RAs prepared to serve student residents in new academic year

The Office of Housing and Residential Life at Eastern hosted its annual resident assistant (RA) training workshop for 72 current campus RAs from Aug. 11 to 22. The training helped RAs cultivate key skills and concepts they need to be successful on the job and support on-campus student residents.

Director of Housing and Residential Life Paul Serignese explained that the role of an RA has undergone significant changes since he joined Eastern in 2005. "RAs are trained on all kinds of policies and procedures to do their job, but they also learn soft skills and strategies for promoting proactive mental health," he said. "Such strategies include taking time for gratitude, prosocial behavior, and maintaining a healthy mind in a healthy body."

Associate Director Troi Branham designed the RA training program to go beyond learning the arbitrary protocols and instead prepares the RAs to be mentors, support systems, and trustworthy sources for their residents.

"RAs should embody empathy, equity, and cultural competence," she said. "When RAs are equipped to lead with authenticity and awareness, they help turn residence halls into spaces where every student — especially those from historically excluded and underserved communities — feels seen, valued, and safe."

Residential Life Coordinator Emmanuel Augustin led the RA training. He explained that the role of the RA is to serve as a primary liaison and support staff for student residents. 

“We make the training very active and fun," said Augustin of his goal to bring levity to the otherwise serious job. "Whether it’s playing a trivia game or the RAs themselves training other RAs, it must be interactive so that the RAs are fully engaged. ... My favorite part is seeing former RAs come back to me down the line, saying that those two weeks helped shape them as people within this role.”

Senior business administration major Dan Lombard has been an RA since his sophomore year and said that the team-building exercises and hands-on learning have helped him bond with the newer RAs and helped them learn. “RAs are ultimately here to help others and build community, which gives me a great sense of purpose,” he said. 

Senior elementary education major Mia Totino described the RA training as a safe space for both experienced and new RAs to ask questions and feel supported, which inspires them to fully support their residents. 

“RA training provides a safe, judgment-free space to ask questions, build confidence, and practice responding to real-life situations. Being present and supportive can often make a bigger impact than leading from the front,” she said. 

She continued: “One of the most meaningful parts of the job is when residents tell me that my support has helped them feel at home here at Eastern.”

Senior business administration major Ethan Pancoast explained that the RAs have to go through multiple online modules before going to school and attending sessions with speakers from the housing team. 

“The housing team does a great job giving us the tools and they continuously make sure our mental health is a priority,” he said. “My favorite part of training is meeting my new staff and RAs. Everyone has amazing personalities, and I love socializing with everyone.” 

Senior biology major Vanessa Mitchell explained that the training prepared her for the RA role by helping her develop essential skills for supporting residents and growing both personally and professionally. 

“My favorite part of RA training is being around other RAs from different staffs — interacting, sharing tips and tricks, and bonding over shared experiences,” she said. “It’s nice to be that person who can provide support. ... I remember what it felt like to be a (first-year student) with questions.”