Graduating RAs: Christiana Towers
Residence Life and Housing recognizes Christiana Towers seniors
7:52 a.m., May 25, 2016--With Commencement nearing, University of Delaware Residence Life and Housing is recognizing the graduating resident assistants who have made significant contributions to not only their complexes but also their staffs.
Nominated by their supervisors, these RAs have built strong connections with their residents; created or partnered on successful engagement initiatives; and/or impacted their staffs in a positive way.
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Three RAs from Christiana Towers – Anisha Boucher, Matthew Conrad and Jessica Oestreicher – are being recognized.
Boucher is criminal justice major, minoring in sociology and Black American studies. She is a second-year RA in the West Tower. Conrad is a third year RA double majoring in political science and philosophy, with a minor in legal studies and a law, politics and theory concentration. Fellow third-year East Tower RA Oestreicher is a history major.
Q: How has being an RA added to your UD experience?
Boucher: Being an RA has added to my UD experience by exposing me to the multitude of people on this campus. When I first came to UD as a freshman from Irvington, New Jersey, I knew absolutely no one here. As I tried to make connections with my randomly assigned roommates and floormates, I often felt shut out because they had their own friends and did not seem interested in making a new one.
Luckily for me, I found companionship with upperclassmen, mostly RAs, who mentored me and made me feel welcomed. Through that experience, I knew that becoming an RA would put me in the position to be a mentor and even friend to those students who haven't made the right connections yet. This was my way of paying it forward – helping out another student, the way I was helped.
Conrad: Residence Life and Housing was the first community at UD where I felt like I truly belonged. Since I was a commuter student, I did not have a floor community of my own until I became an RA. My first year working in Rodney was where I met most of my college best friends. Working as an RA enabled me to create a network of people who cared about my success and happiness and pushed me to achieve my very best. All of the department heads that I have met over my three years have opened so many doors and allowed me to take advantage of many opportunities.
I have matured so much from the RA position, and it allowed me to take steps to reach my full potential as a person. The resources and staff available to RAs are immense and can really help you achieve whatever you want. I learned how to be a better person and how to help others reach their potential as well. All of the long-lasting relationships from college that I will have in my life are because of Residence Life. It helped shape me as an individual and fostered some of the greatest friendships I have ever had.
Oestreicher: I owe some of my greatest friendships to the RA position. I have also been able to connect with people across the University and gain a myriad of skills to help with my future.
Q: What is one (at least one) thing that you’ve accomplished – whether as an RA or UD student – that you’re proud of?
Boucher: There's a lot of things I have accomplished that I am proud of. Academically, I have been a strong student. I was on the Dean's List for five semesters (hoping to make this last one the sixth); I have conducted research as a McNair Scholar during the summer before my junior year; I was promoted to the position of Mentor Resident Assistant after my first year of being an RA in the Christiana West Tower; I was president of the RSO Stimulating Prose, Ideas and Theories (SPIT) for two years; I have been a mentor for the Center for Black Culture's Each One Reach One program; been a part of the production To Kill A Mockingbird put on by the Resident Ensemble Players (REP) here at UD; and I was nominated by my staff as an awesome graduating Residence Life and Housing senior – what could be better than that?
Conrad: As an RA, I am really glad of the success I had with my first floor, Rodney B3. The year started off rough for everyone as my residents were adjusting to campus life, and I was still learning the ropes of the RA position. We struggled to have heavy floor involvement and near the end of the year faced several floor-wide issues. Despite some of the setbacks, we still came out on top. I was able to motivate my floor in the spring semester to have a fresh start, and we went on to win Neighborhood Empowerment Team (NET) Challenges for the month of March. My residents were so happy to be recognized for winning, and I was proud of them for all of the programming and bonding they went through to win.
As a student the accomplishment that I am proudest of is graduating with an honors degree with distinction. My senior thesis has been the culmination of my studies at UD and took from the disciplines of my two majors. I have discussed my thesis with professors at different law schools, and they were impressed of what I have already accomplished in the field as an undergrad.
