While enjoying a single cup of coffee, Raul Radovitzky, the Jerome C. Hunsaker Professor in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, alongside his wife Flavia Cardarelli, senior administrative assistant at the Institute for Data, Systems, and Society, discussed their affection for their “nighttime responsibilities” residing in McCormick Hall as faculty heads of house, and elaborated on why it is so fulfilling for them to be part of this community.

The couple, united in marriage for 32 years, first crossed paths at the age of 3 while playing in a sandbox in Argentina (though they did not begin dating until their 20s). Radovitzky has been integrated into the MIT environment since 2001, whereas Cardarelli commenced her tenure at MIT in 2006. They assumed their roles as heads of house at McCormick Hall, the sole all-female residence hall on campus, in 2015, and have recently applied to prolong their tenure.

“Our head-of-house position is consistently filled with surprises. We never know what awaits, but we enjoy it thoroughly. Students perceive that we engage in this solely for their benefit, yet genuinely, it is greatly rewarding for us as well. It keeps us alert and brings abundant joy,” states Cardarelli. “We like to view ourselves as the cool relatives for the students,” Radovitzky adds.

Heads of house at MIT significantly impact various aspects of students’ development by serving as advisors and mentors to their residents. Moreover, they collaborate closely with the residence hall’s student government and the staff from the Division of Student Life to cultivate their community’s culture.

Vice Chancellor for Student Life Suzy Nelson articulates, “Our faculty heads of house have a long-term perspective at MIT and genuinely care about the academic and personal development of students. We are lucky to have such committed faculty members serving in this manner. The heads of house enrich the student experience in countless ways — whether it’s assisting a student with a personal issue, hosting Thanksgiving dinner for those unable to return home, or motivating students to engage in new activities, they are always present for students.”

“Our heads of house facilitate our students’ full involvement in residential life. They exemplify respectful dialogue during community dinners, mentor and tutor residents, and motivate residents to explore new activities. With great expertise and assurance, they both formally and informally assist our students in becoming their complete selves,” states Chancellor Melissa Nobles.

“I adore teaching, I love conducting research with my team, and I take pleasure in serving as a head of house. The community aspect holds profound significance for me. MIT has become a central element of our lives. Our children are both MIT alumni, and we take immense pride in them. We do enjoy life outside of MIT — weekends with friends and family, personal hobbies — yet MIT is a considerable part of our identity. It transcends being merely a job; it’s a community. We reside on campus, and despite its intensity and demands, we genuinely cherish it,” shares Radovitzky.

Jessica Quaye ’20, a former resident of McCormick Hall, conveys, “what differentiates McCormick is the way Raul and Flavia turn the four dorm walls into a home for everyone. You might arrive at McCormick by yourself, but you will never leave alone. If you encounter them anywhere on campus, you can be assured that they will greet you with enthusiasm. You could invite Raul and Flavia to your concerts, and they would show up to support your extracurricular activities. They have created an exceptional family that embodies the essence of MIT with a combination of academic excellence, a welcoming open-door policy, and steadfast support for our extracurricular interests.”

Soundbytes

Q: What initially attracted you to the heads of house role?

Radovitzky: I had been aware of the position since my arrival at MIT, and gradually, I began to contemplate whether it might be something we would consider. When our children were younger, it didn’t seem practical — we lived in the suburbs, and life there was pleasant. However, I always had an inherent curiosity about forming stronger bonds with the student community.

Later, several colleagues encouraged us to apply. I spoke with the family. Everyone was enthusiastic about it. Our teenagers were excited about the idea of residing on a college campus. We applied together, presenting a letter as a family explaining why we were so passionate about it. We interviewed at McCormick, Baker, and McGregor. When we received the offer for McCormick, I must confess — I was a bit anxious. I wasn’t certain I’d be suitable for an all-female residence.

Cardarelli: We would have felt anxious regardless of where we ended up, but McCormick gave us a sense of home. It matched us in ways we hadn’t expected. Raul, for example, found he had a genuine connection with the students, sharing silly jokes, creating karaoke playlists, and diving into the music of Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj.

Radovitzky: It’s true! I never anticipated becoming an expert in curating karaoke playlists. But we found our groove here, and it has been immensely rewarding.

Q: What makes the McCormick community distinctive?

Radovitzky: McCormick possesses a distinctive spirit. I can step out from our apartment and be greeted by 10 friendly faces. That energy is infectious. It’s not solely about events or programming — it’s about fostering trust. We’ve established traditions around that, like our “make your own pizza” evenings in our apartment, a delightful McCormick event we inherited from our predecessors. We host four sessions each spring where students roll out dough, select toppings, and we converse while cooking and dining together. Everyone reminisces about the pizza nights — they are referenced in every testimonial.

Cardarelli: We’ve been fortunate to have remarkable graduate resident assistants and area directors each year. They are vital partners in community building. They play a crucial role in establishing community and supporting the students in their areas. They assist with everything — from tutoring to organizing events to escorting students to urgent care when necessary.

Radovitzky: In the fall, we take our residents to Crane Beach and host a welcome brunch. Karaoke in our apartment is also a great success and offers a unique way for them to feel comfortable visiting our apartment from the start. We conduct it three times a year — during orientation, and again each semester.

Cardarelli: We additionally host monthly barbecues open to all dormitories and run McFast, our first-year tutoring initiative. Raul began by tutoring physics and math for four hours a week. Now, upperclass students lead most sessions. It’s beneficial for both academic assistance and social connections.

Radovitzky: We also have a pasta night tradition during the Independent Activities Period. We cook for around 100 students, utilizing four sauces that Flavia prepares from scratch — bolognese, creamy mushroom, marinara, and pesto. Students adore it.

Q: What’s distinctive about working in an all-female residence hall?

Cardarelli: I’ve aided students in hemming dresses, baking, and even applying makeup. It’s akin to having hundreds of daughters.

Radovitzky: The students here are incredibly mature and engaged. They display a genuine interest in us as individuals. Numerous activities and connections we’ve established wouldn’t be feasible in a different environment. Each year during “de-stress night,” I get my nails painted in every color and wear a face mask. During “Are You Smarter Than an MIT Professor,” they dunk me in a water tank.