I always knew that I wanted to be involved on campus when I came to college. Luckily, I have been blessed to have experiences in student organizations, as a teaching assistant, as a mentor through mentorship programs and as a Resident Assistant at Ball Hall!
The power of advocacy
Being an RA for the past two years has taught me how to use my voice to advocate for my residents. This experience has immensely strengthened my leadership skills, as I prioritize my residents in every decision I make. I have learned that being a leader means listening to the needs of others and standing up for them, rather than just promoting my own ideas.
I have always wanted to devote my time to serving others, and being an RA has shown me the importance of speaking up for every individual and remembering my "why" for being involved as a leader.
It’s easy to be swept up in the day-to-day challenges of leadership, but my job as an RA has taught me that staying grounded and always routing decisions back to the people I lead is the most important part of being a good leader.
Building connections through mentorship
Another unique aspect of this role is the mentorship that develops between RAs and their residents. As a first-generation student, I know how hard it is to come to college not knowing anyone, being unfamiliar with the area and feeling unsure about academics. It has been important to me to bridge the gap between high school and college for my residents by openly sharing my experiences as a college student, helping them transition to a more independent stage of their lives.
Furthermore, I have seen firsthand how meaningful something as simple as a conversation can be. Mentoring doesn’t always require grand gestures; sometimes, it can be as easy as listening when someone needs to vent, remembering their favorite movie, showing them a helpful resource or simply creating a welcoming space for them to discover who they are.
Embracing growth
I can never thank IU Indianapolis Housing and Residence Life enough for the opportunity to be a resident assistant for the past two years and for all the growth I have experienced. Before becoming an RA, I found it difficult to accept feedback from others and struggled to understand people who didn’t think the same way I did.
This role has allowed me to engage with a multitude of ideas, experiences and conversations that I never would have encountered otherwise. I have noticed growth not only in my understanding of others but also in my understanding of myself. I am able to reflect on who I am as a person and who I hope to become, all thanks to the opportunities that being an RA has provided me!