Willis Excited About Serving Men's Residence Life Program

LWC alumnus Jordan Willis has been named the college's men's area coordinator.
In the background are Harold J. Smith Hall, left, and Richardson Hall, right.

COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The voice of the new men's area coordinator at Lindsey Wilson College should be recognizable to most people familiar with LWC, even if they have not met him before.

If you have attended an LWC basketball game in Biggers Sports over the last three years, chances are you heard Jordan Willis' voice echoing over the public-address system.

Willis recently added a new title to his resume as he was named LWC men's area coordinator. As men's area coordinator, Willis is responsible for the more than 500 male residential students who live in LWC campus housing. He oversees Richardson Hall, Harold J. Smith Hall, Horton Hall, College Hill and Trabue Apartments.

Watching former LWC area coordinators work with students by creating a living-learning campus life led Willis to pursue the position.

"I took the job based on years of watching (LWC Residence Life Director) Heather Davis and (Assistant Dean of Students) Andy McAllister and how much they helped the students when they were area coordinators," Willis said. "I admired the work ethic of Andy, Heather, (Vice President of Student Services & Enrollment Management) Dean Adams and (Dean of Students) Chris Schmidt, and I have always wanted to be a bigger part of their team."

Willis just concluded his third season as public address announcer for Blue Raider home basketball games. That is but one of the many hats Willis has worn since he joined the LWC staff four years ago after graduating from the college in December 2007.

For three years, he was assistant director of student activities, manager of Grider Apartments and helped with LWC's Upward Bound program.

Willis understands the importance of his job and how it affects students' lives of students.

"Residence life area coordinators are full-time LWC employees who are responsible for providing safe and comfortable residence halls and apartments," said Willis, who is an Adair County native and graduate of Adair County High School.

Coordinators' responsibilities include: developing community on campus; organizing hall councils; developing programs for residents; and maintaining an environment conducive to students' academic, social and personal success.

Coordinators also supervise the team of residence life professionals and student staffs; enforce residence life policy; oversee the housing process; and work with the LWC administration, faculty and staff.

Willis said his appointment as men's area coordinator is another way for him to give back to a school that has enriched his life.

"I love being able to continue my service to the college in a new way," Willis said. "LWC has done so much for me in the past, and I am more than happy to be able to give back to the college the way that it once gave to me and still does. I learn something new every single day from the students on this campus and look forward to staying around LWC for a long time."