Amelia Cepeda is serving in a new student affairs role, director of university housing. The position combines the former directors of residence and residence life roles. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
Amelia Cepeda ("suh-PAY-duh") began serving as director of university housing on Jan. 2. She oversees all aspects of the department of residence, which includes more than 3 million square feet among 20 residence halls and apartment buildings, a $55 million budget, and about 190 full-time and 230 student employees who serve the 10,000-plus students living on campus.
Cepeda came to Iowa State in 2022 to serve as director of administrative services in the residence department. Since September, she also had been serving as interim director of residence life and conference services.
Previously, she served as associate director for business operations in the office of housing and residence life at Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers (2009-22), assistant director of housing for business operations at Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton (2007-09) and as a residence life coordinator at Florida International University, Miami (2002-04) and Georgia Tech, Atlanta (1999-2002). She taught high school English for three years in Plantation, Florida (2004-07).
Cepeda earned a B.A. in English language and literature from the University of Central Florida, Orlando; and a M.Ed. in higher education administration from the University of South Carolina, Columbia.
Her office is in 2419 Friley, she can be reached by phone at 294-2900, by email at acepeda@iastate.edu.
Cepeda's new position, director of university housing, combines two positions in the department of residence: the directors of residence and of residence life. The director of residence position formerly had been paired with the role of the associate vice president for campus life. Senior vice president for student affairs Toyia Younger shifted duties to streamline responsibilities and align with the other departments in the campus life unit, Memorial Union and ISU Dining. Cepeda will report to the new associate vice president for campus life. A search to fill that role will begin later this month.
