Category Archives: RA Spotlight

RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant: Lincoln Edwards

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  • Name

Lincoln Edwards

  • Major

Dual Geography and Government

  • Year

Senior

  • Hometown

Upper Darby, PA

  • Hobbies

Listening to music, and going to the gym

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

One of the main reasons I wanted to become a RA was to gain more responsibility. 

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part of being a RA is the personal growth you develop from interacting with residents, staff, supervisors, etc.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite program was probably last year when we put on a hall wide scavenger hunt. That was pretty fun!

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I want them to be able to understand they have an open ear and a person to talk to if they have problems or concerns or if they just need to talk.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

One tip I have would be to take your laundry out of the washer/dryer when its finished. Also, be sure to put water in your easy mac before microwaving it.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

My favorite part about living in the residence hall is the community here. Also, I’m not too far from McComsey.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

I chose to come to Millersville because it was far enough from home that I could be independent, but close enough so I could always go back if I needed to.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

 I would say any class with Dr. Cuthbert and Political Geography.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

Nope. Not at this time.

 

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant : Cross Truesdell

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  • Name

Cross Truesdell

  • Major

Biology

  • Year

Junior

  • Hometown

Danville, PA

  • Hobbies

Working out, fishing, hiking, hunting, and playing basketball

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

One of the main reasons I wanted to become a RA was to have the ability to make the living community in the residence halls better. Being away from home is hard, but as a RA I want to be able to create a home away from home for my residents.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part of the job is being a person that residents can come to with their problems and concerns. I want the residents to be able to see that I can be that supporting factor to them when they have things going on or if they are having problems, I want to be there to help.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite program was one that I held with my RA partner when we had the therapy dogs come to the building.  A lot of the residents came out to learn more information on the dogs and what the dogs can and cannot do when they have their vests on. It was also a plus that the dogs were really cute.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I hope they learn to be more social and respectful to others in the building. I think it is very important to realize that there is more out there in the world than your hometown,  you just have to be social and inclusive with your peers.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I think the best tip or piece of advice is to be more social and more outgoing.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

The best part I think is getting to interact with more people.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

Originally my  mom chose this school for me because it was the best that money can afford, but I really like how there is a small student to teacher ratio.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

I think it would be Neurobiology.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

No, not yet but I  just held an event with RA Rhys about studying and study tips.

  • What is one goal you have set for this semester?

To complete enough of my thesis to present at Made in Millersville.  

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant : Connor Richter

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  • Name

Connor Richter

  • Major

Psychology

  • Year

Senior

  • Hometown

Ridley Park in Delaware County

  • Hobbies

Watching my brother, taking walks and playing pool

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

A lot of reasons, but the main reason was to help people. I grew up with a brother with disabilities, so it was a different experience for me  and I wanted to help others who are like my brother.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

The most valuable part is meeting a lot of different people. Whether it is throughout the halls or on campus, I will see residents or other people I know and I think it is a great way to meet new people and get to know everyone.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

My favorite are the community builder programs RAs have. One community builder I did was creating the name tags for the doors, I thought it was cool for everyone to make them and be able to meet new people from doing it. Also, the RAs are creating their own Relay for Life team so I think that is great as well.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I  hope they know that they can trust me. Having a safe experience here and promoting being involved is very great in making a safe environment for the residents. This can make the residents happy and I just want them to know that they are safe and have someone to talk to.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I would say it would be to take time for yourself. Schedules are very hectic but it is very important to take time for yourself. Also, asking for IDs as a RA is very important because it creates a safe space and builds respect.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

I think being around a lot of people. I would rather be in a residence hall compared to an apartment.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

My uncle came here so he knew about the school. Also, originally I came in as a Meteorology major and Millersville has a really great program for that. This was also the only school I applied to.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

This takes a lot of thought. I think either Calc 1 or Behavior Modification.

  • Do you have any upcoming events?

I don’t , but I want to do an event that is Autism related in the beginning of April.

Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Get To Know Your Resident Assistant: Rhys Wallace

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  • Name

Rhys Wallace

  • Major

Secondary Education – Social Studies

  • Year

Sophomore , but credits-wise Junior.

  • Hometown

Pennsburg , but I grew up in Pottstown.

  • Hobbies

Camping, writing, reading (just not during the semester) and Scouts

  • Why did you want to become a RA?

My mom was a RA and so she encouraged me to do it. But, I also thought it was an interesting way to develop myself and develop useful skills. Also it was kind of my first time working in the real-world because I have only worked at summer camps before.

  • What is the most valuable part of being a RA?

There is a lot you don’t realize. The most valuable for me is meeting and working with many different people. Working with many people like my bosses or other RAs who are very different from me creates an interesting work environment, but in the end although we are different we all come together to work and get things done.

  • What is your favorite program you held for your residents?

