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At Millersville University, Resident Assistants play an essential role in shaping students’ on-campus experience. With 63 RAs serving currently, these student leaders help create a safe, inclusive and engaging environment for their peers. “Resident Assistants serve as student servant-leaders within the residence halls,” says Dr. Scott M. Helfrich, director of University Housing & Conference Services. “Each day, they act as general campus resources for their peers, helping students navigate university life both academically and socially.”
RAs are responsible for planning and hosting hall activities, educational programs and community-building events. They also work in an on-call rotation, responding to emergencies, enforcing policies and offering students support. Students who are interested in becoming an RA go through a structured application process that includes an information session, group activities and individual interviews. The process is designed to find students who demonstrate leadership potential, maturity and a commitment to supporting their community.
While many students are aware that RAs receive free housing and a stipend, Helfrich said the role’s impact goes far above financial benefits. “Beyond the obvious leadership experience, RAs develop an incredible range of transferable skills that serve them well in any career,” he says. “They learn how to work effectively as part of a team, resolve conflicts thoughtfully and communicate with confidence.” Helfrich adds that RAs often form lasting friendships and mentorship relationships, and many find that their connections shape their personal and professional growth long after graduation.
For senior Resident Assistant Yash M. Kothari, the experience has been eye-opening. “This position taught me to see things from other people’s perspectives, and not how I would like to view them,” Kothari says. “Sometimes, we believe that there’s a right or wrong to everything, but this role helped me challenge that mindset and look at things from other people’s point of view.” Kothari says one of his favorite parts of being an RA is seeing residents build their own sense of community. “I’ve seen my current residents rely on each other before coming to me with issues —I saw them helping each other navigate campus resources, grab food together, study before exams and just make sure they’re all doing alright,” he says. He affirms that those connections make the job even more rewarding. He also notes, “Most of the learning will happen as you go, so step into the role with an open mind and do not impose any limitations on yourself.”
Senior RA Lily W. Crowell shared a similar sentiment, underlining the unique role RAs can play as trusted peers. “Sometimes it can be intimidating to talk to a professor or faculty member when something serious is going on, where an RA is often seen as more approachable and understanding of what it’s like being a college student,” Crowell says.
RAs also create spaces for student connection through creative events that bring residents together. Crowell recalls organizing a clothing swap and donation drive with another RA. “We spent over two months taking donations from our residents, friends and family, then hosted an event where students could come take anything they wanted,” she says. “We took all the remaining items to a shelter afterward that donates the clothes to families in need.”
Despite the many rewards, the RA position is not without challenges. “The role is both rewarding and demanding,” Helfrich says. “It involves a significant time commitment and requires balancing academic, social and job responsibilities. RAs are often called upon to manage complex situations, but those very challenges lead to deep personal growth.”
Whether they are welcoming new students, hosting events or responding to late-night calls, Millersville’s RAs remain a source of guidance and support. As Kothari puts it, “You get to deal with a lot of people, you’re known to a lot of people, you get to look at things from other people’s point of view, and to top it off, you get a free room,” he says. “I’m not sure if it can get better than this.”
