In the fall of 2016, I came to San Diego State University certain it was not the college I would be graduating at in four years. I longed to end up outside of California, somewhere on the East Coast, anywhere but where I was. Freshman year Katie had no idea how connected she would become to a campus she never intended to be at. I found myself walking around bright-eyed and smiling, proud to be a part of the SDSU community. I found myself soon knowing every possible resource on campus and every short cut to class. I found myself as a student leader in the residence halls, and then I found myself broken down in tears my senior year when I had to resign from the role that has always meant the world to me. I found myself a new home. I found a home within Residential Education.
When I moved in to Olmeca my freshman year, I found comfort in the (artistic) brick walls that surrounded my things. I created a connection to this university and the people in it. I joined Hall Council, a typical thing that would be expected of me as an ASB kid. I was so lucky to find the opportunity to "Lead where I Live," as we used to say in the Residence Hall Association. I didn't have to be intimidated by the school government that made me feel like an outsider, I got the chance to directly make an impact where I was living. Over the course of the year, I got to step up and be the President of my hall. Hall Council gave me the confidence to be a leader at SDSU. The Residence Halls helped me to meet people, to take initiative and to find my place at a University that made me feel so small.
I didn't stop at Hall Council. I remember in RHA we got offered to join "housing committees." I became a part of a Housing Marketing Committee where I got to voice what it was like to be a resident in the residence halls. I woke up early every Friday morning in order to make it to the meeting in time, where I got to get familiar with the people who make housing and residential education possible. I felt a part of it. I presented to admitted freshmen parents to let them know what a positive impact living in the residence halls could have on their children's college journey. I spoke of my experience and started to realize how happy I was here.
I discovered something called being an
"RA." I remember my parents making me feel embarrassed in front of my RA on move-in day, as I sheepishly tried to get my keys with little attention drawn. In a years time, I was so happy to be on the other side of things. I loved getting to be the person welcoming new freshmen into their building on their very first day. I became an RA and I could not have been happier. It is the best job I have ever had. Move-in day continued to be one of my favorite responsibilities of the job. Just the simple way that I could make a family and resident feel more welcomed and secured in their new home. Whether anxious, cheery or whatever feelings they came with, I just wanted to ensure that they felt they had someone there to support them.
I moved back into a familiar brick building, now the opposite side. Maya became my new home, and MO became one of my favorite places on campus. We might not have lived in luxury, but I had an incredible staff and an unforgettable group of residents. This is where I started to figure things out. I might have gone through two weeks of training, but I didn't know yet what being an RA really meant. MO gave me the opportunity to understand my craft. I learned what it meant to program and to be available to my residents. I used
what I had learned in Hall Council and RHA and really ran with it. It was a job where I needed to talk with people and put together social and educational gatherings? It's a dream come true. One thing in particular that I am proud of my first year is to have brought the "What I Be Project" to campus, a project I had known about since my freshman year of high school. To finally get to participate and see it noticed on our campus scale meant so much to me. It could not haver been possible without the kind guidance and connections of the famous Ray Savage. He is the one man who was truly with me from beginning to end in some capacity. I have been able to learn so much from him. From the student affairs world, to life, or really clever GroupMe responses, Ray continues to inspire me to be the best me. In MO, I worked with so many wonderful people and really mastered how to wake up and answer the duty phone with proper clarity. I handled a variety of incidents and became a bit too familiar to those 2AM calls. It was sometimes crazy, often unexpected, but I was protecting the community and prioritizing the residents always. I had a job where I could authentically be myself and be embraced for that. I enjoyed the crafts of bulletin boards and the late nights staying up with my floor co's who by the end of the year (or really just a month or so in) became my best friends. I signed up for a JOB, and got these three lovely humans for the rest of my life? This job is truly like no other.
This was also my first year a part of the National Residence Hall Honorary or NRHH. I became a Diamond, and got to participate in service with other student leaders from the residence halls. At first, it was just a meeting where I felt like a bit of an outsider, but soon enough as my involvement grew, I was found often preaching OTM's at meetings and sought out different unique ways to recognize my staff and people in my building. I became so passionate about improving the organization and its presence throughout the department that I ran for Vice President, and won. I got to attend my very first conference representing SDSU on a (inter)National scale. It was where I wanted to be. This was the first of many conferences that I would go to and cheer my heart out. I was proud to be a student at San Diego State, I was proud to represent my institution, I was proud to be in NRHH and I was proud to be a Resident Advisor. This was only the beginning.
