Publication Date
Fall 11-17-2025
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
Department
Communication Studies, Department of
Student Level
Undergraduate
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Amy Schmisseur
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
Residence Directors (RDs) and other Student Affairs Professionals (SAPs) work in roles defined by constant interaction, crisis response, and emotional engagement. Residence Life is often one of the first professional experiences in student affairs, making it a highly formative environment. In my research, every professional interviewed had worked in Residence Life at some point, shaping how they understand communication, emotion, and expectations in the field.
What makes this work especially unique is that many professionals live where they work, respond to crises at all hours, and support students through both challenges and celebrations. As a result, they are frequently required to manage and regulate their own emotions—remaining calm, supportive, and composed even in high-stress situations. This emotional regulation, often referred to as emotional labor, is central to how they build trust and care for students.
While emotional labor has been widely studied in other fields, it remains underexplored in Residence Life, despite the intensity of the role. RDs often act as first responders to student emergencies, including mental health crises, conflict, and trauma, all while balancing administrative and relational responsibilities. Many professionals develop personal strategies to cope with these demands, but still report emotional exhaustion, role ambiguity, and burnout—especially when institutional support is limited.
In addition, professionals frequently experience vicarious trauma through ongoing exposure to students’ distress. Emotional intelligence can help them navigate these challenges, but individual skills alone are not enough. Without clear expectations, strong boundaries, and institutional support, the emotional demands of the role can become overwhelming.
This project explores how Residence Life professionals communicate and manage emotion, as well as the benefits and challenges of emotional labor in their work. By identifying key stressors and gaps in support, this research offers insights to improve staff well-being, retention, and the overall student experience
Recommended Citation
Christensen, Hannah, "The Communication of Emotion in College Student Affairs: An Analysis on Emotional Labor in Residence Life" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 1047.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/1047
