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Three new residence hall directors join the Lipscomb family

Kelsi Lewis-Stubblefield | 

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Elam, Johnson and the Village II residence halls will each be welcoming a new director this coming fall.

New residence hall directors this fall include Jessi Mestan, Johnson Hall; Kimberlyn Perkins, Elam Hall; and Jackson Smith, Villages II.

“Residence hall directors are essential to student life on campus,” said Sam Smith, dean of student life. “They lead and oversee residential operations, maintain positive communities within their dormitories, and ensure that their students always feel comfortable and valued.”

Lipscomb’s residence halls play a key part in students’ college experiences, with approximately 51 percent of students living on campus during the school year. Acting as more than just living quarters, residence halls frequently host special activities, social events, excursions, and contests with other dormitories on campus. Residence halls at Lipscomb often act as small families of their own, and always aim to provide a safe, fun environment for the students residing there, said Smith.

The new residence hall directors will begin their assignments this fall.

Mestan is a recent Baylor University graduate. While at Baylor, she served on the residence life team as a student leader and graduated with a major in public relations and a minor in marketing. Mestan succeeds Caroline Gallagher, who served as RHD for Johnson since July 2011.

A 2013 Lipscomb graduate, Perkins succeeds Hannah Meeks, who served as head resident of Elam Hall since 2014. During her time as an undergraduate student, Perkins served both as a resident assistant in Elam Hall and as a tour guide for the Office of Admissions.

“While running Elam and Johnson Hall, both Hannah and Caroline showed tremendous compassion and care for their residents,” said Smith. “We are saddened to see them leave, but are so appreciative of all the great work they’ve done while here.”

This fall the new 55,000-square-foot Village II will open. Village II is a $15 million, 172-bed facility with a private bathroom for every two-person room.

Smith, who graduated from Lipscomb University this past spring, will be the first residence hall director for the new facility. While a student at Lipscomb, Smith served as Student Government Association president during his senior year.

“Jackson is well connected with both faculty and students and throughout his time as SGA president has demonstrated an incredible passion for the university and its student body,” said Sam Smith.

Jackson Smith said he is excited about the opportunity to serve the university in a new capacity.

“For the last four years of my life as a student at Lipscomb, this campus has been my home,” said Jackson Smith. “Having the opportunity to work here and share that experience with students means the world to me. Looking back on my college career, I see that so many mentors and friends here helped me become the person that I am today.”

“The opportunity that I could have that kind of influence on even just one student at Lipscomb is the reason I wanted to be a head resident,” he continued, “and it’s what I’m most excited for. At the end of the day, I know that God has a hand on this new residence hall and I'm ready to see what He has in store.”

Want to know more about Lipscomb's residence halls and student life? Find out here.