Community Director Reflects on Quad life, Prepares for New Endeavors

Vallyn Merrick sits in her office. It's raining outside, so it's a slow, quiet morning at The Quad. From her desk, she can see the wall full of thank you letters and notes of appreciation.

When she came to Howard 12 years ago, she never expected that she would end up where she did and now, as she prepares to leave, she reminisces over her journey with Howard and residence life.

"I always had a connection with helping someone their first year and really making that transition from their senior year of high school to freshman year of college," Merrick, more familiarly known as "Ms. Smith" (her maiden name), said.

Merrick's announcement of resignation came immediately after she accepted an offer to become the new director of housing at the Capstone On-campus management at Coppin State University in Baltimore, Md.

She first became acquainted with the Quad as a freshman, in 1999, when she moved into Wheatley Hall on the second floor. During her undergraduate years, she majored in theater, won the title of Miss Howard University and graduated in 2003. She moved from the Quad to the Bethune Annex where she was both a resident and graduate assistant, earning her Masters in Education.

"I'm definitely a Howard girl, so it's going to be a hard transition," she said. "But knowing that I'm leaving behind a staff that is truly dedicated to the work that we do makes it a much more calming experience. I love my staff."

Merrick and her staff have been solidifying the programming year before she moves on. The Quad residents have already experienced some of the planning with the welcoming candlelight ceremony when they first moved in. Despite the planning Merrick has and still continues to do, she says it is hard to fully capture the duties of a community director.

"A community director does everything. When you're talking about a community director, you're talking about that one-on-one [experience]. You're really talking about building a community," she said.

Dean of Residence Life Marc Lee also attests to the sense of community between the members of his staff, and it is because of this bond that he celebrates Merrick's

decision to accept a new position.

"We are a family, all of us. When someone is offered the opportunity to grow, we want that for each other," Lee said. "And I support that. I think it says something about the development that goes on here."

Lee, who served as the community director for Drew Hall, began his matriculation with residence life when Merrick was also getting her feet in the door as an RA. He

has watched her grow into her current position and supports her future ventures.

"She made a great contribution to residence life in the undergraduate, graduate and professional sense. I'm happy for her new opportunity and her growth and development in the field of student affairs," he said. "I thank her for her service and dedication to her alma mater. She will be missed."

Looking back on her years with Howard University, Merrick is pleased with her contribution. It is because of her work at the university that she felt prepared to welcome this new stage of her life.

"I have no regrets. I'm so proud of what I'm doing next. I feel like each student that I've come in contact with really helped me get to this point."

Though everyone has not been privy to her recent decision to leave, she feels confident in her mark on those she's come in contact with.

"They know me. They know my work ethic. They know my love for the university, and they would never question that. I think if anything they would be proud to know that I'm moving on to be a director of housing somewhere. I've always encouraged them to continue to grow and continue to learn.

Just as I would expect my students to grow I know my students expect me to grow, and that's exactly what I'm doing," she said.

Though she will be leaving the Quad residents to face the new year without her guidance, Merrick says no one should be worried. She's just one person out of many, she says.

"For the new class, I really think they'll be fine. I know the team that's here is going to take care of them. The experience has only just begun," she said. "I want them

to take pride in the fact that they are living in The Quad and that they will still experience the same experience every student has experienced living in The Quad, with or without me."