Story and photo by Noah Heiing
Michael Bryan, coordinator of student engagement at Bluffton University will take the role as the coordinator of Residence Life during the 2023-24 academic year. Bryan has begun the transition into the role while completing his current role as coordinator of student engagement.
Bryan has loved his time as the coordinator of student engagement and will miss the everyday of seeing students at the mailroom. Bryan felt it was important to take this position and give it his all to make a positive impact on Residence Life.
Bryan graduated from Xavier University in May 2022. During Bryan’s time at Xavier, he served as a Resident Advisor for three years and felt it was extremely important to know everyone’s roles in Residence Life so everything can work efficiently. Bryan feels that his experience as an RA has helped him understand Residence Life processes.
“As a recent college graduate, Michael will be able to relate to students in a way where older faculty and staff may not be able to,” said Holly Metzger, director of Residence Life and student engagement. “Michael has a passion for people. The way he connects and relates with students is a really good asset,” said Metzger. “He is a very relational person and I think students respect and trust him, and he was able to establish that early on.”
“Working in Residence Life is all about relationships,” said Caroline Schutz, hall director. “Being able to connect with residents, RAs, and hall directors on campus I think his age is going to prove to be a good thing,” said Schutz. “I think Michael is personable and good at showing students that he cares about them and wants them to do a good job.”
Bryan said he is feeling very good about this position. Bryan said it has been a lot of information at once, but it is nice to have a support system around him that he can depend on.
Metzger and Tyson Goings, student counselor and director of diversity, equity and inclusion have been extremely helpful individuals to Bryan. Bryan said he can rely on both Metzger and Goings during the transition process to make it go as smoothly as possible, and this has been very helpful for Bryan.
“I am excited for Michael to move into this role,” said Metzger. “He has a lot of great ideas and input on ways we can improve and ways that we can make the Residence Life culture and experience better for our students here.”
“I am most excited to see the RAs have an impact on campus,” said Bryan. “The RAs are extremely important to the community building aspect in campus life. I am excited to see how our new RAs will be building community on campus.”
As coordinator of Residence Life, Bryan will supervise hall directors and resident advisors and oversee housing and other things. Bryan will communicate with Metzger on multiple aspects of Residence Life and what Residence Life can do so students come to Bluffton and have a positive experience.
“This is an extremely important area that I want to focus on because of what I have been hearing from students,” said Bryan. “I believe that we will be able to recognize issues but also understand how to deal with those issues.”
“I am very excited to work with Michael as the coordinator of Residence Life,” said Schutz. “People want to be successful and do good things for him. His positivity and personality are going to make Residence Life a lot better.”
“A long-term goal I have is making. a positive impact on campus,” said Bryan. “When someone talks about Residence Life, I want them to talk about the great experiences that they had with their RAs, hall directors, and the higher staff.”
Bryan’s office will be located in Marbeck Center. Bryan can be reached by email at bryanm@bluffton.edu. Metzger’s office will move to the lower level of College Hall. Metzger can be reached by email at metzgerh@bluffton.edu. Students should contact Bryan or Metzger if they have any questions or concerns regarding Residence Life.
