Creating an Intentional Workplace Culture in University Housing

Across higher education and campus housing, leaders are navigating workforce shifts, employee burnout, retention concerns, onboarding challenges, and evolving staff expectations around workplace culture and belonging.
This session explores how campus housing at the University of Illinois has approached culture and climate work through intentional systems, relationship-building, supervisor development, onboarding redesign, and staff engagement initiatives. Rather than focusing on one-time programming or quick fixes, participants will explore how strategic infrastructure, accountability, and long-term organizational investment can shape staff experience and organizational health.
Attendees will leave with practical ideas, scalable strategies, and actionable next steps to create a more intentional workplace culture within their own housing organizations.