Portfolio
A Touch of Aotearoa: Building Residential Identity Through Culture, Place and Belonging
A residential placemaking initiative at the University of Otago that celebrated Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural and cultural identity through meaningful residence hall naming. This project reflects my approach to creating student-centered residential environments that foster belonging, strengthen community identity, and connect people with the places they call home.
Modernize Housing Operations with 20,000+ Students
Modernizing housing operations through the collective use of StarRez and StarCare was a significant, expensive, and time-intensive undertaking.
The process required substantial investment in technology, staff training, system development, and workflow improvements.
By aligning these platforms with the practical needs of Residential Life, we worked to streamline administrative processes and improve service delivery.
This experience demonstrated that successful modernization requires long-term commitment, strategic investment, and continuous improvement.
Growing a City Residential Hall
QuARANAtine in New Zealand and Getting Through the Pandemic
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sara Colombo helped Arana College navigate an unprecedented and constantly changing residential environment, adapting community management practices to meet evolving public health requirements. Traditional residential life priorities shifted dramatically, with staff moving beyond monitoring noise and alcohol to identifying close contact, including students holding hands, demonstrating the importance of flexibility, empathy, and people-centered leadership during a crisis.
Sara Colombo helped grow Dorm34 from 16 residents during its 2020 pandemic-era opening to a peak of 100 students.
Through intentional community building and student engagement, Dorm34 grew to 35 residents the following year and approximately 75 by Fall 2022.
The focus extended beyond occupancy to creating a welcoming environment where students felt connected and supported.
Welcome teas, ice cream socials, library visits, gaming, and community gatherings helped establish meaningful traditions.
This experience demonstrates how people-centered leadership and strategic programming can strengthen residential identity and student belonging.
The result: A thriving residential community built on connection, engagement, and a place students could call home.