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Abstract
This narrative qualitative study aimed to understand how residence hall directors navigated their unanticipated transition due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Schlossberg’s (1984) transition theory, this study explored the perspectives of residence hall directors within the Southeastern Association of Housing Officers (SEAHO) region as they managed change while balancing their personal and professional lives during the pandemic. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews from ten residence hall directors who served in the role from 2019 to 2021. The findings aligned with Schlossberg’s 4 Ss: situation, self, support, and strategy. Within each “S,” a theme was discovered amongst the participants: (a) situation: we were in the trenches, (b) self: not reslife for life, (c) support: thrown to the wolves & finding personal support, and (d) strategies: started taking time for myself. Each participant discussed how COVID-19 was announced as a global pandemic and how their situation changed as they had additional work to complete to maintain the safety of the campus and their communities. Participants then discussed how their transition made an impact on them, being a negative one. As they adjusted to their new situation, they discussed how support showed up for them. Last, they discussed strategies they used to cope with their situation. From the findings of this study, implications for practice, policy, and future research were provided.