Group photo of GHD Staff at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg

Graduate Hall Director Position

Apply to be a Graduate Hall Director at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg!

The Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg, Office of Housing & Residence Life places a high value on our commitment to our students, our campus, our history, and our future through our seven core values of caring, dedication, education, inclusion, integrity, respect, and service.

Above all, we are focused on the student experience. Our department assists students to build positive and inclusive relationships that create a network of students, staff, and faculty. Through our philosophy of actively engaging with students in meaningful interactions, our professional staff, Graduate Hall Directors (GHDs), and Resident Assistants (RAs) are able to learn about and support our students holistically to assist in their academic and social success.

In doing so, we are seeking GHDs who match our values and philosophy to be able to dedicate their work to help in the betterment of this cause. Our GHDs are dynamic individuals who use their wealth of experiences to help our department continually evolve, provide well-rounded approaches to resolve student issues, and work to create welcoming atmospheres in all of our communities. Ideal candidates are able to display a high sense of professionalism, a dedication to learning, are humble, flexible, and coachable.

We hope that you are willing to take on this rewarding challenge and come join the Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg Residence Life family.

Applications open Tuesday, October 1, 2024 (Internal Candidates Only)
Applications open Wednesday, January 1, 2025
- Accepting applications until all positions are filled.

The Office of Housing & Residence Life was established to provide an educationally based residential community, which seeks to provide students with personal, shared, and academic experiences; unified by purpose and founded on mutual respect. This community cultivates involvement, enhances critical thinking, develops conflict resolution skills, furthers understanding and appreciation of differences, fosters a sense of identity, and promotes personal and civic responsibility.

We are resolute in our commitment to the following goals:

To cultivate healthy, meaningful relationships with others
To provide out of classroom learning opportunities that enhance life-long learning, student development, student success, and further their holistic education
To enhance student self-authorship by challenging existing thoughts, ideas, and behaviors while promoting positive decision-making and self-discovery of their role within the greater community
To encourage students to have involvement, investment, and influence in their residential community
To enrich student engagement within the University and the local community
To support and enhance the academic mission within our daily practices
To understand and appreciate the diversity of each student’s experiences and identities
To advocate for each individual to be comfortable in expressing their uniqueness and identity
To provide residential facilities that are safe, clean, and well-maintained

Reporting to an Assistant Director of Residential Education & Community Living in the Office of Housing & Residence Life, Graduate Hall Directors (GHDs) are responsible for the daily management of their assigned residence hall or apartment complex. GHDs will be afforded a rich experience managing up to 550 students and up to 16 staff members within a residential setting.

At their core, GHDs are helpers and act as a resource for staff and students. As such, GHDs are expected to put students and staff first, working through any issues or challenges that may arise. In fulfilling their duties, graduate staff will work closely with, and be fully supported by, professional staff members in the Office of Housing & Residence Life.

Additionally, graduate staff members are provided opportunities to broaden and deepen their experience through participation in department initiatives, training, selection, the on-call system, and the performance evaluation process.

Graduate Hall Directors (GHDs) receive a furnished campus apartment, a university meal plan (when the university is in session for the fall and spring semesters) and a full waiver of all tuition encumbered through their graduate program. GHDs will also receive a weekly stipend of 20 hours per week ($12.00/hr) and a parking space close to their residence hall or apartment. This remuneration may be altered if budgetary requirements of the university change.

Required Application Materials:
- Cover letter expressing your interest in the Graduate Hall Director position as well as the graduate program you intend to enroll in at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg
- Résumé
- Contact information for one professional reference
All internal application materials should be completed through JobX
All external application materials should be sent to: Jason Guernsey, Assistant Director of Residential Education & Community Living, at jguernsey@commonwealthu.edu
GHD position applications are due by Sunday, February 9, 2025
Graduate program applications are due by February 16, 2025 to be eligible for the GHD position
- Please check out the graduate program offerings at Commonwealth University - Bloomsburg.
Tentative start date is end of July 2025.

Candidates must go through a successful phone/ZOOM or Mid-Atlantic Placement Conference interview, as well as an on-campus interview to be considered for the GHD position. On-campus process may be adapted to accommodate a virtual process due to COVID-19.

Please Note: Due to the nature of work required in the Masters of Science in Speech-Language Pathology, candidates pursuing this degree are unable to apply for the Graduate Hall Director position.

When I was a Graduate Hall Director at Bloomsburg, I developed areas in leadership, programming, conflict resolution, and interpersonal skills. I truly enjoyed building an effective rapport with students and staff which helped create a strong cohesive unit.

Jestina Drysdale '15

Complex Director at Stockton University

Bloomsburg

The GHD program is tough but it’s incredibly rewarding. You do so much during those two years between balancing your grad work, managing your residence hall, and supervising your CA staff. The position really helps you learn how to prioritize your time. I found that I was prepared and confident transitioning into a professional role due to the skills I learned as a GHD.

Andrew Bradfield '13

Assistant Director of Residence Life at SUNY Delhi

Bloomsburg

In the GHD role, I gained the ability to help students in crisis, manage a student staff and complete administrative tasks efficiently. The student interactions and administrative work are both critical elements to the GHD role. This experience has also proven true in the positions I’ve held after the GHD role.

Ellen Socket '15

Assistant Director of Academic Advising at Villanova University

Bloomsburg

The BU GHD position has helped me to develop leadership and management skills. As well as importance of transparency and what a true team work means when working in a group setting. All the interpersonal skills I was able to develop through the position has helped me tremendously in being a successful entrepreneur.

Hidi Horikoshi '14

Owner of Resurrection Movement Studio

Bloomsburg

The Graduate Hall Director position prepared me for my continued success in the field of student affairs. Through the different experiences I had with staff supervision, on-call responsibilities, time management, and assisting with departmental initiatives, it all helped to mold me into the professional that I am now. Combined with the coursework from the College Student Affairs program, the overall experience I had in graduate school helped me seamlessly step into my current role as a Residence Life Coordinator at Wilkes University. I could not be more grateful for the opportunity, and I would recommend it highly.

Alex Leon Reynolds, Jr. '18

Residence Life Coordinator at Wilkes University