Resident Assistant Program
The Student Resident Assistant (RA) program is a structured initiative to support safety, belonging, and student success in Allen’s residential communities. RAs are trained student paraprofessionals who live in the halls and serve as peer mentors, community builders, and front-line support for basic student concerns, directly contributing to retention and campus climate goals.

Become a Resident Assistant
Overview
Allen Community College’s Office of Student Life is excited to have you explore the possibility of serving the Allen residential community as one of our Resident Assistants (RAs) during the 2026/2027 academic year. Student Life is looking for students who desire to invest in the lives of other students within our community, create supportive environments, look to gain leadership skills, and can share the benefit of living in the halls.
Being an RA is an opportunity to learn about yourself and others. The enclosed information is intended to assist you in completing all application requirements. Our staff is looking forward to viewing your application as we begin the selection process. Please ensure you take the time to read the information on each tab above regarding the application process and timeline.
- Title: Resident Assistant (Student Paraprofessional; Live-In)
- Appointment: Academic Year (late July/early August training through May hall closing)
- Time commitment: 15-20 hours per week (duty coverage, programming, meetings, training)
- Reports to: Campus Operations and Advancement Coordinator and Director of Student Life
- Compensation: The compensation model combines a housing benefit and modest stipend to recognize significant leadership responsibilities while remaining cost-effective for the college.
- Core Functions
- Community development & programming
- Role modeling & professionalism
- Peer support & referrals
- Policy enforcement & safety response
RAs must maintain at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA, remain in good judicial standing, fulfill duty, programming, meeting, and training expectations, and are subject to a progressive discipline process up to removal and loss of benefits. RAs will work closely with Security, Mental Health services, Academic Support, Athletics, Enrollment Management, and the CARE Team to support residents and respond to issues in real time. The RA program positions Allen to better manage residential issues proactively, enhance safety and belonging, and develop a pipeline of student leaders who support institutional retention and student success priorities.
Key Dates
|
February 9, 2026 |
Applications open for the 2026-2027 academic year |
|
February 19, 2026 (optional) |
Resident Assistant Informational Meeting @ 5 pm (Stadler Conference Room, Student Center) |
|
March 3, 2026 (optional) |
Resident Assistant Informational Meeting @ 12 pm (Stadler Conference Room, Student Center) |
|
March 13, 2026 |
Completed Applications Due by 5pm to the Office of Student Life (Student Center or Online) |
|
April 6, 2026 |
Offer to Interview Selected Candidates sent via Allen email |
|
April 13-17, 2026 |
Selected Candidate Interviews |
|
April 24, 2026 |
RA Selection Letters sent via Allen email |
|
May 13, 2026 |
Letter of Acceptance due by 5:00 pm to the Office of Student Life (Student Center) |
The application will close on March 13, 2026 at 5:00 pm. Please print or type the entire application and complete all requested information. Return applications to the Office of Student Life or mail to RA Selection c/o Office of Student Life, 1801 N. Cottonwood St., Iola, Kansas 66749. If you have any questions regarding the timeline or application process, please contact the Director of Student Life at housing@allencc.edu or 620-901-6271.
Terms of Employment
- A cumulative GPA of 2.50 is required at the time of application submission and must be maintained throughout employment as a Resident Assistant.
- Resident Assistants must maintain enrollment between 12 and 18 credit hours for the semesters that they are employed.
- The Resident Assistant position is expected to be the top priority outside of the classroom. Participation in other activities is encouraged, but the supervisor must approve them. Part-time employment, both on- and off-campus, but be approved by the Office of Student Life through written request. The written request must include an action plan to demonstrate how the RA will successfully balance the demands of the position with the student’s academics and requested employment.
- Resident Assistant candidates may not be on disciplinary probation at the time of application or during employment. An expectation by the College for higher standards of behavior commences at the time a Resident Assistant position is offered and accepted.
