Branciforte directs the dorm with energy and enthusiasm

Describing herself as a “northern girl,” dormitory director Katelynn Braciforte is originally from Connecticut and spent her childhood farming and enjoying the outdoors. 
One surprising fact about her is that she was a competitive cheerleader. After spending five years in Virginia, with four of those years at various independent schools, she was drawn to the dorm staff position advertised online. She was thrilled about the chance to make a difference for a diverse group of international students.
Her favorite aspect of living on campus is interacting with the stu-dents daily, greeting them as they return home, and sharing meals with them. She remarks, "It's my favorite part of my day," she said.
One of the funniest dorm stories that she remembers involved a game where students unwrapped a large ball of plastic wrap to win prizes. "It was the funniest thing I have seen this group do this year,” Branciforte said. “There were so many smiles, so much laughter, so much competition, and it was really just a joy to watch during the tough month of January."
She enjoys attending sporting events and getting to know students through these activities. She also values when non-dorm students visit the dorm and share meals with the residents.
She wants students to know that her door is always open for them. "If they ever have anything come up in their day,” she said, “they can come to me.’’
The most surprising aspect of working in the dorm has been observing how different cultures can genuinely interact within a shared space. With 14 different countries represented, she finds it powerful to see how people can interact and treat each other with kindness.
Branciforte comes from a large family and has always been surrounded by people. This background has helped her develop strong interpersonal skills and a deep appreciation for community. She believes that living in a dormitory setting is similar to being part of a big family, where everyone supports and looks out for each other. This perspective has shaped her approach to her role, making her a compassionate and approachable figure for the students.
She is enthusiastic about off-campus op- portunities and the emphasis on different holidays and celebrations in the dorm. "Any off-campus trip where we get to go and just kind of witness the students be teenagers and enjoy a game of bowling or even tubing is just a lot of fun," she said. 
The dorm is getting ready for going to the Bahamas in Spring Break. She is also excited about students who are interested in both athletics and the arts and getting to see what they do every day.
Reflecting on her own school days, she revealed that she was a straight-A, dedicated student-athlete who took both academics and athletics very seriously. Her advice for residents is to get as involved as they can in the life of North Cross.
"As much as we are a community here and like to support people here,” Branciforte said, “it is far more wonderful when we can extend the love that we have in our building outward and also welcome people here with us."
Looking ahead, she is enthusiastic to meet more people from different countries and expand the cultural representation in the dorm. Although she is fluent in English, she dabbles in Spanish and Greek, adding a touch of linguistic diversity to her interactions.
Describing the dorm vibe in three words, she chose "community, laughter, and welcoming." Her dedication to creating a welcoming and engaging environment in the dorm is evident in her enthusiasm and commitment to the students. Her background, experiences, and passion for connecting with others make her a valuable member of the campus community.