Michelle Hennessy – News Writer
With Southern holding a special place in his heart, Robert DeMezzo is the new director of Residence Life.
“Being a Southern student myself,” said DeMezzo, “I’ve been here before the Student Center existed and the West Campus building was a parking lot back then.”
DeMezzo started out as a biochemistry student, 20 years ago, and later completed Master’s degree in business but fell into Residence Life during a graduate intern position.
“I graduated with my undergraduate in 1989 and I was all prepared to go out into the world of chemistry,” said DeMezzo. “But then there was a position here at Residence Life to be a graduate intern and I loved Southern so much, I came here with no idea about what I wanted to do. I came to college because my parents told me that’s what I needed to do, but I became so engaged with the institution that I stayed on as a graduate intern.”
DeMezzo said one of the main ways in which Southern has changed, aside from new buildings, is the focus on student success.
“I like to believe we’re a lot more centered on student success now. Graduating our students on time and helping them succeed. That’s my commitment, to help students be successful,” said DeMezzo. “Whether that’s through having a clean, safe community or, on the other side, what activities we’re doing outside the classroom. I’m certain those things existed before too but it’s a huge priority of ours now.
As well as being an intern for Residence Life, DeMezzo has been an RA, Schwartz Hall’s supervisor, and has since worked his way up to director – a position he hadn’t considered while he was interning.
“It wasn’t a career goal at that point, I just loved Southern and I wasn’t ready to leave,” said DeMezzo. “Then I started my business program and then I was asked to supervise one of the halls, Schwartz Hall, and I just ended up falling in love with Residence Life at that point.”
Now taking over as director of Residence Life, DeMezzo said there are some challenges in his new role.
“There’s challenges within this role, certainly. We have the challenge of filling some staff vacancies among other things. I’ve found challenges and opportunities in each one of my roles at Southern,” said DeMezzo. “I’m responsible for the overall running of the department, the facilities, the housing assignments, the climate, the community of the residence halls. I also have responsibilities with regards to dining services on campus, our living-learning programs.”
DeMezzo said the purpose of Residence Life is to help students progress through college effectively. The University of Northern Iowa found in 2010 that students who lived on campus got better grades than those who commuted, with residents being almost twice as likely to make the Dean’s List.
“I think that’s because of the support systems in place, there’s a sense of community – you’re living with people that are having some of the same challenges as you so you can help each other out,” said DeMezzo. “Residence Life exists not only to have a convenient place for our students to live but also to provide education and support development. Just preparing our students and assisting them with their professional goals.”
One of the things DeMezzo said he loved about his job was seeing students succeed and graduate.
“I participate in every graduation day, I always volunteer, because I love to see students walking across that stage and seeing them get their degree,” said DeMezzo. “Working with students in general is a high point.”
But the role also comes with difficult situations, according to DeMezzo.
“Residence Life does tend to see students at some of their worst points,” said DeMezzo. “To me that’s a low point. But I guess it’s also an opportunity to assist a student, I don’t just look at it as a negative, this is an opportunity to help someone.”
