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K-State Housing GA Newsletter

Department Structure and Professional Development

Welcome!

Housing and Dining Services is focused on developing you as a person and professional. Through systematic and individual supports, our staff are encouraged to consistently grow in their pursuit of reaching goals.



Read on for more information. 

UPCOMING EVENTS

Social Media Take-Overs

Feb 13 - 17 Caitlyn Westein

Feb. 20 - 24 OPE Team


Deadlines

OPE applications are now open!

SPOTLIGHT

First Year GA Annie White

"I love developing my skills during our meetings, and I know that I can always find support and guidance in our department."

What is HDS?

HDS is an acronym we use frequently that stands for, "Housing and Dining Services". 


While Student Living has around 30 Senior Staff members who work in the Residence Halls, Jardine Apartments and Honors Committees, we are part of a larger department which includes our dining services, retail operations, and facilities management and more.


There are around 285 employees in HDS total. While the primary work completed by a graduate student will remain in their buildings or apartment communities, we are consistently considering our role within the larger department.

To learn more about why our current GAs chose to work with HDS check out our new video on YouTube!

HDS Structure

We operate through a co-supervision method which promotes new professionals with the opportunity to grow along side a full-time professional. 


Residence Halls

Each Residence Hall is run by a co-supervision pairing with offices directly connected, so access to your supervisor is very attainable. 

Jardine

The Jardine Apartment complex is sectioned into two neighborhoods. Each neighborhood is coordinated by a full-time and graduate pairing similar to the Residence Halls. Jardine is unique in the respect that neighborhood supervisors will work with the entire complex, so often the collective of two full-time and two graduate coordinators are collaborating very closely.  

Leadership Team

Within the theme of co-supervision, the highest leadership team members in our area are Nick Lander and Kevin Cook who are Associate Directors. 


Each complex has a Leadership Team member who oversee the Residence Halls or Jardine Apartments. The Assistant Directors are a direct support in addition to guiding the structure of the department. 


While there are delineation of hierarchy, our department strives to promote autonomy and approachability, especially in the leadership. Graduate coordinators will have opportunities to connect on all levels of the hierarchy which is fairly unique to a department with approximately 30 Senior Staff Members

Professional Development

On an individual level, HDS supports their staff members to pursue opportunities within and outside the assistantship to enhance their professional development. 



The systematic support provided by the department begins within our Senior Staff meeting weekly rotation. Once a month, a group of Senior Staff members will create and present a topic that helps our staff grow in Equity and Inclusion or Professional Development. 

Additionally, staff are provided professional development funding to pursue opportunities outside the department. This could be conferences, regional committee involvement, certification classes, webinars, reading materials and more! 


Through working on committees, our full-time and graduate staff are critical to the every day functions in our department. This provides vital professional development with experience on Training and Hiring committees.

Dream Big!

The main focus of HDS and your graduate assistantship is to support your dreams and aspirations so you are prepared for your next step. HDS has systematic and personal supports that foster an environment of growth and success in every facet of our positions. 


Essentially, if you can dream it, we will do it! 

Stay Tuned

Up Next

Feb. 20: Interview tips, OPE information. This will be our final newsletter!

Happy to Help!

For answers to any of your Graduate Assistantship recruitment questions, please contact the Student Living office at reslife@ksu.edu or visit the GA recruitment website.


Sincerely,

Housing and Dining Services


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