ASRA Awards Winner Spotlight 2026: ResLife Hero of the Year Christina Papathanasiou

By Jordan Meates • 12 May 2026

Following her success at the ASRA Awards 2026, we spoke with Christina Papathanasiou, Residence Life Warden at the University of Leeds and ResLife Hero of the Year, about her award-winning approach to supporting students in halls

Christina Papathanasiou

Residence Life Warden

Christina Papathanasiou

Residence Life Warden

University of Leeds

Congratulations on winning an ASRA Award! Can you tell us a bit about your role?

Thank you so much! I’ve been a Residence Life Warden for the past 5 years, supporting students in University of Leeds accommodation with almost everything; from fostering connections and looking after their wellbeing to resolving flatmate conflicts and promoting a safe and respectful living environment.

How did it feel to hear your name announced as a winner at the ASRA Awards 2026?

It was honestly such a lovely surprise! Even being nominated came as a shock, as I had no idea my name had been put forward. I was really disappointed I couldn’t attend the conference, so finding out that I’d actually won felt like the cherry on top!

What does winning an ASRA Award mean to you?

At the risk of sounding cliché, this means a lot to me, because being a Warden can sometimes be a challenging and overlooked role. While there are many colleagues and students who are very appreciative of the work we do as Wardens, there are naturally difficult moments, especially when challenging conversations are involved. Winning this award has given me a real confidence boost, it has reinforced my passion for the role, and it also serves as a strong reminder of the positive impact Wardens have on students’ lives.

How did your team, students or colleagues react to the news?

There’ve been some really thoughtful and supportive responses to the news. For example, two colleagues from the senior management team not only congratulated me but also shared the news publicly on LinkedIn, which made me feel truly honoured. The sweetest reaction came from my colleagues in the central Residence Life team, who joined an unrelated Teams meeting I was in and started applauding and cheering for me, which is a moment I’ll always remember with a smile. To be honest, I haven’t shared the news with students yet, because I’m a bit self-conscious about how it might land with them, but I think they’ll find out soon through other channels.

Who would you like to thank or acknowledge as part of your success?

So many people! The central Residence Life team and my fellow Wardens for their invaluable guidance and support, my site team for their collaborative and accommodating approach that makes day-to-day work so easy, my Residence Life Assistants and Social Committees for their professionalism and dedication, and, last but not least, the students in our halls who seize the opportunities to engage with us and, in doing so, help us shape how we can best support them.

What do you think sets your approach apart and makes it award-winning?

I don’t think I can offer a simple answer to this or a magic solution to colleagues seeking to achieve similar success. What I can say is that I’m genuinely enthusiastic and passionate about making sure that students have not simply an ‘okay’ experience living in my halls, but a truly positive and joyful one, and that they feel they have had opportunities to gain experiences and skills that will positively shape their future. A big part of this is making a conscious effort for my team and me to be highly visible and contactable on a daily basis, actively seeking honest feedback from students, and offering them opportunities to be involved in decision-making that concerns both them and their wider halls community. I’ve received lots of feedback describing me as ‘motherly’, which surely can’t be a coincidence anymore and which I honestly consider a huge honour. I’m immensely caring, empathetic, approachable, and friendly, but also fair, consistent, transparent, and firm when needed.

Christina’s well-deserved recognition as ASRA ResLife Hero of the Year 2026 highlights the profound impact that dedicated, student centred Residence Life support can have in shaping positive, supportive, and enriching university experiences.