I interviewed a student dean for Lamson Hall and found out more about what it’s like to work for the dorms and provide support for all the students who live there. I was able to get a closer look at some of the things that go on behind the scenes of Lamson and appreciate all of the individuals who work together to provide a living space for residents that’s organized and peaceful.
Can you give us a brief introduction of yourself?
My name is Kayla Goodman (graduate, MDiv) and I am a student dean here at Lamson, and this is my first year doing it.
What makes you passionate about working with this job?
For me, it's always been about working with people. And I think that's what put me on this career path. I'm actually here at seminary for my MDiv as a pastor, and so I think working with people has always been something that I've really liked doing and getting to help them in a capacity of living has been a really cool experience so far.
Has your job here impacted your own relationship with Christ and religion?
I think that it's really cool to be with people and see where people are at, getting to talk to them about their life journey and where they're walking, coming from, how they feel what they need. So I think personally, it's been really impactful to see the ways to which God has worked in people's lives as well. It’s great to be a part of that journey as well and give meaning to what I do.
What are some of the things you do on a daily basis when you work?
A big part of my job is doing a lot of stuff like taking care of evening accountability. So if students are missing, I follow up and call them or if they're sick or something's going on in their lives, I call to check in on them or go to their rooms to check in on them. It’s a lot of checking in with the students to make sure that they’re all doing okay. And if there's any extra support we can give them as a door to knock on.
What do you think you would say is kind of the harder parts of the job?
It’s things like asking students to do things that it's not necessarily fun, like following up with harder things if someone is on some sort of probation and following up with keeping them accountable. That's not always the easiest because you want to be nice to everyone. And it's hard sometimes when you have to use disciplinary actions and such, but it’s a necessary part of being a Dean.
What do you enjoy the most about it?
I really enjoy the friends that I get to meet as well as being with different people. And just getting to be a part of something much bigger than myself.
If students want to reach out to you, what is the best way to do that?
I work in the office mainly on Mondays and then once a weekend during a semester but I also live in room 206 in Lamson, and me and my cat are always welcome to visitors and guests!
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of Andrews University. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, Andrews University or the Seventh-day Adventist church.