Ask Steve! UConn's DRL Guru

Hello Everyone, Darlene here!

A few weeks ago I had the honor of sitting down with Steve Kramer, Vice President of Student Affairs. Sitting in his comfy office surrounded by unique gifts from his family, Steve and I discussed his upbringing, college experience and the many positions he has held over the years.

Steve has been working at UConn for the past five years. When he originally started he was responsible for all the Residential Halls on campus and now his responsibilities have grown to include the Dining Halls, Student Union and more. Holding an RA position at his Alma Mater Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio, as well as Assistant Hall Director and Hall Director positions at various other universities, Steve is very familiar with the different responsibilities of the residential life staff. However Res Life is not his only area of expertise. 

After completing his undergraduate degree in three years, at the age of 21 Steve decided not to continue with his plan of going to law school and decided to spend the next three years of his life studying Theology.  Though he enjoyed exploring prayer and meditation, a trip to Rome, Italy helped Steve decide that he did not want to live the life of what seemed to be a lonely monk and upon returning to the States, he took a job in California.

Though Steve loves his job when originally offered the position (that he did not even apply for!) he choose to turn UConn down. At the time he was working at different university and was happy with his position there. However eventually a persistent UConn caught him on the right day and he decided to come check it out.

As his family transitioned to the New England area, Steve choose to live in Towers Residential area in hopes to get to know the University a little better, and to get a feel for the UConn student residential experience. Waking up early every morning and being able to take a walk over by Horsebarn Hill reminded him of his younger years growing up in a small rural town in Ohio. Steve described his hometown as “a very special place”.  Growing up in such a close nit community he found the true meaning behind the saying “It takes a village to raise a child”.  Though he is no longer in his familiar “village” Steve revealed to me that he truly enjoys being in the tight knit UConn Husky community.

As our interview came to a close I decided to ask how he felt about the northeast area. Coming from Ohio and spending some time in Southern California where he met his wife and obtained a PhD in History, it must be very different! “New York is the capital of the world” he said, often taking trips to the theater and sporting events. Steve bragged about how he was probably the best person to ask for directions to the city.

All in all Steve Kramer is truly a wonderful man, students in his office described him as open, insightful, great and honest. They told me that he doesn’t sugar coat the truth and they felt comfortable talking to him about anything.

So peeps if you ever have and issue or need directions to NYC…Ask Steve!