LV Life

Howlett enjoys homely atmosphere

Byron Howlett Jr., the new director of housing and residential life, welcomes ULV students to stop by his office anytime with questions or concerns. / photo by Bailey Porter
Byron Howlett Jr., the new director of housing and residential life, welcomes ULV students to stop by his office anytime with questions or concerns. / photo by Bailey Porter

by Chrissy Zehrbach
Staff Writer

The University of La Verne has a new, friendly, energetic, approachable director of housing and residential life: Byron Howlett. He has great aspirations for the school and housing department.

Howlett brings many years of experience to the housing department.

Most recently, he spent two years at the University of Southern California as the assistant director of residential colleges, where he oversaw six different residence halls.

Prior to working at USC, Howlett worked for five years at Cal Poly Pomona, where he held the position of coordinator for multicultural education until he was promoted to associate housing director.

He has also worked at Cal State San Bernardino, Cal State Northridge and for the Semester at Sea program with the University of Pittsburgh.

La Verne is Howlett’s sixth institution.

Having only been at ULV for a short time, Howlett is enjoying himself already because the people have been so friendly and accommodating.

“I feel so welcome, like I’ve been here for a long time,” Howlett said.

Howlett is adjusting well. It has been a rough start for him, but Howlett is looking forward to the rest of the year.

“I am really happy to be at La Verne,” he said.

Howlett is also already noticing the differences between ULV and the other schools he has worked for. Not only in the size of the school, but differences in the people.

“Everybody seems to know everybody quicker. Everyone is so friendly. I like that.” Howlett said.

He is looking forward to being a part of the small La Verne community, as well as giving back to it all the knowledge he can.

“You’re more valuable as a member of the community here. You don’t get lost in the shuffle,” Howlett said.

Howlett is originally from South Central Los Angeles. He attended Marino Valley High School and went on to attend University of California at Los Angeles, where he received his bachelor of arts in geography.

Howlett’s educational pursuits then took him to Cal State San Bernardino, where he received his masters in counseling education.

He also spent a summer at the University of Guadalajara for Spanish language studies.

Howlett loves traveling and has visited over 24 countries.

He also enjoys amusement parks, roller coasters, horror movies, roller blading and board games when his schedule allows.

“I never want to grow up.” Howlett said.

But right now because of his hectic schedule, his favorite activity is sleeping.

Three specific things have brought Howlett to ULV.

First and foremost is the small, intimate size of the school.

Howlett said USC was so large that it didn’t feel right.

“ULV seems like the right place for me,” he said.

Coming to work at ULV also brought the opportunity to work with a woman who he sees as his mentor, Dean Loretta Rahmani.

Howlett worked for Rahmani’s husband at Cal Poly, and jumped at the opportunity to finally work with her.

Education is important to Howlett as well. While at ULV, he will be working toward his doctorate in organizational leadership.

He said La Verne has a great reputation for their education doctorate program, and is very excited to be getting the chance to work and go to school in the same community.

La Verne is by far the smallest school Howlett has worked at, but he said he is “looking forward to the small school flavor.”

Howlett is working well with the housing staff. He respects their hard work, and the feeling is mutual.

“He’s a really great guy to know,” said sophomore program assistant Brian Ortega.

As well as working with the La Verne housing staff, Howlett also works with college housing departments across the western region through two different organizations.

He is currently president elect of the Western Association of College and University Housing Officers, an organization of professionals in housing who promote connections and the exchange of ideas.

Last year Howlett served as co-president of the California College Personnel Association, an even larger organization of people who work not just in housing, but student affairs in general, who are trying to connect the schools of California.

These jobs required a lot of time and commitment, but were also worthwhile.

As for the future of housing at ULV, Howlett plans to do all he can by way of improvements. Eventually he would like to see the residence halls more closely connected to academics.

He highly promotes academics and said it is the primary reason students attend ULV.

He said living in the residence halls is simply a privilege.

Howlett also plans to immerse himself in everything ULV has to offer to truly find out “what it’s like to be a Leopard.”

He also hopes to contribute enough to ULV to “put it on the map” because he feels it is a powerful school and great community.

He hopes to bring that feeling to others.

Chrissy Zehrbach, Editor in Chief
Chrissy Zehrbach
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Bailey Porter, LV Life Editor
Bailey Porter
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