Residence Hall Directors

We actively recruit a diverse candidate pool for both our professional and student staff positions. We are mindful of the demographics at the University of New Hampshire, state of New Hampshire, and our staff and we work to create a diverse environment for our staff and students. We recognize the positive impact that diversity brings to all of our staff members and students.

Additionally, we know that for some professional and student staff members from minoritized social identities, it is important to know about resources in the area and support within the community. We work very closely with our staff to help them find the resources and support networks they need and want. For more information about living and working in New Hampshire, take some time to review UNH's Human Diversity Resource Guide.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice is transparent in the work we do and the relationships we nurture in the department, the university, and in the surrounding community. We acknowledge that we all make mistakes sometimes, but learn from those mistakes and the hurt they caused, and then we move forward together. We look forward to seeing the work our students do and seeing them grow in this diverse community.

Here at UNH, we are committed to your professional development. To that end, Residence Hall Directors have the opportunity to join specialized committees. These committees allow each Hall Director to pursue a topic they are excited about outside of the normal day to day tasks of being a RHD. RHDs can choose to serve on a second team or committee, inside or outside of Residential Life. This not only allows each RHD to share their unique talents and passions with our department and the division, but gives RHDs a chance to develop new skills as well.

CLA Committee

These committee members advise the Campus Living Association (CLA), a residential student organization that works to build community on campus and improve the lives of students who live on campus.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee (DEIB)

The Inclusive Excellence Committee strives to bring continual Departmental support and education in the areas of social justice and multicultural education for student and professional staff. 

RA Engagement

The RA Engagement Committee focuses on both large-scale training events such as training, as well as smaller initiatives like developing RA enrichments. They also plan fun engagement activities like our department’s annual Fall Fest and Winter Wonderland Party.

RA Selection

This committee provides input on the overall RA Selection process to hire Resident Assistants for the following academic year.  Committee members have the opportunity to develop marketing materials and recruitment strategies, develop selection materials and help manage the on-line process for RA selection. 

Student Behavior Committee

Members of this committee develop trainings and resources, review and interpret policies, and identify trends for student behaviors and Residential Life staff’s response to them.   

It is our intention and commitment to work with each RHD individually to help identify and develop professional skills and experiences needed to be successful in the RHD position and in the field.  This is done by completing the RHD Professional Development Plan each September with your supervisor. Working with their supervisor, RHDs map out goals and action steps. RHDs are asked to describe the kind of support they will need to implement their personalized plan. Their plan will indicate what professional development activities they will commit to for the year.  Supervisors weave the plan into their ongoing supervision discussions throughout the year. Each RHD’s plan is different, yet concrete and clear.

Many staff identify areas of specialty they want to develop while at UNH in order to launch them into their future direction.  We have had staff move on to positions in Residential Life, Leadership Development, Judicial Affairs, Academic Advising and other Student Affairs Positions.

Each RHD is initially allotted a total of $900 to use for professional development.  These funds can be used toward a professional conference or a training opportunity that is related to the field.  Within this allotment, RHDs can spend up to $100 to become a member of a professional organization. RHDs are also eligible to apply for additional funding through UNH grants after having worked at UNH for one year.

Finally, there is a new staff group that meets on a regular basis to learn UNH specific policies and procedures as well as create a strong cohort of new hall directors to our campus.

Below are some other opportunities for professional staff outside of our department:

• Membership on Division-wide committees
• Involvement in offices other than Residential Life
• UNH non-degree Certificate Programs
• UNH Social Justice Educators Training
• Attendance at National, Regional, and local Conferences
• Presenting at National, Regional, and local Conferences
• Funds to purchase resources and join professional organizations

• Starting salary depends on experience, but starts at $37,100.
• This is a 10-month position, from late July to late May.
• A fully furnished apartment and a staff office, with a department-issued laptop, and wireless internet access.
• A meal-plan when school is in session. See UNH Dining Meal Plans for more information.
• Partners of RHDs are allowed to live-in, upon approval by the Director.
• Free parking permit for an RHD-authorized parking space.

University Benefits

• Full University benefits are provided (which include but are not limited to medical, dental, and life insurance, and participation in retirement programs, etc.).
• Medical benefits are effective on the first day of the month following date of appointment.
• Tuition benefits include up to five courses per year (eligible after six-month probationary period). Spouses and eligible same-sex partners 50% tuition waiver (eligible after one year).
• Full Explanation of University Benefits

And More!

• The State of New Hampshire has no broad-based sales or income taxes ... so you keep more of what you earn.
• Access to Campus Recreation facilities at The Hamel Recreation Center, a recreational facility on campus. Although there is a membership fee for staff, some University HMOs will cover this expense.
• All of this is located, of course, in the quaint New England town of Durham, New Hampshire, just over an hour north of Boston and ten miles west of the Atlantic Ocean! If you want to learn a little about the flavor of coastal NH, try these sites: Portsmouthnh.com, VisitNH.gov, SeaCoast Online, and Foster's Online.