Housing and Residence Life: Community & Engagement | Competencies & Learning | Care & Case Management | Assessment
As an RA or student staff member, one of your most important jobs is helping residents feel like they belong. While this might seem straightforward, the truth is, your efforts contribute to something much deeper: helping students define and experience “home” in the residence halls. But what does “home” mean in a college environment? The... Continue Reading →
As an RA or student staff member, you may be looking for ways to connect with your residents and create a positive, welcoming environment. One underused but incredibly powerful tool for connection is music. Music is something nearly everyone has an opinion on. It’s emotional. It’s nostalgic. It can energize, calm, uplift, or give voice... Continue Reading →
Everyone loves food. It brings people together in ways that feel natural and relaxed, which makes it a powerful (and often underused) tool for building community in the residence halls. Whether you're a seasoned RA or just getting started, using food in your programming doesn’t have to mean pizza and paper plates. With a little... Continue Reading →
In this episode, host Crystal sits down with Director of Photography Justin Kosman, whose career has taken him worldwide, working with brands like Red Bull, Vans, and ESPN. Reflecting on his time as a resident, student-athlete, and English Literature major, Justin shares the lessons and regrets that shaped his path to success. Tune in for powerful insights on embracing challenges, fostering belonging, and how RAs can play a pivotal role in building community and connection.
~ Blog Posts Written By RAs for RAs ~ Oh joy, you made it through the first semester. Hopefully it went well, and hopefully you were able to build relationships with your residents, and they were able to build relationships with each other. That being said, the Spring semester can be completely different than the... Continue Reading →
~ Blog Posts Written By RAs for RAs ~ Determining the line between being friends and friendly with your residents is a vital part of being a resident assistant. However there may be times when you have a pre-existing relationship with a resident, or you develop a closer relationship with a resident over time. This... Continue Reading →
~ Blog Posts Written By RAs for RAs ~ I’m sure we all (student staff and professional staff alike) have our fair share of opinions and stories regarding a residential curriculum (or RC, sometimes called a residential learning or engagement model). Some love it, and some not so much. But why? The educational/programmatic model has... Continue Reading →
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.
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 →
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 →
