Resident Assistants

A Resident Assistant (RA) is assigned to each community. These upperclassmen or graduate students have been carefully selected and trained to coordinate and assist a floor or a wing of a residence hall. They are an excellent source of information regarding both personal and collegiate matters. The RAs are responsible for creating a floor community, providing a variety of social and developmental programming, and enforcing policies and procedures. The RA is a personal liaison between the University community and residence hall students. If students have a problem or question, the RAs are here to help in any way possible.

Info Nights

All RA Applicants are highly encouraged to attend 1 information session to be eligible for hire. This is optional, but good for questions and learning what the position is about. If unable to attend any sessions please email Chris Hawk (chawk@pittstate.edu)

November 10th @ 8:00pm in the Crimson Commons Lobby

December 7th @ 8:00pm in the Dellinger Lobby

January 25th @ 8:00pm in the Tanner Complex Lobby

Application Process

The RA position is an exciting opportunity to contribute to your institution and also impact the lives of students who live in your hall. Throughout the application process, you will begin to see the personal growth that is possible with such a position.

The RA Selection Committee

Chris Hawk, Area Coordinator and Staff Selection Coordinator
- Please contact Chris with any questions about the process at chawk@pittstate.edu
Elizabeth Gier, Area Coordinator

The RA selection website is designed to help you learn about the position and the process to apply to be a Pittsburg State RA. Please look around, and don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions that aren’t answered here!

Click here to apply to be a Resident Assistant

Application is available starting November 1, 2022 and will close on February 10, 2023.

RA Selection Process

Optional Info Nights:

November 10th @ 8:00pm in the Crimson Commons Lobby

December 7th @ 8:00pm in the Dellinger Lobby

January 25th @ 8:00pm in the Tanner Complex Lobby

Candidates must fill out the online application to be considered in the application process. In this application, you will need to answer a few questions, sign up for your personal interview, and group interview times. More information to come mid-fall.

APPLY HERE!

Candidates will participate in ONE 20 minute personal interview with Housing Staff. This is the time that the Housing Staff will get to know the applicant personally and ask questions pertaining to the RA Position. These interviews are scheduled by the candidate at the end of the online application process. Business casual dress is preferred.

Candidates will participate in ONE group interview session on the weekend of February 17, 18, 19. This will be selected during the application process. During this process, candidates will be placed in a group with other candidates and they will have to accomplish a task together. Business casual dress is preferred.

The interviews will take place during the following weeks:

Week one of RA Interviews - February 13th-17th

Week two of RA Interviews - February 20th-24th

2.5 Semester & Cumulative GPA

A semester of On-Campus living experience

Full time (12 credits) Academic Schedule

$900 stipend (4 payments of $225, distributed quarterly throughout the year)

7 Day Access Meal Plan

Single Room Compensation (Unless placed in Crimson Commons)

What is the Group Interview Process?
What kind of person makes a good RA candidate?
Who will interview me?
What is expected Dress for the interviews?
What if I don’t have a GPA at the time I submit my Application?
Can I choose the hall I work in?
Can I work another job while being an RA?
Do I have to have previous work experience to apply to be an RA?
How early do I have to come back in the summer?
Is it possible to take time off as an RA?
Do we have to stay for all breaks, Fall, Spring, Winter and Summer?
I have questions about the responsibilities of an RA, can you tell me more about that?

The group interview process is an activity where you will be placed into groups with other candidates applying for RA positions. Each group will participate in activities and be evaluated based on creativity of thought, communication skills, and teamwork abilities.

There is no “cookie-cutter” RA! We are looking for candidates who exhibit creativity, enthusiasm, honesty, a strong work ethic, communication and leadership skills, responsibility and time management. We will be looking for people who can positively contribute to each buildings community.

During the group interview process the interview team will consist of current Resident Assistants and Area Coordinators.

Although you will be evaluated on your character and responses during your interviews, it is important to dress appropriately for professional situations. RA candidates should wear business casual attire. If you are unsure of appropriate attire, please ask a member of the professional staff.

No Stress! You can notify us next semester about your GPA, by phone call or e-mail.

You can not, we place the staff member based on fit and team chemistry.

Yes, you can, many of our staff members have additional employment. So long as you can manage the RA position and Academic workload, we can allow UP TO 15 hours per week of outside employment.

Definitely not, this is often a transition position into leadership and proper service and work ethic. As such, we often hire staff members who have had no work or professional experience beforehand.

Usually about 2 weeks before the Fall semester begins. Exact dates and times are shared in the late Spring.

Absolutely, in fact we encourage and recommend it. The RA position is unique in the sense that you live where you work, and burnout is very possible.

There are a specified number of days that each RA has to work over Fall or Spring Breaks and those are dictated during Fall RA Training every year. Winter and Summer RA's are not required to stay and work outside of having to attend Fall & Spring RA Trainings.

I absolutely could! But it's more than I could do with this simple FAQ. I encourage you to attend an Info Night or email chawks@pittstate.edu with your questions!