freedom to help shape and develop students as followers in Christ,” Phifer said. She added that she is excited to talk about Jesus with her residents. Phifer plans to continue the work started by Krista Maroni, the previous RD of Lambein, in establishing a stronger sense of identity within the women’s dorm.
“There are three core values that Lambein embodies,” Phifer explained. “Those are compassion, courage, and wisdom.” She hopes to emphasize these three qualities throughout the year.
Taylor, who graduated from Houghton in 2014, is also thrilled to be an RD at Houghton. Like Phifer, Taylor worked in Residence Life as an RA when he was in college. His wife was looking to work in the admissions office at Houghton, so when a job opportunity as the RD of Shenawana Hall came up, Taylor applied.
“It is so great to be able to come back to Houghton and the amazing community that is,” he said. “As much of a buzzword as [community] is, it really is valid and unique. The kind of relationships among people that occur here really don’t happen everywhere.”
While a student and RA, Taylor lived in Rothenbuhler Hall. Even so, he is excited to work in Shenawana and experience the rich tradition of the building. He respects the culture and the identity that is Shenawana, and this year hopes to better understand the history and traditions that the dorm has to offer those who live there.
Both RDs expressed a desire to get to know their residents on a personal level.
“I am really excited to get to know each of my residents, although it is challenging to get to know every person,” said Phifer. “If my apartment is open please stop by, I really mean that. I want to highlight and bold that statement. I love opportunities to get to know people. I want to be there for them and be a person that they feel they can go to for support.”