Resident Assistant (RA)
Residential Curriculum
Residential Education supports student success via the implementation of our nationally recognized residential curriculum. It informs the work of every staff member within Residential Education, including Resident Assistants (RAs).
Informed by theory, national research, and institutional data, staff members at all levels implement educational strategies to achieve university priorities. Our educational plan outlines strategic initiatives that facilitate student learning. This includes intentional conversations, community gatherings, events, faculty connections, and passive resources. These initiatives support the wellness, interpersonal skills, academic engagement, and self-awareness and societal impact of our residential students.
As a result, residents within our communities develop the habits and skills to support their success at USF and beyond while actualizing our educational priority.
Educational Priority
The educational priority clearly and briefly identifies the overarching results of
the learning outcomes in a residential curriculum. The University of South Florida
Residential Education's residential curriculum is in support of the university and
departmental strategic plans. The curriculum priority states:
At the conclusion of the residential experience, students will be holistically well,
interpersonally skilled, academically engaged, and self-aware to make a positive societal
impact.
Role of RAs in Implementation
RAs play a critical role in helping residents understand the value and impact of educational strategies within the residential curriculum.
We expect that RAs do:
- Understand the purpose of the residential curriculum and its connection to student success
- Read and implement lesson plans with a high ethic of care for students
- Use creative methods to make it appealing and relevant to residents
- Complete the required assessment at the conclusion of every lesson plan
- Provide constructive, timely feedback to their supervisor
- Inform their supervisor of community trends, needs, and student concerns
Learning Goals
Wellness
Pursuing the development of the whole person, including physical, psychological, emotional,
spiritual and financial well-being
Our residents will accomplish this by:
- Identify habits to improve and maintain mental wellness
- Develop habits that contribute to physical wellness
- Gain skills to be successful on day-to-day life during and after college
- Discover personal strategies for transitioning through college
Interpersonal Skills
Engaging in communication skills that promote meaningful relationships and ownership
of community
Our residents will accomplish this by:
- Develop effective methods to communicate and build relationships
- Recognize systems of support that contribute to a sense of belonging
- Engage in experiences on campus and in the community
- Utilize various methods to prevent and manage conflict
Academic Engagement
Taking responsibility for one's own learning by identifying and utilizing resources
that contribute to one's educational experience, goals, and campus engagement
Our residents will accomplish this by:
- Establish relationships with peers, faculty, and staff to enhance learning
- Integrate strategies to successfully achieve post-college plans
- Identify university resources and personal strategies to support academic success
- Formulate a plan to achieve academic persistence
Self-Awareness & Societal Impact
Developing personal awareness to guide cross-cultural interactions and a sense of
responsibility to effect positive change with regard to local and global communities.
Our residents will accomplish this by:
- Discover personal values and beliefs
- Explore personal identities
- Engage in civic advocacy
- Understand the impact of cultural awareness