To the Residents of Maya 3: Thank you for being my first. Thank you for being with me as I found my confidence in this role and discovered what exactly it meant to be an RA. Thank you for your showtunes singing late at night, I loved it, always. Thank you for celebrating with me and the rest of the Maya 3 staff and being down for our surprises. Thank you for being you and happily greeting me back as I continue to run into you across campus. I have adored seeing each of you grow up and I could not be more proud of the individuals you have become. It's so weird to think most of the people I see as my first group of "kids" will be graduating next year. Can't wait to see you all take the world by storm. VAPA has my heart. I will always be your RA.
Then came Zura. A new modern building I learned to call home. A building with a bigger team and newly shaped bathrooms, plenty of new challenges and I loved it. I had the opportunity to redefine my craft at this point. I knew what I needed to do to be a successful RA, but I continued to challenge myself to be the BEST RA. My co and I got a reputation in my building for being "extra," from bulletin boards to sticky notes, I would do the absolute most for my residents and worked to inspire my staff to do so as well. We were going to have the "happiest residents on campus."
I got creative with programming and got the chance to explore all the new spaces of the building.
I was also the Vice President of NRHH. I took service to the next level and ensured our members became active in it. We found opportunities to spend weekends reading to children or picking up trash around campus. More importantly, I started a new tradition at SDSU that I hope will continue for years to come after my graduation, Residents Appreciation Week. A week purely dedicated to honoring the residents and celebrating them as best as we could. With the help of student leaders across the department we implemented week long programming from snacks to postcards to a dinner theme night --- all dedicated to residents. This became the framework for a more extensive
program the following year. This was the start of something INCREDIBLE.
I also started to explore "Student Affairs" as a future career. I attended various conferences and got to hear from professionals. This wasn't just my job, it was my life. From class introductions or casual conversation, I had to bring it up. If they didn't know I was an RA, it was like they were missing a huge part of the puzzle about my life. This became a challenge for me at times because the reality was, not every single on of my co-workers was going to feel so passionate about a "student job." I became okay with this. Well, mostly. In all honesty it was sometimes a rollercoaster of frustration through my years as an RA seeing how each staff had a new vibe, but ultimately it came down to reminding myself that I was in
control of me. I will continue to be known as the "extra" co-worker, and I would never feel bad about putting my full heart into my job. I love this field and the impact I can make, stay tuned on my future. There are a lot of opportunities and a very determined me who will eventually figure out where I am meant to be.
I also started to work for the department that all my activities were connected to. I became a Student Assistant in the Residential Education Office. Now I got to work directly with the Director, Associate Directors and all other important individuals that made our work possible. I got to serve the department that has given so much to me on a brand new level. I felt more a part of this department than ever before. I got to feel like a professional as I sat behind the desktop computer as RHC's and other important people passed by and I smiled. I really felt like I made it.
To the residents of Zura 7: Being placed with the dancer side intimidated me at first because I always identified myself as more of a theatre geek, but I am grateful to have gotten the chance to get to know all of you. I appreciate you making the time to let Alex and I have individual meetings with you all and setting goals with us. Thank you for the karokeing and dancing in the common room. Thank you for appreciating the "extraness" and thank you for letting me authentically be me. I will always be your RA.
My last year at SDSU concluded with me being an RA on the other side of campus. I suddenly began to have to walk much more, and often J-walk to make it to class on time (don't worry, I checked both ways!), plus it made it easy to reach my step goal on my FitBit. I became an RA in University Towers, otherwise known as the home of the athletes. Despite my short 4'11 stature, the big football players never intimidated me. If anything, seeing all the athletes go to practice just made me miss sports like crazy and resulted in me signing up for a soccer class spring semester.
