Stephen Rivard headshot

Stephen Rivard

Assistant Director of Residential Life
Phone: (603) 862-1870
Office: UNH Residential Life, Hitchcock Hall, Durham, NH 03824

Responsibilities

  • Supervise 4-5 Hall Directors
  • RA Engagement Committee
  • RA Training
  • Housing, Facilities, and Operations (HF&O)Liaison
  • Admissions Liaison
  • Housing Admin Committee

Education

B.A., Geography | Humanities, University of New Hampshire

M.S., Recreation Management and Policy, University of New Hampshire

About Me
I enjoy spending time outdoors and staying active, so you can usually find me hiking, skiing, running, working out, or relaxing on the beach. When I'm not feeling so energetic I like to read, do puzzles, garden, and go to the movies. I also really value spending time with family and friends, especially around the holidays.

Pronouns:
He/Him/His

Background and Career

I am originally from Connecticut, but I have long considered New Hampshire my home. My two older brothers attended UNH, so I became familiar with the university and developed a strong connection to campus early on. When it came time to figure out where I would go to school, UNH was the obvious choice for me. Once there, I quickly got involved by becoming a Resident Assistant, Student Tour Guide, and a member of Improv Anonymous. I was fortunate to find a great community where I was really able to connect with others and thrive. After college, I moved to Colorado and worked at a summer camp and outdoor adventure center for two years.

Although I enjoyed my time out west, I knew I wanted to continue my education, so I returned to UNH to work in Housing and Residential Life, and complete my graduate degree. After six years and many different roles, I moved to Santa Barbara, California to continue my career in Housing at UCSB. After three years in California, I returned to the east coast where I worked at Northeastern University, before returning to my alma mater. I feel extremely fortunate to be back at UNH for a variety of reasons. Mostly, I'm excited to be working in such a supportive community that cares about its students and staff. It makes working here a true gift.

Professional Interests

  • Student staff selection and training
  • Professional staff supervision and development
  • Team and relationship building
  • Process assessment and improvement
  • Workplace fun and engagement