Balancing Leadership And Heart: How K Andrews Makes Lynch Hall Feel Like Home

On a Friday night in Lynch Hall, a freshman dorm at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, laughter and conversation fill the hallways. Second-year resident advisor K Andrews moves from door to door, greeting residents, answering questions, and making sure everything runs smoothly before heading back to the front desk, where her color-coded calendar awaits.

Balancing graduate school, an internship, and dozens of first-year students is far from easy, but Andrews manages it with her calm and welcoming demeanor. She is a senior at UNC Charlotte, double-majoring in political science and business management. She’s also in the early-entry master’s program for public administration, with a concentration in nonprofit management.

She’s known across campus for her leadership and compassion, qualities that have earned her multiple awards, including RA Rising Star of the Year, Outstanding Interactions, and Student Staff Member of the Year. On top of her busy class schedule, she’s serving her second year as a resident advisor — a role she once said she’d never do.

After working as a housing ambassador and summer RA, Andrews was encouraged by her supervisors and sorority president to apply for a full-term position. What started as a “why not?” moment became one of her favorite parts of college.

“I’m the second oldest of nine kids, so being somebody’s sister is my favorite thing,” Andrews said. “Getting to be that big-sister figure, being strict when I need to, but also helping my residents when they need it, really means a lot to me.”

That balance of authority and empathy shapes everything she does. One night, after handling a situation that required both care and conduct, Andrews said the resident she spoke with came back the next morning to thank her.

“He gave me a hug and said thank you,” she said. “Even after that, my residents were still coming to me, still wanting to talk, and that made me proud to be an RA.”

Her residents say that’s what makes her special.

“K is just so reliable,” Claire Hood said. “She created a safe space for me to be myself because she’s always open and understanding.”

Abriana Oyapero, a first-year student, added that her warmth makes Lynch Hall feel more like home than a dorm.

“She always checks in, gives hugs, and makes me feel like I belong at UNC Charlotte.”

Andrews’ coworker, Daphne-Lorraine Chinfloo, described her as “powerful, dedicated and loyal.” She said Andrews leads by example, showing up for her residents not just as a leader, but as a mentor and friend.

“K has this energy that motivates everyone around her,” Chinfloo said.

Between meetings, coursework and building responsibilities, Andrews keeps everything on track with a system that works. She uses two planners, one digital and one physical, both of which are color-coded to separate her classes, internship, and RA duties.

“It’s how I keep my days flowing,” she said with a laugh.

For Andrews, balance is more than staying organized; it’s about being present for the people around her.

“I love helping people,” she said. “I will break my back and overextend myself to help people.”

Through her leadership, kindness and heart, Andrews has turned Lynch Hall into more than just a place to live; she’s helped make it feel like home.