Resident Assistant and Apartment Living Advisor Information

Resident Assistants (RAs) and Apartment Living Advisors (ALAs) are live-in, part-time, student staff members in residence halls and apartment residences who are chosen through a departmental selection process. RAs are selected based upon demonstrated and potential peer counseling, leadership and communication skills.

The mission of Residence Life at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is to empower residential students and staff to create safe, caring, and inclusive communities. We encourage and support students in their academic, social, and personal growth. We foster student’s personal awareness, appreciation of others, and development of skills to succeed in a diverse, global society. Finally, we provide opportunities for students to develop leadership skills and encourage students to demonstrate responsible and ethical behavior in their communities.

Developing positive, productive relationships across the whole department such as with your cluster staff members, maintainers, area office and RD and ARD will best secure your success in this position, if selected. Resident Assistants and Apartment Living Advisors play a pivotal role in Residence Life and are a vital link for many members of the campus community.