Rachel Pilver
  • Psychology
  • Class of 2018
  • Marlborough, CT

Eastern Student Rachel Pilver of Marlborough Hired as Resident Assistant

2015 Sep 23

At Eastern Connecticut State University, resident assistants (RAs) have the role of guiding and aiding students with on-campus residential living. As the 2015-16 academic year begins, a new team of RAs is welcomed to campus. These students are carefully selected by staff in the Department of Housing and Residential Life through a process of information sessions and personal interviews. After hire, they are trained to provide an environment that encourages success and positive student development.

Among the new RAs is Rachel Pilver '17 from Marlborough, who is majoring in Psychology. "A reward I am experiencing is receiving positive feedback, the Honors Themed Housing community lives on my floor. In their FYI class On monday they came back and told me their question was who is your favorite upperclassman in the honors program. they told me the answer was me because I was a good role model," said Pilver. "It felt so good to know that all the time and effort and lost sleep I have put in means something to my residents."

The RA program gives RAs the opportunity to gain leadership and professional skills. Each RA is responsible for creating recreational and educational programs to involve the students in their residence halls and the surrounding community. These programs bring students together to meet other students who they may or may not live with. The RAs put a lot of energy into creating an educational but entertaining program for students to participate in. The programs are also a way for students to earn priority points, which benefits them by giving them the opportunity to get better housing assignments for the upcoming year.

"The RA position is extremely challenging and our program was recently highlighted in University Business Magazine as a model for other programs in the country in regards to the evolving role of RAs," said Paul Serignese, assistant director of housing and residential life. "This year may be one of our best RA staffs yet, with an average GPA of 3.35 - well above our required 2.7, which is one of the highest standards in the country."

Sixty percent of undergraduate students at Eastern live in residence halls on campus. Eastern offers small classes, more than 70 student clubs and a social calendar filled with an assortment of activities throughout the semester.

"Being an RA to me means being a role model, leader, and friend," said Pilver.

The RAs play a specific role in enhancing a student's social, academic and residential life. They are role models on Eastern's campus and assist in providing an overall positive campus experience for students of all ages.