Director of Residence Education and Housing Services at Michigan State University
Helena Gardner is the Director of Residence Education and Housing Services at Michigan State University. An authentic and dedicated student affairs professional, she is committed to fostering lifelong learning experiences and meaningful relationships.
With nearly 25 years of experience in student housing, Helena provides leadership and direction for the daily oversight and operations of the residential experience at MSU. Her career has spanned a diverse range of student populations and institutional settings, including for-profit, non-profit, public, and private institutions. She has extensive experience working with public-private partnerships (P3s), sorority housing, and a variety of residential models, from single-family houses and traditional residence halls to specialized living-learning communities and student apartments.
A strong advocate for academic partnerships, Helena has collaborated closely with residential colleges and living-learning communities to enhance student success. Her passion for co-curricular development has also been evident through her long-standing involvement with ACPA.
Although her professional journey has taken her across the country, Helena proudly considers Detroit, MI, her home. She is also a devoted mother to her amazing son, Antwan, who is well into his collegiate journey. Guided by the philosophy “Be Great,” Helena is deeply passionate about inspiring herself and others to live their best lives.
Coming Soon: Current Campus Context
Play We’re living in a moment where the ground is shifting daily—from policy changes and legal battles to funding decisions and challenges to the very foundations of our work to promote equity and access. The news isn’t just headlines; it has real consequences for students, educators, and institutions. That’s why, starting next week, Student Affairs…
Kitchen Conversation with the Asian Pacific American Network
Addressing Student Success at Small Colleges
Editors and authors of the new book Addressing Student Success at Small Colleges join to discuss the power of small colleges in their community, unique niches, and culture. They also discuss the challenges around changing students and families, staffing, financial viability and possibilities around innovation, collaboration, and adaptability.
Shared Equity Leadership
Here’s the Story: “Leaning on Collective Good.”
https://youtu.be/ZU3n1YBJfr0?feature=shared Episode Description Faced with a difficult financial need and slightly overwhelmed with doubt, a single mom learns a powerful lesson about collective good and allowing colleagues and others to help with creative resolutions. Suggested APA Citation Golemo, N.E. (Host). (2025, February 5). Here’s the Story: “Leaning on Collective Good.” (No. 244) [Audio podcast episode]. In Student…
Here’s the Story: “The Hamster and the Hurricane.”
https://youtu.be/Glu7V0aro2g?feature=shared Episode Description In the midst of managing a campus hurricane evacuation during a pandemic, an administrator recounts a story of an escaped hamster lost in a hotel and his precocious 7 year-old daughter’s spirited campaign to find and rescue it. Suggested APA Citation Snipes, J.T. (Host). (2025, February 5). Here’s the Story: “The Hamster…