During the fall 2022 semester, I had my first opportunity to be a co-instructor for the Residential Leadership Seminar, also known as “RA Class.” The RA Class is an eight-week, one-credit course that first-year resident assistants at Purdue participate in as part of their training and onboarding. I had previous experiences at other institutions working with something similar. However, at those institutions, the course did not count as credit. I had always thought it should, as the content and curriculum developed by Residential Life are worthy of college credit.
After co-instructing in fall 2022, I was excited for the opportunity to chair the committee that would work to prepare the class and its content for fall 2023. As I took on this new responsibility, I was able to learn more about the history of the RA Class.
The class has taken various forms over the years. Once, it even included hall club student leaders. Over the years, the class has evolved and flexed as necessary to meet the needs of the department and the world. Just a few semesters ago, the RA Class went fully virtual (like almost every other aspect of our lives). While it adjusted to meet the current times, we were so glad to have it back in person for fall 2022 and be able to give it the attention it deserved in preparation for fall 2023.
Meant to be a continuation of student staff training and leadership development, this year the class took an additional role, developing our new RAs as people. Through interactive class discussions, reflective journaling, wellness workshops and a final showcase project, we hoped that the 2023 cohort of new RAs would learn ways to support not only their residents but also themselves.
One of the ways we hoped to do this was by building upon the pre-existing final project. In the past, RAs in the class were assigned a final project that required them to outline, articulate and represent their main takeaways from the class. Creative freedom was encouraged! The RAs never seemed to disappoint in this category. However, as final projects were submitted virtually, seldom did anyone have the opportunity to see their great work besides their two instructors. Insert our new Showcase Night idea!
After brainstorming with instructors, the RA class committee and others within University Residences, the idea for a showcase-type event was born. The goal was to provide new RAs the opportunity to show off their great work to fellow RAs, residents, University Residences professional staff and the campus community in a more formal setting. RAs in the class were provided the opportunity to sign-up for a presentation time slot to share their final projects. On Tuesday evening, October 17, with hors d'oeuvres in hand, RAs, instructors and guests were able to share and learn together. Much like a research symposium, RAs presented their final projects - not only affording them the opportunity to show off their creativity and knowledge learned, but also providing some professional development. RAs were able to practice presenting to others and communicating their knowledge and ideas.
Jimmy Phillips, an RA at Aspire Apartments said, “I liked seeing what other RAs did for their projects and what they got out of the class.”
Kayla Hobbs, an RA in Harrison Hall talked about some of her big takeaways from the class saying, “Conflict resolution doesn’t have to be awkward.”
Hobbs learned the importance of building intentional relationships with her residents that help lead to constructive conversations, even when there might be some conflict (like with a roommate concern).
Allison Miller, an RA in Hawkins Hall, shared one of her big takeaways was learning about Dance Floor Theory. Miller explained how she has shared this with her mother, a school administrator, who was looking for ways to build connections on her staff. Miller thought that it was cool that she was able to provide something new to her mom that she had learned about in the RA Class.
While the showcase was optional this first year, we still had more than 100 of the new RAs sign up to participate. We will chalk that up as a win! From the professional staff who served as instructors for the class to the support from UR administration, none of this would have come together without them. However, a very special thanks must go out to the RA class committee that I was so privileged to work with, Ammany McFadden, Alexis Davis and Kris Yambao. We cannot wait to see how the Showcase Night continues to grow in years to come!
Written by: Adam Iserman, assistant director of Residential Life, Mosaic Mile
