Assistant Residence Director
Our Assistant Residence Directors' Experiences at UMass Amherst

What do you like best about being an Assistant Residence Director at UMass, Amherst?

"My RA staff. They are an incredible group of students." -- Chase Catalano Fifth Year ARD at UMass Amherst Candidate for a Doctoral Degree in Social Justice Education Bachelors Degree, Dickinson College

"Being an ARD is both challenging and rewarding! I am able to mentor and be mentored, working with diverse students and professional staff members that bring energy, creativity, and a solid sense of social justice to their work. In particular, I enjoy working with and advising rising leaders in our dynamic first-year experience."
-- Brian Koslowski
Third Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for Masters degree in Higher Education Administration
Bachelors Degree, UMass Amherst

"As an ARD, I love the diversity of experiences I have gained in my position from being at such a large school such as programming/planning activities, supervising, advising, and doing judicials. Additionally, my colleagues are great to work with and have so much to offer." -- Dylan Larke Fourth Year ARD at UMass Amherst Candidate for a Masters Degree in Social Justice Education Program Bachelors Degree (in Anthropology and Social Thought and Political Economy), UMass Amherst

"I like the way I connect with students and the staff members. If it weren’t for this job, I wouldn’t have known about 80% of the activities and happenings in this University.
I like the skills that I get out of this job such as, training skills and leadership skills. I am always amazed at how much I use stuff that I learn out of this job when I go out. If not in this job I definitely will shine once I get out of this position! Of course it’s not that I don’t try to shine or make a difference in this job where I am now."
-- Tashi Zangmo
Fifth Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for Doctoral Degree in International Education
Masters Degree, Mount Holyoke College

"It’s been a wonderful family experience. Moving a family of five into a residential setting on a university campus isn’t for everyone, and our children’s safety and happiness are first and foremost on our priority list. But they love everything about it – living in our awesome apartment, riding the elevators, eating in the dining hall, cheering at sporting events and rubbing elbows with college students who treat them with respect and reward them with friendship. Moving to UMass is one of the best decisions we’ve ever made." -- Kevin Graber Second Year ARD at UMass Amherst Candidate for Masters degree in Education Bachelors Degree, The College of Saint Rose

"The ARD position at UMass is a great opportunity to meet an amazing staff and build on knowledge and skills to continue in the field of Student Affairs."
-- Daniel Hairfield
Second Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for Masters degree in Higher Education
Bachelors Degree, University of Maryland

"The best part of the ARD position is working with the RA staff. They have been critical in my connection to the University and student life in general. I am continually learning from them!"
-- Megan Taft
First Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for M.Ed. in Social Justice Education
BS in Kinesiology, The University of New Hampshire

"The aspect I like best is being able to facilitate a positive living environment inside the cluster and having the ability to develop substantive relationships with the RA staff and residents."
-- Michael Pescitelli
First Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for M.Ed. in Higher Education
BS in Mathematics/Education, University of Maryland

What is the best thing about living in Amherst and/or Western Massachusetts?

"There is a wealth of knowledge and information in this area and great resources from which to draw on given the proximity to a number of great schools."
-- Megan Taft
First Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for M.Ed. in Social Justice Education
BS in Kinesiology, The University of New Hampshire

"It is close to few small cities (Northampton, Springfield) and UMass Amherst is close to the Berkshire mountains (plenty of outdoor sports). I really like this area because of all the opportunities to stay active and the variety of places to visit within a 3 hour drive."
-- Michael Pescitelli
First Year ARD at UMass Amherst
Candidate for M.Ed. in Higher Education
BS in Mathematics/Education, University of Maryland