Maddie Luebkert, Asst. Social Media Editor–
For all Denison students, everyone works with the Office of Residential Communities and Housing (ResComm). The office handles everything that pertains to campus housing and residence halls, such as misplaced ID cards or the housing selection process and plays a large role in maintaining the functionality and ease of on-campus living.
Recently, there have been various staff changes from previous years. Denison’s Housing and Residential Life Renovation Plan resulted in 80% of Denison’s housing being renovated between 2018 and 2022.
Carianne Meng, the previous Senior Director of the Residential and Housing Office, oversaw some of these staffing changes. Meng worked in the Office for 10 years, from 2013 – 2023. As Senior Director, she supervised staff members and managed the community advisors (CA) program.
When asked about the shifting of positions occurring in the Office, she asked to keep her answers off the record.
Current Assistant Director of Residential Communities and Housing, Grayson Blythe, has also overseen recent staff changings in the ResComm. Blythe started working in ResComm in 2022 because of the ability to work closely with students, the size of the institution, and the welcoming environment.
Blythe oversees the professional community coordinators and the CA hiring and training processes. Assistant Director Ethan Clardy, Associate Director Adam Woods, and Blythe had all been working in the Office throughout the summer to hire new staff members.
“It has been a great experience for everyone involved,” Blythe said. “There are very few if any challenges the office has faced solely based on the newness of some of our staff; rather the challenges we have faced are ensuring that all processes and procedures were completed in full when we had some vacancies on the team.”
Blythe also said that she appreciated the patience shown by Denison students when only three staff members made up the team, as the department had many responsibilities that were challenging to complete when ResComm was understaffed.
Blythe encourages students to stop by the Office, get to know their Community Coordinator and ask them any questions. Blythe said that students should watch for exciting things the office will be coming out with and that the Department is here to support and foster a healthy and safe community.
“We work well together as a team to catch our new colleagues up to speed and show them all of the wonderful experiences, traditions, and opportunities at Denison.”