2008 Woodie Awards
Residence Life Turnover: Goucher Bids Farewell Stacy Cooper Patterson and Heather Koch
Shoshana Flax
Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: News
Before the Fall 2005 semester starts, Goucher's Residence Life staff will undergo several changes, some of which will extend to other areas of the Goucher community.
Stacy Cooper Patterson, Director of Residence Life, and Heather Koch, a Hall Director who also serves as General Manager of the Gopher Holes through the Office of Student Activities, will be leaving their positions.
In addition, a new position, the office of the Vice President and Dean of Students is creating a new position: Associate Dean for Community Living and Multicultural Affairs.
Cooper Patterson's responsibilities have evolved during her four years at Goucher. In addition to generally overseeing the operation of the Office of Residence Life, she works with students on residential as well as personal issues. She sponsors campus-wide programs, particularly in the residence halls; she oversees the judicial program; she mentors student leaders; she coordinates housing assignments for incoming students; and she handles whatever crisis situations arise.
"I also try to be a visible and active member of the community...a goal which has been harder to achieve since I became a mom," she said.
The Office of Residence Life was going through a period of significant turnover when Cooper Patterson arrived. The only staff member remaining from the previous year was a part-time hall director, in the position Koch now fills.
"My first year was focused on rebuilding the staff and office procedures," Cooper Patterson said. "Although the first year was difficult, I felt lucky to be able to surround myself with a fabulous group of individuals who are very committed to what they do, and make coming to work such a joy."
Cooper Patterson's previous job was in the Office of Residence Life at Vassar College. Before that, she worked in the Undergraduate Career Services office at Yale University.
"The primary reason that I have decided to leave is to spend more time with my daughter Ryan, who is 16 months old," said Cooper Patterson. "Being the Director of Residence Life has been a tremendous experience for me...but the job is very consuming and it has been difficult for me to balance being both the best director and mom I can be."
Stacy Cooper Patterson, Director of Residence Life, and Heather Koch, a Hall Director who also serves as General Manager of the Gopher Holes through the Office of Student Activities, will be leaving their positions.
In addition, a new position, the office of the Vice President and Dean of Students is creating a new position: Associate Dean for Community Living and Multicultural Affairs.
Cooper Patterson's responsibilities have evolved during her four years at Goucher. In addition to generally overseeing the operation of the Office of Residence Life, she works with students on residential as well as personal issues. She sponsors campus-wide programs, particularly in the residence halls; she oversees the judicial program; she mentors student leaders; she coordinates housing assignments for incoming students; and she handles whatever crisis situations arise.
"I also try to be a visible and active member of the community...a goal which has been harder to achieve since I became a mom," she said.
The Office of Residence Life was going through a period of significant turnover when Cooper Patterson arrived. The only staff member remaining from the previous year was a part-time hall director, in the position Koch now fills.
"My first year was focused on rebuilding the staff and office procedures," Cooper Patterson said. "Although the first year was difficult, I felt lucky to be able to surround myself with a fabulous group of individuals who are very committed to what they do, and make coming to work such a joy."
Cooper Patterson's previous job was in the Office of Residence Life at Vassar College. Before that, she worked in the Undergraduate Career Services office at Yale University.
"The primary reason that I have decided to leave is to spend more time with my daughter Ryan, who is 16 months old," said Cooper Patterson. "Being the Director of Residence Life has been a tremendous experience for me...but the job is very consuming and it has been difficult for me to balance being both the best director and mom I can be."