- Resident Assistants must be willing to work where assigned. The student’s preference will be taken into consideration whenever possible, however, assignments are based on need and presumed fit within the community based on the RAs respective skill sets. Assignments are not negotiable; however, accommodations for staff members with needs will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Responsibilities
- Provide a positive living and learning environment while creating a safe, secure, and inclusive home away from home for the residents.
- Resident Assistants (RAs) must reside in the residence halls.
- RAs are responsible for fulfilling the expectations given to them through their supervisor, job description, and RA Manual.
- RAs are supervised by the Campus Operations and Advancement Coordinator and Director of Student Life, but are expected to cooperate with college officials on an as-needed basis.
- RAs must cooperate with the other RAs and be available for back-up support in emergency situations.
- RAs may be assigned other tasks, projects, or responsibilities at various times during the year by their immediate supervisor or other professional Student Life/Student Affairs staff members.
- RAs will participate in the on-duty schedule for the duration of their contract.
Position Details
Job Description
Job Title: Resident Assistant
Status: Part-time student paraprofessional position; live-in; academic year appointment (typically August – May)
Reports to: Director of Student Life
Time commitment: 15-20 hours per week, including duty coverage, programming, meetings, and training
Compensation: Housing benefit, monthly stipend, and other incentives
Duties & responsibilities:
- Role Modeling and Professionalism
- Model responsible behavior on- and off-campus, including adherence to all college policies and Resident Assistant employment expectations
- Demonstrate culturally responsive behavior and respect for all residents regardless of background or identity
- Maintain strong communication with supervisors and peers, and contribute positively to the Resident Assistant team environment
- Maintain good academic standing as defined by the college and serve as a visible, positive representative of Allen Community College
- Community Development
- Build a strong sense of floor/hall community by getting to know each resident by name and maintaining regular, positive contact
- Plan and implement education, social, and wellness programs that align with Student Life outcomes (e.g. academic success, life skills, wellbeing)
- Facilitate community standards at the start of each term and revisit them after key breaks or when issues arise
- Promote and support campus events by publicizing opportunities and encouraging resident attendance
- Student support & referral
- Serve as a peer mentor, offering basic support, active listening, and encouragement to residents
- Recognize signs of distress or concerning behavior and promptly refer residents to appropriate resources (CARE Team, counseling, tutoring, Title IX coordinator, etc.)
- Maintain appropriate boundaries and confidentiality while following college reporting requirements for safety, self-harm, harassment, and discrimination
- Help new students transition to campus, especially during move-in, the first six weeks, and midterm periods
- Policy enforcement & safety
- Know and uphold residence hall policies, the Student Code of Conduct, and College policies when appropriate
- Address policy violations in a timely, fair, and consistent manner; document incidents according to Student Life procedures
- Participate in an on-duty rotation, including evening and weekend rounds, responding to lockouts, noise complaints, and other routine concerns
- Assist in emergency response (fire alarms, severe weather, medical situations) by following established protocols and contacting professional staff and/or security as needed
- Promote a culture of safety and respect, including alcohol/drug policies and community standards
- Administrative tasks
- Attend and actively participate in weekly staff meetings and one-on-one supervision meetings
- Complete incident reports, program proposals, and program evaluations accurately and on time
- Assist with check-in and check-out processes, including room condition reports and opening/closing procedures at breaks
- Help with hall-wide initiatives such as surveys, bulletin boards, and health & safety inspections
Accordion
Incentives
Supplemental Materials
Supplemental Questions
Please submit a double spaced, type-written response to each of these questions. Responses are limited to 250 words each.
1. What is the purpose of a Resident Assistant?
2. What characteristics do you believe a successful Resident Assistant should have? How do you help address that challenge through the RA role?
3. What is a common challenge the Allen community or students face? How would you help address that challenge through the RA role?
4. How do you approach learning about those who are different than you?
5. Think about a topic that might be important to address with your residents. What kind of event would you plan to address the issue? Include the name and purpose of the event, marketing ideas, estimated cost/items needed, and goals for the program.
Resume
Please include a one-page resume outlining your previous employment and leadership experiences with your application.