While sharing a single cup of coffee, Raul Radovitzky, the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and his wife Flavia Cardarelli, senior administrative assistant in the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, recently discussed the love they have for their "nighttime jobs" living in McCormick Hall as faculty heads of house, and explained why it is so gratifying for them to be a part of this community.
The couple, married for 32 years, first met playing in a sandbox at the age of 3 in Argentina (but didn't start dating until they were in their 20s). Radovitzky has been a part of the MIT ecosystem since 2001, while Cardarelli began working at MIT in 2006. They became heads of house at McCormick Hall , the only all-female residence hall on campus, in 2015, and recently applied to extend their stay.
"Our head-of-house role is always full of surprises. We never know what we'll encounter, but we love it. Students think we do this just for them, but in truth, it's very rewarding for us as well. It keeps us on our toes and brings a lot of joy," says Cardarelli. "We like to think of ourselves as the cool aunt and uncle for the students," Radovitzky adds.
Heads of house at MIT influence many areas of students' development by acting as advisors and mentors to their residents. Additionally, they work closely with the residence hall's student government, as well as staff from the Division of Student Life, to foster their community's culture.
Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzy Nelson explains, "Our faculty heads of house have the long view at MIT and care deeply about students' academic and personal growth. We are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty who serve in this way. The heads of house enhance the student experience in so many ways - whether it is helping a student with a personal problem, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for students who were not able to go home, or encouraging students to get involved in new activities, they are always there for students."
"Our heads of house help our students fully participate in residential life. They model civil discourse at community dinners, mentor and tutor residents, and encourage residents to try new things. With great expertise and aplomb, they formally and informally help our students become their whole selves ," says Chancellor Melissa Nobles.
"I love teaching, I love conducting research with my group, and I enjoy serving as a head of house. The community aspect is deeply meaningful to me. MIT has become such a central part of our lives. Our kids are both MIT graduates, and we are incredibly proud of them. We do have a life outside of MIT - weekends with friends and family, personal activities - but MIT is a big part of who we are. It's more than a job; it's a community. We live on campus, and while it can be intense and demanding, we really love it," says Radovitzky.
Jessica Quaye '20, a former resident of McCormick Hall, says, "what sets McCormick apart is the way Raul and Flavia transform the four dorm walls into a home for everyone. You might come to McCormick alone, but you never leave alone. If you ran into them somewhere on campus, you could be sure that they would call you out and wave excitedly. You could invite Raul and Flavia to your concerts and they would show up to support your extracurricular endeavors. They built an incredible family that carries the fabric of MIT with a blend of academic brilliance, a warm open-door policy, and unwavering support for our extracurricular pursuits."
Soundbytes
Q: What first drew you to the heads of house role?
Radovitzky: I had been aware of the role since I arrived at MIT, and over time, I started to wonder if it might be something we'd consider. When our kids were young, it didn't seem feasible - we lived in the suburbs, and life there was good. But I always had an innate interest in building stronger connections with the student community.
Later, several colleagues encouraged us to apply. I discussed it with the family. Everyone was excited about it. Our teenagers were thrilled by the idea of living on a college campus. We applied together, submitting a letter as a family explaining why we were so passionate about it. We interviewed at McCormick, Baker, and McGregor. When we were offered McCormick, I'll admit - I was nervous. I wasn't sure I'd be the right fit for an all-female residence.
Cardarelli: We would have been nervous no matter where we ended up, but McCormick felt like home. It suited us in ways we didn't anticipate. Raul, for instance, discovered he had a real rapport with the students, telling goofy jokes, making karaoke playlists, and learning about Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj.
Radovitzky: It's true! I never knew I'd become an expert at picking karaoke playlists. But we found our rhythm here, and it's been deeply rewarding.
Q: What makes the McCormick community special?
Radovitzky: McCormick has a unique spirit. I can step out of our apartment and be greeted by 10 smiling faces. That energy is contagious. It's not just about events or programming - it's about building trust. We've built traditions around that, like our "make your own pizza" nights in our apartment, a wonderful McCormick event we inherited from our predecessors. We host four sessions each spring in which students roll out dough, choose toppings, and we chat as we cook and eat together. Everyone remembers the pizza nights - they're mentioned in every testimonial.
Cardarelli: We've been lucky to have amazing graduate resident assistants and area directors every year. They're essential partners in building community. They play a key role in creating community and supporting the students on their floors. They help with everything - from tutoring to events to walking students to urgent care if needed.
Radovitzky: In the fall, we take our residents to Crane Beach and host a welcome brunch. Karaoke in our apartment is a big hit too, and a unique way to make them comfortable coming to our apartment from day one. We do it three times a year - during orientation, and again each semester.
Cardarelli: We also host monthly barbecues open to all dorms and run McFast, our first-year tutoring program. Raul started by tutoring physics and math, four hours a week. Now, upperclass students lead most of the sessions. It's great for both academic support and social connection.
Radovitzky: We also have an Independent Activities Period pasta night tradition. We cook for around 100 students, using four sauces that Flavia makes from scratch - bolognese, creamy mushroom, marinara, and pesto. Students love it.
Q: What's unique about working in an all-female residence hall?
Cardarelli: I've helped students hem dresses, bake, and even apply makeup. It's like having hundreds of daughters.
Radovitzky: The students here are incredibly mature and engaged. They show real interest in us as people. Many of the activities and connections we've built wouldn't be possible in a different setting. Every year during "de-stress night," I get my nails painted every color and have a face mask on. During "Are You Smarter Than an MIT Professor," they dunk me in a water tank.
