A student writer sits down with Randi Mogul, director of residential life to learn about the people and places that shaped her, and how she helps shape the lives of the Beloit students she works with today.
If you mention the name Randi Mogul to a Beloit College student, you might be surprised by what they tell you. Some know her work with different campus programming events, others her daily email trivia questions, and everyone as a friendly face on campus, because there isn’t a student here that doesn’t know Randi Mogul. I sat down with Randi to find out more.
I walked to the ResLife office on an unseasonably warm February day, wondering what led Randi to Beloit College. I found Randi in her office in Porter Hall talking to one of her student workers. While I waited, I noticed that her door was full of stickers, or “door decs,” that resident assistants (RAs) had made. I sat down on the chair and we began the interview.
Where are you from?
I was born in Brooklyn, New York, but grew up in a small town in upstate New York called Latham. There’s nothing like it in the world. It was the greatest. It had a country vibe. Everybody knew everybody. Lots of mom and pop businesses. I loved growing up there.
What led you to Beloit College?
After high school, I went to SUNY New Paltz, one of the State University of New York colleges, where I majored in English and minored in journalism. I did a lot in college. I played varsity softball, I wrote for the school paper, I was part of a sorority, I was an orientation leader, and I was an RA. After I graduated, I attended the Russell Sage College in downtown Albany, where I got my master’s in organizational management through the MBA program.
After getting my master’s, I worked in lots of different states. I started in upstate New York, and then I moved to Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Colorado. I worked as the assistant director of housing at Colorado Northwestern Community College in Rangely, which is about 20 minutes from Utah. I was there for a year and a half before I moved to Beloit. I had visited and I really enjoyed my time here. I loved the community, I loved the students. It was great.
How did you find your career path?
When I first got to college, I didn’t know what an RA was, but I remember my RA, Val, very clearly. Anyone who goes into this field falls into this field. I don’t think anyone has gone to college to major in residence life! I became an RA and then realized, “oh, I can do this as a career.” I love it. I get to work with so many different people. The thing I love most about residence life is that there is no “day in the life.” Every day is different. I’m not a typical 9-5 person, which makes ResLife perfect for me.
What are you most proud of in your current role?
My biggest love is creating programs, for example, Halloween trick or treat, the faculty spotlights, and Spring Day, which I did in collaboration with the Programming Board. Any time I put something together that people really enjoy and come back and say “that was great” to me, that’s a big achievement. I want students I work with succeed. When students in my office do something good, I celebrate it. When I see students go on to achieve great things, that’s a source of pride for me.
What’s one piece of advice you would give to students here?
Challenge yourself and step outside your comfort zone. Find something that interests you. It’s the most important way to get involved. Find your passion and run with it, and if you have an idea for a club that doesn’t exist yet, start one!
The most important thing is have fun. Study hard, and have fun too!
February 26, 2026
