When you think of a Resident Assistant, you think of an individual who always ruins the party and is never there for their residents. I hated this narrative, because I didn’t think it was vindictive of what a Resident Assistant could be. Because of this, I did everything I could to reverse that stereotype and was immediately coined as the “Mother Goose” of my floor. Being a Resident Assistant during my sophomore and junior year was easily one of my greatest pleasures I have had, but it came with its challenges too. Being in charge of 20+ students and overseeing the safety of 700+ is certainly a difficult challenge. In many instances, you are dealing with crisis situations, counseling students on social and academic conflicts, and creating a community on your floor: all while being a full-time student! In 2019 when I had applied, I was competing against over 100 students for a position. Only ¼ of the applicants were accepted–making it by far one of the most competitive years to be in this leadership role. 

My job was more than just enforcing policies: it was about helping students become the best versions of themselves so that they can be successful in and out of the classroom. I was in charge of a first-year floor for both years I was a Resident Assistant and one of my favorite traits to see in students is their immense growth. Many residents are shy during their first month on campus, but eventually they blossom into hardworking, dedicated, passionate, and prominent student leaders.

These developments are aided by intentional experiences and enriching conversations I held with my floor. From creating a monthly newsletter called “Chrissy’s Corner” where I discuss social issues, to holding an event called “Donut Forget About Consent” that sparked discourse around sexual assault advocacy, to even reformatting a good ole game of bingo to encompass mental health awareness: I wanted my residents to leave better than they came and feel confident in themselves to make their impact on the campus and eventually society.

My hard work didn’t go unnoticed as I received a Silver Bells Award through Residence Hall Association and won Best First Year Resident Assistant of the Year, one of the most prestigious honors you can obtain through Residence Life.