Investing in the Long Term Housing Security of University Students

12 January • 12:00-2:00pm ET

presented by the Commission for Housing & Residential Life

This session focuses on the development, implementation, and evolution of the Need Based Rent Subsidy program at UC Davis. We will focus on funding streams, eligibility criteria, determining students’ need without re-traumatizing them or asking them to perform their poverty, deciding how much each student receives, and evaluating appeals. Presenters will focus specifically on how they equitably distributed funds with a focus on those most often under-resourced in housing affordability initiatives: student parents, undocumented and AB540 students, and international students.

Presenter Information

Camden Doolittle (they/them) is an experienced student affairs leader and researcher specializing in basic needs equity, housing affordability, and student success in public higher education. Camden serves as Assistant Director in Student Housing and Dining Services at UC Davis, where they oversee affordability and equity programs as well as basic needs initiatives. Camden recently completed a doctoral dissertation on how university administrators define and address student housing affordability, with a focus on institutional equity, leadership, and marginalized student populations. With a background in policy analysis, qualitative research, and equity-driven program design, Camden brings expertise in translating research into practice to advance thriving campus communities.

Kawami Evans is an equity-minded student affairs practitioner with more than 20 years of experience in higher education. The majority of her career has been devoted to student housing, where she has worked to create environments that support student growth, belonging, and success. She is deeply passionate about the holistic well-being of both students and staff, grounding her work in care, equity, and community. Kawami brings her full self into her professional practice—as a spiritual African-American woman, an educated member of the middle class, a U.S. citizen, a parent, and a lifelong partner—honoring the interconnected identities and experiences that shape her leadership and advocacy.

Jessica Gutierrez serves as the Basic Needs Advocate for Student Housing and Dining Services, where she provides case management support for financially insecure students and leads educational efforts on financial wellness and basic needs. As a new student affairs professional, she is deeply committed to supporting historically underserved communities through advocacy and increasing access to resources. Jessica’s work is informed by her lived experience as a Latina, a first-generation college student, and the daughter of immigrants, as well as her perspective as a U.S. citizen in a mixed-status family. She brings both professional expertise and personal passion to advancing equity and student success.

Registration Information

Participants must register in advance for this series. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

• $10 for Non-Members Based in U.S.
• $5 for International Non-Members
• Complimentary for ACPA Individual & Chapter Only Members