Residence life and education, residential curriculum and curricular approaches, student housing, and technology.
The phrase “student leader” is not new to the higher education landscape. It has been used to describe students who are involved with student government, recognized student organizations, fraternity and sorority life, and of course, housing and residence life. Oftentimes, the student leaders in housing and residence life hold multiple positions in various organizations across... Continue Reading →
If you’re applying to be housing staff - whether as an RA, HA, CA, or another resident support role, you’re probably trying to figure out what the process is really looking for. There’s often pressure to give the “right” answers in applications or interviews, to appear polished, experienced, and fully prepared. It can feel like... Continue Reading →
When being hired/re-hired as a live-in student leader, there is one big question that most student leaders think about: “Where am I going to live?” First, I’d like to share my personal experience with this: The first time I applied to be a Community Advisor (CA, often called an RA), it was exciting to apply... Continue Reading →
So, you’ve officially landed the RA job. First off, congratulations! You’ve survived the interviews, the group process, and the waiting game. Now that the initial "I got the job!" high is settling, you might be feeling a mix of excitement and a sudden, slight panic about what actually happens next. Being a Resident Assistant is... Continue Reading →
If you're an RA pondering whether to return next year, think about your schedule, commitment, and desire for the role. It’s important to know that being an RA isn’t just for benefits like free housing. Reflect on your experience and make sure it's the right fit for you and your residents!
Being a student worker for a housing department is both a high demand and high pressure environment. It requires extreme prioritizing, balancing, and accountability. While there can be considerable perks, your education and long-term health and goals should come first. It’s safe to say that being a Resident Advisor (or whatever your institution may call... Continue Reading →
In 2014, Taylor Swift dropped the album “1989”. I won’t forget this because it was my first year of college. I met a Swiftie in my residence hall, Brianna, and asked her if I could burn a copy of the album. From that moment, my friendship with Brianna was written in permanent ink. This year,... 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 →
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 →
In this episode of Roompact's RA*Chat, join Assistant Director Amanda Franklin as she shares insights, practical strategies, and real-life advice to help Resident Assistants (RAs) and Student Staff members in Res Life prepare for training and succeed in your role! Whether you're a first-time RA or an experienced leader, this podcast offers quick tips, engaging stories, and practical tools to boost your confidence and effectiveness. Get ready to make a lasting impact on your campus community!
In this RA*Chat episode for student staff members, join us to discuss some tips on being a newly hired Resident Assistant! Desiree A. Valdez Chavez gives actionable advice and reflective insights as an experienced student affairs professional.
You’ve done your first, maybe second year as an RA and you’re starting to think, “hmmm, maybe I want to do this another year.” If that is you, let me give you some advice. The Student Affairs field is a little torn on whether RAs and student leadership positions should have to reapply every year... Continue Reading →
Hey there, I just wanted to take a minute to tell you something that I wish someone had told me when I was in your shoes: Being an RA is going to change your life. Right now, it might feel like a lot of late-night duty rounds, roommate drama, bulletin boards you threw together at... Continue Reading →
If you’ve ever watched Ted Lasso, you know he’s not your typical leader. He’s positive, patient, and fiercely believes in the people around him even when things get tough. Honestly, if Ted Lasso were looking for a side hustle, he would make an amazing RA. Being a student leader means facing hard conversations, supporting your community,... Continue Reading →
Opening the residence halls each year is one of the most exciting (and stressful) times for student staff. It sets the tone for the entire year, making those first few days and weeks critical for building trust, community, and a sense of belonging. You have an incredible opportunity to create a welcoming environment that feels... Continue Reading →
Congrats on your new role! Of course, before you get started, you need to learn and get train for your job. Staff training is an exciting (and often exhausting) time where you'll have the opportunity to learn a lot of new information, meet and develop relationships with your team members, and begin preparing your community... Continue Reading →
In this episode of Roompact’s RA Chat, Crystal is joined by Brooks Hetle, Associate Director of Residence Life at North Dakota State University and current President of the UMR-ACUHO region. Join them as they unravel the myths surrounding introverts and their leadership potential, with Brooks sharing invaluable insights on how to care for yourself and recharge while juggling a student staff position full of social interactions and activities.
August is here, and for most of us, that means it is RA training time! If you are a returning RA, hopefully coming back to campus and continuing your role excites you. However, for many returning RAs, the thought of sitting through training for a job you have already done is gruesome. You may be... Continue Reading →
