What is a resident assistant?
A resident assistant (RA) is an undergraduate student selected to live in the residence halls and serve as a leader in the residential community. Through regular and direct communication with those on their floor, RAs build a safe and inclusive community that promotes the educational experience of residential living. RAs are trained to respond to any situation that arises in the residence halls ranging from roommate conflicts and homesickness to more serious situations such as medical emergencies and substance violations.
Join Our Team!
If you want to learn more about yourself and develop your leadership skills and provide a helping hand to fellow students, we’d like you to join our team. There are many benefits to becoming an RA, some of which tie directly to Penn State’s Values. These include the following:
- Becoming more engaged with the campus community (Community)
- Developing transferable skills (Discovery)
- Providing a helping hand to others (Respect)
- Building and leading the community on your floor and in your residence hall (Community)
- Developing new friendships (Community)
- Improving organization and time management skills (Responsibility)
- Growing personally through intentional leadership development and workshops for resident assistants (Integrity)
- Making a lasting impact at Penn State Altoona (Excellence)
Qualifications/Eligibility
- Completion of the entire application process (see chart below), including successful completion of the HIED 302 course
- Completion of at least 15 Penn State credits by the end of the semester (does not include advanced placement or transfer credits from other colleges/universities)
- Enrollment as a current, full-time (minimum of 12 credits) Penn State student in good standing at the time of application
- Demonstration of good academic standing with at least a 2.40 cumulative GPA
- The Student Accountability and Conflict Response history of candidates will be checked prior to selection and may preclude a candidate from being hired.
Application Process and Timeline
Please note that students interested in becoming RAs must complete a thorough application and interview process prior to serving as a RA. This process is only to apply to become an RA at Penn State Altoona. If you are interested in being an RA at another Penn State location, you must apply through the process for that specific location. This process includes completing an online application and interview and successful completion of the HIED 302 class. The application and interview are for a spot in the following semester’s HIED 302 class.
| Event | Spring 2024 HIED 302 Class | Fall 2024 HIED 302 Class |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application A copy of your current class schedule and unofficial transcripts must be submitted to [email protected] in order to consider your application complete and eligible for review. |
Applications for the spring 2024 HIED 302 class are available on a rolling basis. The priority deadline for review is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 13, 2023. | Applications for the fall 2023 HIED 302 class are available on a rolling basis. The priority deadline for review is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 22, 2024. |
| Interview Eligibility Status Notification and Scheduling | Notifications will be emailed no later than Friday, October 20, 2023. | Notifications will be emailed no later than Thursday, March 15, 2024. |
| Individual Interview with Coordinator and RA | October 25–November 8, 2023, by invitation only. | March 27–April 10, 2024, by invitation only. |
| HIED 302 Eligibility Sent via Email | Notifications will be emailed no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. | Notifications will be emailed no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. |
Please note that all dates are subject to change and are provided as estimates. If you have questions regarding your candidacy, please contact us at [email protected] or 814-949-5710.
Compensation for RAs
All RAs receive room and board (meal plan 3), as well as a tuition stipend pending budget approval by the Board of Trustees.
Applicants Transferring to Penn State Altoona
If you are transferring to Penn State Altoona and are currently an RA at another Penn State campus or have already completed/are currently enrolled in HIED 302, please contact the Office of Residence Life at [email protected] or 814-949-5710.
