ISH’s new Resident Managers, Jennifer Simpson and Robert Gertz, began their positions in December 2013. They oversee facility operations, admissions, resident events and support. Please join us in welcoming them to ISH!
Meet Jennifer Simpson
Hello! My name is Jennifer Simpson and I am one of the new Resident Managers for International Student House in DC. Before becoming a Resident Manager at ISH DC I served as a Resident Director at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA and Coastal Carolina University in Conway, SC for three years. I completed my Master of Science in College Student Development and Counseling at Northeastern University in Boston, MA. I was able to serve as the Residence Life Graduate Assistant at Newbury College in Brookline, MA, and a Student Activities and Leadership Graduate Assistant at Northeastern University.
You may be wondering why am I interested in working and living at a place like ISH DC. First, I am honored to be able to support the mission of providing a residential experience where international scholars are able to create life-long connections and promote inter-cultural dialogue. The unique experience ISH offers residents is one that will last a lifetime. In my short time here, I have already heard from many alumni of ISH DC and the amazing impact it had on their experience in DC. Secondly, my excitement of travel and culture. I have been fortunate to travel various countries such as Japan, Ireland, Western Europe, and Haiti. Each travel experience taught me new things about myself and gave me a greater understanding of what it means to live in a global society. In a world that is getting smaller through the means of technology, I believe cultural understanding is a necessity. Lastly, it is amazing to see the growth and development of residents who come and go from the house. Residents enter the house a little unsure of themselves, but within a couple of days, they have made connections and feel part of the house family. It makes me proud and honored to be part of this experience.
Meet Robert Gertz
Hello. My name is Robert Gertz. Before coming to the International Student House to be a Resident Manager, I served as a Resident Director within the Student Affairs Division at Temple University. While at that school, I also completed a Ph.D. in Philosophy. My dissertation, Moral Code: The Design and Social Values of the Internet, focused on current moral, political, and global challenges involving technology. My academic expertise centers on ethics and morality, and I continue to teach on this topic part-time.
I enjoy being part of a community interested in scholarly matters, so I am very excited to serve as a Resident Manager at ISH. As well, I spent a great deal of time studying, thinking, and writing on the difficulty of being a global citizen. I appreciate the valuable activity of widening one’s understanding and empathy for other ways of life. I am very pleased to be part of the fascinating history of ISH and take part in its important mission. I hope to contribute to the house and improve the experience of its residents, especially since they have already made my time at ISH so rewarding.
