This week, 75 students received news they will be part of next year’s Residence Life staff after a competitive application process involving 200 applicants.
A larger number of applicants applied this year than ever before.
“The growing interest is due to our students having really meaningful experiences with their RAs [resident assistants] and dorm communities,” said Shannon Kaczmarek, assistant director for Residence Life and area coordinator for McDonald and Nelson Halls. “Applicants desire to give that same experience to incoming students through a position in ResLife.”
Maria Morrell, RA in Nelson Hall and junior nursing major from Bryan, became a part of ResLife for this reason.
“I applied because of the great experience I had with my RAÂ freshman year,” Morrell said. “She helped me while I adjusted to college life and living in a dorm. I wanted to be that kind of support for another group of girls.”
Carly McClung, assistant director of Morris Hall and senior nutrition major from Grants Pass, Ore., applied in past years to impact incoming students.
“While the process is highly competitive, I applied the past three years because it is the most influential way I can impact younger ACU students,” McClung said.
Rebekah Perry, RA in Nelson Hall and junior youth and family and missions major from San Antonio, applied for the community ResLife offers.
“I applied and reapplied because ResLife gives me the opportunity to foster community on the hall,” Perry said. “I also love working with an incredible staff of women who desire to make the dorms a safe and welcoming place.”
All applicants were informed via email on Wednesday of the final staffing decisions. New staff members will fill 60 RA positions and 15 assistant director positions.
Of those 75 open positions, returning staff members filled 40. This left the remaining 160 first-time applicants vying for 35 spots.
While not every applicant could be hired, ResLife aimed to be sensitive to all who are involved.
“We do our very best to be sensitive to those who don’t get positions and do our best to honor those who do,” Kaczmarek said. “The leadership in our department truly seeks to find people jobs that fit their talents, and the staff members coming in are each incredible leaders.”
