On Feb. 10, Vice President for Student Affairs Celestino Limas announced staff changes to the Division of Student Affairs, including the addition of new Director of Residential Life Leah Reuber. Reuber will take over following Jillian Yoder’s departure in November and will begin her tenure as director on March 14.
Reuber hails from Iowa, and attended Coe College where she earned degrees in journalism, philosophy and gender studies. She also earned a masters degree in student affairs from the University of Northern Iowa. After working for these two institutions in various residential-life positions, she took a position at Grinnell College, where she was the associate director of residence life for over five years.
Reuber is feeling ready to take on the job at Kenyon. “I have worked on just about every project a residence life staff member traditionally — and untraditionally — has a role in,” she said.
Following Yoder’s resignation, Senior Director of Campus Life James Jackson led the search for a new Director of Residential Life. During this interim, Limas sent an email to students and faculty, inviting them to join four presentations by the finalists for the position, which took place from Jan. 25 until Jan. 28.
As a fully residential college, Kenyon’s Office of Residential Life plays a pivotal role in establishing and maintaining a productive and supportive community. Reuber’s work at Grinnell, where she coordinated a cluster of residence halls and organized CA trainings, offers a glimpse into her vision for the College’s residence program, and she has high hopes for the position.
“I am passionate about innovative and adaptable approaches to inclusion,” she said. “I am hopeful that I can lead the department in creating more robust residential communities where students feel an authentic connection to their living spaces and peers.”
According to Rueber, her philosophy is to foster an environment where discussion is encouraged. Reuber’s first challenge will be engaging with Community Advisors (CAs) in their quest to negotiate changes to the program, which will switch from hourly wages to a stipend. “My position serves little purpose without CAs, and I think a significant cornerstone of my role is to implement the ideas that come from CAs, as they represent the student population,” she said.
Reuber begins her job next month, but already feels a part of the Kenyon community. “[I am] already feeling well connected to the campus,” she said.