I’ve had a lot of cool programs , but my favorite was having the therapy dogs in West. It was interesting because a lot of people came and learned about how the dogs are trained and how they cannot pet them when they have their vests on.  By the end of the program, there was so much dog hair in the lobby of the building it was pretty funny.

  • What do you hope your residents get out of you being their RA?

I want them to realize there is a difference between me being their friend and their administrator. By doing my job, I am trying to keep everyone safe and it is only helping them in the long run. I do not want them to get in trouble, but there are just some things they need to realize they can’t do or say.

  • Do you have any valuable tips or tricks that you have learned from your time here at MU to pass on to other students?

I would say either think before you speak so you have time to gather your thoughts or wait before you react, because if you don’t you can make messy situations.

  • What is your favorite part of living in the residence halls?

My favorite part is that you can have a community if you choose to make it. If you talk to some of the people in the halls you can make friends and meet genuine people.

  • Why did you choose to come to Millersville?

My parents went to Bloomsburg University and I didn’t want to go there. Some of my friends went here and so I looked into it and thought it was a good school. It is small, the people are nice and the education program is great. I think campus is also very pretty and has history, the maintenance people definitely do not get enough credit for maintaining the appearance of campus.

  • What is your favorite class you have taken at Millersville?

Speech class with Professor Donovan. He was very well spoken and a very cool guy who knew what he was talking about. I think that he gave his students everything he had to offer.

Announcements, Lifestyle / Hall Life, RA Spotlight

Housing & Residential Programs Celebrates RA Success

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We want to say congratulations to the amazing Resident Assistant Staff! The RA’s of the East Villages, South Villages, West Villages, Shenks, and Reighard are to be commended. The Department of Housing and Residential Programs hosted its annual RA Banquet on Sunday, April 14th, 2018. The senior staff of Housing & Residential Programs hosts this annual banquet to recognize the RA staff for their accomplishments and hard work. The RA’s have offered so much to the Millersville campus community, from their willingness to solve conflicts as well as the development of amazing programs throughout the residence halls. We find it necessary to place them into a cohesive, uplifting, and engaging environment.

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“It was a fun one last time together as a staff. It was well put on and a great wrap-up to the end of the year.” —Sienna Rankin-Wahlers 20180415_182237

Camille Christiansen and Zach Whelpley acceped the “Outstanding New RA” and “Outstanding Returning RA” Awards. Camille is a Junior Biology major. Zach Welpley is a Junior Computer Science major heading into his senior year.

“I was surprised and excited! I honestly wasn’t expecting it all. I know that I work hard to support and be there for the residents in the building, but there are so many other RA’s who really are amazing and that I look up to. It also felt really nice being recognized because sometimes it seems like we work behind the scenes.” —Camille Christiansen

20180415_181153Residential Area Director Rebekah Yerger with Resident Assistant of East Villages, Alexis Nunes, who accepts The Dr. Clyde S & Pauline F. Stine Endowed Scholarship. The Stine Award is given annually to a continuing Resident Assistant member of the junior class. The successful applicant must have a record of demonstrated outstanding service and positive contributions to the Department of Housing & Residential Programs and the general campus community. Alexis is a sophomore Early Childhood / Special Education major with a minor in STEM . Congratulations, Alexis!

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.” —Dr. Suess (East RA Staff 2017-2018)

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RA’s Sam Reams, Gabby Reed, Rick Penn, Simone Terrell, and Abby Musser (not pictured) are accepting the Global Perspective Pillar Program for their “Interracial Dating” program. These RA’s opened a forum to discuss interracial dating hoping to inspire different perspectives about dating. This event  featured guests from the Black Student Union. This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to develop relationships with others. This program must also prepare residents to become informed global citizens by appreciating differences, communicate in a personal setting, promote community, and integrate knowledge in everyday experiences. Congratulations, South Village!

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RA Natalie Hertzog accepting the Personal Perspective Pillar Program Award for her “Not Fooling Me” program. This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to further their individual growth by making responsible and ethical decisions, developing a sense of self, utilizing effective time management, managing one health’s resolving conflict, and developing leadership skills. This program discussed body positivity and how social media can affect it. Residents were given rocks to color to as a reminder of self-love. Congratulations, Natalie! 20180415_181830

RA Zach Whelpley accepted the Academic Perspective Pillar Program Award for his program “Stargazing.”  This award is given to those who planned and executed an event for residents to successfully navigate the collegiate experience. The program also must provide residents with critical thinking skills, a value life-long learning, and academic competency. This program allowed residents to learn how to set up a telescope, discover a method for star navigation, differentiating between stars, planets, and clusters, and even discussed the human impact on the environment. Congratulations, Zach!

The senior staff of Housing & Residential Programs are very proud of each RA and hope to see continued success and growth for each of you. You all will always have a place in Housing & Residential Programs. The hope is that you continue to inspire, impact, and engage individuals who are ready and willing to learn!