Meghan Sackman, Staff Writer
With the start of a new year comes a fresh wave of newly trained resident assistants. These carefully selected individuals have endured a vigorous training process and have been engaged in their duties since before most Manhattan College students have even stepped foot onto campus for the new semester.
This new batch of leaders seems promising, according to the Assistant Director of Residence Life, AJ Goodman. “I think the RAs are knowledgeable about what is available on campus and know what it takes to be successful here,” Goodman said. “They are a very welcoming group that really has a genuine interest in getting to know other people and helping them get connected to the college.”
As students, we tend to make assumptions about what the position entails as well as what it would be like to adopt these responsibilities. This is where the difference between expectation and reality comes into play for the most recent additions to the residence life community.
New RA, Erica Rebussini, discussed the ups and downs of the job. “I adore all the people here and just being able to connect with the new members of the community has been awesome,” she said.
Rebussini expressed a level of nervousness that came with such a great responsibility. “It was a little nerve-wracking thinking about the commitment it was going to be because I know that I want to put my all into being an RA,” she said.
Rebussini has expressed how her experience with the job so far has already exceeded her preconceived notions of what an RA would be. “It’s more than I thought it would be. I walk by the common rooms and game rooms and I see my residents and other residents mingling and finally gaining a sense of comfort and home here and it’s so rewarding,” she said.
Considering the hiring process that these students are put through, this reward is greatly earned. Fellow first year RA, John Fiore discussed the many steps that led to him being hired. “It wasn’t that bad; I had to answer a few essay questions, then be evaluated while working in groups with the other applicants and if you made it past that part you got a one on one interview that determined if you were hired or not,” Fiore said.
Fiore, an RA in Jasper Hall, is also one of the new RAs that has enjoyed getting familiar with different members of Manhattan College, many of which he may not have otherwise had the opportunity of getting acquainted with. “I like the fact that in my wing I have mostly freshman but the rest are a mix of sophomores, juniors and seniors, so it’s good to get to know all of them,” he said.
According to Godman, this year’s selection of RAs has been surpassing expectations.
“This is my 10th year working in Residence Life professionally, and this is easily one of the best groups I have worked with,” Goodman said. “The work they did during that week and getting buildings prepared was very impressive and really set up a great, welcoming environment for our residents as they arrived to campus.”