Resident Assistant Selection: Academic Year 2025-2026
Make an Impact as an RA or SSA
Do you want to shape the residence hall experience for others? If yes, you should apply to be a Resident Assistant (RA) and/or Student Support Assistant (SSA). These positions help their fellow students and create a welcoming community where students feel like they belong.
The residence hall experience is a crucial aspect of college life, especially for incoming students. RAs and SSAs help build community within the residence halls by planning social activities and events, fostering relationships with residents, and encouraging campus involvement.
What does it take?
Being an RA or SSA takes leadership, initiative, and organization. It is a great opportunity for you to further develop your leadership skills, get involved on campus, and make lifelong friends.
Check out our links below to learn more about this exciting leadership opportunity.
Should you have further questions or need additional information, please contact the RA Selection Chair at reslife@valpo.edu.
The online application can be found here
The application will open on Monday, December 2, 2024.
If you are interested in Sorority Housing Complex staff position (SHA), please contact Shelby Hanselman at shelby.hanselman@valpo.edu.
Resident Assistant Position Overview 2025-2026
German House Resident Assistant Position Overview 2025-2026
Available Applications:
- New Resident Assistant (application due Monday, January 20, 2025 at 5 pm)
- Returning Resident Assistant (application due Monday, January 6, 2025 at 5 pm)
The SSA program was launched in the fall of 2024. SSAs at Valparaiso University play a crucial role in providing support and assistance to first-year students in their transition and acclimation to college. There is one SSA per floor in the first-year residence halls. SSAs engage in one-on-one conversations with students, host programs, serve as leaders and mentors in the community, and provide outreach and assistance to students experiencing challenges. SSAs work to connect first-year students with the programs and resources the University has to offer.
Student Support Assistant (SSA) Position Description
Thank you for your interest in the Resident Assistant position in the Office of Residential Life. Below you will find the timeline of events related to the application process and selection process.
| Monday, Dec 2, 2024 | RA Application Open |
|
Thursday, Jan 9, 2025 |
Information Session: 6PM in Memorial’s 1st Floor Lounge |
|
Sunday, Jan 12, 2025 |
Information Session: 6PM in Wehrenberg’s Lobby |
|
Monday, Jan 13, 2025 |
Information Session: 7PM in Beacon’s 1st Floor Lounge |
|
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025 |
Information Session: 8PM in Alumni’s 1st Floor TV Lounge |
|
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2025 |
Information Session: 7PM in Brandt’s 1st Floor TV Lounge |
|
Monday, Jan 20, 2025 |
New RA Application Due at 5PM, Housing Self Service Online Application and Google Application |
|
Wednesday, Jan 29, 2025 |
Interview Workshop: 7PM in Alumni’s 1st Floor TV Lounge |
|
Tuesday, February 4, 2025 |
Interview Workshop: 7PM in Brandt’s 1st Floor TV Lounge |
|
Thursday, Feb 6 and Friday, Feb 7, 2025 |
Resident Assistant Interviews with Residential Life Staff |
|
Friday, Feb 21, 2025 |
Group Process |
|
Friday, Feb 28, 2025 |
Notification letters sent via email |
|
Monday, March 17, 2025 |
Employment Agreements to accept RA offers due by 5PM |
Individual Interview
After a review of candidate applications and discussion question responses, applicants who we feel will be successful RA candidates will be offered the opportunity to interview with members of the Residential Life team. Should a candidate be invited to participate in the individual interview, candidates are interviewed on an individual basis by a panel of current Residential Learning Staff Members. During this interview, candidates will be asked a variety of questions assessing their knowledge of the Resident Assistant position and the skills and abilities each candidate possesses. There will be anywhere from one to three Residential Life Staff Members present, please be prepared to speak with a small group of current professional staff members during the interview.
If offered an interview, you will be emailed with instructions to provide your availability for a 30-minute individual interview. Individual interviews will take place from Thursday, February 6 and Friday, February 7, 2025.
Group Process
RA group process is a 1-2 hour session where you participate in activities with groups of other students. Group process is another formal part of the selection process and is mandatory for you to attend if you wish to be considered for the RA position. Group process is a time where we are able to observe you interacting with other candidates. This portion of the process gives insight into teamwork, leadership, and critical thinking as current Residential Life staff members observe the small groups.
Please save the Group Process date in your calendar (Friday, February 21, 2025). Every candidate will provide their availability with their individual interview availability. Those selected to move onto Group Process will receive an email on Friday, February 14 specifying their time and details.
We encourage all RA candidates to utilize resources available through the Career and Alumni Network, including application review and mock interviews. Candidates are invited to Interview Workshops on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 7-8PM in Alumni Hall and Tuesday, February 4, 2025 from 7-8PM in Brandt Hall.
Summer Resident Assistant 2025 Position Description
If you are interested, please indicate your interest during the application for the 2025-2026 academic year Resident Assistant position. That application and interview process would be considered for the summer position, and you would receive your offer within the same timeline. SSA Only applicants will not be considered for the Summer RA role.