Welcome to the Office of Residence Life

Living on campus is a vital part of the college experience. The Office of Residence Life at Nova Southeastern University is here to make your home-away-from-home comfortable, safe, and enriching. Our goal is to provide students with a supportive and inclusive living environment that promotes academic success, personal growth, and community engagement.

Whether you're a first-year student adjusting to life on campus or a returning student exploring new housing options, we’re here to assist you every step of the way.

Together, we'll make your campus living experience unforgettable!

Residential Living Guide

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This is your go-to source for all the need-to-know information about living on campus. Learn the dos and don'ts, the who's who, and campus resources.

Familiarize yourself with the policies and procedures of Residence Life, University Housing, and the university.View the Residential Living Guide

Student Resources

NSU's Residence Life team is dedicated to creating a supportive and welcoming home away from home for all residents. Our professional, graduate, and student staff collaborate to foster a community that encourages personal and professional growth

Location:

Leo Goodwin Residence Hall
reslife@nova.edu
(954) 262-7067

Residential Staff Availability:

  • 24/7/365 support
  • Resident Assistants on call 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 a.m.
  • 24/7 availability on weekends

Our leadership team can be found in Leo Goodwin, and our professional staff, which includes our area coordinators and assistant area coordinators, have offices in their respective buildings or in the Commons Office.

Leadership

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Tom Converso

Director of Residence Life

icontconvers@nova.edu

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Donald Shields

Associate Director of Residence Life

icondonald.shields@nova.edu

Area Coordinators

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Brianne Miller

Leo Goodwin Hall

iconbmiller3@nova.edu

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Darius Perkins

CLC FFV

icondperkin1@nova.edu

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Janelle Lora-DePalo

The Commons

iconjl3531@nova.edu

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Yamiley Nestor

Rolling Hills

iconynestor@nova.edu

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Junn Morales

Mako Hall

iconjmorale2@nova.edu

Assistant Area Coordinators

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Lara Aviles Matias

Mako Hall

iconla1318@nova.edu

Resident Assistant

The Resident Assistant (RA) is the core of the Student Affairs Staff in residence halls. RAs play a critical role in individual student and community growth and development. The quality of their efforts has a significant, direct bearing upon the quality of life experienced by all members of the University Community. If you are interested in learning more about this incredible leadership opportunity, click on the button for details.

How to Become an RA

Programming

The Residence Life Team provides students with programming designed to create community and provide support for academic and life goals. The Resident Assistant team, comprised of 62 RAs, supports each floor or area of our residence halls via resources and programming. The RA team provides one Purpose program a month that residents can attend on their floor to create community. The RA team also provides 2-3 Community Wide programs per month for the entire residence hall community to come together and have a dedicated event. The First Year Experience (FYE) and Second Year Experience (SYE) teams create Area Wide Programming for the respective first year and second year (upperclassman) areas. First Year areas focus on connecting residential engagement with the Univ 1000 academic classes where SYE creates space for students to learn about after college life & professional goals.

Signature Events

As part of our engagement and programming strategy the Office of Residence Life is introducing engagement opportunities called Residence Life Signature Events. This year there are several Signature Events that the entire residential and NSU community can attend:

Leadership Fair (End of Sep & Early October)

The Leadership Fair is an event in collaboration with the Center for Student Leadership and Global Engagement where students can learn about different leadership opportunities on campus from on Campus Jobs to experiential learning opportunities!

Finals Week Event: Sharks Studying Strong (Monday November 24th 6:00 P.M.-8:00 P.M.)

Get ready to thrive—not just survive—finals week! This program is designed to support you during one of the most challenging times of the semester by blending academic resources, wellness opportunities, and social connection to help reduce stress and promote academic success.

Explore our key zones:

  • Study & Tutoring Zone – Focused study spaces with access to peer tutors.
  • Academic Support Zone – Tools, tips, and strategies to help you succeed.
  • Brain Fuel Station – Healthy snacks to power your mind and body.
  • De-Stress & Recharge – Guided Puppy Place in collaboration with Positivity

Professional Pathways Event- SLCE Lead Week Event (March)

This event is in collaboration with the Center for Student Leadership and Global Engagement and the CAPS team during LEAD Week on campus! The students learn about different professional skills and needs for their internship or job process. The event allows students to do interview prep, CAPS Career Closet, Headshots and professional advising opportunities.

As part of the residential experience here at NSU we recognize that adjusting to shared living can be new and sometimes challenging transition for students. To support a positive and respectful living environment, we have established the following process:

Residential Living Agreement

At the start of the academic year, all Residential Students will meet with their Resident Assistant and Suitemates/Roommates to complete a Residential Living Agreement.  This agreement helps to set shared expectations for the residential space.

  1. Revision to Living Agreement

Revisions can be made to the Residential Living Agreement as needed by students with their Resident Assistants

  1. Conflict Resolution

If conflict arises, Residence Life staff will first engage in one facilitated conversation-based resolutions with students either at the Resident Assistant Level or Professional Staff Level (AC/AAC) to resolve the issue

  1. Mediation Services

If conflict continues to arise and further support is needed the conversation or conflict situation will be sent over to NSU Student Mediation Services for mediation for all parties involved

If you would like to check out Student Mediation Services here at NSU you can check out their site as  well as see the Mediation Request Form

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) at NSU is the governing student body and voice of the on-campus student population. RHA works alongside the Office of Residence Life as well as Residential Engagement in fostering unity about the educational and social pursuit of a diverse student population at NSU and represents the community at large.

The RHA Executive Branch are student leaders who advocate and develop the community within the residential areas! These students are current residents who are creating events and attending meetings to get a better understanding of the residential leadership model and create long lasting change within the residential community. All students are welcome to join!

 

rha benefits  rha meeting dates

 

Perks of Joining RHA at NSU:

  • Earn Hours Toward 1 ExEL Credit
  • Leadership Development Series
  • Be a Voice for Your Community
  • Attend Regional & National Leadership Conferences
  • Event Planning & Program Design
  • Professional Growth & Skill Development
  • Connect to Campus Resources & Opportunities

New this year we are introducing a Leadership Workshop in Collaboration with the Center of Student Leadership and Global Engagement on Tuesdays from 6-7 P.M. following with the RHA General Body Meetings at 7 P.M. This leadership workshop, if coupled with RHA General Body Meetings, will result in one unit of Exel credit that all students need to complete before graduating at NSU.

Date: September 2nd- November 4th

Location: Commons Residence Hall Classroom 123 A/B

 

Week

Date

Topic

Key Activities

1

Sept. 2nd

Leadership Starts With You

Discover your style, Workshop overview

2

Sept. 9th

Teamwork & Conflict

Team Builders & Conflict Management

3

Sept. 16th

Advocacy 101

Learn about student advocacy in and out of residence halls

4

Sept. 23rd

Programs with Purpose

Aligning events with student needs

5

Sept. 30th

Planning Events Like a Pro

Event checklist, brainstorm a hall program

   

NO MEETING | MIDTERMS WEEK

 

6

Oct. 7th

Marketing & Outreach

Brainstorm Advertisement/Marketing Methods

7

Oct. 14th

Budgeting & Resources

Learn how to manage budgets

8

Oct. 28th

Finding Your Voice

Strengths assessment, intro to public speaking

9

Nov. 4th

Living Your Values

Define your values, goal-setting exercise

10

Nov. 11th

What’s Next in Leadership?

Campus leadership opportunities

 

 

Contact Us

If you have a question, need assistance, or want to learn more about how to participate in our student engagement opportunities, please contact the Office of Residence Life: