Where Are They Now?
Where are they now?
Hear from past Hall Directors about their experience and how it prepared them for their current role.
Andrew Arvay
2013-2018
Current Position
Director of the Office of Care and Civility
UNT Health Science Center
What is your most memorable moment at TCU?
I remember my first HD Retreat as being such a milestone for me personally; it was the time I felt affirmed in my decision to join the HRL family. I was able to have authentic conversations and start quickly building supportive relationships with other HDs to make me feel like I belonged at TCU.
How did TCU Housing and Residence Life prepare you for your current role?
Working with a diverse group of students in terms of needs and abilities provided me with a great deal of experience for my current role, where I work with students navigating health issues and personal emergencies regularly. Beyond getting the experience I needed for my current role, I was also able to build partnerships across campus that bolstered my candidacy and effectiveness in my current role and develop close relationships to support me personally.
If you could describe your TCU experience in one word, what would the one word be?
Opportunity
Cedric Garron
2016-2020
Current Position
Talent Acquisition Partner
Caterpillar, Inc.
What is your most memorable moment at TCU?
Dressing up as Ceddy Claus for multiple HRL Holiday engagements and getting to do what I do best, spreading joy!
How did TCU Housing and Residence Life prepare you for your current role?
My HD role allowed me to be a bit of a generalist and do many things at one time. The pieces I took into my new role were program development, budget management, and supervision skills. HRL also took time to develop us professionally in-house, so I never felt pressure to look elsewhere for development.
If you could describe your TCU experience in one word, what would the one word be?
Intentional
Tim Jordan
2015-2019
Current Position
Assistant Dean for Residential Life
Wheaton College
What is your most memorable moment at TCU?
My favorite moment at TCU was helping lead RA Training. The energy and enthusiasm of our students and staff are second to none, and I loved watching them bond over the course of a couple of weeks in August. Training also was the source of my favorite individual night at TCU, the night we debuted EmpowerTCU. EmpowerTCU gave our staff the stage to share their life lessons with one another. Getting to hear those stories was something I will never forget.
How did TCU Housing and Residence Life prepare you for your current role?
TCU HRL prepares its staff for the next level by allowing them a wide variety of opportunities both within their communities and on the departmental level. I served on and chaired multiple departmental and interdepartmental committees, traveled for professional development opportunities, and even went through a leadership academy specifically designed to prepare me for the next step. It’s a “yes” institution that will prioritize your personal and professional development.
If you could describe your TCU experience in one word, what would the one word be?
Relationships
Bianca A Newton
2012-2016
Current Position
Community School Director
Baltimore City School
What is your most memorable moment at TCU?
My most memorable TCU moment happened in 2017. I was eating dinner in the Market Square, and they were announcing the college football ranking results for the week. TCU was announced in the Top 10, and the entire cafeteria ERUPTED! It was so cool to see how excited the students were, and my dinner was immediately followed by the Tree Lighting, where Johnny Swim acknowledged that TCU had just ranked in the Top 10.
How did TCU Housing and Residence Life prepare you for your current role?
TCU HRL Prepared me to multitask and be calm in a storm. During my roles as an HD, I was constantly managing several tasks at once planning events and organizing logistics and people. I use those skills weekly in my role as a Community School Director, and I am often the person coaching other professionals on how to remain focused on the task and not let small inconveniences derail our ultimate goals.
If you could describe your TCU experience in one word, what would the one word be?
Mind-expanding