Housing and Residence Life: Community & Engagement | Competencies & Learning | Care & Case Management | Assessment
One of the most important responsibilities of an RA is the development of a successful community within their space and wider residential community. However, this is a skill that is very specific to housing and you won’t hear the phrase “community development” very frequently outside of this environment. So, what does “community development” mean, and... Continue Reading →
What houseplant are you? Identify your plant self and find some care tips to help you thrive in your Student Leader role. Snake Plant This student leader needs no extra attention from their supervisor. They will get their work done. Their one on ones are quick because they don’t have questions and they don’t like... Continue Reading →
Article by Amusement Park Enthusiast and Community Director, Tamarah Humphreys A school year being a student leader in Residence Life is a lot like riding a rollercoaster. Let’s climb in, securely fasten those seatbelts, and get ready for a wild ride of a school year as a Student Leader. Waiting in Line - You’ve got... Continue Reading →
Tap the door to reveal an idea for your next door dec set.
So you're a Resident Assistant or student staff member that's been tasked with creating a door dec for each resident in your community. Where do you begin? What materials should you use? What theme should you pick? We got you! The following database was generated by AI with a little human guidance to generate 500... Continue Reading →
Door decs are a staple of many residence life departments. They are part welcome sign, part name tag, and part visual representation of the community you’re building. If your department doesn't pre-print these for you, they can also mean hours of work, plenty of trial-and-error, and, unfortunately, a lot of waste. By the end of... Continue Reading →
Old school concepts of community development often cast an RA or student staff member as the sole “producer.” You plan events, advertise them, execute the logistics, and hope residents show up. Co-design reverses that dynamic. Student staff leaders step back from being the primary creator and instead act as facilitators and partners, inviting residents into... Continue Reading →
Some of the richest community moments in residence halls don’t come from polished programs. They are small, sometimes chance, encounters: two residents comparing studying tips on the elevator, someone tuning a guitar in the lounge, a kitchen impromptu conversation about food culture while waiting for a pot to boil. Those little moments are raw, authentic,... Continue Reading →
Door decs do more than mark where someone lives. They’re a visible tool for building connection, showing care, and adding personality to your community. At the start of the semester, residents notice them. They comment. They smile. But by week three? Those same door decs can fade into the background, becoming just another part of... Continue Reading →
Question: “Are you a new Student Leader?” Answer: “No, but I wasn’t over here last year, so idk.” - You, probably. (After all, you clicked on this article.) This response seems casual, but being a returning student leader to a new space is both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. You’ve done the job... Continue Reading →
If you’ve just been hired as a Resident Advisor or Assistant, first of all: congratulations! I’m very excited for each of you; you’re stepping into positions of leadership, acting as a resource for students and a pillar of community building. This is a rewarding job, but it also comes with growing pains and more responsibility... Continue Reading →
Sometimes in life, you have a supervisor who is not supporting you well. Your boss isn’t always perfect, so what do you do when they mess up or their supervisory style does not support you well? It may be difficult to approach someone with more power than you, but it is their job to support... Continue Reading →
Documentation is an extremely important part of working at a university. It is evidence that you have followed the policies and procedures of your department and the university. As a student worker in housing, you will most likely be handling sensitive information and checking in on students of concern. The amount of documentation and paperwork... Continue Reading →
In the span of around two years, AI is integrated everywhere, and there’s a good chance you have used it at least once. Yet, like any tool, using AI responsibly is key in your role as a student leader. This is especially the case when you’re upholding a position anchored by trust, communication, and connection. ... Continue Reading →
Residence Life and Housing offices do not function within a bubble. If you have worked in a residence life office, you’re probably nodding your head, maybe thinking about the other staff you’ve had to work with. It can be frustrating, fun, different, interesting, and logistically confusing sometimes working with staff who come from a different... Continue Reading →
Summer is a time to rest and recharge from the school year, even if you are still going to classes or working. This is the time to recharge from your residence life responsibilities, and hopefully, begin to prepare for the coming Fall. While it may feel unnecessary to begin planning before the semester begins, taking... Continue Reading →
As an RA or student staff member, you'll find yourself leading and facilitating meetings throughout your time in residence life. While the terms leading and facilitating are often used interchangeably, they refer to two different styles of guiding a meeting. Understanding the difference can help you adapt to the needs of any group or situation, and it will also... Continue Reading →
“Why wouldn’t you be allowed to? You’re an adult?” “What do you mean you need permission? You’re out of the house?” “No, I definitely hear a slight accent when you speak!” These are all quotes I’ve heard directed towards first generation and/or students of color. They’re almost always without malice, but they sting nevertheless. This... Continue Reading →
