Purpose of the research study and proposed research questions:
For the past several years, many housing and residence life operations have experienced
fewer candidates available for the entry-level professional position of Resident Director (Belch & Mueller, 2003). While these institutions have experienced a shortfall in candidates, a number of housing operations continue to receive a large number of interested candidates through their recruitment efforts and they are able to retain these staff for several years.
The research team has identified several issues central to recruitment and retention of entry level staff. Listed below are the five research studies and the rationale for each study. The research team will explore the nature of the problem (retention and recruitment), provide an analysis of the essential aspects of and attitudes about the entry level position, identify best practices, review appropriate supervision and mentorship models, analyze the current image of the entry level position, and continue the development of a career model.
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Topic |
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Rationale |
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Principal Investigator |
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International Study Problem Assessment
(Study A) |
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An international survey to identify factors significant in recruiting and retaining staff in entry level housing and residence life positions internationally and to understand the scope of the problem worldwide. |
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There currently does not exist a comprehensive, internationally based understanding of factors which relate to the recruitment and retention of entry level staff in different institutional sizes and types. |
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Dr. Stephen R. St. Onge
Eric Nestor |
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Careeer Commitment/Position Analysis
(Study B) |
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The focus of this study is to assess elements of the RD job and work environment and examine which factors are significant predictors of current RD attitudes toward their organization and their career. |
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Elements of the RD job (stress, demands, working conditions, and living conditions) are not well defined and vary substantially across ACUHO-I institutions. |
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Dr. John Christopher |
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Best Practices Study
(Study C) |
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The study will seek to identify institutions that have success in hiring and retaining, describe the strategies utilized, and understand the institutional factors that may play a role in their success. |
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Successful institutional practices in hiring and retaining RDs exist only in an anecdotal form and are not shared widely throughout the profession. |
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Dr. Holley A. Belch
Norbert W. Dunkel
Dr. Maureen E. Wilson
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Supervision and Mentorship
(Study D) |
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In this study, the investigators will attempt to capture the quality and nature of the mentor relationship and identify what aspects of the relationship between supervision and mentorship contribute to staff intentions to remain in their position, their institution, and/or the field of housing and residence life. |
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Entry-level RDs develop with the guidance of a supervisor. |
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Dr. Thomas E. Ellett |
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Image of Housing and Residence Life
(Study E) |
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This study will assess image perceptions of the RD job and housing profession among potential applicants and examine the link between image to job and career intentions. |
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Evidence suggests that the perceptions of the RD job and housing profession are mostly negative among those preparing for the housing profession (e.g. excessive burnout, grunt work, living where you work, low pay, etc.) (Palmer, Murphy, Parrott, & Steinke, 2002) . |
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Dr. John Christopher
Sara Bleiberg |
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Impact of Professional Development on Retention of Staff in Housing & Residence Life
(Study F)
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This study will assess the role that professional development opportunities
play on commitment and connection to the field of housing and residence
life staff. |
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Through earlier studies on retention and recruitment of entry-level staff, a constant theme is the role opportunities play in being retained and satisfied in their role at an institution. This study will attempt to determine what role, if any, does participation in outside personal growth opportunities (i.e. not in job roles) have on retention to the field. |
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Dr. Holley A. Belch
Sara Bleiberg
Dr. Thomas Ellett |
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