Resident Assistants

The minimum GPA required is 2.5 or higher overall Texas State GPA and a 2.5 or higher overall semester GPA.

No, information sessions are not required, but highly encouraged. Going to an information session allows you to learn more about the role, expectations, and network with potential co-workers and supervisors.

Absolutely! We would welcome your application. However, we encourage you to check with the International Student and Scholar Services if you are unsure about whether your visa status would allow you to be an RA.

Being documented in the past, can, but does not automatically exclude you from being an RA. Our department looks at each student’s discipline file individually and makes an assessment based on a number of factors including: severity of violation(s), number of violations, time since violation(s) occurred, and community involvement since violation(s) occurred. 

We require that all candidates have lived on-campus for a minimum of one long semester by time of appointment.

If you want to live on campus regardless of the outcome of your candidacy, you should go through the Upper-Division Housing Process to secure a room on campus. You will need to pay the housing deposit in order to sign up for housing. If you become an RA, the housing deposit will show up as a credit to your student account.

If you receive need-based financial assistance, federal regulations require that residence staff compensation be included as part of your financial assistance package. This compensation will first replace self-help, need-based loans, and/or work-study awards. If you have any questions about the impact of a resident assistantship on your financial assistance package, you should contact Financial Aid directly.

Individual interviews are conducted with the applicant and members of the Residence Life professional staff (Residence Directors, also known as RDs) and a current RA. In these interviews, our RDs and RAs will ask you questions about your skills, experiences, and what you can bring to our team. It is important to consider why you are applying, and to self-evaluate your strengths, areas for improvement, and skills.

Group process is a time where multiple applicants will go through activities in a group while the RD staff and current RAs watch. We are looking for how you are in a group setting and working with others.

The recommended attire for RA Interviews is business casual. Appropriate business casual attire can include: slacks, khakis, dresses, skirts, or non-ripped jeans; and open-collar or polo shirts, sweaters, dress shirts, or blouses. You do not need to wear a suit, tie, or other business professional outfits. You are more than welcome to wear what you have in your closet that you feel confident and professional wearing.

Our team will select and place RA's based on departmental needs and the strengths and abilities of each candidate.

While LLC/Themed Communities are within specific buildings, these may change from year-to-year.

As a new RA, you will not be able to have a job on or off campus for the first 6 weeks of your employment with DHRL. Once you have completed 6 weeks, you may fill out the "Additional Commitments Form" and turn it into your direct supervisor. Once it is reviewed and discussed, you will be approved or denied employment on or off campus.

Being on duty consists of the RA carrying an on-call phone and responding to/addressing any issues that may arise including, but not limited to: policy violations, student concerns, and/or facility & maintenance issues. RAs On-Call will walk their assigned building twice a night on what we call “rounds”. Building rounds are a crucial part of keeping the halls running smoothly and are one of the best times for RAs to interact with residents not only on their floor, but in the building/complex. How often RAs are on duty will depend on how many people are on the building’s staff, typically once every 4 to 8 days. RA Duty begins at 5:00pm on weekdays and is 24 hours on weekends. When they are on duty, RAs are required to be in the building from 5:00pm until 8:00am the next morning.

RA's develop leadership, conflict resolution, and time management skills; enhancing their professional development. The role fosters strong interpersonal skills through diverse interactions and helps build empathy and understanding. RAs play a key role in community building, expanding their network and honing event planning abilities. 

The position demands responsibility and independence, contributing to personal growth and confidence. The experience enhances resumes and provides strong recommendations for future endeavors. Additionally, RAs benefit from extensive training in crisis management, mental health awareness, and career development resources. Overall, the RA role is a rewarding opportunity for personal, academic, and professional growth.

Living Learning Communities (LLCs) and Theme Communities (TCs), are residential programs in universities that group students with common academic interests, goals, or themes into the same living area, integrating classroom learning with residential life for a holistic educational experience. These communities foster shared interests, enhance learning through informal discussions and collaborative projects, and involve faculty and staff for mentorship and academic support. By combining living and learning spaces, LLCs/TCs promote social and academic integration, helping students form close-knit friendships and support networks. They offer tailored programming, such as guest lectures, workshops, and field trips, aligned with the community's theme, along with additional academic resources like tutoring and advising.