So often as student affairs paraprofessionals and professionals we talk about the importance of collaboration with the other side of the university – the academic affairs side. But it’s not always as easy as you would think. Faculty members and degree programs have their own set of job responsibilities, and we’re not just talking about teaching classes and grading papers. They complete research, publish articles, sit in meetings, and work with their students. Between their schedules and ours, it can be easier to silo ourselves and do our own thing. But for the holistic success of students, we know we really do have to work together.

Last spring, the College of Engineering approached University Housing about starting a living learning village for first-year undergraduate engineering students. As the Residence Director for the residence hall they were interested in placing the village in, I was able to have the opportunity to sit in on meetings with faculty members, assistant deans, and other parties heavily involved with the College of Engineering. I was the only graduate student at the table, and I had no idea how much I would learn about collaboration and the academic side of the university.

In creating the Engineering Village, I learned quickly that academic affairs and student affairs had very different goals and concerns. The College of Engineering’s main focus in creating the village was to increase retention and integrate classroom material into all aspects of the students’ college experience. On the other hand, as a RD, I was focused on creating a well-rounded experience and making sure the students could have a diverse range of programs and interactions. While it seems like these outcomes could clash, I was surprised at how quickly our team recognized the different strengths and wanted to learn more about each other’s different goals. Within a few months, I learned more about engineering classes and the concerns of STEM students than I ever realized I would, and I got to hear about it from the faculty and staff who were literally on the front lines and working with those students. The flip side of this was I was able to also share my expertise in student development – that even included explaining Chickering’s vectors during one meeting. Talk about theory to practice!

This August, the Engineering Village officially launched with 109 freshmen all living together. Since then, I have been contacted by at least 15 faculty members who want to come to the residence hall and interact with the students in a variety of ways, from sharing their research to teaching them how to make lip balm. It turns out that the stereotype of faculty having no interest in students outside of the classroom is completely false. They want to be involved, and they want to learn from student affairs professionals, but it has to be a true collaboration. The academic side has just as much passion as we do, but we have to give them the opportunity to express it in a way they are comfortable with and enjoy.

Collaboration is a tricky thing, but it can absolutely work. I am incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity as a graduate student to work so closely with academic affairs, and I really do believe it’s an experience that is unique to NC State. Since their merger of academic and student affairs into the Division of Academic and Student Affairs a year ago, there is increased communication and opportunity between the two sides. Silos are slowly being torn down and the student experience is becoming more integrated. I am excited to watch the Engineering Village partnership grow, and for even more projects across the fields to come to light. My one piece of advice? Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts! You’ll be surprised where those conversations can lead!