View of Saint Joseph Hall, a stone building with terra cotta roof tiles, through the trees

Resident Assistants

Becoming an RA

Resident Assistants (RA) play an essential role in developing and shaping campus life in the residence halls. These dynamic student leaders utilize skills in areas of communication, teamwork, conflict resolution, and creative thinking to enhance the residential experience.

Resident Assistants at Chestnut Hill College are crucial to the success of our mission in Residence Life. RAs serve as connectors and supporters for students both new and returning to campus as they foster community in the residence halls, empower residents to live autonomously, and provide resources that promote resident success. This position is one that truly contributes to the College mission of developing “good neighbors” where we live.

The RA selection process is designed as a mutual learning experience for applicants, providing insight about the experiences of RAs while also understanding more about an applicant’s capacity for the position. If you believe you are good fit for the position, we invite you to join us for an information session. These sessions will allow applicants to connect with current RAs and with each other as we continue to enact our mission of building community relationships.

Note: Familiarity with the position and what it entails is an important component of the application process. Please read the below job description before applying.

Read the RA Job Description

Application and Information Sessions

All applicants must attend an information session as part of the application process. Applicants should attend a mixer BEFORE submitting their completed application. We hope to see you there!

All applicants must submit a completed application, including a professional resume and responses to the RA Application Questions.
All applicants should be prepared to participate in the following steps of the RA selection process:
- Information Sessions
  - Tuesday, November 19, 2024 from 12pm-1pm in Fournier 2^nd floor lounge
  - Monday, November 25, 2024 from 6pm-7pm in Martino Hall room 324
  - Wednesday, December 4, 2024 from 2:30pm-3:30pm in Martino Hall room 324
  - January 2025 session with more details to come
- Individual Interview (30-minutes)
- Group Process Interview

For any questions regarding the RA selection process, please email ResidenceLife@chc.edu

FAQs

How is my Financial Aid package impacted as an RA?

RAs receive a grant equal to 91.26% of the base room and board charges (RAs are charged for housing at $12,600 per year). This grant may impact other Financial Aid awards a student receives. To learn more about how the RA Grant may impact your overall aid package, please contact Financial Aid staff (located in Saint Joseph Hall 147) at finaid@chc.edu or 215-248-7182.

What does the commitment look like as an RA?

There is no specific way to quantify the time commitment of this position. Some RA activities have more consistency, such as trainings and All Staff Meetings. RAs also serve on duty in their buildings as part of the Crisis Response Team, requiring approximately one night per week plus one weekend per month. Some RA activities vary from week to week, like hall programming, completing administrative tasks, and providing support to residents.

What qualities do you look for in a “good RA”?

The specific makings of a “good RA” are unique to each person’s background and interests, making the RA team highly diverse. We welcome students who value respect, communication, self-motivation, teamwork, and care for others to apply for the position. Having a team with varying strengths allows for strong team support and connects with the broader CHC student community.

I’m an international student – can I apply to be an RA?

Absolutely! We have had several international students serve as RAs at CHC. We welcome students from all identity backgrounds to apply for the position!

I’m a commuter student and have never lived on campus – can I apply to be an RA?

Of course! While having previous on-campus living experience may give candidates more insight about the position, it is not a requirement to have lived on campus in the past. The most important components of being an RA are being able to build relationships with others and positively impact the residential experience – this is possible to achieve whether you commute to campus or live in the halls.

Can I leave campus during the weekends?

Yes. The RA position is not meant to bind anyone to their residence hall and floor. While consistent community presence is important, RAs are free to get off campus just as much as any other student.