Thomas Kaisen
JMU Office of Residence Life
Resident Adviser (RA)
During my second year at JMU, I decided to apply to be a Resident Adviser (RA). At the time, I had already lived in a college dorm for a year and a half, but didn't feel like I had done enough to "give back" to the university. I went through the application process and had the interviews by professionals of the Office of Residence Life. In the beginning of the Spring Semester I got my chance. I was hired for the 2013-2014 school year. Days after, an email was sent to all the new hires stating that an immediate ___
Click here to return to my resume
My RA staff for the 2013-2014 school year.
Photo taken by M. DeGrandis.
position opened in a first year dorm. Within an hour of recieving the email, I had respneded and got an appointment to sign my paperwork. I was able to finish the school year as a RA and return in August 2013 for the full school year. As an RA, I was responsible for providing a one of a kind first year experience to 30 first year students at JMU. I developed professional and working relationships with residents and my co-workers. Being a RA taught me the importance of working on a team and to gave me a better understanding of my capabilities and the capabilities of my co-workers.