Resident Assistants (RAs) are responsible for community building, program facilitation, crisis response, policy enforcement, conflict mediation, and resource referral in a specific residential community. RAs facilitate engagement opportunities, offering students opportunities to interact and build relationships while gaining experience and skill in the areas of academic success, civic engagement, and social justice. RAs are thoroughly trained on residential and University policies, protocol, and services, preparing them for effective response and appropriate referral.

The RA position is a full academic year commitment requiring a significant time commitment. RAs must possess strong time management, critical thinking, problem-solving, and interpersonal communication skills.

Approximately 50-60 new RAs are hired each year. The RA application, which opens annually in late fall and closes in January, requires the submission of a resume and the completion of four to five short-answer questions. Applicants must maintain at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and an active housing application on file if offered the position. Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in an interview process in late January/early February. 

RAs are provided with a private bedroom in their assigned community and a meal plan for each semester. 

RAs benefit from skill development in the following areas:

• Professional networking
• Confidence and character building
• Suicide prevention
• Crisis response
• Conflict mediation
• Legal compliance
• Intercultural competency
• Sexual assault prevention & response
• Academic success strategies

First-Year RA Position Description