May 13, 2019
Faith,
After a long period of anticipation, I found out I was hired to be a Resident Advisor to first-year students for the 2019-2020 school year!
A couple months ago I attended the pre-service meeting, where all of SLU’s Housing and Resident Life came together and discussed our positions, what our role is as an RA, what our goals are, and met our staff for the next year. The RA, as a peer educator and mentor, provides direction for student learning and academic success while assisting with the coordination of the development for a co-educational residential community. This includes the facilitation of inclusive communities that foster academic and personal success, helping individuals with personal needs and concerns, and focusing on the whole student. To accomplish this, the RA must be flexible and creative in meeting the residents’ needs by serving as a peer educator, mentor, advisor, and activity planner. I got placed with a wonderful group that I’m excited to work with.
At SLU there are four freshmen dorms, and each has a distinct personality. I’ll be working in the Griesedieck Complex. Gries (as we lovingly referred to the dorm at SLU) is located smack in the center of campus and consists of three dorms (Clemens, Walsh and Griesedieck halls). Located steps from the quad, next door to both Grand hall (which houses the dining hall) and Simon Rec (the on-campus gym). Gries is also only a five-minute walk from the BSC (Busch Student Center) and no more than 15-minute walk to any building on North Campus.
I am SO excited to meet all of my new first-year residents. I am also thrilled to host a variety of events for my residents. I have so many ideas and I can’t wait to share them. One event I plan on hosting once a month is a beverage bar. I want everyone to feel welcome and like SLU is their home away from home (which is my theme).
Of course, I know that there will be challenges to come with this position, especially for myself regarding time management, keeping the SLU spirit alive and attempting to meet the needs of each resident. I am ready to be challenged and grow in new ways.
Have you had a really great RA? Or been to a really good event I should recreate? Let me know in the comments.
Sadly, my time as an RA ended earlier than desired due to the coronavirus. But as I reflect on my time in the position, only fond memories come to mind. I think of late-night round, planning creative programs, and engaging conversations with residents. Thankfully, I have been rehired as an RA for a new Learning Community on SLU’s campus. This new LC is called Thrive and it is designed to support the successful transition of first-year Black students at SLU. This learning community will help students deepen their cultural understanding and awareness of the African diasporic experience and develop the skills and tools to address institutional and societal change.
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