CU Debuts Team, Approach for Residence Life
Chowan University proudly introduces three new Residence Life employees, as well as the new Care Team approach, which will function in a broader scope to ensure that each student is safe and secure in their living and learning environments.
Sher-Ron Laud becomes part of the Chowan family as the new Residence Life Director. The Springfield, MA native received her master’s degree from Cleveland State University in education, adult learning, and development, focusing on student personnel administration. Laud’s work experience with university students spans employment at four previous colleges: Salem International University, Gannon University, Penn State University, and Elms College.
Damian Taylor of Winton, NC joins Residence Life as an Area Director. He graduated from Elizabeth City State University in December 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a concentration in Management and Marketing. Taylor’s previous employment includes experience as a Residence Assistant at his alma mater. He plans to incorporate the Care Team by being the mediator between students and the Care Team professionals to strike a perfectly blended balance of “monitoring concerns while gaining rapport with the students.” Taylor looks forward to joining the Chowan family and making the university experience ever better for Chowan.
E’Mia Williams of Durham, NC also joins Residence Life as an Area Director in Student Affairs. She graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice and a concentration in law enforcement. Williams previously served as the Durham County Teen Court’s Intake Counselor. She plans to approach her new position by embodying Residence Life’s Care Team campaign, “as a positive advocate and role model for Chowan’s students, showing them we care, and giving them the resources to be successful, not only throughout their college experience but after college as well.” Williams is excited about building relationships with the community as well as tackling challenges alongside her Residence Life teammates.
Chowan University’s Residence Life has not solely undergone changes in staff this year; the department also introduced a new program designed to assist in behavioral intervention and identifying risk factors within the Chowan community. The Care Team initiative is designed to be a proactive group dedicated to identifying and resolving concerning behaviors.
“The Care Team allows my staff and I to address concerns specific to living on campus,” says Laud. “By working with team members, we will be able to identify students in distress early enough to provide the appropriate support and response, as well as improving retention and student success.”
Chowan’s Care Team is trained to provide guidance on a wide spectrum of concerns: ranging from homesickness to dissociation issues to potentially harmful situations. Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Streeter summarizes that at its core, “the program is designed to help students be successful and create a comfortable and safe environment for Chowan’s students to live, learn, and thrive.”
Please join Chowan University in welcoming our latest Residence Life employees: Damian Taylor, Sher- Ron Laud, and E’mia Williams.