What is your routine for the first few hours of your day?
When I don’t have meetings, I typically spend the first few hours of my day getting a lot of administrative things done. I usually start my day by responding to emails that I may have missed the day before. After this, I will typically go to Maxient and see if I have any pending incident reports that I need to create and hold conduct cases for. I usually end my morning by processing room condition reports for residents checking out of the residence hall.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that changed your perspective?
The last thing I read was Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen. This book made me realize the importance of feedback, not only on the receiving end but also the giving end. How we communicate feedback is just as important as how we process it. My biggest takeaway was that, at the end of the day, we should never assume things about others because we are all going through our own battles, some of which we don’t share with others.
What is one piece of advice you wish you had received earlier in your career?
I wish I had received advice on setting boundaries as a people pleaser. During my first year as an assistant hall director, I had trouble setting boundaries, which led to me overworking myself.
What is your favorite campus dining hall meal?
My coworkers would expect me to say the chicken tenders, but Missouri State has great chicken and dumplings, and I would travel in rain, sleet, or snow to whichever dining hall is serving it!
What is something that someone has done for you lately for which you were most grateful?
Anytime a staff member holds my building phone for me when I am out of the office, I always appreciate it. I appreciate knowing that I can disconnect from work and know that my RAs and desk staff have a point of contact, and things aren’t going to go wrong just because I’m not in the office.
What tool does every campus housing pro need to know how to use, and when was the last time you used one?
Definitely the do-not-disturb feature on your phone. I have it set up so that my phone is on do-not-disturb during the on-call hours. I also have it set up so that the contacts in my favorites can still reach me, which typically means it’s an emergency I need to respond to.
What was your favorite class when you were a student?
My favorite class was student development theory. My favorite theory is Astin’s Student Involvement Theory because it describes my college career. I decided to get more involved during my sophomore year, which led me to finding my voice as an RA, and this eventually led to my career as a hall director.
What hobby would you pursue if time and money were no object?
I would love to be able to travel around the world. I got my passport in early 2020 and have yet to travel anywhere outside of the United States. I minored in Spanish, and it has always been a dream of mine to travel around Spain.
What is your favorite tradition from any campus where you have worked?
Welcome weekend is my favorite tradition. I am an extrovert, and Missouri State puts on Playfair every year. I enjoy getting to know students not only in my residence hall but also across campus.
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?
This is very embarrassing, but it definitely has to be “My Attitude” by The Bratz. I was a big Bratz girl growing up, and this song is so relevant to the person I am today. It reminds me that I am unapologetically myself, and I appreciate being a part of a team that allows me to shine.
Megan Craven is a residence hall director within residence life, housing, and dining services at Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri.Would you like to see yourself or a colleague included in the Snapshot column? Complete the questions on this form or share the link with someone you think we should get to know better.