Oestreicher: I am happy that I was able to work as MRA this year in the Towers. I got a lot of joy out of the position and I'm glad I was able to assist my staff.
Q: What is one challenge as an RA/UD student you’ve overcome this year? Or, how have you challenged yourself?
Boucher: This year as an RA has been extremely challenging. One thing I had to overcome is not allowing negative aspects of the job to interfere with my performance as an RA. By "negative aspects" I am referring to the multiple acts of vandalism done on my floor by individuals who have yet to be identified; my name being scratched, crossed, and/or ripped out on duty sheets throughout the building. Also, having to deal with students who are rude and display attitudes with me for doing my job. All of these things can be very discouraging and frustrating, especially living among students who display so much hate and animosity towards you, because you are unable to identify the attackers. It causes a person to live in fear and not want to write up people for violating quiet hours because you never know how someone may retaliate.
However, I have not allowed it keep me from doing my job. I realize that I cannot penalize all of my residents for the actions of a few people, nor can I keep from doing my job due to intimidation tactics. I continue to do my job as diligently as I know how and try to stay calm and positive through the tough situations. I have stayed committed to my job even when other parts of my life seemed to be falling apart (personal relationships, academic stress, etc.).
Conrad: I think one of the biggest challenges as an RA is staying as excited as you were your first year, especially in your senior year after having worked in the department for three years. A lot of the same situations and aspects of training occur every year, and it can be difficult to stay just as motivated as you were the first day of the job.
In your senior year, it can also be difficult to stay in the moment and you are at risk of ignoring what is happening around you because you are so focused on the next step. I transferred to upper division housing to create a new challenge for myself, with the hopes of staying motivated. Going into a situation that was different from what I experienced helped to make the final year fresh and full of new challenges to overcome.
Oestreicher: I think it is important for me to always have a book to read that is outside of my schoolwork.
Q: Any advice to your fellow RAs to make through their senior years?
Boucher: Stay kind to yourself and listen to your needs. Do not overload yourself with stress in your senior year. It should be an exciting and memorable moment as you are ending your undergraduate experience and about to embark on the next part of your life. Do not let people get to you. Unless your health is at risk, let it roll off your shoulders and keep on striving to be the best person you can be. Get creative with your bulletin boards since it might be the last time you ever make one in your life.
And keep in touch with the residents that actually made you smile during your off days. The kind words and generous displays of affection I received from my residents the first year I was employed by Residence Life and Housing are the reasons why I remained an RA. Yes, there will be stressful days, but it will all be worth it in the end.
Conrad: Find your way of staying motivated. Always try to push yourself to come up with new ideas. Maintain relationships with past residents and find out what they liked and disliked about their experience on your floor. Realize that each year your floor will be unlike your last, but there is a way to reach everyone.
As far as being a senior is concerned, take time for yourself. The position can be hectic, and trying to decide where your life is going can be stressful. Schedule time to see friends and do nothing related to work. Make sure that when you finally reach May that you can look back and not say “I wish I could have ...” Live for every moment and do what will make you happy and keep you healthy.
Oestreicher: Never be afraid to ask for help, and don't forget to forward the duty phone.
Q: What are you looking forward to after graduation?
Boucher: After graduation I will be returning home to Irvington, New Jersey, for the summer while I mentally prepare myself for my graduate studies at the University of Maryland, where I will be pursuing my master's degree in public administration. I am looking forward to that experience and where that path will lead me in my journey through life.
Conrad: I am looking forward to attending Duke University School of Law. I have wanted to go to law school for as long as I can remember, and it is finally happening. The past four years I have dedicated my life to my academics and to see it pay it off is the most rewarding feeling. I cannot wait to be in an environment where everyone is passionate about the same material and success. Other than academics, I look forward to a summer filled with memories of hanging out with friends before the indefinite goodbyes.
Oestreicher: I am looking forward to law school and to visiting Israel this summer.
Article and photo by Niki Reagan