Cameron Students posing for a picture on Campus

Resident Assistant Selection


Job Description

Cameron University Resident Assistant 2024-2025


The Resident Assistant (RA) position plays an integral role within Cameron Student Housing and Residence Life. Students selected to assume this important leadership role will have significant, focused responsibility for residential life in an assigned area. RAs are enthusiastic students and leaders who have a direct influence on campus culture and develop valuable leadership skills such as communication, building rapport, and managing conflict while making a substantive contribution to the campus community.

The position of Resident Assistant (RA) within the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life is a live-in, 9 month (August-May), para-professional position that requires the RA to reside in their designated area of responsibility. The RA is responsible for maintaining and fostering a community of 20-50 residents. RAs report to a Student Housing and Residence Life professional staff member.

  • Have a 2.5 GPA at time of application, and must maintain a 2.5 GPA the entirety of their time as an RA
  • Maintain full time academic status throughout the entire contract year. 
  • Be in good academic standing with the university throughout the entire contract year.
  • Communicate effectively in written, verbal, and non-verbal forms.
  • Willingness to give priority commitment to the RA position.
  • Candidates must have demonstrated exemplary personal conduct in accordance with the Community Standards.
  • Related behavioral or conduct related issues may result in candidates being removed from the selection process.

*Any of the above qualifications can be waived by the Director of Student Housing and Residence Life or their designee

  • Must be able to work with a diverse group of students in a residential environment, and have high resolve in finding solutions to difficult situations.
  • Must have good time management skills, and must maintain a high level of visibility and availability to residents.
  • Must demonstrate superior leadership and communication skills
  • Must work a pre-determined desk/office shift and serve on a duty rotation.
  • Will plan and execute several social, educational, and passive programs throughout the academic year.
  • Must be of strong mind and will. The Resident Assistant position requires high levels of adaptability and responsibility. Resident Assistants deal with a variety of student issues on a daily basis and must have the knowledge, maturity, empathy, and understanding to help students navigate these issues.
  • Will also serve an essential role in policy enforcement. Resident Assistants must develop and maintain a good working knowledge of housing policy and be prepared to enforce these policies fairly across the board.
  • Must be observant and sensitive to issues going on in the residential community and be proactive in resolving them before they turn into major concerns.
  • Must demonstrate a high level of professionalism, promote academic success, and serve as an advocate for the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.
  • Must maintain consistent, timely, accurate, and professional communication with other Cameron Student Housing and Residence Life staff members and campus partners. 
  • Must Have a 2.5 GPA at time of application, and must maintain a 2.5 GPA the entirety of their time as an RA
  • Must return early for both fall and spring academic terms for RA training and are expected to stay on campus until residence halls close for the semester.
  • Maintain exemplary personal conduct in accordance with the Community Standards.
  • Assist in necessary aspects of the Student Housing and Residence Life program.
*Preference will be given to individuals who have lived in Cameron University Student Housing for at least one semester prior to applying.

NORTH/SOUTH SHEPLER

  • Flex 15 (15 meals per week & $300 in flex cash per semester)
  • $150 monthly stipend
  •  Receive own room without roommate (if possible) (fees not included)

CAMERON VILLAGE

  • Flex 10 (10 meals per week & $325 in flex cash per semester)
    • Able to upgrade to a higher meal plan by paying the difference
  • $100 monthly stipend
  • Receive room within an apartment (fees not included) 

Fall 2022-Spring 2023

  • August 4th 12:00pm – RAs must return from summer break for Fall semester
  • August 5th - August 15th – RA Training
  • August 16th – Opening and move in for new residents
  • August 17th – Opening and move in for returning residents
  • August 19th – First day of Fall classes
  • December 14th – End of Fall semester closing
  • January 9th – Return to Campus for Spring Semester
  • January 13th – First day of Spring classes
  • TBD – Homecoming
  • May 9th – Commencement
  • May 10th – End of semester/year closing
  • May 14th – RAs released

The Resident Assistant recruitment and selection process will start in February and will continue until RA offers are sent the week of April 1st. The selection process is designed to help applicants get to know new people, learn about themselves, and gain important skills. To apply, candidates participate in a selection process that includes:

  1. Attending an RA information session. By attending the information sessions, you’ll learn more about the role and have an opportunity to ask questions. These are optional, but highly encouraged. RA information sessions will occur on the following dates and times:
    1. Tuesday, February 13th at 5:00 pm in the Cameron Village Great Room
    2.  Wednesday, February 14th at 2:00 pm via Zoom (email etrail@cameron.edu to request a link)
    3. Tuesday, February 20th at 8:00 pm in the Cameron Village Great Room
  2. Completing an application, submitting a current resume/transcript, providing two professional references, and answering the following questions. 
    1. How long have you lived in Student Housing?
    2. Why do you want to be a Resident Assistant? 
    3. What is an issue you see in Student Housing? How do you address/improve it?
    4. What other activities are you involved in on campus? How would this impact your role as a Resident Assistant?
  3. Shadowing an RA from your building for an hour of their duty night. The RA Shadowing process will take place on Monday, March 4th. Candidates and staff will gather in the Cameron Village Great room at 5:00 pm, and from there candidates will be divided into groups to accompany an RA for shadowing until about 6:00 pm. All candidates must participate in RA Shadowing for candidacy consideration (*Required: please contact Coordinator for Residence Life, Emily Trail if a schedule conflict exists).
  4. Attending the group process interview which will take place on Wednesday, March 6th from 7:00pm - 8:00pm in the Wichita Room. All candidates must participate in the RA Group Process for candidacy consideration (*Required: please contact Coordinator for Residence Life, Emily Trail if a schedule conflict exists).
  5. Attending an individual interview which will take place between March 25th - March 27th. 
*All of these materials must be typed and returned to: Emily Trail (etrail@cameron.edu). 
**Your application will NOT be complete until all required materials are turned into the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.                                 
  • RA applications available – February 7th
  • Information Session – February 13th  at 5:00 pm in Cameron Village Great Room
  • Information Session – February 14th  at 2:00 pm via Zoom (email etrail@cameron.edu for the link)
  • Information Session – February 20th at 8:00 pm in Cameron Village Great Room
  • RA applications due – February 26th at 11:59 pm
  • RA Shadowing – March 4th from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Required)
  • Group Process – March 6th at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm in the Wichita Room (Required)
  • Individual Interviews – March 25th - March 27th
  • Offers will be sent beginning on Friday, March 29th 

For any questions, please contact: 

Emily Trail

Coordinator for Residence Life

McMahon Learning Center Office 101

580-581-5907

etrail@cameron.edu