Residence life and education, residential curriculum and curricular approaches, student housing, and technology.
It's August and all the RAs are creating their door decorations from their floor rosters. Just lists of names with no faces or descriptions to go with them. Like the participants of Love is Blind, they are hopeful they will find people they connect with, sight unseen. The RAs start to imagine what their floors... Continue Reading →
Resident Advisors (RAs) are first and foremost community builders. One of the simplest and most useful frameworks you can use to understand how your residents grow as a group is Tuckman’s stages of group development. This includes five stages (four of which I'm focusing on here): forming, storming, norming, (performing), and adjourning. In university housing,... Continue Reading →
Let’s be real: sometimes being an RA feels like you’re basically there for when something goes wrong. You’re the one who gets called when there’s a lockout, when someone’s too loud at 2 A.M., and when someone’s clothes get “stolen” from the laundry machine. And while those pieces of your job description can definitely feel... Continue Reading →
Welcome to the new and exciting world of being a RA! As you are going through intense trainings, busy move-in scheduling, and the start of the school year, things may seem a little crazy in your new role. Although your schedule and responsibilities may be a bit hectic right now, the beginning of a new... Continue Reading →
I love a good program calendar. Brightly colored posters, grids of events, deadlines, themes. They give the impression of structure, of energy, of things happening. But here’s the question: Do those calendars actually add up to a coherent experience for residents? Too often, I think the answer is no. A busy calendar doesn’t necessarily mean... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
In this episode of RA*Chat, get ready to own move-in weekend! Join Katherine Gallardo, an RA, as she spills the tea on prepping like a pro and nailing those make-or-break first moments with new residents and their families. From managing the chaos to creating instant connections, this episode will transform you from nervous newbie to... Continue Reading →
If you’ve ever walked into your building early in the morning and noticed how clean the floors are, or how quickly something gets fixed after you submit a maintenance request, that’s the work of your custodial and facilities teams. These folks are the unsung heroes of our residence halls—and they can be some of your... Continue Reading →
Gratitude is a powerful force in any community, and as an RA or student leader, it’s one of the easiest ways you can make your floor feel more connected and supportive. November is National Gratitude Month, which makes it the perfect time to be intentional about recognizing and appreciating the people around you. Practicing gratitude... Continue Reading →
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 →
