Arriving for my interview with Lanna Carbonell, I saw her deep in conversation with a student, sitting at her desk in the middle of the Bowld Commons: a clear image of what I would quickly learn — she is perfect for this job.
“People just like talking to me,” Carbonell laughed.
Lanna Carbonell is the new residence life secretary for Union. Her role began in July, when she moved from her job as Union Station associate to her new secretary position.
Ken Litscher, dean of student life and director for Residence Life, described Carbonell’s job as “a bit like air traffic control for Resident Life.” She makes sure everything from minute housing details down to renting a room in the Bowld gets handled.
Carbonell described her role with humility, mentioning phone calls, emails and answering questions that students approach her desk with.
“A lot of my time is spent with people coming and asking questions, and they end up just kind of talking to me because I’m here,” she said, smiling.
Already in the short time we had spent together, many students had waved as they passed by.
Prior to Carbonell, Mary Milton held the position of ResLife secretary for seven years before she retired in the fall of 2024. Milton was a beloved part of Union staff.
“[Milton] talked to a lot of parents. And it was very comforting for them to talk to somebody who is a parent of a college student as they are talking,” Litscher said. “And on top of that, she had been in the job for seven years, and she was kinda an expert on how to do things.”
Carbonell had big shoes to fill stepping into the position. She does not have the years of experience that Milton had or the connection of having college-aged kids.
“When I applied for this job, I thought I was not qualified. I told myself, ‘I’m not qualified; I’m not going to get it,’” Carbonell said, explaining her shock when the position was extended to her.
“She’s demonstrated capacity for mastering things and looking for what’s next,” Litscher said.
“I was determined and motivated coming into the position,” Carbonell said.
She knew this position could be a big step, but she wanted to do it to the fullest extent she could.
“Calm and steady have been the two words that have been spoken over me,” Carbonell said. “People tell me that I’ve stepped into this position calmly and steadily, but sometimes I feel like it’s the storm inside me and I’m [overwhelmed], but I’m trying to do the best job I can.”
“There’s a lot of things I’m still learning,” Carbonell said, gesturing at her bookshelf with stacks of binders labeled for different scenarios she may have to help with. “I just feel like it’s the right place for me right now.”
Carbonell’s “place” is her rather unique office in the corner of the busy Bowld Commons. While most offices have doors and walls, Carbonell has the unusual opportunity to sit in the middle of a student space. While some may find this distracting or even a nuisance, Carbonell does not see it that way.
“God knew that I needed to be in this position because there are so many people that I’ve met and so many friendships that I’ve made just from people walking by and just talking,” Carbonell said. “And I just listen.”
With her position being incredibly hands-on and people-focused, these relationships are what make her not just a woman behind the desk, but someone who knows and cares.
Sam Hatcher, a sophomore worship leadership major, knew Carbonell from his time as a student worker at Union Station.
“[Carbonell] is like a big sister to me now,” Hatcher said. “She loves people, and she genuinely wants to get to know them.”
Carbonell displays this perfectly as she laughs and tells me her goal for the year.
“Mary Milton never forgot a name. That was her thing,” Carbonell said. “My thing is birthdays. I want to memorize everybody’s birthday so that you can feel special on that day.”
It’s clear that Carbonell has already taken her role in stride — from overcoming her doubts about her capability to already proving mastery over many parts of her roles and forming friendships with a large percentage of the residence life staff in the few months she has known them. Carbonell is perfect for this role.
“The big word that has been floating in my mind is ‘trust.’ Just trust,” Carbonell said. “Trust in the Lord … He already knows. He already knows my time at Union and what it’s going to look like. He knows my time after Union. So, I know that while I’m here, I just need to trust Him … He already knows. I just have to do what is right.”
