Introducing the Residence Life Staff

Residence Life is students, faculty, and staff working together to make the Birmingham-Southern residence halls a friendly, fun, safe, and supportive living environment.

Director of Residence Life:

Tommy Murphy arrived at BSC in August 2012. Tommy has worked in student life for over eight years. Most recently he worked in residence life at Boston University, and prior to that, Dartmouth College. He earned a master’s of education from the University of Georgia, and a bachelor’s from Berry College. Tommy manages housing and residence life operations and oversees the entire residence life staff. He is a proud native of Georgia, but he has also lived in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. He is excited to now call Alabama home.

Residence Life Office Assistant:

Cheryl Waters is a native of Birmingham and comes from a background in the insurance and customer service industries. She holds an associate of science degree in business administration.

Coordinator of Residence Life:

Valerie Shayman joined the residence life staff in June 2010. Valerie comes most recently from Virginia Tech, where she completed her master's in educational leadership and policy studies-higher education administration. She oversees the first-year residential communities and the Hilltop Village apartments. Valerie is also responsible for residence hall programming initiatives and staff training. She serves as the student advocate where she help supports students who experience academic and/or personal challenges during their time at BSC.

In the Residence Halls:

Hall Advisors (HA)

Hall advisors are faculty members, staff or graduate students living in the halls. They assist the RAs in creating a rich array of social and educational programming for the residents in their buildings.

Hall Directors (HD)

Hall directors are undergraduate students who have served as a resident advisor for at least one year. Each HD is responsible for the administration of one residence hall. They supervise their RA staff and monitor day-to-day maintenance needs. HDs serve as a liaison between students and residence life, disseminating new information or changes to students and communicating student concerns to residence life.

Resident Advisors (RA)

Resident Advisors are experienced upper class students with demonstrated leadership skills who have been actively involved in residence living for at least one year. RAs wear several hats. They are campus resources, information agents, peer counselors, friends, policy enforcers, and role models. Their main goals are to build community on their floors, to assist students with their transition to college, and to create an atmosphere conducive to academic pursuit.