The Department of Residence implemented a new student staff selection process last semester to increase the leadership abilities of students interested in being residence hall staff members.

The selection process consists of a six-part, five-week series that teaches students more about leadership, said Ryan Gildersleeve, hall director of Birch/Welch/Roberts Halls.

“The curriculum is designed so students can explore leadership and learn more about the process and the meaning of leadership,” he said.

Classes for the series are team-taught by hall directors and other professional residence hall staff. Each class period lasts about 90 minutes, and weekly reading is assigned.

The leadership course is open to all students interested in learning more about leadership, not just those who wish to apply to be residence hall staff.

“We wanted to create a leadership series that would be available not to just potential staff members, but to all students,” said Virginia Arthur, associate director for residence life.

“We see it as accomplishing multiple roles, because all the students that live on a house have a potential to be a leader in their community.”

In general, the reaction to the new program has been positive, Gildersleeve said.

“I feel more connected to the students that go through the leadership series,” he said. “Students enjoyed the cohort and the camaraderie of going through the experience with others and getting to know hall directors.”

Christopher Uhl, residence assistant in Welch Hall, went through the new hiring process last semester, and said he enjoyed and benefited from the program.

“You learn little bits and pieces about what the job entails . and recognize more faces when it comes to actual R.A. training,” said Uhl, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences.

Elizabeth Kash, academic resource coordinator in Maple Hall, said she would have liked to go through the course when she applied for her job.

“It’s a good networking tool because you get to meet other people that will be in the same position as you,” said Kash, graduate student in civil and construction engineering.

The leadership course contrasts with the old hiring process, in which applicants were interviewed individually and in groups.

“For a lot of students, it’s their first big interview, and they get really nervous and may not make the best first impression,” Kash said.

“Whereas in the leadership series, they’re not basing hiring on only a couple of hours of interviews.”