Madeline Pena

Residence Hall Director - Penland Hall

What is your favorite part about being a Residence Hall Director?

Each day I wake up and seek to create a sense of home for Baylor students. I feel so lucky that the Lord grants me this opportunity daily and this "job" is all part of His great design to use my story and help college students make meaning of their own journeys. In particular, I enjoy creating these spaces through programming. Some of the best conversations I had in college were initiated at hall programs. It is a true joy to play a small role in making students' college experiences that much more invaluable. The place(s) you’ll live on campus will become a new home and we are all so eager to help you discover it at Baylor!

What does authentic Christian community mean to you?

When we first find our purpose within our maker, we can then understand the great purpose He has for us. Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we wake up and work for a greater reason than ourselves. “For we are God’s handiwork created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.” To me, authentic Christian community is taking opportunities to encourage one another in the strengths and shortcomings God created in each of us. When we practice bearing our burdens and victories with one another, we mirror God’s design for us to seek purpose in Him and our time on this earth. Taking opportunities to openly learn from one another and surrender differences can truly change our lives and help us gain perspective of the unique vocations God instilled in all of us.