By Tate M. Slaven
Contributing Writer
Students who come to college learn the transition can either make or break them. Many incoming students become concerned with leaving the comforts of home and coming to college to live in a dorm.
After the first year or two, some Bonaventure students decide it’s not for them, but others realize living on the Bonaventure campus can help them create their own home away from home. Residence life at St. Bonaventure represents a community within itself, and the powering forces behind this community are the resident assistants.
Chris Brown, coordinator for residential education and housing, and Nichole Gonzalez, executive director of residential living and conduct, explained how the seven residence halls are both the home and workplace of the 36 resident assistants (RAs) here at St. Bonaventure.
Contrary to what many may believe, these RAs don’t just roam the hallways and arbitrarily hand out violations. These student leaders demonstrate the ability to create an atmosphere of community in which students can know they are being respected and kept safe, but can also live in comfort.
“These 35 to 36 selected students are student leaders chosen by professional staff after an extensive interview process and group workshop activities,” said Brown. “We pick students based off of our 10 core competencies: approachability, communication, conflict resolution, creativity, diversity, leadership, motivation, professionalism, servant leadership and student success.”
Gonzalez also expressed the fact that these students represent very important assets of residence life on St. Bonaventure’s campus.
“RAs are necessary for first-year students to serve as a resource and a role model,” Gonzalez said. “They are also there for safety, security and enforcement of policy. But if you were to ask me what their most important job is, it is to facilitate community.”
Although it is their job, these RAs say they enjoy the sense of community they get to create for themselves and their residents.
Joshua Maxey, a junior political science major, has been an RA in Loughlen Hall for the last two years.
“Serving as an RA has made me more aware of others’ needs and has taught me important life skills,” Maxey said. “The most rewarding part of being an RA is seeing my residents succeed academically, spiritually and socially. When they succeed, then I know every floor program and meeting that I’ve had has not been in vain.”
Christina Zoppi, a junior history major, knew she wanted to be an RA before she even came to Bona’s. When she came for her overnight visit as a prospective student, she had the opportunity to spend time in the RA office. She said she thought the job seemed like a lot of fun.
“I have been an RA to freshmen for the past two years and I love being able to help them transition into life here at Bona’s,” Zoppi said. “I love my residents, they are what makes my job rewarding. If I can help residents love St. Bonaventure as much as I do, then I’ve done my job.”
These students, along with the 34 other RAs, have given up some aspects of typical college life in order to commit themselves to making other students’ Bonaventure experience extraordinary.
“These students have formed a strong bond within the Bonaventure community, and they sacrifice their time while they engage in the ministry of presence for others,” Brown said.
