Anthony “Dustin” Rollins has joined University Housing as director of residential education. He started working in the new role May 1.
In this role he is charged with providing support to the academic mission of the university by contributing to students’ out-of-classroom learning. Rollins will oversee development and implementation of the residential curriculum, collaborate with campus partners to enhance co-curricular learning experiences and lead the residence life student and professional staff. He will replace the interim role previously held by Tony Rathgeber, who has returned to conference services as associate director.
“From the day I began interacting with students and staff on campus, it was readily apparent that Nebraska is poised to become a national leader in co-curricular residential learning,” Rollins said. “We have the opportunity to continue enhancing our cocurricular learning initiative to create a seamless, complimentary experience connected to and in support of the academic and land-grant missions of the university.”
Rollins comes to Nebraska from the University of California, Santa Cruz where he served as the executive director for college student life, overseeing a residential community of 9,500 students and leading assessment, crisis response, residential curriculum development and staff engagement. In previous roles of progressive responsibility, Rollins served in housing and residential education at Purdue University, University of Florida, University of Arizona and the University of Alabama.
“I believe that housing and residential education is a transformative experience for college-going students. It is an opportunity to help students explore their identities, values, and beliefs in an intersectional way while also achieving their future career aspirations,” Rollins said. “I am committed and excited about utilizing assessment data and curricular strategies to enhance the student experience.”
Rollins holds a master’s degree in higher education from Florida State University and will complete a doctorate in leadership development from the University of Florida in December 2020.
