Respect in Residence

Building Community in the Dorm and on the Court: Kelsey Urbanetti at Eagle Hill

At Eagle Hill School, student life is shaped as much by the relationships built outside the classroom as those within it. For Kelsey Urbanetti, Dorm Parent in Harmsworth Hall and Assistant Tennis Coach, those relationships are central to her work each day. Prior to Eagle Hill, she worked at Cushing Academy and in public school settings supporting students with learning differences. After years in traditional classroom environments, she was drawn to a small, supportive, community-based boarding school setting where she could work more closely with students.

That sense of connection stood out to her immediately upon arriving on campus. Urbanetti noted how quickly Eagle Hill felt like home, pointing to both the physical setting and the culture within it. She described being struck by how open and welcoming the campus felt, adding that “having that tight-knit feel when I came, it was pretty nice.” In her first year, that initial impression has been reinforced through the support of colleagues and the rhythms of daily campus life.

At Eagle Hill, dorm parents play an essential role in helping students navigate life beyond academics, supporting them with organization, time management, relationships, and daily routines.

As a dorm parent in Harmsworth Hall, Urbanetti works closely with eighteen girls, serving as a consistent, approachable presence in their daily lives. At Eagle Hill, dorm parents play an essential role in helping students navigate life beyond academics, supporting them with organization, time management, relationships, and daily routines. Urbanetti describes being a first point of contact for students, whether they need help problem-solving, guidance through social situations, or support in managing the structure of school life. Evenings in the dorm are active and social, with students gathering in common spaces to study, relax, and spend time together as they build community within the residence hall.

Building those relationships takes time, and Urbanetti noted that getting to know students individually was one of the early challenges of the role. She found that coaching helped bridge that gap. As a longtime tennis player and coach, she values the way students respond to her on the court, where they see a different side of her role. “It helps build the rapport with them,” she said, describing how those interactions carry back into dorm life. Across both settings, she emphasizes listening first, staying approachable, and working with students as they navigate challenges together, reinforcing Eagle Hill’s Core Value of respect in her daily interactions.

For Urbanetti, a key part of her role is helping students build the skills they need beyond Eagle Hill. In the dorm, that includes practical habits like keeping their rooms organized, managing their time, and taking responsibility for daily routines.

For Urbanetti, a key part of her role is helping students build the skills they need beyond Eagle Hill. In the dorm, that includes practical habits like keeping their rooms organized, managing their time, and taking responsibility for daily routines. She also focuses on helping students develop independence and confidence, encouraging them to advocate for themselves and take ownership of their decisions as they prepare for college and life beyond school.

Through both her work in the dorm and on the court, Urbanetti aims to create an environment where students feel supported while developing greater independence. She describes the most rewarding moments as simple ones, often when students return to the dorm and feel comfortable enough to talk, decompress, or ask for help. In those everyday interactions, she focuses on helping students build confidence, strengthen responsibility, and develop skills that will carry with them long after they leave Eagle Hill.

When reflecting on her experience so far, Urbanetti emphasized the importance of those daily touchpoints, particularly as students come into the dorm after the school day. She described how even brief conversations can shift a student’s mindset, helping them feel seen, supported, and more open to connection.

Looking ahead, she hopes to continue deepening those relationships across campus while further developing Eagle Hill’s tennis program, with a continued focus on building a strong, positive team culture rooted in growth, effort, and respect.