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Housing and Residence Life
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111 South Green Drive
Athens, OH 45701
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Dr. Sarah Green shares a piece of poetry with students during a workshop.
Expert in Residence Overview
Empower and inspire current Bobcats by serving as an expert or nominating an expert.
Apply or Submit an EIR Nomination

Expert in Residence Overview

Housing and Residence Life, together with Honors Tutorial College, proudly announce the launch of the Expert in Residence (EIR) program. This exciting initiative is designed to connect Ohio University Bobcats with accomplished alumni, executives and experts across all fields who have made significant strides in their respective profession.

This program provides a unique opportunity for distinguished professionals to share their expertise and inspire the next generation of leaders.

Program Overview

The goal of the program is to create engagement and learning opportunities across academic disciplines through residential, academic, and programmatic connections. 

Each Expert in Residence will bring their unique expertise to create a tailored experience for students. These engagements will support experiential learning, career preparation, and professional growth. Opportunities for interaction may include small group discussions, workshops, lectures, and networking events, ensuring a diverse student experience that optimizes learning.

EIR candidates must have proven expertise in their field, with a history of leadership, career preparation and professional development. They should be willing to actively engage with students, faculty and staff through workshops, lectures and one-on-ones.

Residential Student Initiatives

EIRs are required to host a minimum of two (2) programs or initiatives with residential students in a 1-week period or three (3) for a 2-week period. 

EIRs may choose programs or initiatives from the menu below or  work with Housing & Residence Life staff to create their own. Program and initiative details must be finalized no later than one month prior to the contract start date.

Social EngagementProfessional DevelopmentMajor/Career Preparation
Coffee or lunch with studentsPanel discussionsResume review
Fireside chatsExperiential learning projectOpen office hours
Attending residence hall eventsPresentation or workshopNetworking events
Proposed option by EIRProposed option by EIRProposed option by EIR

OHIO Campus Community Engagement

EIRs are also encouraged to host at least one engagement with the broader campus community. These initiatives are much broader and are developed in tandem with the EIR. Suggested initiatives include:

  • Guest lecture with and academic college
  • Meeting with the Ohio University Alumni Association
  • Meeting with Ohio University Career Services
  • Feedback on academic curriculum based on field or expertise

EIRs have creative control over the content they design for workshops, lectures and activities based on their expertise and interests. While the University collaborates to align the content with its goals, EIRs have flexibility to shape the experience.

EIRs will engage with students, faculty, and staff at Ohio University, sharing their expertise with the campus community. They will have the opportunity to foster connections and make a lasting impact through both formal and informal interactions.

Housing and Residence Life will provide a modest honorarium, along with housing and meals for up to two weeks, allowing EIRs to engage with the campus community. Extensions may be requested if needed beyond the initial two-week period.

How To Apply or Nominate an Expert

OHIO faculty, staff, alumni and other members of the Ohio University Community may complete a nomination form to recommend a candidate for the EIR program. Once a recommendation form is received, the selection committee will reach out to the recommended candidates to determine interest and availability.

Nomination and Application Deadlines

Nominations will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority consideration opportunities will continue until all positions are filled however we recommend following the suggested deadlines to grant nominees ample time for consideration and planning.

  • Nominations for experts coming to campus in the fall semester should be submitted by April 1 prior to the fall semester requested.
  • Nominations for experts coming to campus in the spring semester should be submitted by November 1 prior to the spring semester requested.

Submit a Nomination

Selection Process

We aim to select two Experts in Residence each semester. After these nomination and application deadlines have passed, the selection committee, composed of Ohio University faculty and Housing & Residence Life staff, will review all applications and recommendations. 

Candidates will be assessed based on their fit with program goals, planned engagement activities, and area of expertise. The committee will follow up with selected candidates to finalize details about their proposed topics, engagements, and planning logistics.

Previous Experts in Residence

Learn more about past experts, including background information, professional experience, and accolades.

Spring 2026 (February 16-27)
Robb Roby

Robb earned his mechanical engineering degree from Ohio University in 1994 summa cum laude. While at Ohio University, he held various leadership roles with the Marching 110, Singing Men of Ohio, and the Russ College of Engineering Dean’s Council. Robb obtained his law degree from New York University and has worked in the field for more than 25 years. He advises clients ranging from startups to multinational corporations on patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and competition law across industries including medical devices, aerospace, automotive, and fashion.

He is admitted to practice in California, the District of Columbia, New York and before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Robb served as the inaugural Executive in Residence for Ohio University’s EIR Program.

Spring 2026 (March 1-6)
Sarah Green

Sarah earned her doctorate in Creative Writing from Ohio University in 2015; she is now a tenured professor of English and Creative Writing at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota. Sarah’s poetry has received numerous honors including two Pushcart Prizes and fellowships from the Vermont Studio Center and the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. Her most recent book, The Deletions, was the 2023 Editor’s Choice for the Akron Poetry Series.

Sarah also serves as general editor for the Hollis Summers Poetry Prize at Ohio University Press.

Spring 2026 (April 13-18)
Seth Miller

Seth earned a degree in Management Information Systems from Ohio University in 2014. During his junior year, he launched Rapchat, a social music platform that has since empowered over 15 million creators worldwide to make and share their own music. As founder and CEO, Seth has worn every hat—from writing code and designing the product to raising over $7M in venture funding and leading the team.

Today, he's focused on growing the community, launching new products, and exploring how AI will reshape the way startups operate.

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