RA Lillie

    What is an Resident Assistant or better known as an RA ? The denotation of RA means "a trained undergraduate student leader who lives in campus housing to support residents." The definition seems about right, but many RAs go above and beyond to support and provide a safe space for residents.  On the second floor of Lycoming Hall, there is one RA that creates not only a safe environment, but a home for her residents. Her name is RA Lillie.  

RA Lillie with her ESA Wallie

    RA Lillie is short and brunette with highlights and has a lean build. She is a senior with a dual major  in Business Management and Communication Studies. She is involved with the Honors College. Since her sophomore year of college, RA Lillie has been an RA. Her past housing assignments have been Ewell, NPA and JKA apartments, and Lycoming Hall. Lycoming Hall is where she resides for her final year of college. She lives with her emotional support animal (ESA) Wallie. In her time of being an RA, she has expressed the difficulties of being an RA as well as rewards of being an RA. She does not regret becoming an RA and encourages more of her residents to apply. She states that being an RA has allowed her to take upon a role of leadership, a skill is very useful in life.  RA Lillie wanted to be able also "grow within that role for the rest of her college years." The leadership role that comes with becoming an RA has aided her in her professional and her self- awareness.  

    RA Lillie knew when she became an RA that she wanted to create a safe space for her residents to speak and rely on her. She remembers what freshman year was like, afraid to socialize and get out of one's shell. She wanted a personal connection with her residents. She does this through one on ones.  The monthly one on ones allow her and her residents to converse and learn more about each other. RA Lillie has become someone that can be trusted and counted on. The warm and safe environment  she has created allows  many residents to confide in her and not feel judged or ignored.  A second floor Lycoming Hall resident named Mackenzie said that  "RA Lillie has been a great help for me this year. She has helped me a lot with not just only my academics, but also issues in my personal life. She is someone that I can trust and speak to with ease." RA Lillie has provided residents with a warm, loving, and safe environment to flourish in. 

The job of RA is not simple as it may seem. The responsibility of being an RA can be a lot. One has to make sure residents are adjusting comfortably to a new environment. The job involves being on call, desk shifts, and doing rounds. RAs are mandated reporters. The rounds are usually done at night to make sure nothing out of the ordinary is occurring. RAs hold monthly one on ones as well as building events. 

    

  RAs host building events that give residents a break from their studies and have some fun. RA Lillie claims that hosting and organizing events is her favorite part of her job.  RA Lillie, along with other Lycoming Hall RAs recently hosted an event called " Spring Into the Semester."  The Lycoming Hall RAs collaborate every semester to bring new events for residents to attend and enjoy. They place flyers all over the building as well as posting them on the Lycoming Hall Instagram page. The flyers are also shared through the GroupMe group chats. RA Lillie enjoys hosting these events to see her residents and catch up with them.

At the face value, an RA cares and supports residents, but some may not put in the effort to create a home within their hall. RA Lillie has provided her residents with a sense of community. RA Lillie is more than an RA. She provides a space to open one's heart . She listens with care and attentively. She makes sure to understand her residents.