Build real-world skills while having fun and making a difference on campus.
Join the Community Development Team
Making A Difference
Becoming a resident assistant (RA), programming advocate (PA), graduate residence
hall director (GD) or a residence hall director (RD) is an important commitment to
make. Joining our team will provide you with opportunities to grow personally and
professionally while building real-world skills. You will be trained in various competencies
such as conflict resolution, effective communication, community engagement, and more
so that you may be a valuable resource to your residence hall community. Like with
anything, you get what you put into it.
Community Living Positions
Resident Assistant (RA)
RAs are full-time students who act as a liaison between the students living on their
floor and the campus community. They assist in developing a sense of belonging within
their building by regularly engaging with their residents. They are responsible for
addressing any perceived violations of university policy and make referrals as appropriate.
Students who are selected to be a RA are expected to exemplify what it means to be
a leader and role model on our campus and within the surrounding community.
The resident assistant is an integral member of the Community Development Office (CDO)
team. The RA is a liaison between the university and the students. The resident assistant’s
primary function is to actively, personally, and regularly engage with their residents.
RAs are expected to subscribe to the professional standards and philosophy of the
Division of Enrollment and Student Success at SUNY Plattsburgh. Every RA must be committed
to the growth and welfare of each individual in the residence hall.
Skills & Qualities Needed
Willing and able to engage with their residents and students in general
Willingness to confront situations that may be uncomfortable and/or serious
Work flexible hours and display good time management skills
Facilitate engagement opportunities for their residents
Great skill development in event planning, crisis management, team building, communication
skills
Programming Advocate (PA)
The role of the programming advocate is to develop and facilitate a variety of engaging
programs for all students, especially those living in the residence halls to help
cultivate a greater sense of community and belonging.
The programming advocate is an integral member of the Community Development Office
(CDO) team. PAs develop and facilitate programming efforts geared toward on-campus
students. The primary role of the PA is to plan creative events that help build community
amongst all students living on-campus. Student engagement is also a key aspect to
this role as a PA will regularly interact with students from all of campus. PAs are
expected to subscribe to the professional standard and philosophy of the Division
of Enrollment and Student Success.
Skills & Qualities Needed
Ability to have conversations with students who may be different from you
Make budget-conscious decisions regarding event planning
Ability to plan and execute creative, large events and small programs
Be able to work flexible hours and manage personal/school time well
Public speaking skills
Ability to work on a diverse team of fellow college students
Great skill building in event planning, team building and communication skills
How to Apply for RA & PA Positions
The application is used for both RA and PA positions. Be sure to read the instructions
carefully. Candidates can sign up for just one position or apply for both.
All applicants with completed applications by the published due date will receive
full consideration and move forward to phase three (group interview).
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Feb. 5, 2027.
Candidates are asked to monitor their email or eRezlife site for updates
For Phase Four, candidates will engage in various team-building games and activities
with 10–20 other candidates.
Candidates must choose one of the dates below to attend. Group activity sessions will
last approximately two hours. Outside of the dates listed below, there will be no
other group activity offerings. Those candidates applying to both the RA and PA positions
are required to attend one RA group activity session and one PA group activity session.
Those selected as an RA/PA may be invited to attend supplemental onboarding activities
over the course of the spring semester. Follow-up information will be communicated
via email.
Graduate Residence Hall Directors are graduate students who have been awarded a Graduate
Assistantship in the Community Development Office. They are responsible for the oversight
of their assigned residence hall and they supervise approximately 6 to 8 community
advocates. GDs oversee the day-to-day operations of their assigned residence hall,
have on-call responsibilities on a rotational basis, conduct bi-weekly building inspections,
assist with building-wide programming and support the overall development of the students
living in the residence halls. There are a total of six GDs on staff.
All GD candidates must apply for admissions into a SUNY Plattsburgh graduate program.
Interested applicants should visit our Graduate Assistantship page for more information on current positions and the application process.
Required Qualifications
Strong organizational, communication and time management skills
Experience with Google Drive and Excel
Admission into a graduate program at SUNY Plattsburgh
Recommended Qualifications
Involvement in your residence hall and/or campus community as an undergraduate
Supervisory experience
Programming or event planning experience
Experience working in Residential Life or related department
Residence hall directors are full-time professional staff members. Each RD supervises
two GDs. They are responsible for the oversight of their assigned residence hall and
they supervise approximately 6 to 8 resident assistants (RAs). RDs oversee the day-to-day
operations of their assigned residence hall, have on-call responsibilities on a rotational
basis, conduct bi-weekly building inspections, assist with building-wide programming
and support the overall development of the students living in the residence halls.
There are a total of three RDs on staff.
Yes. Although we prefer that candidates have experienced at least one year of college,
we require applicants to successfully complete at least one full semester of college
in order to be eligible.
Yes. You will have to provide a copy of your unofficial transcript and have lived
on a college campus for at least one semester prior to starting a RA/PA role.
Yes. GDs and RDs are permitted to have pets as long as they file the appropriate paperwork.
Pets must be friendly, well cared for, and have current vaccinations.
Need more information?
Please contact the Community Development Office with any questions that you have ([email protected]). Additionally, our current RAs, PAs, GDs, and RDs, can all be great resources to
gain more insight into the position(s) you are interested in. View the current list of directors.