Story by Charis Jones | Design by Makayla Zayic | Photos by Dylan Hanson

For many college students, their Resident Assistant (RA) is the first person they turn to for help or guidance. But what does a day in their shoes really look like? From answering late-night calls to organizing community events, the life of an RA is a complex and demanding one. Here's a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to be an RA.

Becoming an RA:

Junior Film major, Tyler Neher, became an RA for Dugmore Hall at the beginning of the school year and hasn’t looked back since. The comradery and social interaction that his RAs offered him the previous year are what prompted him to acquire the position himself.

“My RAs last year were just amazing [and] I knew that I wanted to be a part of that,” Neher says.

RA duties:

Neher is on duty one day a week beginning at 8 p.m. and ending at 7 a.m. , and during this time he can be found in the RA office of his building ready to provide assistance to any residents in need.

Additionally, he carries a “duty phone” that residents may use to contact him instead of visiting his office. This phone is also utilized in the event of an RA needing to reach CWU police or Kittcom to handle a situation out of their jurisdiction.

As part of his evening routine, Neher conducts rounds of the building to ensure resident safety before they start retiring for the night.

Handling conflict:

When conflicts arise in the dorm, Neher encourages open communication and works with residents to find a mutually agreeable solution to the problem. In cases where outside resources are needed, such as mediation or counseling, he works with his supervisor to connect residents with the appropriate resources.

Event planning:

Neher also spends time planning and organizing events for the residents of Dugmore Hall. These events are held in hopes of bringing residents together and fostering a sense of community within the dorms.

“Myself and another RA just [the other] weekend hosted an Oscar movie marathon [where] we watched eight of the top Oscar films,” Never says. “We put up fliers around the building for residents to acknowledge that we were going to be there and that anyone was welcome to pop in and say hello.”

Addressing homesickness:

RAs often encounter the challenge of assisting students who feel homesick, and Neher acknowledges that this is a prevalent issue.

“I approach this [by] just telling them something along the lines of ‘you know you're not alone, right? I was the exact same way during my first year … it definitely took a little while for me to get used to the atmosphere,’” Neher says.

To address this, Neher prioritizes building connections with his residents by maintaining positivity and motivating them to participate in social engagements, aiming to build a welcoming environment that helps them settle in.

“I try to be A: optimistic and B: I also [encourage] relying on a roommate, on your RA, and also even relying on some group of friends around you,” Neher explains.

Maintaining positivity:

To maintain a positive attitude on the job, Neher says he tries to keep a smile on his face. He acknowledges that looking at the bright side is often easier said than done, but “When times are tough, just power through [and] do your best even if it's not perfect,” Neher says. “[It’s important] to keep your hopes high.”

Challenges and tips for success:

Each of us has a life outside of work, and Neher admits that the biggest challenge he faces in his job is finding that balance and managing his time.

“Between classes, the RA role and my relationship, finding a good balance between the three was definitely one of the challenges that I’ve faced,” Neher says.

Essential qualities:

To be a successful RA, Neher believes that one must be open-minded, optimistic, and willing. While struggles are bound to arise during the day-to-day, maintaining these qualities are essential to the role.

“Sometimes, things are just not going to go the way they seem,” Neher explains. “And [it’s important] to just being willing to be there for your residents and your staff in tough times because, at the end of the day, there's going to be more benefits and negatives.”

Skills developed:

Through his work as an RA, Neher has developed strong leadership and communication skills. He has also gained experience in event planning, crisis management, and working with diverse populations.

Advice for new/struggling RA’s

For those struggling or new to the role, Neher suggests reaching out to more experienced RAs or a supervisor for guidance and support. He also encourages new RAs to be patient with themselves and not to be too hard on themselves if they make mistakes.

“Don’t be afraid to ask for help,” Neher says.

A Day in the Life of an RA