After two top directors in Housing and Residential Communities left at the beginning of the semester, the University of Alabama immediately began looking for a replacement.

In September Steven Hood was introduced as the new director of the HRC.

“Residential communities represent the heart and soul of what we do,” Hood said. “It is how we have a positive influence on outside-the-classroom learning experiences that students have each and every day.”

Since being named director, Hood has been asking virtually everyone connected with HRC how the department can be improved.

“I feel that it is important to gather information about the direction of the university, so that HRC can help meet institutional goals for both growth and learning,” Hood said. “During this fact-finding time, I am meeting lots of people both within and outside HRC asking two questions: what do we do well in HRC and what can we improve upon.”

Hood said the biggest changes coming in the near future involve construction of new dormitories on campus that will open in phases over the next few years.

“The most obvious changes that students will see right away is related to the new construction that is currently underway on the north side of campus,” Hood said. “Phase I of this project is scheduled to be open in the fall of 2012. And a second phase, which was recently approved by the board of trustees, is scheduled to open in the fall of 2014.”

Hood believes that one of the greatest challenges he and the entire HRC staff faces is meeting the housing needs of a rapidly growing student body.

“As we move forward, it will be challenging to accommodate all students who desire to live on campus,” Hood said. “The demand will require us to continuously look at our process, so that we can ensure the most fair and consistent process possible for students applying for and selecting housing.”

After graduating from the University of West Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in public administration, Hood went on to earn a master’s degree in public administration from Troy University and a doctorate in learning and leadership from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

In addition to his education, Hood feels as though his experience in student housing has prepared him for his role at UA.

“I have spent time at Samford University and most recently at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where I was the assistant vice chancellor for Student Housing,” Hood said. “My professional career has afforded opportunities for me to gain experience in program design, financial planning, as well as campus and housing master planning.”

Hood hopes to utilize his experience to continue to improve the Housing and Residential Communities at the University.

“I hope to bring these experiences, as well as a desire to work collaboratively with HRC staff and other campus partners, to build upon the many good things already in place here at UA,” Hood said.