With diverse personalities, backgrounds, and lifestyles, conflict is an inevitable part of the human experience. So long as we interact with others, we will argue with them over our perspectives and injustices we’ve collected. Whether it’s over someone eating the last yogurt you were saving or how to coexist within the same space, conflict is... Continue Reading →
Addressing Policy Violations Without Ruining Relationships
Resident Advisors (RAs) have the unique task of creating community with the residents of the residence halls. This task of creating community is a big undertaking, which requires care, kindness, attentiveness, and is the responsibility of each member of the community. Collectively, the students living in our residence halls create a community atmosphere. Creating community... Continue Reading →
RA*Chat Ep 65: “Leadership is an Act”: A Conversation on RAs and Leadership
In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, Crystal sits down for an insightful dialogue with Edwin Serrano, a Senior Learning & Development Specialist at the University of Southern California. Edwin offers his unique perspective on leadership, tackling the age-old debate of whether leaders are born or made. He offers invaluable advice to Resident Assistants (RAs) on harnessing their leadership capabilities to navigate the landscape of internships and job opportunities. Additionally, he provides RA supervisors with practical strategies to foster leadership growth within their student staff teams. Moreover, Edwin candidly shares his personal journey of self-discovery, recounting how he cultivated confidence and unearthed a vocation that resonates deeply with his passions.
Announcing the 2024 Roompact Bulletin Board Contest Winners!
Roompact's bulletin board competition is now closed and we're ready to announce the winners. We received 131 entires (!), so picking ten was incredibly difficult. Some boards did an excellent job at educating residents, while others were just beautiful! We tried to select a diverse group of winners that reflected the diversity of the submissions... Continue Reading →
Navigating the Juggling Act: A Resident Assistant’s Guide to Balancing Work and Coursework
Being a resident assistant is a rewarding and demanding role. On top of fostering community, supporting residents, and dealing with various challenges, many RAs also navigate the pressures of academic coursework. The balancing act between these responsibilities can be a challenge, but it's entirely possible with the right strategies in place. Here are some practical... Continue Reading →
2024 Roompact Bulletin Board Contest! [CLOSED]
We're awarding a "Top Ten" Get a little something back for your time and effort. Roompact is holding its annual RA bulletin board contest! Here’s how it goes. This contest is only open to RAs at schools who currently use Roompact's software on their campus. Create a bulletin board and email us a photo (high-quality... Continue Reading →
RA*Chat Ep 57: I was an RA: Community, Connection, and Customer Service
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal engages in a conversation with Emma Rash, who serves as a Security Analyst for a Defense Contractor. Her current role involves ensuring the safety of people, much like her previous experience as a Resident Assistant (RA). She generously shares her personal journey, discussing how she found her voice, built confidence, and learned valuable lessons about setting boundaries. Emma offers valuable advice to Resident Assistants, including emphasizing the importance of self-care by reminding us that we cannot effectively help others when our own cup is empty.
RA*Chat Ep 54: I was an RA: Transferable Skills for Life and Career
In this episode of Roompact's ResEdChat, Crystal engages in a conversation with Keneise Evans from the University of Iowa, delving into her experiences as a former Resident Assistant (RA) and the valuable skills she has carried with her throughout her career journey. Keneise generously shares insights into the skillset she developed during her RA days, including adept time management, effective budgeting, caring for others, and flexibility. She speaks directly to RAs on how the skills cultivated as an RA can shape their own path to a fulfilling career.
As a Student Staff Member, You May Ask, “Why Do We Do Assessment?”
As a resident advisor, you likely have heard your department talk about assessment. What in the world do they mean when they say assessment? University housing assessment is a process where the university evaluates and gathers feedback from students about their experiences living on campus. It helps the university make improvements to housing services and... Continue Reading →
Announcing the 2023 Roompact Door Dec Contest Winners!
Roompact's door dec competition is now closed and we're ready to announce the winners. We received 70+ entries (!), so picking ten was incredibly difficult. We tried to select a diverse group of winners that reflected the diversity of the submissions themselves. Thank you to all who entered! Your ideas are now a resource for... Continue Reading →
5 Tips for Crafting an Outstanding NRHH OTM Nomination
National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) chapters across college campuses recognize and celebrate outstanding individuals who make significant contributions to the residential community through the Of the Month (OTM) awards. These awards are a wonderful way to honor exceptional student leaders, dedicated staff members, and impactful programs. Crafting a compelling NRHH OTM nomination requires thoughtful consideration... Continue Reading →
3 ResLife RA Quick Tips for Being A Better Listener
For Pro Staff For Student Staff Roompact's "Quick Tips" series highlights ideas and suggestions you can put into your practice as either a professional staff or student staff member working in residence life and education. Click to read more from the series. As a resident assistant (RA) or student staff member, you play a pivotal... Continue Reading →
A-Z: A Whole Alphabet of Ideas to Creatively Advertise Your Residence Hall Program
Looking to creatively advertise your floor meeting, program, or event? Or perhaps you want to get information out to your residents that they will pay attention to. The following are A to Z idea starters that will make you think beyond the traditional poster.Some of them are a bit whacky (admittedly), but some of them... Continue Reading →
3 ResLife RA Quick Tips for Helping Residents Experiencing Homesickness
For Pro Staff For Student Staff Roompact's "Quick Tips" series highlights ideas and suggestions you can put into your practice as either a professional staff or student staff member working in residence life and education. Click to read more from the series. The transition from high school to college is an exciting time for many... Continue Reading →
3 ResLife RA Quick Tips for Creating Meaningful Door Decs
For Pro Staff For Student Staff Roompact's "Quick Tips" series highlights ideas and suggestions you can put into your practice as either a professional staff or student staff member working in residence life and education. Click to read more from the series. As a Resident Assistant (RA), you have the unique opportunity to create a... Continue Reading →
Building a Strong Community as a Student Staff Member or RA: 10 Tips for Your Residence Hall Floor
As a student staff member or “RA,” you have the exciting opportunity to create a sense of community within your university residence hall floor. Building a strong and supportive community fosters connection, engagement, and personal growth among residents. In this blog post, we will share essential tips to help you cultivate a vibrant and inclusive... Continue Reading →
8 Tips for Excelling in Your New Resident Assistant Role
Congratulations on your new position as a Resident Assistant (or CA, or CM, or whatever you institution may call the role)! As an RA, you have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of your residents, build a sense of community, and create a supportive environment. While the role can be... Continue Reading →
3 ResLife RA Quick Tips for Building A Thriving Community
For Pro Staff For Student Staff Roompact's "Quick Tips" series highlights ideas and suggestions you can put into your practice as either a professional staff or student staff member working in residence life and education. Click to read more from the series. As a resident assistant, you have the incredible opportunity to shape the sense... Continue Reading →