For the 91% of freshmen living on campus at Slippery Rock University, the people sharing their dorm floor are the first connections they make. Community Assistants (CAs) are the backbone of building these relationships.
Ava Mitchell is a sophomore majoring in psychology on the pre-PA accelerated track with a minor in biology. She decided she wanted to be a CA after her own CA from her freshman year positively impacted her.
“I really liked my CA that I had my freshman year,” Mitchell said. “I liked how she made our entire floor a community, so that really got me involved.”
CAs must go through an extensive application process. Once they are selected, there are many requirements they must meet, such as attending all mandated meetings and training sessions.
“We receive training all throughout the year,” Mitchell said. Mitchell said the training helps CAs build upon their skills.
“We learn how to do conflict mediation, how to do bulletin boards, and how to connect with other people,” Mitchell said.
When residents have conflicts, it is the CA’s job to step in and mediate. “Our biggest thing is communication between residents,” Mitchell said. “We want residents to talk to each other, because you can’t really resolve anything if you don’t get both sides of the [story].”
For Mitchell, her extroverted personality did not come until after she became a CA. “I was not extroverted before this job at all,” she said. “You gain a lot of people skills.”
Mitchell has made connections with her residents by initiating conversations with them in the common area of her floor.
“Literally anything you can think of to talk to them about is wonderful,” Mitchell said. “It could be hobbies, their shirt, music, saying ‘I love your makeup’, and it’s just little things like that. Eventually, they’ll get more comfortable with you.”
Mitchell says the most challenging part of being a CA is keeping up with deadlines.
“It’s not hard stuff, it’s stuff that takes a lot of time,” Mitchell said. “And if you don’t space it out correctly, you’re gonna be scrambling to get your bulletin boards done fast, or paperwork we have, or flyers.”
Between balancing academics and her job as a CA, time management is important for Mitchell. She advises using a planner. “As long as you manage everything, having a planner is such a lifesaver,” she said.
For Mitchell, the most rewarding part of it all is making connections with her residents. “I love talking to my residents. I love our floor. I think our floor is fantastic,” she said. “And working with my other CAs, I love my coworkers.”
CA Hiring Info Sessions are happening now through Oct. 12. Students can attend these sessions to discuss the process, benefits and lifestyle of CAs.
Dates and times for these sessions can be seen on students’ housing portals. They are also visible in residence halls.
Mitchell encourages students not to be discouraged from applying if they are introverted. “Do not shy away because you’re not the most talkative,” she said. “If you don’t feel confident in your ability to talk to other people, this job will completely turn that around.”
If students are interested in becoming a CA, applications are open now through Oct. 14.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Mitchell said. “It really is. It’s a lot of responsibility, but it’s so much fun.”
