Robert J.

Rennich
812-219-5424 rennich@ohio.edu

Education
Instructional Technology (PhD): Ohio University, Athens, OH 2022(Expected)
Master of Education (M.Ed.) College Student Personnel: Ohio University May 2009
Seminar Paper Topic: The Crossroads of Student Development and Leadership:
Searching for Synergies in Leadership Theory and Student Development Theory.
Bachelor of General Studies: Indiana University, Bloomington, IN May 2007

Higher Education Work History

Academic Advisor, University College October 2018-Present

 Provide timely, effective and accurate student centered advising for 270 + Undecided, Undeclared and
Specialized Studies students
 Provide holistic advising regarding personal, major, and career exploration
 Conduct advising sessions for Bobcat Student Orientation
 Redesign Bobcat Student Orientation presentation materials
 Facilitate info sessions for potential Specialized Studies Majors.
 Advise students on application processes and requirements for admission to various college at Ohio
University
 Refer students to appropriate campus resources as needed
 Track progress using relevant academic advising systems such as Faculty Advising Center and My Ohio
Success Network
 Use appreciative advising strategies and insure a safe and welcoming environment for all students
 Answer student inquiries and resolve problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites,
referring to catalogues, written course descriptions, and other appropriate sources
 Meet with prospective students and answer their questions about Ohio University and the University
College
 Represent the University College at Ohio Up-Close resource fair

Academic Advisor, Online Psychology Program October 2018 - Present

 Provide timely, effective and accurate student centered advising for 84+ students enrolled in the online
Psychology Bachelor’s Degree completion program
 Assist students in navigating program requirements
 Provide career counseling and career-related resources to students
 Work with other units on campus to plan and coordinate services for students in the online Psychology
B.A. degree completion program Refer students to appropriate campus resources as needed
 Maintain Blackboard site and Social Media Pages for students in the program
 Make recommendations for appropriate technologies for online engagement with students
 Track progress using relevant software/databases
 Interprets academic regulations and serves as a resource for students, faculty and others having
questions about the Psychology online B.A. degree completion program, academic policies and other
pertinent information
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Adjunct Academic Advisor, Ohio University August 2013-Present

 Provide timely, effective and accurate student centered advising for students enrolled in UC 1000
 Deliver guidance for specific curriculum decisions including course selection, registration, deadlines
and academic planning
 Advise students on application processes and requirements for admission
 Provide holistic advising regarding personal, major, and career exploration
 Refer students to appropriate campus resources as needed
 Utilize academic advising systems such as Faculty Advising Center and My Ohio Success Network
 Answer student inquiries and resolve problems related to curriculum and course prerequisites,
referring to catalogues, written course descriptions, and other appropriate sources

Instructor: Mastering the University Experience August 2013-Present

 Instruct course material related to college adjustment, study skills, university resources, and college
success
 Recruit appropriate guest speakers for course
 Coordinate with Learning Community Leader for out of class activities
 Develop activities to build community, foster success, and promote student development
 Serve as a role model, referral, and resource to all students in my community
 Grade and return student assignments in a timely manner

Graduate Assistant, Ohio University Department of Housing and Residence Life August 2017-May 2018
 Provided academic coaching for resident assistants (RAs) on academic job probation
 Onboarded Residence Life professional staff to My OHIO Success Network
 Generated ideas for departmental initiatives to support commuter students and enrich their campus
experiences to bolster retention rates
 Developed resources for RAs and Professional Staff to promote academic success through in-hall
interactions
 Worked with Director of Analytics for University Student Success Initiatives to develop practical tools
teaching Residence Life staff to use “nudges” to increase retention efforts.

Residential Coordinator/ Resident Director, Ohio University July 2011-August 2017

