Jinitzail Hernandez, sophomore in LAS, is applying to be an resident advisor for the first time. She is drawn to the benefits of the leadership experience.

“RAs, from what I have seen so far, have a genuine interest in helping people, and I think that the mindset you have to go into being an RA with,” Hernandez said.

Students looking to serve as a role model and peer adviser now have the opportunity to apply for University Housing’s resident advisor and multicultural advocate positions for the 2008-2009 academic year.

The multicultural position was implemented during the 2002-2003 academic year to advance awareness of multiculturalism and social issues in the residence halls.

Multicultural advocates are trained to be highly skilled to help resident advisors and residents explore students’ differences instead of making them a barrier and address racism and discrimination, said Andi Cailles, assistant director of housing for residential life.

“I think that certainly our RAs and MAs work on very similar goals,” she said. “They work for environments in our residence halls that are safe and welcoming, and the word we use for that is ‘inclusive.'”

Cailles explained resident advisors are responsible for fostering a positive environment in the residence halls, creating a sense of belonging and serving as a resource to students.

Resident advisors and multicultural advocates earn the value of a single room, assuming there are no emergencies or overflow, and a meal plan Cailles said. In addition, first-year resident advisors and multicultural advocates receive a monthly stipend of $105, while experienced employees earn $125 a month from Sept. 16 to May 16.

“They are leaders among their peers,” Cailles said. “We do all kinds of development with staff, and typically we focus on social justice issues, but also how to build community and work on a team.”

Although Srikanth Yerra, junior in LAS, a first-year resident advisor in Oglesby Hall, said the position is time consuming, he enjoys helping to shape his freshmen residents’ perspective on college and making sure they get a great start.

“I think it’s a great leadership opportunity,” Yerra said. “I’m really able to trust my leadership skills and be assertive with the residents and make a difference for them in community building and be a resource for them.”

University Housing usually receives about 400 applications for about 100 to 120 positions, said Kirsten Ruby, assistant director of housing for marketing.

“We are very pleased, and it’s a highly competitive process,” Ruby said.

Completed applications, which include an application form, preference form, resume, two references and two required essays are due to 104 Clark Hall on Oct. 19 at 5 p.m. Applications are available on the University Housing Web site.

According to University Housing’s paraprofessional selection Web site, the three-phase application process ends with invitations to approximately 300 candidates for a formal interview.

Applicants are assessed on areas including their ideas regarding leadership, academic success and understanding of the job. Offers are announced Nov. 30.

Ruby explained that the selection process gives University Housing a chance to hire students from a broad variety of backgrounds.

“Each one brings their strengths to a hall, and that makes for a good community experience,” she said. “You don’t want everyone to be the same.”