Concordia Nebraska student residence hall coordinators supervise, serve and support peers

Concordia Nebraska usually has about 45 resident assistants (RAs) each year in the university’s 11 residence halls. Each residence hall coordinator (RC) oversees, helps support and supervises nine to 13 of those RAs as their primary role. Their secondary role is helping serve the residents directly. The RC role includes many tasks including providing spiritual leadership for RAs and residents in their buildings, supporting their group of RAs throughout the year, working with Student Life Office staff to help lead RA training and the annual staff renewal retreat, assisting the Student Life Office Staff in emergency or crisis support on campus and responding to other incidents that occur on evenings and weekends. 

"At many universities this type of role is often held by graduate students or full-time professionals. At Concordia Nebraska we have adjusted the role slightly in order to be able to employ undergraduate students as RCs,” said Concordia Nebraska Director of Student Life Rebekah Freed. “We've found that especially with the current generation, Resident Assistants respond very well to peer leaders. Also, RCs who are current students are often more engaged in the daily life of campus and able to connect with residents well because of that. We also love that we get an opportunity to entrust some students with this high level of responsibility as a way to help them grow in their leadership skills for life and ministry.” 

Freed and Vice President for Student Affairs Gene Brooks both served as RCs as students and said that experience shaped and prepared them for the ministries God has called them to, including their current roles at the university. 

Current residence hall coordinators are Rachel Smith, Grace Reimer, Nate Pennekamp and Daniel Oberdieck.  

“The RCs are a vital part of helping work toward that vision and those outcomes. Our current team of RCs came in with passion and a clear vision of how to equip our team of RAs to serve our residents well, connecting them with each other and with Christ,” said Freed. “They have high expectations of their RAs yet remain relational and provide the support the RAs need to reach that expectation. We have no doubt next year's team of RC will continue to carry out that mission with the same level of excellence and joy.” 

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the university sought to hire for all four of the university’s residence hall coordinator positions. After reviewing applications and reference forms from a number of applicants (all of who are current RAs), the university has announced that students Micah Henschen, Joshua Jurchen, Eliya Moldenhauer and Abigail Niemeier will serve as university residence hall coordinators for the 2024-2025 academic year. 

From Bancroft, Nebraska, Micah Henschen is majoring in exercise science in the pre-physical therapy program with minors in biology and psychology. Involved in various campus events and intramurals and a barista at campus coffee shop 10:31, Henschen served as a resident assistant for two years and will lead our upperclassmen male complex next year. 

From Seward, Nebraska, Joshua Jurchen is studying instrumental and vocal music education and pursuing his Lutheran Teaching Diploma. He is involved in multiple music ensemble on campus and will serve alongside the male RAs in our freshman residence halls. 

From Madison, Alabama, Eliya Moldenhauer is majoring in biology and pursuing pre-nursing studies. A member of the university’s Luke Scholars honors program and a section leader and member of the university’s A Cappella choir, Moldenhauer will serve the RAs and residents of David Hall, which houses all freshmen as well as some upperclassmen. 

From Saint Libory, Nebraska, Abigail Niemeier is majoring in psychology and behavioral science and hopes to serve in the social work field. She is involved in various campus events and groups and is part of the university speech team. Niemeier will serve the university’s upperclassmen women's complex in Jonathan, Obed and Schuelke. 

Freed said that the university’s resident assistants and residence hall coordinators play vital roles in the campus community, and that each is chosen carefully for their assigned roles. She said she is thankful for the service given by this year’s outgoing residence hall coordinators and looks forward to another great school year with the new team. 

“We believe these new RCs will not only carry out the administrative tasks associated with this role but will do so with a ministry mindset,” she said. “Each of them is passionate about discipling, supporting and leading our team of RAs as they coach the RAs to do those same things for all our residents.” 

Are you interested in learning more about residence life at Concordia Nebraska? Discover more here.