This was the first time I didn't live in a communal setting....meaning I finally (almost) had my own bathroom, SCORE. I lived in the biggest "dorm room," and I could finally brush my teeth in privacy. UT clearly came with physical perks, but there were new challenges. The elevator was tiny, which made any possible elevator programs a difficulty. There were no set programming areas for people to gather as a building, and without a communal bathroom, we had to ENCOURAGE residents to come out of their rooms. I was thrilled to be met with new challenges and to find new ways to make this the prime place for residents to live. Every obstacle has a way around it and I got as creative as possible.
I stepped into a "senior RA" role, without needing the official title to take on leadership in my team. As our Supervisor, and my conference buddy Kevin worked on balancing two jobs, I joked with him that I would be the RHC. At least interim, of course. I printed flyers and bulletin board pictures. I strived to check up on other co-workers and I tried to write them individual notes as the year went on. I answered questions and delivered information. I was thriving. This was my year to really share everything I knew and learned the past two years. I was more than just an RA and there for my residents. I wanted to be a mentor to the whole team.
While I might have been working to do some administrative tasks on my team, I never lost sight of the big picture, THE RESIDENTS. I adored my residents and they laughed at me when I left my door open, confused why. Despite some of my available hours often being decently late at night, I really got to know so many of them as individuals. I had never had a floor with such a broad range of interests. I always lived in a Residential Learning Community, where one major or interest
seemed to connect all of them. I strived to balance remembering when someone changed their major from Journalism to Biology or then back to Journalism and then ending with Communication. They were always so willing to go along with my plans and when I got to know them better I knew how to incorporate their interests, like spending a lovely Saturday at the Farmer's Market in Little Italy. I could not believe it, residents who so willingly were down to wake up early to take the trolley to go sample fresh produce and delicious bread....with their RA. I had a bond like no other with them. I loved being their "San Diego Mom" as some referred to me, but I just felt so privileged to play a role in their lives. I feel this with all my residents. The thought of being the difference between them having an okay experience vs. a phenomenal experience in the residence halls. I wanted to be that difference for them.
I stepped up everything for this building. I've never been prouder of my programs. Not to mention the "Shot Shuttle," which has a whole separate post dedicated to it's one of a kind alcohol collaboration with the Red and Black Shuttle. Another was "Words Build Barriers," a diversity program that lasted a few months. Residents participated in writing on pieces of wood something someone has said to them or a loved one that negatively impacted them and helped us to stack it in the barrier of blocks before them. Residents commented as they went up to the elevator as we described the message that "Words really do build barriers, IF we let them. Things that are said each and everyday can have a significant impact on the people around us. Just because you might think something "doesn't matter" you might be hurting someone and causing pain, without even intending to. We must work to build a more informed and more self aware community. So please think before you speak, and understand the impact of your words." It was one of the few times I was thanked for doing a program by residents I didn't even know. (Well, aside from bringing dogs to the building, but that's always an easy way
to impress college students). The willingness of residents to participate, the immense amount of gratitude and thought-provoking aspect of the program made me realize -- I did something right. I did something amazing. I hope they don't forget about this lesson. We left the barrier up, so they could be reminded of this each time they enter the front door.
I also became the President of NRHH. I got to build on the foundation I set up as Vice President and got to further make this organization known and continue to recognize the good of others. I strived to improve our relationship with RHA and got to get to better know some of them at conferences. I became a conference pro and I got to help teach other conference attendees the ways of "Parliamentary Procedure," more commonly known as Robert's Rules. I continued to learn from other institutions while sharing what has worked for our group. I had the best executive board who made everything worthwhile. They supported all of my ambitious goals and simply asked "okay what do we need to do?" Our entire team was composed of such selfless, motivated, and hard-working individuals.
Monday meetings with all of them started the week off perfectly. I started a newsletter for the organization, which quite possibly I might have enjoyed more than all of them. Filled with positivity and Gifs, it made me feel more a part of their lives. I motivated them with challenges of the week, which I hope have helped them grow over the course of the year. We also had the 2nd ever Residents Appreciation Week and this time-- bigger and better! Despite unfortunate power outages and weather circumstances, we found unique ways to bring attention to the importance of the residents. We even made a video. My heart was so full from the involvement of everyone in NRHH and those who were helping to assist from outside the organization. I have no doubt, next year will be even more amazing. I can't wait to hear about it.
