By Kathryn Paden, Residence Life Coordinator
Question #1 – Who are those guys? Are they the ones who get your toilet fixed, give you your room key, put on movie nights and Twister tournaments, pour out your beer when you get caught, and tape up fliers that eventually get torn down? Are they smiling faces in the hall, door un-lockers, secret-keepers, and shoulders to cry on? Either way, they are TWC’s Resident Assistants, or R.A.’s for short.
The hall staff is composed of 9 very talented and gifted students who earn the title of Resident Assistant and are supervised
by the Coordinator of Residence Life. They are first and foremost students who work very hard in their academics. They are made up of SGA officers, “theater kids”, athletes, honor students, sorority sisters, fraternity brothers, choir members, classmates, and future teachers, artists, historians, doctors, and lawyers. Their different skills and backgrounds are what make them mesh so well together in one unified team.
After a week and a half of very carefully planned staff training at the end of their summer vacation, and after all the residents have checked in to their rooms, the fun begins for the RA’s! Whether they are setting up a relay for the Ice Cream Olympics, filing resident paperwork, planning a Super Bowl party, holding a meeting, or healing a broken
spirit, the expectations are laid upon them for the entire year. This year’s hall staff has worked very diligently to make residents’ experience the best, safest, and most enriching it can possibly be.
Members of TWC's R.A. Staff
Question #2 – What does it all mean? The current hall staff members had this to say about what being an R.A. means to them:
Rachel Guyton, sophomore: “Being an RA has had a tremendous impact on my life. I have met so many people that I know that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. My job on hall staff has been one of my favorite college experiences at TWC.”
Bobbie Newcomb, senior: “I enjoy being an RA for the opportunity to meet new people. I enjoy knowing that I may have had a hand in their development through their journey. I would challenge those who want to make a difference in others lives to become an RA and help someone achieve their dreams big and small.”
Janessa Stultz, senior: “An RA is a Resident Assistant
who should always be Readily Available and also Really Attentive to the needs of her residents. Being an RA has taught me a lot about myself and has given me some life experiences that will stick with me forever. You establish a lot of friendships with the people around campus and will find joy in helping others. You also must be prepared to make mistakes and learn from them. If you are interested in being an RA, you must be willing to step out of the box and get creative.”
Kris Ford, senior: “You need to be caring and helpful. You definitely want to care about your residents. Whether it’s a clogged toilet or a personal issue, you have to be available to help out in whatever way you can. It’s key to a successful hall staff.”
Philip Ross, senior: “Being an RA is rewarding. However, in order to be an RA you have to live above reproach because no matter
what, somebody is always watching, but I love the pressure and like being a leader on campus!”
Kirby Vinson, sophomore: “Being an RA gives you the opportunity to lead and learn, to be responsible for a group of people and showcase
that ability in prime fashion. You learn to be a functional part of a cohesive team. Strong-minded, strong-willed, team-oriented,
approachable, friendly, multitasking, non-judgmental people who aren’t in it for the financial perks or the recognition and view the job as a real job with rules and consequences are the kinds of people who make successful R.A.’s.”
Zack Dolberry, senior: “Being an RA has allowed me to get more involved on campus and in the community. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys experiencing something new everyday!”
Autumn Lowry, senior: “Being an RA is being a help to students. It’s being a mediator when two best friends just aren’t getting along, and it’s being a friend when some of my residents cross their toughest
bridges in life. Being an RA is tough, trying, and sometimes scary. However, I’d never take it back. The bonds I have formed and shared with my residents are some of my best memories here at TWC.”
Ashley Wilson, junior: “An RA’s job is much more than just late night phone calls and fire alarms. Accepting
the responsibility of an RA and the ability to be a positive role model to my peers is the most rewarding challenge I have taken on in my college career.”
Question 3 – How can I become a part of this wonderful
opportunity? Start thinking about it! Applications for the 2009-2010 Hall Staff are now available; go by Kathryn’s office and pick one up today, along with additional information about the position. Applications may be turned in to Kathryn’s office up until Friday, February 27th at 5pm, and upon turning in your application you must also sign up for an interview date and time. If you have any more questions, contact Kathryn Paden at ext. 5255 or kpaden@twcnet.edu
