Amin Rashid recently joined the Wilkes University community as director of Residence Life. Rashid is settling in to the headquarters of the residence life division in the Max Roth Center on the corner of South and South Franklin Streets. In Rashid’s role, he oversees the residence life staff of four, over 1,100 resident students, more than 40 student resident assistants and 20 residence facilities across campus.
Rashid took some time from his busy schedule to answer our “getting to know you” questions posed by News@Wilkes:
Where is “home” for you?
I call all of New York home…but most importantly Syracuse, N.Y. I would call Wilkes-Barre home now.
Where did you attend college and what degrees and other formal training do you hold?
I received an AAS degree from SUNY Onondaga, with a major in electronic media communications; a BM from the Conservatory of Music, Purchase College; an MS from The Park School of Communications, Ithaca College. I have a combined 20 years working in res life and higher education, and I’m currently a doctor of education leadership candidate at Wilkes University, class of 2026.
What positions did you hold before joining Wilkes?
Academic advisor, assistant director of residence life, teacher for Science Academies of NY (SANY), residence director and adjunct professor.
What led you to choose a career in residence life?
A kickball game. I arrived at SUNY Purchase two weeks early for a bridge program, and was bored and alone in my room. The resident assistant (RA) came to my room and asked me to play…and the rest is history. Since then, I have been a “Res Lifer.”
How do you describe your role as director of residence life at Wilkes?
A combination of movies: “Jumper,” “Men in Black II” (the alien in the mailroom sorting mail), and Michael Keaton in “Multiplicity.” I have to be proactive with helping residents, collaborating with multiple departments for student success, and being everywhere at the same time.
Right now, I’m reading/watching:
Reading “The Hate you Give” by Angie Thomas, and watching “Brewster’s Millions” starring Richard Pryor and John Candy.
People would be surprised to learn:
Loving one another is free, you just have to pay attention.
If I have a free afternoon…
I am headed to the bowling alley with my ball, shoes and airpods.
What’s residence life at Wilkes all about?
Check out the residence life website.
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