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The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

The Student News Site of Saint Louis University

The University News

Let Us Introduce You: Ericka Roland

MInghao+Gao%2F+Senior+Staff+Photographer
MInghao Gao/ Senior Staff Photographer

This past July, Saint Louis University welcomed Ericka Roland as DeMattias Hall’s new Residence Hall Coordinator.  Her job not only includes overseeing SLU’s fraternity and sorority housing, but also everything from students moving in and out, to the maintenance and safety of the building.

MInghao Gao/ Senior Staff Photographer

Roland said she enjoys working with the Greek community and the amicable nature of SLU students.

“I like it a lot, especially working with the fraternities and sororities.  Students here are very achieving, but they also get their fun in,” Roland said. “One thing I love about the SLU community is that students don’t mind having a conversation with you.”

A native of Delray Beach in south Florida, Roland received her undergraduate degree at the University of West Florida. She attended graduate school at the University of Tennessee and finally found her way to St. Louis for her current position.

Although Roland misses Florida and went home for the holidays, she said she has adjusted to the weather and has continued her hobbies of food and women’s basketball.  She also said she brought the sunshine back to St. Louis when returning from break.

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“Here in St. Louis, I love to try new restaurants; I like to eat.  I love women’s basketball.  I’m usually either in front of the TV watching or trying to plan my next trip to see a game,” Roland said. Her favorite restaurant thus far is Sweetie Pie’s, which reminds her of Southern cooking.

Roland would like students to recognize her approachable nature and know that she is available to listen to them.

“I make a point to be visible in the building, and I try to be relatable to my students.  I am also here to advocate for the good that fraternities and sororities have to offer,” Roland said.

As a fellow Greek, being a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, Roland said she holds the students of DeMattias Hall responsible for their actions, always reminding them of the commitment that comes with living in housing with Greek affiliation.

“We are a special community, and therefore when things happen in here, it’s magnified because of our Greek letters.  It is important for us to be held accountable,” Roland said. “I make sure we are held accountable, know the policies and uphold the policies.  But I like to have fun and be present for residents to come speak to me.”

Roland has immersed herself in the DeMatt environment and hopes to add even more to the DeMatt experience.

“I am so invested into the DeMatt culture and changing the culture to be a positive experience.  This building advocates positive fraternity and sorority images,” Roland said.

In addition to supervising the residence hall, Roland is involved with Billikens After Dark and iLead as a mentor.  In iLead, Roland gets together with a group of students throughout the semester to discuss leadership qualities.

This is Roland’s first time working in a residence hall, but is not her first time working with Greek life.  She worked with historically black fraternities and sororities at University of Tennessee.

Roland said she is happy at SLU and feels supported by the Residence Life family here, but she said she has one critique of herself.

“I wish I was taller,” Roland said. “People always say I don’t appear to be smaller than what I really am: big personality and big attitude.  Then you look at my 5’2” stature and say, ‘What?’”

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