Alum mentors college students
Through his resident assistant (R.A.) experience at Messiah University, Marcus Washington ’05, M.A. ’15 found a career—and a home—in higher education. Now in his third year as the director of housing and residence life at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina, he mentors students, watching them grow during their college experience.
“There is something special about living on a college campus. I want to provide students with a place that they can call home. I feel a responsibility to all of my students and their families to look after and take care of them,” said Washington. “When a parent drops their child off, I always tell them I will look after them.”
After graduating as a human development and family sciences major, he worked in Messiah’s admissions office, while also pursuing a master’s in higher education. Soon, he advanced to the position of assistant director of residence life at DeSales University. The promotion to Catawba, however, allowed him to transform the college’s residence life department and make it his own. He purchased software to eliminate paper forms and streamlined the housing process. He also supervises a team of R.A.s, teaching them from experience.
“R.A.s come in as sophomores and then they grow so much—it’s like night and day—by the time they’re seniors,” said Washington, “because they have experience. Experience breeds confidence. And it’s through experience you become a leader.”
Among his many mentors, he counts Professor of Human Development and Family Science Boyd-Soisson and Distinguished Professor of Family Science and Gerontology Raeann Hamon as playing integral roles in his Messiah experience.
“Marcus has always had such a positive attitude and exceptional interpersonal skills. As a matter of fact, when I think of someone who is an excellent communicator, I think of Marcus,” said Boyd-Soisson. “He has this beautiful gift of making everyone feel important, listened to and cared about.”
Hamon says his determination made him stand out in his major. “I am very pleased that he is now using his background in human development and family science to help college students feel at home in their residence halls.”
As a first-generation college student, Washington says he has a passion for helping those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. “I had no idea how the whole college experience worked when I came to Messiah,” he said. “I love to assist those students. I want to pay it forward. That’s the best way I can pay back my mentors.”
A part of his mentorship with students is looking to challenge and encourage them. One of the ways he does this is introducing an inclusive mindset. He looks to challenge students by helping them recognize different and all perspectives. Washington said, “I don’t want anyone to be forgotten. In order for us to move forward and grow as people we need to hear all voices. When a decision is being made, I have to think about whose voice is not being heard.”
“I am willing to smile, laugh and cry with my students,” he said. “I feel a great responsibility to help guide them through their four years. College was one of the best experiences of my life and I want to make sure that my students have a great experience as well.”
— Molly McKim ’23