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.

From Student Affairs to Alumni Affairs

Current Campus Context: Federal Student Aid, Institutional Autonomy & Associations’ Push Back
Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Demetri Morgan join host Heather Shea to discuss the latest threats to higher education and what comes next. This episode was recorded at 5:11 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 27th. Over the past few weeks, we’ve tracked how the Trump administration is dismantling the Department of Education and weaponizing federal…

Gentelligence: The Revolutionary Approach to Leading an Intergenerational Workforce
Dr. Megan Gerhardt discusses moving from intergenerational differences as tension to opportunities. She shares ways we stereotype, shame, and blame other generations, as well as the four practices to help make intergenerational differences a strength in organizations.

Current Campus Context: Exec. Order Dismantling the Dept. of Education, Weaponizing Federal Funding, International Students & Scholars
In this episode (recorded at 5:08 p.m. on March 20), Dr. OiYan Poon and Dr. Crystal Garcia join Dr. Heather Shea to discuss the executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, the politicization of federal funding, and rising barriers for international students and scholars.

Here’s the Story: “When Feedback Feels Like Failure”
Struggling through his first year as a professor, Dr. Snipes faced feedback that made him question his future in academia. But just as he was ready to walk away, an unexpected encounter encourages him to stay.

Here’s the Story: “Good Grief”
It’s a story about love, loss, and a beautiful friendship between two higher ed professionals and what it is like for one to move on after the loss of the other.