The Resident Advisor’s Guide to Multicultural Competency

“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 is because to those of us that identify with multiple cultures, it’s a reminder of the ways in which our identities and cultures conflict with that of those around us and the systems and structures we are navigating. It’s a reminder that we have to explain ourselves. 

As an RA, you know that your role is crucial in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all residents. You learn early on that you don’t just handle issues like parties and lockouts, but that you play a vital part in shaping your community so that every resident feels a sense of belonging. 

What is multicultural competency?

Multicultural competency isn’t about being an expert in social justice. In fact, even professionals in fields that require this competency are often never even trained on it. To be multiculturally competent is about approaching situations and conversations with the acknowledgement of cultural differences. To have multicultural competency is to have the skills to navigate situations and interactions with nuance and consideration towards the intersections of identity. For folks working in housing, it’s the responsibility to understand, appreciate, and effectively engage with the diverse resident community and each of their unique needs. As a Resident Advisor or student staff member, equipping yourself with this competency will help you support residents who may be facing bias or straddling multiple cultures as they navigate a campus setting.

Tools to Build Your Competency

1. Acknowledge that culture is not a monolith. Folks from within the same community can still have different experiences with their identity.
2. Be an active listener. You can do so by making sure to listen to understand, not to respond. Active listening also means preventing oneself from jumping to assumptions or judgment. Listening actively and multiculturally competently means objectivity,  neutrality, curiosity, respect, sympathy, and compassion. Create a safe space to learn about the lived experiences of others to build a community of trust and inclusivity.
3. Look up materials for self-learning. It’s important not to rely on the emotional labor of folks from a community to explain their experiences. There are numerous materials in a variety of mediums to expand your knowledge. For instance, I recommend Sahaj Kaur Kohli’s works – namely her Instagram account @BrownGirlTherapy to gain insight into the experience of children of immigrant parents in the U.S.
4. Seek out collaboration. Ask your supervisor about their best practices in approaching culturally nuanced situations or about possible team trainings to build the skill. Partner with identity-based campus organizations or cultural centers to gain their insight and expertise.
5. When programming, mediating conflict, communicating policy, etc. acknowledge dominant cultural norms and implicit bias that might be impacting your approach. For instance, make sure decorations and celebrations reflect all holidays. Discourage participation in feeding into stereotypes regarding residents from certain communities.

Why is this important?

Today’s higher education landscape is both the most diverse it’s been but also wrought with societal challenges. For this reason, we can create opportunities for positive impact within our control by making sure not to accidentally foster alienation within our residential communities.  Looking ahead, multicultural competency isn’t just a skill for your role as an RA. It’s a considerate mindset that prepares you for citizenship and professionalism in an increasingly interconnected world.