RA Application & Selection Process

Being a Resident Assistant (RA) can be one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of your college career.  The relationships you develop, the leadership training and the critical thinking experience you will have in this role, will serve you well into your career after you graduate. The RA position, however, is also a very challenging one. A live-in position can be hard to balance. We encourage candidates to familiarize themselves with the responsibilities and expectations of being an RA before applying. You can do this by reading the application materials and talking to your RA or other University Housing staff members. These contacts will help you decide if the position is right for you and prepare you with being prepared for the interview process. Residence Life will be tabling in Plemmons Student Union on September 10th, 17th, and 24th, from 10:30 AM to 1 PM, to provide an additional point of contact about the RA role.

All candidates must attend an information session in order to be eligible to proceed with the application. Candidates will get the opportunity to meet with current staff, ask questions about the RA position, and learn more about the interview process. Please plan to attend at least one of the information sessions listed below.

Note: If you cannot attend an information session, please contact Liv Maldonado or Jimmy Kramer at raprocess@appstate.edu for additional information.

Applications are emailed to candidates who have attended one of the RA information sessions in October. All RA applications are due on October 27th, so please start on your application as soon as possible! A complete application includes the following materials:

• Demographic information
• An updated resume
• A professional reference
• Answers to four short answer/essay questions

New RA candidates will complete an in-person interview in New River Residence Hall with housing staff between October 29th and November 6th. After the candidates complete their application, they will receive an email with a link to schedule their in-person interviews. For accommodations, please contact Jimmy Kramer at kramerjj@appstate.edu. RA offers will be sent by December 1st, 2025.

Newly hired RAs will be invited to attend a session on January 12th or 13th.
These sessions will discuss different building structures, student populations, and specific housing policies to consider when deciding where they would like to work the following year. Staff will also learn details about the placement event and what information is needed to complete their student employment paperwork.

The RA staff for the 2026-2027 academic year will be invited to choose their building and room placement during an individual timeslot that will be offered via email. Placement celebrations will take place January 27th - 29th in the Plemmons Student Union.

All staff will be invited to attend a staff gathering where they will meet their hall RA staff for the first time. They will spend time getting to know their fellow RAs, learning what to expect when they return for training, and gathering other relevant information about the RA role for 2026-2027. Date, time and Location are to be determined.