Cedric Freeman simply claims fate brought him to Texas A&M. Wanting to be closer to his aging parents, he recalls mapping an eight-hour radius from his family home and discovering how Texas A&M fell within those boundaries. Just a few days in at Aggieland, he knew moving to this spot on the map was the right decision because his dedication to serve others matched the Aggie Core Values perfectly. 

“I act by my life’s motto that if I can save at least one person in my life, then my life has been worth it,” he shared.

That calling to help others has shaped his choices from the very beginning. Hailing from the small town of Gould, Ark., Freeman’s childhood dream was to become a nurse. Later, discovering social work and mental health advocacy, he earned a bachelor's and master’s degree in social work at Arkansas State University. After graduation, he worked in residence life at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater before finally moving to Texas A&M. Supervising White Creek Apartments, one of the 25 housing options on campus, he oversaw residential staff and maintained the property.

Freeman has since grown in his career, taking his calling even further by caring for Aggies one-on-one. Based in the central Residence Life office, he serves as a resident student support manager — a part of the country’s few case management services to function within residence life and dedicated to students living on campus. Receiving cases from residential services staff and the Tell Somebody report, the university’s safety reporting system, he supports residents who need greater assistance beyond that provided by live-in staff. 

“Our RAs are the eyes and ears of housing, and they are incredible at providing a safe and welcoming living environment,” Freeman said. “I step in to manage cases that require more intensive support by meeting with students regularly over the course of a semester or longer.”

His favorite part of the job? Connecting with different students. Freeman’s quick humor, warm smile and overall friendly demeanor encourage students to view him as a partner in their success, rather than an administrator. Whether it's mediating a conflict between roommates, providing mental health support or getting students involved in clubs, he makes Texas A&M’s campus feel smaller and ensures that students know they have someone to talk to. 

“The students I work with are going through their most vulnerable moments,” he added. “What motivates me is helping them feel confident they can achieve what they set out to do.” 

Get to Know Cedric Freeman

Q: You mention fate brought you to Texas A&M. What initially drew you to Aggieland?

I was previously working in residence life at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Meanwhile, my parents were growing older, so I was searching for a way to be closer to home. That’s when I discovered Texas A&M, applied and received job offers for two housing properties on campus. That moment felt like a sign, and I knew it was meant to be. I moved here in 2021 to supervise and manage residential staff at White Creek Apartments. I then made the transition in June 2023 to become a resident student support manager, working one-on-one with students, connecting residents to campus resources.

Q: You’re pursuing your doctoral degree at Texas A&M in educational administration. How does that impact the work you do with students?

I’ve never liked being complacent and knew that I wanted to pursue a doctorate. I just didn’t know exactly what that would look like. Working in higher education for seven years at that point, I decided to take the plunge and apply for the educational administration program here. Three years later, I’m confident I’m on the right track, as I definitely see how what I learn in the classroom translates to my role supporting students. With this knowledge, my plan is to go forward from an administrative standpoint on how to better drive programs for each and every Aggie by prioritizing outreach in places where students are and for who they are.  

Q: Between pursuing a doctorate and your role at Residence Life, you’ve got a packed schedule. How do you recharge?

My daughter is 19-months old, and she’s one of my biggest joys and inspirations. I’m always striving to be a role model so that she’ll see what I do and go on to help others herself. We also recently added a rottweiler named Denny to our family. Outside of that, I’m an avid gamer and am playing through the Marvel Rivals expansion pack or the latest Dungeons and Dragons campaign with friends. 

Q: How do you approach creating an environment where students feel comfortable reaching out and utilizing the resources available to them?

What’s most important to me is to reaffirm to students that I am here as another resource — someone who is here to be there and help them. Understandably, some students are initially hesitant, but I try to tell them that they’re simply meeting with another human that is trying to help them navigate the rough waters they’re in.

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Connect with Cedric Freeman and see how residential support services help Aggies feel at home and thrive at Texas A&M.