RA application process opens with upcoming information session

By Judge Mobley

Staff Writer

Students interested in becoming a Resident Assistant (RA) can attend an informational meeting on Feb. 9 at either 11 a.m. or 9 p.m. in Wakefield Auditorium.

Anyone is welcome at the meeting to learn more about joining the residential staff on campus.

Each year Student Development employs 45 students who are responsible for their assigned floor. Students must possess good conflict management skills, leadership skills and resilience. These students are compensated with the RA scholarship of $3,500 for the semester.

After the application process, Student Life officials schedule interviews with top candidates.  Students are first put into groups and then go to five different stations where they complete certain activities and real-world situations.

“They put you in groups, and you have to go to five stations. The one I started at, they gave you a piece of paper and gave you six hypothetical messages that you might get from residents, and you had to rank them in order of importance and then explain your thought process to the interviewer,” said Kendall Herell, current RA of floor one at Benson Hall.

After that, they move on to interviews with Student Development leadership. 

“When I do RA interviews, my number one question I ask is what’s something you’re really looking forward to about the idea of being an RA? What’s a hesitancy? Something you would not be looking forward to about being an RA?” said Zack Church, associate dean for residential life.

Church said nine times out of 10, students cite conflict with other students they are in charge of or having to report a fellow student for breaking the rules. 

Students are taught conflict resolution and communication skills within this weeklong RA training period, taught by Jeffery Wells, chair of the communication studies department.

Within this training, students are taught how to use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. For example, “I have a hard time living in this space where this is happening,” as opposed to, “You do this, and it bothers me.” According to Church.

Church said he and his leadership staff deal with all discipline issues. 

“I make sure most of the damage control goes onto me or an RD so as not to further break that relationship between RA and student,” said Church.

Students are taught leadership skills before they begin their position. 

For more information about being an RA, visit trevecca.edu/community-life/campus/residence-life