To the residents of UT 7: I could not have asked for a better group of residents. From working
on speeches to random questions or editing essays, I was happy to do it -- any and all things for any of you. Thank you for welcoming me to your movie nights and being willing to go all the way to Little Italy for a farmers market with me. I appreciate how down you all were for my programs and how you always seemed to acknowledge my bulletin boards. I loved the curiosity as I refused to tell you what the next plan was as I put it up piece by piece. Support was a two way street with us and I felt so much love and joy around all of you. I know our year was cut short, but none of my moments with any of you fell short. I will always be your RA. Thank you. Thank you so much. Oh, don't worry the Motivational Mondays will keep coming your way! I wish I could find the big group picture, but I love this picture. Thanks for staying strong in our frantic goodbyes.
To every NRHH member: Thank you for being you. I was so grateful to have a team composed of all your different wonderful personalities this year. Thank you for helping me to become a better leader and thank you for all your hard work to have made NRHH what it is today. Thank you for your patience with my extremely extra emails and thank you for your constant enthusiasm and dedication to recognition and service. Y'all better put on some sunglasses because your futures are SO bright. Keep shining!
To every co-worker: Thank you for joining the crazy adventure of being an RA/AM at SDSU. There's twists and turns always, and I loved getting to experience it with all of you. I hope that my kind notes and my sometimes annoying support helped you to become the best student leader you've always wanted to be, that's all I ever wanted. I will continue to root for all of you in your future successes in the department and beyond. You are all incredible and I am lucky to have gotten to know you.
To every "CO": Thank you for having my back like no other. We went from co-workers to family in so many ways and I appreciated all the different experiences I had with each of you. Thank you for always supporting my extra way of doing things and joining me on the ride to create the most wonderful experience for each one of our residents. I could not have accomplished everything I wanted to without you. So happy to leave this department with so many people I consider my bestest friends.
To every supervisor: I would not be the confident leader I am today without your support and kindness. I loved having the one-on-one time to be able to talk with each one of you to explore this role deeper, I loved talking about how we can continue to grow as a department and I loved just getting to know more about each of you --- and feeling more a part of your lives. Thank you for talking to me about my future and believing in me. It means more than you will ever know. I hope that I will be able to inspire someone one day like you all have been able to do to me. I am so lucky to have worked under you and learned from some of the best people this department has to offer. You will always be my mentor. (not pictured: RHC Haley Bedi)
To the Residential Education Office and Housing: Thank you for giving me the place for all these opportunities and memories. The residence halls have given me a place to lead, inspire, and even to be able to meet friends of my own. Two of my best friends in the world lived on my floor freshman year and despite being miles away with the circumstance of things, we hold a strong connection that I know will persist for a lifetime to come. While there is so much to be grateful for
as I embark upon my graduation, nothing can compare to what this department has done for me. Please be proud of the work that you do and the resources that are made available to students. It does make a difference, at least it did for me. I used to see myself as quite separate from the REO department and even though I knew it was the department I worked for I never described myself initially a part of it. As the years went on and my involvement and passion grew, I realized not only was I a product of the REO, I was also a part of the difference. I was part of the reason that first years' experiences were ones they would remember forever. It was no longer a job, but a privilege and not one I would take lightly. While it saddens me that my time here at REO had to be cut short, I am proud of the work that I have done. I am proud to have given it my all not aware that it would be my last program, my last bulletin board, my last staff meeting, my last shift at REO.
I am hopeful knowing that my energy and passion for this work will carry on to those who I have been able to impact over the course of this role. I am hopeful to know some of my bulletin boards in a box will be used for years to come and help student leaders who might not be so creatively inclined. My Tuesdays will never quite feel the same again without the 7-10pm slot crossed off on my planner, but I have no doubt I will carry all that REO has shown me into my life. I might even figure out how to incorporate my Red Polo into my wardrobe on the first Tuesday of the Month. Although I might not be able to call them "OTM's," I will continue to recognize others in my life. I will continue to serve the people around me to build a community where people can flourish, move forward and feel a sense of belonging. Oh and safety and security, of course, first priority. It might be over, but the memories, the lessons and the people will live on.
Thank you REO. I couldn't have done it without you.
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