Message From the Housing Director


Herbert Johnson
My headshot 2
FAMU University Housing Director

Greetings Rattlers in Residence!

It is with great humility that I serve as your director of University Housing here at the prestigious Florida A&M University, located on the Highest of Seven Hills. I have had the honor of serving FAMU students since 2011 and am a proud 2013 graduate of the Master of Applied Science program. My journey began as a resident director in Palmetto South Apartments and later Polkinghorne Village West (formerly known as FAMU Village, where I was the first resident). Throughout this time, I’ve had the privilege of growing personally and professionally alongside this institution’s growth and progress.

Our achievements speak for themselves:

  • 3,400 newly built and/or renovated residential bed spaces
  • Record-breaking recruitment numbers each year
  • An average residential student GPA of 3.3
  • A 50% increase in student employment opportunities
  • 40% of our professional staff are FAMU alumni

Every day, incredible things are happening inside the walls of our on-campus residence halls. As we move forward, our housing staff is committed to working with students to foster a dynamic, supportive, and enriching living environment that enhances the learning experience.

We firmly believe that residential living is an essential part of your growth and success. Our goal is to create spaces where every student feels at home, supported, and empowered to achieve their fullest potential.

I encourage our students to realign their habits with their goals. Keep focused on why you came to The Hill. Never forget where you started but always keep your eyes on where you are going. Strive to make your loved ones proud and accomplish something that will even impress you. Take advantage of the numerous opportunities to socialize, attend events, join organizations, and much more. As a wise colleague once said, "Keep the main thing, the main thing."

Pursue your passions, support each other, take care of yourselves, and dominate your goals.

I am excited to be part of your journey. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to your housing staff. We are here to help and support you.

Thank you for allowing us the privilege of contributing to your success. WE ARE HOUSING!

Sincerely,

Herb Johnson, M.P.A.
Director
Florida A&M University
Office of University Housing

 

Mission Statement

The mission of FAMU Housing is to promote a safe, clean, service-oriented, efficiently managed, nurturing living learning environment that is conducive to students' academic pursuits and personal growth while fostering a sense of community, civic responsibility, and an appreciation of others.

 

Vision Statement 

Our goal is to elevate the housing department experience by:

  • Fostering academic and career-oriented learning, collaboration, and innovative programming. (SP
  • 1)
  • Providing leadership development opportunities for students through engagement in on-campus jobs, student organizations, service-learning, and community involvement initiatives. (SP 1.1 and 1.3)
  • Enhancing safety awareness and implementing measures to ensure the security of residents and facilities. (SP 1.1)
  • Delivering exceptional customer service that values and respects all stakeholders with special detail to communications that are clear, consist, interesting, and relevant. (SP 1.2, 3.1 and 3.2)
  • Promoting responsible departmental practices, student programming, and resource stewardship that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based. (SP 3.1, 4.1, and 5.2)
  • Intentionally dedicating time, manpower, funds, and other resources to the development of a well-trained, motivated, thoughtful, and knowledgeable team of dedicated professionals. (SP 5.1)

 

Strategic Goals of Focus

Goal 1.1 Elevate Student Success Outcomes (Retention, Graduation Rates, Licensure Pass Rates, etc.) to the High Excellence Range among state and national scales.

Goal 1.2 Establish FAMU as the 1st Choice Destination among scholars. 

Goal 1.3 Reimagine and align academic offerings to address emerging workforce demands and increase degree production in programs of strategic emphasis.

Goal 3.1 Foster a university-wide customer-centric culture to support academic and operational excellence.

Goal 3.2 Increase international recognition as a leading academic, research and cultural institution.

Goal 4.1 Implement a planning and budgeting process that identifies, secure, and allocates existing and new E&G, C&G, and Auxiliary funding.

Goal 5.1 Enhance a culture that intentionally fosters building and engaging a high performing workforce and fortifies FAMU’s status as an employer of choice.

Goal 5.2 Optimize effectiveness of operations through enhancement of processes and innovation.

 

Successes and Advances

Over the last 3 years:

The department has become the largest employer of student employees with well over 100 students hired throughout the academic year to include resident assistants, office workers, interns, and peer mentors.

We raised more than $4,000 during 2025 FAMU’s Day of Giving.

The University purchased a 234-bed complex, known as Rattler Pointe, to accommodate more upper-class student housing.

The university has invested more than $10,000,000 in "prioritizing the improvement of campus living conditions."  This includes but is not limited to:

  • Complete Wi-Fi network upgrades in Polkinghorne Village, Rattler Pointe, Phase 3 and Palmetto South.
  • Replacement of the roofs on Polkinghorne Village, Rattler Pointe, Phase 3 and Palmetto South.
  • Complete repaint of on-campus bedspaces and halls in all 9 residential facilities.
  • Total replacement of all bedrooms and living room furniture in Phase 3 and Palmetto South.
  • Renovationof all kitchens and new appliances in Phase 3 and Palmetto South.
  • Renovationof all bathrooms including new tubs, toilets, floors, and vanities in Phase 3 and Palmetto South.
  • Replacement of all windows in Palmetto South and Phase 3 and Rattler Pointe A
  • Installation of new heating and air condition units in Palmetto South and Rattler Pointe D.
  • Replacement of flooring in Polkinghorne Village.
  • Construction of community kitchens in Polkinghorne Village.
  • Replacement of all lights within apartments in Palmetto South and Phase 3.
  • New elevator cabs have been installed in Phase 3. 

 

For completion in Summer 2025, funds have been allocated and plans made for:

  • Installation of new heating and air conditioning units in Phase 3.
  • Replacement of all piping in Rattler Pointe A.
  • Replacement of entry doors to Polkinghorne Village. 

 

Scheduled 2025-2026 academic year

  • A brand new 700-bed facility will be brought online just north of FAMU Towers known as Venom Landing. For the first time, FAMU will be able to house up to 3,400 (35%) of its students in on-campus living.
  • Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate students will be prioritized during the assignment process for single bed apartment spaces.
  • Two FAMU students will receive a one-time $1,000 scholarship.
  • At least 3 students will be offered the opportunity for a paid internship in the areas of health or sports management, marketing and communications, and information technology.
  • Three new learning communities will be implemented:
    • Transfer Student Living-Learning Community
    • Rattlers 60
    • Honors RISE
  • The first full year of the Housing Intramural League will kick off in fall 2025 with team activities such as basketball, football, volleyball, kickball, and our traditional field day Battle of the Halls.

 

Greater things to come

In conjunction with the Department of Facilities, Planning, Construction and Safety, designs have been completed for:

  • A 500-bed mixed single and double suite style facility with office, classroom, and honors college space on the old Paddyfote site, including a 200-car parking lot on the old Gibbs site.
  • An 800-bed 1-, 2-, and 4-bedroom apartment style facility on the old Palmetto North Apartments location.