Kathleen Kerr

Kathleen G. Kerr

Director

(302) 831-1201


My Responsibilities

In my role as the Director of Residence Life, I am a champion for the success of students living in the residence halls, the staff who work to support this success, and the department. Our mission as a department is consistent with both the mission of UD and with the Division of Student Life. The staff in Residence Life partners with students to develop vibrant, inclusive communities where students engage in living-learning environments; freely exchange ideas; and cultivate skills and knowledge to become citizens and leaders in our increasingly global society. My job is to move the department forward strategically so that each day we are achieving that mission.

Where I Can Help

  • Residence Life is a big department and there are many talented and capable staff members available to assist students who live in the halls and their families. I am one of those staff members, although admittedly, rarely the first one contacted.
  • I have a passion for sustainability and am involved in both UD’s sustainability initiatives and the Residence Life environmental sustainability work.
  • I have a secondary appointment at UD as an Assistant Professor and very much enjoy the first year seminar I teach each fall, and any other teaching opportunities that come my way.
  • Nationally, I have held multiple leadership roles in ACPA, an international Association for those of us working with college students outside of the classroom. I enjoy mentoring new professionals in student affairs and being involved in their professional growth.

If I may be of assistance in any of these capacities, please feel free to be in touch.

Educational Background

  • B.A., Mass Communication, University of Indiana
  • M.A., Interpersonal Communication & Conflict Resolution, University of Indiana
  • Ed.D., Educational Leadership: Curriculum, Technology, & Higher Education, University of Delaware

Arrival to UD

1990

Previous Positions Held

After serving in various Graduate Assistantships at IU, I began my professional career as a Complex Coordinator at UD (then called an Assistant Area Coordinator). After a couple years, I began to coordinate UD's Special Interest Housing program, then became an Area Coordinator, Assistant Director, and Associate Director.

My Favorite Quote/Motto/Personal Philosophy

If you aim for nothing, you'll hit it.

Life Outside UD

Outside of UD, I am active in the American College Personnel Association, ACPA. I served as the Chair of ACPA’s Commission for Housing and Residential Life from 2006-2008 and as the 2009 and 2011 Convention Program Chair. I served on ACPA’s Sustainability Committee and Task Force and was on the Governing Board as the Director of Membership Development from 2010-2012. In 2012 I began a three-year term first serving as Vice president, then President, and finally as Past-President.

I am also a member of AAC&U, the Association of American College and Universities; MACUHO, the Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers; and ACUHO-I, the Association of College and University Housing Officers International.

I reside in Newark with my husband; four daughters; Boston Terrier, Macy; and Pug, Sadie.