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 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 2023 HIED 302 Class | Fall 2023 HIED 302 Class |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Assistant Information Sessions | Meet our RAs and professional staff throughout campus during the first five weeks of classes. RAs and Professional staff will host informal information sessions and drop-in Q&A times in the residence halls and Port-Sky Café. Check your Penn State email, residence hall Teams page, and signage on campus. | Meet our RAs and professional staff throughout campus during the first five weeks of classes. RAs and Professional staff will host informal information sessions and drop-in Q&A times in the residence halls and Port-Sky Café. Check your Penn State email, residence hall Teams page, and signage on campus. |
| Online Application A copy of your current class schedule and unofficial transcripts must be submitted to [email protected] in to consider your application complete and eligible for review. |
Applications for the spring 2023 HIED 302 class are available on a rolling basis. Priority deadline for review is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022. | Applications for the fall 2023 HIED 302 class are available on a rolling basis. Priority deadline for review is 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 17, 2023. |
| Interview Eligibility Status Notification and Scheduling | Notifications will be emailed no later than Friday, October 21, 2022. | Notifications will be emailed no later than Thursday, March 24, 2023. |
| Individual Interview with Coordinator and RA | October 26–November 9, 2022, by invitation only. | March 29–April 12, 2023, by invitation only. |
| HIED 302 Eligibility Sent via Email | Notifications will be emailed no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, November 30, 2022. | Notifications will be emailed no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26, 2023. |
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.
