Within the Discipline

1. Communication
2. Strategy
3. Transparency
Being a Residential Leader has enabled me to understand and pass on
the importance of open-communication. This position has pushed me
to grow my strategic thinking skills. There are times as an RL when
residents experience conflict or problems and it has been crucial that I
take a step back and anticipate all outcomes of the situation. Being
strategic has been one of my greatest improvements from this
experience. Transparency is a skill I learned is crucial in the role of a
Residential Leader. It is impossible to be five different people when in
this role. A successful hall is built on honesty and sincerity, which
means being transparent with one another on feelings and
experiences.
Beyond the Discipline
1. Encouraging
2. Organized
3. Assertive
Outside of Residential Living and Learning I serve on the executive
board for my sorority Alpha Gamma Delta. As Vice President of Campus
Relations I have learned a lot about organizing my time, events and
committees. In addition, I have learned the importance of maintaining
and encouraging a team of officers under you. At times work can be
stressful, but this is exactly where my leadership style (lead by
example) comes in. I dont just dictate, but I delegate and then assist
when needed. Being on the executive board has taught me how to
assert my beliefs and desire for our chapter and back them up. In the
work place and life it is important to be assertive and stand up for what
you believe in.
Beyond Academics
1. Criticial Thinking
2. Respect
As a communication major I often find unexpected real world
connections between the Public Relations aspect of communication and
experiences I have had being a Residential Leader. In public relations it
is crucial to have a strong core unit. As an RL, it is important that
everyone within your hall understands expectations and shares a
mutual respect and image for the hall. In addition, critical thinking
skills challenge me to solve issues that often are caused by a lack of
communication. Understanding people and how they handle different

situations is key in this job. In matters when I have to diffuse tension, it

is important that I recognize the issue and emphasize skills such as I
statements.

Interconnectedness
Being a Residential Leader has opened my eyes to the importance of
building skill level and experience rather than resume items. As a RL, I
often find myself using skills that I learn through my major and have
learned previously in very applicable ways. Where as I used to
understand the importance of honest communication, I now
understand the importance of open communication by addressing
problems head on. My position as an executive officer in Alpha Gam
has just built on these skills. It has helped me in my position as a
Residential Leader, as I have had to manage officers and my residents
needs on top of my own. Learning how to give directed leadership and
encouragement to these two different relationships has helped me to
grow and become more intentional.
Global Awareness
It is really easy to establish pre-determined notions about people
according to their majors, background or who they surround
themselves with. As a first year RL I was placed in a hall focused on
animal science and agriculture majors. This was a step out of my
comfort zone, because I at the time did not know very much at all
anything about their interests. Relating to my residents was difficult.
However, I learned how to care about what they cared about. I also
learned how to find similarities between all of us in order to build a
community we could all consider family.
Broader Implications
As an RL, diversity issues are always present, however in this position I
and my fellow RLs have the opportunity to be peacemakers. It is
important that we stay updated on issues around us so that we can
recognize problems that may occur in our hall. This position is not one
to be taken lightly, rather it is a position that truly allows you to impact
others on a large scale.