December 9, 2024
At St. John’s University, several faculty members and administrators have made a home on or near the Queens, NY, campus—and find the experience unique, convenient, and rewarding.
Samuel Baah, Associate Director, Orientation and New Student Experience, has lived in the DePaul Townhouses with his wife, Erica, and their two young children for two years. He says living in University housing allows him to connect with students. It also engenders a more genuine sense of community among those who come to him for information on campus activities or student resources.
“Living in DePaul helps me do my job better because I can see the impact of my services firsthand,” Mr. Baah said. “I appreciate the empathy I gain by living in the same building as college students, and they feel comfortable coming to me for help when they see me with my wife and children.”
“It’s also very convenient living here,” Mr. Baah continued. “I have a short commute when I work after hours, which allows me to be a better support network for the student body.”
Most administrators and faculty who live in University housing do so out of an eagerness to be present in students’ lives.
David N. Gachigo, M.P.A., Senior Associate Dean of Students, lives in the DePaul Townhouses with his wife and their two children, who attend school nearby. Mr. Gachigo believes that living among students allows him to promote purposeful initiatives through the Division of Student Success.
As a former international student, Mr. Gachigo prioritizes living among St. John’s international cohort members, where he can better provide resources and support. A student himself—Mr. Gachigo is pursuing a Ph.D. in World History—he said living in University housing provides him convenience, stability, and a community of supportive peers.
“For this to work, any staff member, including myself, must be interested in helping our students grow and develop,” Mr. Gachigo said. “The positive interaction with students and support created through such connections play a role in student retention and success.”
Few across the St. John’s campus know that better than Jason T. Bartlett, Ph.D., Director, Office of Residence Life. Dr. Bartlett lived in the DePaul Townhouses with his wife, Alexa, and children, Claire and Timothy, from 2018 to February 2024.
Dr. Bartlett has fond memories of living with the St. John’s student community and is grateful to have shared the experience with his family.
“St. John’s is truly a family unit. I would not bring my wife and children to a place where safety, community, and compassion were not a priority,” Dr. Bartlett said. “My kids now have an inside look into campus living and college life, which is rare and will carry them into adulthood.”
Living among students enabled Dr. Bartlett to better share information on housing services, while helping students anxious about living away from home. The interactions motivated him to initiate fundraisers like St. John’s Saves and other events supporting student wellness.
“Connecting with students in my real life and having off-the-cuff conversations about life, parenting, school, career, and providing networking opportunities was, and is, the best part of my job,” Dr. Bartlett said. “Our kids still refer to DePaul as their home.”
Likewise, students living in DePaul appreciate having easy access to administrators when they have questions about their academic, living, or communal needs. While accommodating, Mr. Baah has set some limits that enable him to be effective while also enjoying his family time.
“I value every opportunity I have to assist our students,” he said. “I have been able to set healthy boundaries so that it is not burdensome.”
Family safety is a priority for Mr. Baah, Mr. Gachigo, Dr. Bartlett, and other administrators who live in University housing. Living among students also made Dr. Bartlett more aware of their lived experience.
“The building was always very safe,” Dr. Bartlett said. “Knowing that the fire safety systems were top-notch, that Campus Facilities and Services was very responsive, and that the Department of Public Safety could be called when we locked ourselves out of the apartment was most helpful.”
Dr. Bartlett continued, “But living in DePaul also made me very aware of student concerns and led to upgrades in lighting, cameras, and security for ground-floor units.”
Victoria O’Keefe ’13CPS, ’15G, ’19G, Residence Ministry Director of the Catholic Scholars Program, Social Justice and Retreats, is among several Campus Ministry administrators whose positions require them to live in University housing. Ms. O’Keefe finds residing with the student community in the Henley Road Residence inspirational.
Living among students, she sees how the Vincentian values of equal opportunity for all and care for the poor and marginalized are demonstrated by students. She leads students in holiday celebrations, neighborhood trash collections, group art activities, and other initiatives, bringing Johnnies from diverse backgrounds together.
Working with University Counseling and Psychological Services, residence ministers provide students with spiritual health and wellness resources. Living among students enables Ms. O’Keefe to be available to those needing direct support during a crisis.
“Whether you are a first-generation student, or someone struggling financially, socially, or spiritually, residence ministers work to remove the inequalities that burden the poor and marginalized by providing resources that make Johnnies spiritually richer,” Ms. O’Keefe said. “This is what St. Vincent de Paul embodies—a community using their talents to innovate new opportunities for those in need and ensuring everyone can succeed.”