In line with the University's mission and the commitment to Jesuit values, the Office of Residence Life is committed to the care, support, and development of the whole student and the development of constructive and inclusive communities. Our Residential Learning Communities are focused on the holistic development of our students with student learning and development at the core.
Within the residence halls at Santa Clara University, live-in professional staff, student staff, and faculty members provide support and guidance throughout your time living on campus.
Learn more about the staff and faculty who live & work within the residence halls below.
Live-In Professional Staff
The Residence Life Leadership Team is composed of the Director of Residence Life, the Associate Director of Residence Life, and two Assistant Directors of Residence Life. The Associate Director oversees the Assistant Directors who provide supervision and oversight to the Resident Directors and their respective communities.
Resident Director: The Resident Director (RD) is a Master’s degree professional full-time staff person who has expertise in student development, group dynamics, and community development. In partnership with the staff team, the primary role of the RD is to facilitate the development of the Residential Learning Community by fostering a community that supports the academic, social, and spiritual growth of all residents. RDs coordinate all Residential Learning Community activities and lead, develop, and supervise the student staff.
The Counselor in Residence is a member of the Student Health and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team and collaborates closely with the Office of Residence Life and campus partners in a manner that makes student learning a central goal. This goal is accomplished by fostering belonging, facilitating the psychological well-being of the student body and encouraging student learning and success.
For more information, please visit Counselors in Residence
Contact information:
Clarise Ballesteros cballesteros@scu.edu
Clarise will be supporting the Cyphi, Modern Perspectives, Cura, Loyola and da Vinci RLCs
Kristin Tappan ktappan@scu.edu
Kristin will be supporting the University Villas, Magis RLC, Unity RLC/Nobili Hall, and Alpha RLC
Faculty in the Residential Learning Communities
Faculty Director: The Faculty Director (FD) works with the Resident Director to lead each Residential Learning Community. The FD is responsible for integrated education within the community, including the curriculum. FDs work closely with Resident Directors and professors of the courses offered through the Residential Learning Community to ensure the connection between curricular and co-curricular learning (in and out-of-classroom learning). FDs live in the community and are regularly available for consultation or general interaction with members of the community.
Spirituality Facilitator: The Spirituality Facilitators (SFs) reside within the residence halls as integrated members of the community. SFs are graduate students at Santa Clara University who provide mentorship and pastoral care for students within the residence halls. The SF serves in a collaborative role with the community’s staff and Campus Ministry in overall program development to support the vocational, spiritual, intellectual, personal, and social development of each student.
Residence Life Student Staff
Assistant Resident Director: The Assistant Resident Director (ARD) assists the Resident Director in Residential Learning Community leadership. ARDs contribute to the development of the community in many ways, such as assisting the academic and personal development of residents and Community Facilitators, advising Leadership Council, coordinating service desk operations, assisting with RLC operations, and promoting and supporting an inclusive environment.
Community Facilitator: The Community Facilitators (CFs) are integral members of each Residential Learning Community who focus on community development. CFs are undergraduate students with at least one year of experience at Santa Clara University. They receive extensive training as peer educators and leaders. CFs host fun, social events for the residential community. They also focus on academic achievement, community living, and personal development through meetings, events, and role modeling. CFs promote and support an inclusive environment of diverse students.
Neighborhood Representative: The Neighborhood Representatives (NRs) provide support for upper-division students living in Nobili and the University Villas. NRs are juniors or seniors who have received extensive training as peer educators and leaders. They provide first-hand knowledge and understanding of an upper-division student experience to best resource and mentor their residents. They also host social and educational events for the community. NRs assist the academic and personal development of residents, promote and support an inclusive environment in which differences are thoughtfully explored, and work collaboratively to build community in Nobili and the University Villas.