Freshmen girls bake cookies in McIntyre. Courtesy | Harishma Athysivam

While serving as a resident assistant in Simpson Residence, junior Ezra Phillips learned one of the most valuable lessons about leadership.

“I have definitely learned the necessity of leading by example. We can’t teach the residents to be good men if we don’t model it ourselves,” Phillips said.

RAs are essential for the functionality and community of a dorm, Phillips said.

Dean of Men Aaron Petersen said he recognizes consistent characteristics in successful RAs, like humility and a sense of humor.

“The obvious exception to this is our current senior student house director at Niedfeldt, Harrison Layman. He’s not very funny but he thinks he is,” Petersen said.

According to junior Catherine Graham, head RA of McIntyre Residence, the role of an RA demands odd hours, leadership skills, and an inexhaustible social battery, said.

“It is what you make of it,” Graham said. “The primary job description is to build community and be a fun person.”

Building community in a freshman dorm can be a lot of work, but it includes pancake breakfasts, coffee dates, and various events planned during homecoming, said Graham.

According to Graham, without scheduled hours to clock in and clock out, the weeks leading up to homecoming force RAs to put their nose to the grindstone.

The hard work required during Mock Rock — a campus-wide dance off between dorms, sororities, and fraternities during homecoming week — can tire RAs merely at its mention.

“If you’re a choreographer for Mock Rock, your life is just put on hold,” Graham said. “Homecoming becomes your life for the three weeks prior.”

But for Phillips, homecoming is one of his most cherished seasons on the job.

“The best part of being an RA is getting involved in those leadership roles,” Phillips said. “The place you see that best is at homecoming. Mock Rock for Simpson is brutal, and people look at you to make things happen.”

Benzing Residence RA and sophomore Sarah Morris said RAs must prepare themselves for the enthusiasm and leadership that the job calls for. This includes the regular late night shifts sitting at the dorm’s front desk.

For Morris, it’s one of her favorite parts of the job.

“Sitting desk in Benzing just means hanging out in the lobby for a whole evening and having fun with residents,” Morris said.

Graham disagrees — she never expected to lose so much sleep over her role.

“The worst part of being an RA is having to sit up until midnight,” Graham said. “I can’t do it anymore. I’m old.”

According to Associate Dean of Women Stephanie Gravel, being an RA is not a job, it’s a lifestyle.

“Pray over the work to be done and understand it’s not a 9-to-5 job where you clock in and out,” Gravel said. “You need to be willing to live the RA Life.”

According to the deans, the hiring process for RAs looks slightly different than for a typical campus job. An RA may be hired based on his or her enthusiasm, compassion, organization, and strong work ethic, as opposed to the length of his or her resume.

Being a successful RA requires the ability to make your work your life, according to Gravel.

Those looking to serve as an RA must first understand that the bulk of the work to be done is off the clock, she said. The paycheck is tailored to time spent on duty, but the majority of the job happens off duty.

“You can’t go in thinking that your job is when you’re on duty. If you’re in it for the money, it’s a terrible job,” Phillips said. “If you’re in it to be a mentor and a role model, then the money doesn’t matter and the experience is priceless.”