 Designed, implemented, and connected relevant programming and services that align with student
identity development theory
 Supervised staff of up to 20 RAs, practicing synergistic supervision
 Supervised Graduate Resident Director and provided indirect supervision of their staff and facility
 Established strategic programming plan to achieve Departmental Goals
 Chaired departmental Orientation and Training Committee
 Co-Chaired the Division of Student Affairs Professional Development Committee
 Maintained annual programming and Hall Council budgets
 Advised Hall Council
 Collaborated with students to envision, develop and implement a student based recreational society
devoted to tabletop gaming organization, Bobcat Tabletop
 Facilitated The Student Leadership Challenge workshops for OHIO students and University of Dayton Staff
 Responded to students in crisis, and made appropriate referrals to campus resources
 Maintained good communication and working relationships with housekeeping and maintenance staff
 Effectively communicated policies and procedures to residents and staff
 Created and implemented “in hall” training sessions during para-professional orientation
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 Worked with small group to develop professional competencies for Senior and Administrative Resident
Assistants
 Worked with team to plan, execute and assess Hall Council Leadership conference
 Envisioned plan to create positive community identity in an all first year residence hall
 Planned, executed and assessed the Division of Student Affairs Conference Style Divisional Meeting
 Created and completed an assessment project aimed at the development of a second year experience
program
 Developed leadership training for Senior and Administrative Resident Assistants
 Advised Bobcat Tabletop as they plan campus wide events drawing up to 100 students
 Contributed to Residential Housing Assessment team

Residence Hall Director, Georgia Institute of Technology September 2009-June 2011

 Supervised, trained, and evaluated 10 Resident Advisors for two upperclassmen apartment style
residential communities for 436 students
 Conducted weekly staff meetings and regular one-on-one meetings with Resident Advisors
 Managed residential programming, staff development and hall council budget of over $10,000 per year
 Conducted regular inspections of the student housing facility and student units
 Reported, tracked and follow up on maintenance issues with appropriate building managers,
maintenance and custodial staff
 Communicated and maintained community standards as described by the Student Handbook
 Adjudicated judicial cases as a university hearing officer, issued sanctions and tracked records in
Remedy judicial software
 Developed and advised student hall council
 Created programming model incorporating departmental learning outcomes for WESTech Living Program
 Coordinated opening/closing check-in, check-out, room changes, including assessing damage charges
and processing paperwork in a timely manner
 Responded to emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate referrals as needed and participate in
a campus on-call duty rotation for over 3500 residents
 Served as a member of RA orientation committee
 Used RMS data system for day to day job functions

Resident Director (Graduate Assistant), Ohio University August 2007-June 2009

 Supervised, trained, and evaluated 6 para-professional staff for a first-year hall of 156 students
 Led weekly staff meetings and regular one-on-one meetings with para-professional staff
 Served as a member of RA recruitment committee which implemented a new set of strategies tripling
our applicant pool
 Worked with taskforce to create new curriculum for para-professional training class and design specific
lesson plans for EDCP 400: Special Topics in Higher Education (para-professional training class)
 Managed residential programming, staff development and hall council budget
 Established strategic programming plan to achieve Departmental Goals
 Communicated and maintained community standards as described by the Student Handbook
 Served as conduct officer for potential violations of the Student Code of Conduct in my area
 Developed and advised student hall council
 Coordinated opening/closing check-in, check-out, room changes, including assessing damage charges
and processing paperwork in a timely manner
 Responded to emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate referrals as needed and participate in
a campus on-call duty rotation for over 3000 residents
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Other Work History
Staff in Training, The Navigators June 2003– August 2007
Science Tutor, Upward Bound June- August 2005 & 2006
Volunteer, AmeriCorps August 2002 – August 2003
Science Teacher, Kids on Campus Summer Academy June – August 2002

Presentations/Workshops
What Makes a Hero – RA training 2017
Creating your Clowder – Learning Community Leader Training 2017
Leadership Role of an ARD – OHIO RA orientation 2016 & 2015
Reinventing Co-Curricular Education Through Game Based Learning and Gameful Design – ACPA 2014*
Student Leadership Challenge Workshop – University of Dayton 2013
Team, Trust and The Resistance – NASAGA 2012* & Hall Council Leadership Retreat 2013& 2014
Create Leadership Frameworks in Residence Halls – ACPA 2012*
Student Leadership Challenge Workshop – OHIO SRA/ARA orientation 2012
Motivation 3.0 - Legocy 2012
Leadership Role of an ARA/SRA – OHIO RA orientation 2013
Hacking the RA Position – OHIO RA orientation 2013
*National Conference

Professional Organizations
ACPA - Member
NACADA - Member
North American Simulations and Games Association - Member
Instructional Technology Scholars Association – Secretary

Professional Development
Completed Appreciative Advising Course
Certified Life Design Catalyst Coach (Recognized by NACADA as a best practice in advising)
Certified Facilitator for The Student Leadership Challenge
Game Design/Facilitation Certificate – NASAGA in association with The Thiagi Group
Leadership Challenge two-day workshop
Leadershape Cluster Facilitator
Athens Mediation Center Mediator Training