The Fordham University Resistant Assistant (RA) recruitment process is currently underway for the 2024-25 academic year. The process begins in late October when the Office of Residential Life begins advertising the position; once the applications close, two mandatory seminars are held for prospective RAs. Then, applicants go through interviews. This year, the first interview day will be Feb. 9. Throughout this process the Office of Residential Life also works with returning RAs through their rehire process. Returning RAs attend the same seminars, evaluating prospective RAs. They also interview applicants along with Resident Directors.
More than 180 students applied this year, making it one of the most competitive years yet.
“The number of applicants has gone up and then down, and we are currently back on the upswing again,” said Assistant Director of Residential Life for Leadership Development and Training Stephanie Sheehan. “Our processes during the [COVID-19] pandemic were definitely affected during that time so we saw lower numbers of applicants.”
The Residential Life committee is working to create an assessment in order to understand specifically why so many students applied this year, and how to keep that number up.
Being an RA is one of the most sought-after jobs at Fordham, offering free room and board as well as leadership opportunities.
“I always planned to get a job when coming to college. I’d like to be an RA because I’ve always liked jobs that involved teamwork, leadership and creative organization,” said Bridget Godfrey, GSB ’27. “Something about running activities with college students and helping the Fordham community through ResLife seems fulfilling and interesting.”
As RAs, students have to run programs for their residents, provide support and help students, especially first-years, be comfortable at Fordham. They also have to be “on duty” throughout the week and on weekends, as well as during various university vacation periods.
“I want to work with different people and understand their differences and create a community where we can all work, flourish and speak to each other,” said Emma Galiano, FCRH ’27.
Rose Hill has more than one hundred RAs throughout its 14 residence halls, generally with one per floor of each building.
To become an RA, students have to submit letters of recommendation, a resume and have a 3.0 GPA if a sophomore or a 2.5 GPA if a junior or senior. They must demonstrate involvement with their community and leadership potential.
“The qualities I see in our most successful Resident Assistants are effective communication, time management and creative problem solving skills,” said Sheehan.
The RA recruitment process is one of the longer processes that the Office of Residential Life engages in. The role offers students the option to have lengthy leadership experience before they graduate college.
“The position offers the excellent opportunity to work with professional staff, administration and earn transferable skills to take with you after you graduate,” said Sheehan.
