Creating a living space like a home suite requires collaboration of many parties involved
Grand Canyon University's Vibrant Residence Life
Grand Canyon University (GCU) is known for its lively campus life, and the Willow Hall residence hall is no exception. Chloe Brandow, a junior, recently performed in front of 2,473 people in the Global Credit Union Arena with her boyfriend, who lives on a different floor in the same hall. An interesting fact about their relationship is that they first met in Willow Hall.
The story of GCU's campus life is intertwined with the design of the residence halls. Pono Construction built the halls, with architect Caroline Lobo designing them in a distinctive style. The halls feature rectangular shapes, colourful panels, and a base of brick, showcasing tradition and Christian faith.
Living on campus at GCU is appealing due to the numerous dining options, sporting fields, pools, gyms, events, and hall activities all within 50 paces. Conner Madeya, a resident director in Willow Hall, highlighted this convenience.
The Department of Residence Life plays a significant role in building community and culture at GCU. This is achieved primarily through the Life Leader program, which focuses on student leadership development, small group connections, and fostering a supportive campus environment. Life Leaders, such as Sarai Herrera, help create a positive environment by organizing events and maintaining communication between residents and staff.
Resident directors, like Janelle Dennis in Willow Hall, often have a personal connection to GCU. Dennis considers her time at GCU as the best four years of her life. These resident directors are there to help students navigate college life, from resolving roommate conflicts to ensuring rules are followed, creating a safe and comfortable environment.
The university also caters to students' preferences, allowing freshmen to self-select where they want to live, which is unusual among universities. Returning students have a streamlined process of signing up roommate groups.
GCU's commitment to enhancing student living experiences is evident in its continuous residence hall expansion. The university has one of the largest residential campuses of any private university in the U.S., with its own police force and security to ensure safety.
In Willow Hall, events such as the Willow's Wild Fiesta, complete with a hot pepper eating contest and pin-the-mustache, add to the vibrant atmosphere. Resident directors, like Corinne Webb in Ponderosa Apartments, attribute the success of the residence life program to community assimilation being the norm.
Each floor in every building on campus has a life group, led by student leaders from Spiritual Life, who lead Bible study once a week. This focus on small group life, intentional mentorship, and community service is a key aspect of GCU's residence life.
Recent resident surveys showed that students wanted more apartments, so the university has since constructed apartments that allow students to cook their own meals and have private spaces. Clara Roberts, a senior resident assistant, stated that the Grove, a common area, is a happy place where things are always happening and everyone is excited about campus.
The story was originally published in the April issue of GCU Magazine, available both physically and digitally.
Sarai Herrera, a freshman, is one example of a student who finds a home in GCU's residence halls. Despite her initial nerves and insecurities, she has found a supportive community in Willow Hall. On a recent evening, she was in a room among a huddle of women on the second floor, praying for a troubled student in the center of the huddle.
In summary, GCU's Department of Residence Life focuses on cultivating a close-knit, supportive campus culture through leadership programs like Life Leaders, mentoring, community service, and continual residence hall expansion to improve student living experiences.
- Grand Canyon University's Willow Hall residence hall is not only a place for students to live, but also a venue for performances, as Chloe Brandow and her boyfriend recently demonstrated in front of a crowd of 2,473 people.
- The distinctive style of Grand Canyon University's residence halls, designed by Caroline Lobo, reflects the university's Christian faith and tradition, with rectangular shapes, colorful panels, and a brick base.
- Living on campus at Grand Canyon University provides students with easy access to various amenities, such as dining options, sporting fields, pools, gyms, events, and hall activities, all within reach.
- The Department of Residence Life plays a crucial role in fostering a supportive community and culture at Grand Canyon University, through programs like the Life Leader program, which focuses on student leadership development.
- Resident directors, like Janelle Dennis in Willow Hall, are there to help students navigate college life, creating a safe and comfortable environment by resolving conflicts, ensuring rules are followed, and maintaining communication with residents.
- Grand Canyon University offers students the unique opportunity to self-select where they want to live, and returning students have a streamlined process of signing up roommate groups.
- The university's residence life program is committed to enhancing student living experiences, as shown by the continuous residence hall expansion and the construction of apartments with private spaces and kitchens.
- Community assimilation is key to the success of Grand Canyon University's residence life program, as seen in events like the Willow's Wild Fiesta and the Bible study groups led by student leaders from Spiritual Life on each floor.
