October 19th 2015

Employment

Curry College

1071 Blue Hill Ave,

Milton, Massachusetts 02186

To whom it may concern,

I’d like to first introduce myself, my name is Jennifer Stone and I am currently a second year master’s student in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program here at Florida State University. I came across the Community Director position at Curry College and knew immediately I had to apply. I truly believe that my experiences within residence life and in other functional areas of interest have equipped me to enter into a position, such as the Community Director position, with passion, dedication, and the ability to thrive and grow. Professionally I am drawn to the small, private, liberal arts based university. I was excited to discover Curry’s residential campus was made up of many smaller and larger residential communities, and I knew right away Curry would be a perfect fit not only because of the position but also due to how well the values and ideals held by Curry align with my own principles. I believe in a community and educational residential model and fostering safe spaces in which students can find a home within their community. My passions lie within facilitating this growth and development of students through modeling and guiding positive interpersonal authentic relationships.

Currently I am employed with University Housing at Florida State University and have one semester left of my master’s program. Florida State is unique within their Higher Education program in regards to the fact that they promote the foundational idea that when a position comes along, that would be the correct next step in someone’s professional career, there is no reason a student within the program should not apply. The last semester of my degree can be done completely online through a distance-learning model, and would require only three in person visits on weekends. After discussing with both my supervisor and program director, I knew I would be passing up an opportunity of a lifetime for my professional advancement if I did not apply for the Curry Community Director position.

During my time with the Residential Student Experience department within University Housing, I have gained numerous skills and characteristics that would aid me as a live on professional with a residential life department. I have both advising and supervision skills from supervising resident assistants in community and apartment style residence halls, as well I serve as the Hall Council primary advisor for an Inter-Residence Hall Council affiliated student group within the residence community. Within my duties I have assisted with trainings, both initial and ongoing, specifically working with the resident assistants to continue to develop and further their skills as crisis management and first responders within the hall. I myself also serve on a duty rotation within the department and oversee a population of approximately 7,500 students within 12 residence halls that range from 500-750 students in residence. Experiences within this model include facilities related crisis management as well as behavioral first response involving alcohol and other drugs; in addition I have firsthand responder experience with both Title IX related crisis management as well as active shooter on campus response experience. In regards to educational student practice, here at Florida State we work with our resident assistants to implement and facilitate educational programs involving campus partner relationships and an education model approach to further the student educational and social involvement within the University as a whole. I personally value campus partner relationships, as a residential student needs support from both inside and outside the residence hall. As well I am a hearing officer within the department and have an abundant amount of knowledge with the adjudication process and have heard numerous cases within conduct ranging from roommate conflicts, hazardous materials, compliance with university officials and alcohol & other drugs.

Within my skill sets I have also ventured out to other functional areas and have gained proficiency within student activities, orientation, and first year experience. As a direct supervisor for orientation within the SUNY Cortland advisement and transition office, I gained valuable knowledge about first year and first time in college students as it relates to the transition of both students and families into higher education institutions, as well as retention efforts in regards to our students. As well during my time with the Student Activities office with Florida State’s Homecoming, I worked closely with the advisement of student leaders, large-scale programming and budgets, and gained valuable insight into the importance of faculty and staff relations between departments and functional areas.

After reviewing my application materials I know you will see I have a great passion for student affairs and in particular residence life and housing. I know I could be a positive addition to the residence life team at Curry; and could bring innovation, commitment and dedication to my position and students. I know my past and current experiences will help me to foster and aid in the creation and implementation of a successful residential student community. As a genuine, authentic, and holistic student affairs professional, I am excited about the opportunity to become part of the Curry family.

Thank you for your consideration and I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Warm Regards,

Jennifer R. Stone