Durell K. Hurst, Ph.D., has been appointed as the new director of residential life, effective Monday, July 14. Hurst has more than 15 years of experience in residential life and student affairs in higher education.
Hurst joins North Carolina Central University (NCCU) from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, where he served as the director of housing and residential life. During his tenure at UNC-Pembroke, he oversaw a comprehensive housing program for nearly 2,000 residents and managed a team of 50 full-time, part-time, and student employees and a multimillion-dollar operating budget. He played a pivotal role in enhancing the student experience through strategic community building and facility planning, crisis management and response, and cross-campus partnerships toward increasing student success and retention.
Hurst previously worked at North Carolina State University, Middle Tennessee State University and Ball State University.
As the director of residential life at NCCU, Hurst will guide the strategic vision and operational management of the University’s residential life program. Additionally, he will oversee the housing assignment process, occupancy planning, crisis intervention and long-term residential planning, as they align with the University’s strategic plan. Hurst will enhance NCCU’s commitment to creating safe, engaging and enriching campus experiences.
Hurst holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from North Carolina A&T State University, where his concentration was transformative leadership in civic engagement. He earned his master of arts in student affairs administration in higher education from Ball State University and his bachelor of arts in criminal justice from Eastern Washington University.
Additionally, he has served on numerous advisory boards, search committees and professional associations. Hurst has mentored future student affairs professionals through the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Undergraduate Fellows Program and played a pivotal role in developing Living Learning Communities in engineering, leadership and the arts.
Please join the Division in welcoming Hurst to the Eagle family!