Washburn is recruiting strong willed, intuitive leaders with a credible work ethic to fill the shoes of the residential living assistants who are planning to graduate.

“We look for applicants that have great customer service, conflict mediation, listening, communication and teamwork skills,“ said Jack Van Dam. 

Jack Van Dam is the residential life coordinator at Washburn University. Van Dam explained that residential living is in the middle of the RA recruitment process for the 2019-2020 Academic Year.

“Having the opportunity to serve as an RA is a great way to get connected to campus and leave a long-lasting impact on the 50 residents that live in your community,” Van Dam said. 

Students who are experiencing living on their own for their first time might feel alone, so their assigned residential assistant should have a desire to befriend them. 

Cierra Davis, residential living coordinator, has been working for the Residential Living Center for a year. 

”It has been such an incredible learning experience for me,” Davis said. “Every day is different from the one before and I continue to gain new experiences along the way.”

Davis enjoys interacting with students. She described her personal significance to her position.

“One of the things I enjoy the most about my position is that I get to interact with students outside of the classroom. I have the opportunity to see them achieve their goals, overcome challenges and strengthen their individual identity on a daily basis, and that is so rewarding to me,” Davis said. “The student population here is so unique from places I have worked before, and I love that I get to take part in their growth and development.”

Van Dam wants applicants to keep in mind when applying that the Resident Assistant position is a 20-hour per week commitment.

A residential assistant should be welcoming and respectable enough that students feel they can use their residential living assistant as a possible resource. Residential assistants will relay essential information to residents about policies and procedures in an effective and understandable way. In addition to the many responsibilities, the residential assistant will have the opportunity to create door decorations and display cases when available. The hired residential assistant may come across an event in which they must mediate roommate or suitemate conflicts.

If prospective applicants are interested in the position, the application deadline is Friday, Feb. 8, and the group interview is 1- 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 10 in the upper level of the union.

If the desire to become a residential living assistant lingers within, Washburn encourages you to pursue and unleash your leadership specialties with those who may benefit from them. 

Applications can be found online at Washburn.edu/resliving. Prior to applying for the position, review the job requirements and description. The application requires two essay questions that are asked to be prepared and attached to the application. Applications must also include two references. Additionally, applicants must be enrolled in 12 credit hours and must obtain a cumulative grade point average of 2.5.