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.

  

I work(ed) at the Department of Education.

In this episode of Student Affairs NOW, host Heather Shea is joined by Dr. Jason Cottrell, a longtime career employee at the U.S. Department of Education who was among the 1,300 staff members recently laid off. Jason shares insights into the role of the Department, how federal agencies navigate transitions between administrations, and what these…
Continue Reading

Current Campus Context: Deportations, Faculty Voice, & Coalitions

In the fifth episode of Current Campus Context, Heather Shea is joined by experts Dr. Felecia Commodore and Dr. Crystal Garcia to discuss the latest challenges facing higher education. They examine the growing threats to international students, including detention, deportation, and forced self-deportation, and the role of universities in protecting them. The conversation also explores…
Continue Reading