The role of Resident Assistant (RA) is highly coveted on campus as it comes with numerous perks and is perceived as a great leadership opportunity. The RA Selection Process for the 2025-2026 academic year began on Tuesday, October 15, and here’s everything interested students should know.
The first step to becoming an RA is to attend a mandatory information session to learn about the process and timeline. There are four sessions to choose from, and students can find the registration links on DuckLink.The last information session will be hosted on Thursday, November 7 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. in Gateway South 122. After attending an information session, students will receive a link to submit a video application. This link is open until November 22. Students who pass this stage will receive an invitation for an in-person interview on December 2, and interviews will be conducted in the middle of December. Finally, the prospective RAs for the next academic year will be notified in January, and they will have one week to accept or decline the position. If they accept, placements will be sent in February.
An RA’s role comes with both responsibilities and benefits, which is why the position typically receives hundreds of applications in its initial round for the 68 available positions. RAs provide support and safety services to residents on each floor of first-year housing buildings and the UCC towers in exchange for housing and meal plans at no extra charge.
The selection process for the 2025-2026 RA Cohort came with two major changes. Firstly, interviews will be conducted on a web-based software called Willo. Assistant Director of Residential Education Ryan Nolen shared that this change will “further streamline our selection process while also offering an interview experience that mirrors companies that are hiring Stevens graduates or interns.”
Secondly, undergraduate students will only be allowed to serve as an RA for a maximum of two years, while graduate students are no longer eligible to apply for an RA position. This new policy was put in place to “develop that staff member in their first year, have them hone their skills and serve as a mentor and role model for new RAs, and then create space for other students to achieve this same experience,” Nolen said.
Through these updates to the RA program, Residential Education aims to maximize leadership opportunities for undergraduates. Students interested in becoming an RA should plan accordingly and attend the last information session to continue with the process.
