Nazareth’s Rachel Hohenwarter recognized nationally for her ResLife work during the pandemic

In a year marked by uncertainty and change, Nazareth College Residential Life Area Director Rachel Hohenwarter 21’G, helped lead the residential life team through leadership transitions at the departmental, divisional, and college level while providing stability and continuity for student leaders. She’s earning national honors as the Association of College and University Housing Officers - International (ACUHO-I) recognizes her outstanding work, specifically during COVID.  

Hohenwarter, who just earned her master’s from Nazareth in May in leadership and organizational change, says the national award was a surprise and a true honor. “My biggest challenge this year has been the constant policy changes (due to the pandemic) as well as wanting the students to have the best first year experience possible with so many limitations. While I had to learn to adapt, it gave me the opportunity to think of new and potentially better ways to connect and stay connected with students in the future.” 

ACUHO-I launched the Heroes Program to recognize the incredible efforts of campus professionals during this period of significant challenge (COVID-19, racial injustice, natural disasters, etc). The ACUHO-I Heroes program honors individuals who have displayed leadership within their organizations and the profession as a whole, gone above and beyond their traditional scope of work to ensure the health and safety of their communities, and tirelessly advocated for their community members.

“Rachel has been a rockstar for our department over the course of the last year,” said Victoria Gebel, Nazareth’s residential life and community standards director. “Always ready to lend a helping hand, Rachel got right to work when the RAs returned to campus in August. She helped us anticipate problems, troubleshoot, and find solutions. Never one to shy away from a challenge and always looking to help us improve, Rachel worked hard to update procedures and initiatives to be safe and COVID friendly while maintaining the fun and normalcy as much as possible. She has been core to our success!” 

Being recognized as a ACUHO-I Hero is an impressive accomplishment. Recipients range from entry-level housing officers to senior level professionals. Gebel says, “As someone still within the first five years of their ResLife career, having her hard work and contributions recognized nationally demonstrates what we here at Naz already know about Rachel — that she is an outstanding professional and colleague!"

Nazareth University is an inclusive community of inspired learners, educators, and changemakers who for nearly 100 years have been driven by a bold commitment to action, empathy, equity, and leading innovation for the common good. Impact experiences are at the heart of a Nazareth education, preparing each student to discover within themselves the potential to cultivate positive change in their life's work, in any career field, and in a world that is constantly evolving and infinitely interconnected.

Our broad academic offerings present a range of study options typical of larger universities, yet achieved in our supportive campus culture. Nearly 2,100 undergrad and 600 graduate students enroll in degree and certificate programs and engage in collaborative, transformative learning experiences, preparing for the professions and society of today and tomorrow. In a learning community that purposefully integrates liberal arts and professional programs, Nazareth University graduates are able to launch a lifetime of impactful leadership in communities and workplaces near and far.

• published: 2021 June
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