Be a Resident Assistant

Successful Resident Assistant applicants are students who demonstrate the following:

• Active and visionary leadership.
• A commitment to working with students to ensure respectful and considerate living environments.
• An interest in helping other students and learning effective skills for listening, interventions, and emergencies.
• An interest in diversity issues and a commitment to making our communities inclusive and welcoming to all.
• A desire to plan and implement educational programs and build a strong, involved community.
• A commitment to teamwork and being an integral part of a staff.
• An interest in building on and improving communication, interpersonal, confrontation, and mediation skills.
• A desire to make a difference and leave their mark on students’ lives and Western.
• An ability to be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and academically successful.
• A willingness to grow, learn and mature while working collaboratively with the Office of Residence Life.
• An interest in the position beyond the perks and the paycheck.

Resident Assistant applicants should consider the following minimum requirements before applying:

• Full-time student at Western Colorado University by being enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours at the time employment begins. Resident Assistants cannot be enrolled in more than eighteen (18) credit hours per semester.
• At least in your second year of college at the time employment begins.
• A 2.50 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at the time of application. You must maintain a 2.50 cumulative GPA throughout employment.
• Have lived on a college campus for at least one (1) semester at the time employment begins.
• Current or previous student conduct sanctions will be taken into consideration and may be a basis for not being eligible for the position.
• All applicants must attend an informational session to be considered eligible for the position.

Resident Assistants (RAs) are responsible for all aspects of their area. They provide leadership to students, build community on their floor, and serve as mentors and resources to all residents. An RA is assigned to each floor of every on-campus residence hall and apartment building.

Informational sessions give applicants an insight into what the Resident Assistant position looks like from the perspective of current Resident Assistants. They are also an opportunity to ask current Resident Assistants and Residence Life professional staff any questions you may have regarding the selection process or the job itself.

All first-time applicants are required to attend one of the four informational sessions that are offered during the selection process. The schedule of informational sessions will be posted here.

The RA application and detailed instructions on how to apply are located on Handshake.  The application process involves the following steps:

• Attend an information session
• Complete the application, including resume, cover letter, essay questions, and references
• Group interview
• Individual interview