Rebecca Makara, originally from Poughkeepsie, New York, is the Residence Life hall director at Castleton University. She earned her associate degree from SUNY Dutchess Community College and completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at SUNY Plattsburgh. Before joining Castleton in July, she worked as a residence life coordinator at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania, where she discovered her passion for student engagement and mentorship. Outside of work, Rebecca enjoys exploring local shops, baking her famous brownies and spending time with her beloved cats, Leo and Elouise. Known for her authenticity and student-centered approach, she encourages students to embrace who they are and follow their own paths with confidence.

Q. Though you’re not a student at Castleton, how does the campus culture here compare to that of your alma mater, SUNY Plattsburgh?

A. So, I would say this is more a small-town community feel. Students who I haven’t met know me and they say, like “Hi Rebecca!” And I’m like, how do you know me? It’s definitely more close-knit, I would say too. Not as hectic. Maybe a little slower pace.. Everyone just knows everyone, and you’re able to create more like stronger relationships with students and with faculty staff members too. 

Q.People who know you well know that your cats are a big source of joy. How did you come up with their names and what are their personalities like?

A. I’ll start with Leo. I got Leo when he was 3 weeks old. He and his siblings were abandoned by their mom. He was a birthday present, I think for like my 12th birthday or my 13th, don’t exactly remember. But his full legal name is Leonardo DiCatio. That’s his full legal name, and I use it only when he’s in trouble. He’s got a big personality. He always brings me joy and is really goofy. I know when I go home today, he’s gonna be so mad and lay on the floor, sprawled out saying “feed me.”  But he’s got a big heart. He is such a snuggly cat. And, like me, sometimes when he knows when I’m having a bad day, he’ll sit on the couch and sit on my lap and start purring and snuggling with me. He has just been a joy to have and just to be a constant presence in my life where if I have my bad days, I know he’s always gonna be right there for me and just supporting me through it.

And then Elouise, she’s just turned 10 months. She’s a purebred ragdoll. I was going through like a giant list of names with my mom for like five months. Like at one point, we had 30 names on the list. Then, as we started narrowing it down, we started looking behind the meaning of what these names mean.  Elouise means, famous warrior, it’s a German name … healthy, whole, wide. Also, it can be very independent, strong. I would say those are the big ones that drew me to her name. Even now, when she’s developed her little personality, she’s very miss-independent, cute, and very sassy. She loves her scratches on her back. She loves to play. She’ll do her zoomies around the apartment, and it’s really cute where she’s got that big, beautiful personality that people love. And then she’s also known to be carried around her backpack. 

Q. When you’re not in the office, what does a typical day off look like for you?

A. I would say it depends, but I really love to go explore Rutland and do a lot of shopping, going to like TJ MAXX, Walmart, shoe store. I love going antiquing and going to like different thrift stores. I’ve also been exploring Brandon more and doing some shopping up there. I’m always occasionally in Saratoga going to the mall and doing those things. I may also be even doing homework on my day off. I am actually starting to go back to school part-time through CCV again. I’m hoping to get an eventual associate’s in Business. So, I’m doing homework on the side, on top of working here full time. I do love to attempt to cook, but I also love to bake. I’m very well known for my brownies. I also just love to sit on the couch and just do crafting. I really love to put together puzzles.

Sudoku. Even watching TV. I’m really big into watching sports. I love watching hockey, especially the New York Rangers. 

Q. Do you have any memorable experiences or interactions with a student that stand out?

A. One day I spoke with this one student and we talked a lot about where his academic journey was going and did he have a social circle in his major? How were his classes going? What was his reason for being there? Where does he see himself going? It turns out his major wasn’t for him. He wanted to do something completely else. He was so scared of changing his major, because it was so late into his college career and I said, it’s not too late for someone like me. I personally decided with my major that I really didn’t want to pursue that career in my final semester, my senior year of college. And I used that experience to empower, it’s not too late. This is all you can do and connect him with appropriate resources. He eventually changed majors and he’s doing a lot better. He’s found a better community. There’s other paths out there. You just have to be empowered enough to have the courage to take that path. 

Q. I saw that you previously worked as a residence life coordinator at Allegheny College. How has that experience influenced your transition to the same role at Castleton?

A. I worked in an even smaller department than I do here, but that really prepared me and launched my whole career. It was my first introduction to what it means to work in higher education, specifically residence life. I had no clue what I was doing when I started. However, when I first started, I had a colleague. Her name is Annie. I’ll shout her out. She was amazing at helping me transition into my role and helping me figure out who I am as a higher education professional and who I am as a residence life coordinator, and who I wanna be. She was amazing in my transition and really supported me throughout. It really taught me a lot about time management, organization, and how I wanna be as a supervisor and how I wanna lead my staff and be a role model for my students. It really taught me a lot about how to engage with students and what style works for me.  It just set me on the right path.

Q. If you could switch roles with anyone at Castleton for a day, who would it be and why?

A. I would honestly switch places with Q at Huden. Every day I walk into Huden for breakfast or lunch, she is always greeting me with the best warm welcome. If I want a hug, she’ll give me a hug. She always has a smile on her face and is really supportive of our work here as residence life professionals, but also supportive of making sure the students are well cared for. And standing on her own and making sure that she has the backs of her fellow staff members. And that’s who I envision myself to be right now. Like she’s the best person, she’s awesome, we love Q. 

Q. Do you have any hidden talents?

A. Professional cat whisperer. 

Q. What’s your favorite off-campus spot to visit in Castleton?

A. Shout out Third Place pizzeria. Every Wednesday you’ll see me there with my trivia team, The League of Extraordinary Guessers. Shout to Sean Williams and James Wolfe. Our team is always middle of the pack or a little bit above. We have fun and we each have our own strong suits. I fill the role of sports knowledge and just general knowledge, awesome. 

Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

A. I consider myself to be a very introverted person and that’s how I really connect with students. I really try to work with them on their level and not be so extroverted and excited, but just kind of just be me and own it. It allows me to work with students and establish that connection with them, especially if they’re going through rough times, and they just need someone to talk to. That’s just owning part of my life. I’m a crazy cat lady, and I will own that in this paper in this interview. Own it. And that’s authentic and pure and that’s who I am. I’m unfiltered. I own it. My advice for students is to be who they are and own it. Don’t be afraid of what other people say. Stick true to who you are, no matter what.

Q. What’s your go-to favorite meal from Huden?

A. I’m gonna say a vanilla chocolate twist, cone or bowl. But with different kinds of toppings. That’s my go to dessert. Go to meal would probably be taco Tuesday. I love me some tacos.