The Work Between the Moments: Will McDonner on Presence, Patience, and People

In this episode of We Grow Aces, we sit down with Will McDonner, Assistant Director of Residence Life at the University of Evansville—a place he’s called home since his days as a music major and RA.Will shares how his journey into student affairs was less about a grand plan and more about presence, service, and a daily commitment to grow: “be better today than yesterday.” That simple mantra has become a quiet rhythm behind how he leads, de-escalates conflict, and shows up for students in moments big and small.We talk about the sacred work of building belonging in residence halls, of seeing students as whole people, and of holding space—even when the ask is something as ordinary as a meal plan adjustment.This is a conversation about formation, not just profession. About how the real work of campus life often happens in the margins—late at night, in hard conversations, in quiet moments of care—and how being present there can change everything.