What is your routine for the first few hours of your day?
To quote Chief Hopper from Stranger Things, "Mornings are for coffee and contemplation." I enjoy the relative quiet of mornings on campus as time to caffeinate, work on emails, and mentally prepare for my day. At 9 a.m., our residence life team has a daily conference call with campus security, during which we debrief incidents that happened the previous evening, coordinate follow-up tasks, and share constructive feedback.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that changed your perspective?
I have really enjoyed reading materials associated with ACUHO-I's Future of the Profession project. The world of higher education, and especially housing and residence life, has changed so much since I began my career. We're challenging long-held assumptions, redefining the work we do, and adapting our campuses to the evolving needs of students. I think this is a good thing, and I'm thankful for ACUHO-I's leadership in this area.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
Early in my career I received a piece of advice that I wish I had listened to: It is so important to build a social and support group outside of your department (and, ideally, outside of higher ed entirely). Especially when you live on, it can be easy to have your work become too big a part of your identity. Take the time to make friends and build connections with folks who know nothing about the work you do. Having folks on the outside will do wonders for your work/life balance and will help you keep perspective.
What is your favorite campus dining hall meal?
My previous institution had a bakery (with an in-house pastry chef), which was conveniently (or inconveniently) located right down the hall from my office. Fresh donuts daily. Homemade gelato at special events. I gained weight just from the smells coming from that magical place!
What is something that someone has done for you lately for which you were most grateful?
I recently lost a pet, which is a pain that animal lovers will know all too well. When the company I used to buy my pet food found out, one of the employees hand-painted a rock with my pet's name and mailed it to me. I was so deeply touched by this small act of kindness. I always want students (especially those navigating difficult situations) to feel they have been treated with kindness and compassion by me and my team. Being on the receiving end of this was a great reminder of and testament to how meaningful small gestures of kindness and humanity can be.
What was your favorite class from your days as a student? How do you still use the lessons or knowledge from it today?
In my senior year of undergrad I had the privilege of taking a queer history course from Dr. Cathy Connolly, who was the only openly LGBTQIA2S+ faculty member at the University of Wyoming (my alma mater) when Matthew Shepard was murdered in 1998. At the time of the class, Dr. Connolly was also the first ever openly gay member of the Wyoming State Legislature. Learning about queer history from someone who literally made queer history in Wyoming was very meaningful. I think about my experience in this course when I see attempts by state governments to restrict or outright ban DEI topics on campuses. Queer history is peppered with attempts at erasure, and, as Dr. Connolly taught me, we will not be erased!
What tool (real or metaphorical) does every campus housing pro need to know how to use, and when was the last time you used it?
This semester my campus hosted free trainings on how to use Narcan to treat opioid overdoses (we also received free product). While I have not yet had to use this tool, I am so thankful it is now over the counter and widely available in case we need to provide life-saving care before emergency medical services can arrive.
What is your favorite tradition from any campus where you have worked?
My current institution has an annual "President for a Day" essay competition. The winner gets to be president for the day and go to the president's meetings, meet with the board, etc. The president, meanwhile, attends the student's courses. I appreciate how down-to-earth and accessible this makes our president, and each year the president has the same takeaway: Being a college student is hard!
What ACUHO-I event or resource did you utilize recently? What was the situation?
There are so many! I read the Open Forum postings daily. I try to read full issues of the Talking Stick and The Journal of College and University Student Housing when they come out. The Campus Housing Index has also been an incredibly useful tool, and I use the ACUHO-I Professional Standards with my staff in professional development plans. ACUHO-I offers so much for professionals, beyond just conferences (though the in-person events are also great).
What hobby would you pursue if time and money were no object?
Though I love my career, if I could have a do-over, I would love to move to New York and become a comedy writer (ideally on Saturday Night Live or a late-night show). I was the kid on the playground getting my peers to act in silly sketch situations for the amusement of adults.
What song do you count on to hype you up to start the day or help you celebrate at the end of a long one?
"Alexa, play 'You Need to Calm Down' by Taylor Swift" are words uttered quite frequently in my house. This anthem is good advice I sometimes need to heed at the end of a long day – and advice I sometimes wish our students would take (but what would be the fun in that?).
Corey Peacock is the dean of students at Casper College in Wyoming.