Resident assistants, otherwise known as RAs, are the students who support you during your stay in a campus dorm or apartment, but what does an RA actually do, and why should someone apply to be one?
“I chose to become an RA because it’s a unique opportunity to strengthen my leadership and customer service skills while in college,” Frances Jackson, a student working on her master’s in finance, said. “The role consistently challenges me to handle different situations and grow as a leader.”
The application opened Oct. 20 and will remain open until Dec. 12 at 11:59 p.m., after which it will be evaluated.
“I love my job as an RA,” Dylan Topic, a senior in computer science, said. “The flexibility, stipend benefit and the food and housing costs make my financial situation much more stable, while also giving me the opportunity to meet so many amazing people, from coworkers and residents to all the directors.”
Students can expect to hear back about their application by Jan. 16, 2026, which is the date of the first status update.
“I love being an RA,” Isabel Klawiter, a senior majoring in animal science, said. “There is always something happening, which I enjoy, never creating a dull moment on the job. Every day, I have the opportunity to talk with someone and learn something new about them.”
Being an RA comes with its benefits, including free housing and a dining stipend.
“Beyond the monetary perks, the personal growth you experience is invaluable,” Jackson said. “I’m a completely different and more confident person than I was in my first semester as an RA. I’ve become more organized, a stronger communicator and a more effective leader.”
There are many fun benefits of being an RA, but because this is ultimately a job, there are several commitments that RAs have throughout the school year. RAs work four hours at the front desk a week, attend weekly staff meetings and meet one-on-one with their supervisors.
“Additionally, each RA is assigned a collateral in the community each semester and helps with the large-scale semester move-in and move-outs,” Jackson said. “We’re also available to support residents as needed and assist in planning a few events each semester.”
While RA duties may vary between apartments and dorms, they generally include doing desk shifts, duty nights where they answer phone calls from students, events and programming. Other responsibilities are meetings with their overhead, as well as creating a fun environment for the residents, both physically and emotionally.
“As an RA, I’m committed to being a go-to resource for everyone in my community,” Emily Kucera, a senior in forestry pursuing a Master of Science in information science, said. “I must make sure everyone knows the rules and that they’re followed, but more than that, I try to create a real sense of community through fun events.”
As previously mentioned, RAs plan both hall and house events, which can end create memories to look back on in the future.
“My favorite experience from being an RA is sitting in my den with 20 of my residents just sharing random stories of things that have happened to us while playing UNO No Mercy, which I proceeded to lose first,” Klawiter said. “This led to us having a massive hall-wide game night in the activity room on the second day of freshman move-in with people from all of the different houses.”
“I think my favorite experience as an RA has to be the introduction event for Freddy Court, particularly because it allowed me to meet so many new people from staff to residents, while also having a fun time with pizza, drinks and more,” Topic said.
There are many opportunities that being a resident assistant has to offer, from making memories to forming friendships that last a lifetime.
“I genuinely enjoy being an RA because I can positively influence students and staff,” Kucera said. “The Department of Residence offers excellent professional growth opportunities, which I’ve actively participated in. I cherish seeing former residents around campus or in classes and witnessing their personal and academic growth.”
This position is ideal for students who are looking for leadership opportunities and personal growth, but anyone can make a great RA.
“I think good RAs are students who are open to learning from every situation and can stay calm and collected under pressure,” Jackson said. “They should genuinely enjoy helping others and creating a welcoming community. Creativity is also important, since it helps in planning engaging programs and finding solutions to challenges.”
Students who have schedules that are already heavy with academic or extracurricular commitments may not be right for the position due to the responsibilities and hours.
“Any student can be a good RA if they just put in the work,” Klawiter said. “I have worked with a wide range of students, and the only kind of person I have seen in the RA position is someone who is hardworking and able to focus on their academics, but also being a resource for others when they are still figuring out how to adjust to a new environment.”
“I want students to know that RAs are always available, whether in classes or in dorms/apartments,” Kucera said. “We are students too, often in the same classes, ready to help and support you all.”
If you have any questions about the application process, visit the resident assistant application page on Iowa State University’s website or talk with your RA.
