Loyola University Chicago names Romando Nash housing director
Seattle University Spectator
June 3, 2010
After seven years as director of Housing and Residence Life, Romando Nash will be leaving his position. Nash will move to Illinois to work as Loyola University Chicago’s new director of Housing and Residence Life, a position he accepted in April.
“It’s been a really good time,” Nash said. “I’ve seen a lot of changes over the seven years I’ve been here.”
When Nash first arrived at Seattle University, he saw the state of on-campus housing in disarray.
In Nash’s first years as HRL director, Seattle U was ranked last in every category of a national student housing satisfaction survey. The survey compared Seattle U’s housing facilities to facilities at six other institutions.
“It was tough to get those results that first year,” Nash said.
Propelled by the low scores, Nash said he and the Housing team worked hard over the years to bring Seattle U’s rating up. One of the most important things he has done, he said, was building a lasting connection with students.
“Whether [...] talking to advisory groups or with RAs, I’ve just tried to make myself visible,” he said. “By just saying,‘Hey, let’s sit down and chat,’ you can keep a really good idea of what’s on students’ minds.”
The dialogue worked. For the past three years, Seattle U has consistently ranked first or second out of seven in the student surveys.
“It’s been great being a part of the team that brought about that change in satisfaction, and it’s something I’m really proud of,” Nash said.
The search for the new director is currently underway. A number of individuals have applied for the position and a search committee—formed by Student Development and chaired by associate dean of students Darrell Goodwin—is processing applicants and reaching out to potential candidates as well.
