Some college students travel miles to see their parents. But for Georgia Hall resident Mary-Grace Wells, climbing a flight of stairs is all she needs to meet them.

As Mary-Grace Wells returned for her sophomore year at Georgia hall, her parents moved to its upstairs apartment as her mother, Laurie Wells became its new resident director. Her father, Jeffrey Wells, had already been a professor of communication studies at Trevecca.

“You’d think that they’d be hovering over me all the time, but they haven't sought me out as much as I've sought them out,” said Mary-Grace Wells. “It’s a smooth transition from living with them to living sort of without them.”

While many RD’s at Trevecca live with their family on campus, most of the RD’s don’t have children studying at Trevecca and living in their residence hall at the same time.

“The dynamics tend to change when RD’s have an older child,” said Ronda Lilienthal, associate dean of students for residential life.

Before finally settling in Trevecca, the Wells family had moved to various parts of the country. At some point, the family has lived in Tampa, Boston, Oklahoma, Illinois and Texas.

“Coming to Nashville is like coming home,” said Laurie Wells. “This is also where my husband graduated.”

Mary-Grace Wells started her college career at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois before transferring to Trevecca last year.

“We always knew Trevecca was a better emotional fit for her,” said Jeffrey Wells.

Laurie Wells had always wanted the opportunity to become an RD at Trevecca, but being her daughter’s RD wasn’t part of the plan.

“I just kept my ears open— hoping there was a chance to be a resident director again,” said Laurie Wells. “I really loved that position when I did it years back.”

After working as a nurse, Laurie Wells thought she would be the new resident director for Tennessee hall. This was until the board asked how she would feel to be in the same dorm as her daughter.

“She was hesitant at first,” said Laurie Wells. “But I think she knew it was a great job for me and she was very supportive.”

When Laurie Wells’ employment was confirmed, the family placed their furniture in storage units and replaced their off-campus apartment with a home on Trevecca.

“The first week, we weren’t able to get our furniture, so we were sleeping on an air mattress,” said Jeffrey Wells. “I always end up on the floor by the time I wake up.”

While the Wells family have been living in Georgia hall for five months, Mary-Grace Wells still finds it difficult to get used to having an RD for a mother.

“One night in particular, she wasn’t answering my texts so I thought I could go up to their apartment and see what she’s doing,” Mary-Grace Wells. “I opened the door and all the RA’s were in there crowded around my mom having a serious discussion.”

Most college students enter dorm life hoping to discover themselves more as individuals. This was the biggest worry the Wells couple had for their only daughter.

“We’re trying to keep our hands off as much as we can,” said Laurie Wells. “I have to make myself not call her when I worry.”

To keep up, the Wells family book Friday nights for movies and dinner together.

Every now and then Laurie would cook for her family and this Thanksgiving she will be making dinner for the residents of Georgia Hall.

“I know there are a few residents that live too far from home,” said Laurie Wells.

While the Wells couple does live a few floors above their daughter, they admit not seeing her every day.

“She will just pop up. Sometimes I don’t see her for a couple days and then sometimes she’ll come in the morning to make her coffee in my apartment if she’s out of creamer,” Laurie Wells said. “It’s a little too convenient for her.”