Amanda Gilmore is Moravian University’s new Director of Housing and Residence Life, a role that blends leadership, collaboration, and a deep care for community. With a background in communication, conflict resolution, and years of residence life experience, she brings both expertise and empathy to the job. Whether she’s coordinating room assignments, supporting student leaders, or walking her orange-and-white pitbull, Sophie, across campus, she radiates the same enthusiasm that drew her to Moravian in the first place: the people, the culture, and the shared sense of home.
What is your job title on campus?
Director of Housing & Residence Life.
What does your position usually entail?
Alongside our Associate Director, Alex, and Assistant Director, Sean, I oversee the management, operations, and advancement of the campus housing experience. Together, we have the privilege of overseeing the Residence Life staff and working closely with Facilities (FMPC), the Business Office, Dining Services, and Event Management to provide a seamless living experience. My day might include assigning graduate students to campus housing, responding to student concerns, supporting my staff, planning the room selection process, or communicating with other campus offices, such as ODA or Dining, just to name a few examples.
What department do you work in?
I’m really proud to work in the Student Life department. It was immediately apparent to me that every professional in our office is not only dedicated and hardworking, but also the kind of human being you can genuinely enjoy working with.
What are some of the unique challenges that come with your position?
Being new to the role, the current challenge is finding ways to learn quickly so that I can not only confidently navigate any immediate tasks, but also get ahead on projects and processes that need long-term attention. As a Director, balancing “urgent” with “important” becomes critical to the overall strength and foresight of a department. As a simple example, you can’t ignore finalizing dates and publicizing timelines for Spring Room Selection just because Fall Health & Safety Inspections are in full swing.
What are your favorite aspects of working in your position?
Truthfully, my favorite part of the job is supervising Alex and Sean and learning from my direct supervisor, Liz. All three of them have been incredibly supportive both personally and professionally already. Just yesterday, Sean helped me calculate some data, Alex helped me find an email template, and Liz answered my daily slew of “How does this work here?” questions. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned and grown in just over a month.
What made you decide to work at Moravian?
I have a few good friends across campus who LOVE working here. They would talk about how happy they are here, how wonderful the culture is, and how the people take care of each other. I wanted to be part of that! I was also ready for the next step in my career, and wanted to stay close to home – I’m from Hamburg. Lastly, I used to work at Lehigh University and was excited about the prospect of moving back into Bethlehem.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself that most people don’t know about you?
I used to cheer competitively and was the captain of my college cheerleading squad. I was also a Head RA and the editor-in-chief of my college newspaper. I share these things because my college experience so closely mirrors the experiences of our busy, active, athletic, and involved student leaders. I have so much respect and admiration for all of you because I remember how rewarding, exhausting, and transformative it all was.
What do you do in your free time?
I spend most of my time with my two kids, Siona (7) and Kya (5), and being lazy on the couch with my arthritic and wonderfully sedentary pitbull, Sophie. In the non-parenting and non-work time I have, my hobbies are mundane – I love sleeping, eating, watching TV, reading, and inviting people over to laugh and catch up.
Are there any interesting projects or things you are working on, even outside of your career?
Honestly? The biggest project right now is myself! I’m working on my own happiness during this transitional time in my life. Don’t believe the guise of professionals in the working world having it all together– everyone struggles. As my supervisor recently encouraged, “Everyone has a different kind of hard.”
Did you plan to work in higher education?
Initially, I wanted to work in the Journalism/Marketing field with my Communication undergraduate degree. But in my senior year of college at DeSales University, I realized how much more I loved being an RA than my countless internships. The dots started to connect when my Residence Life supervisor pointed out that it could be a career for me. So while I got my master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Dispute Resolution at Salisbury University, I spent two years as a Hall Director supervising an RA staff and fell in love with the work even more.
What’s been your favorite part of working at Moravian so far?
Everyone must say it’s the students, right? The RAs, CAs, HRs, and SRAs here – WOW! Student leaders at Moravian are on a whole different level. Phenomenal. I couldn’t have been more impressed by the energy, participation, inclusion, and maturity I saw from all 46 of them throughout August training and opening. They are so kind and welcoming; you can’t help but love them.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Just a thank you to those who helped me get here and trusted me to take on this role! I finally feel like I am in the right place and have found my professional home. Also, if you see me walking an orange and white pittie on campus – stop to say hi! She is very friendly and we love meeting all of you.
