RESIDENT ASSISTANT PROFILE

RA Name: Arsheel Khan

Location: Wagner College

Gender:  Male

How long have you been an RA?   1 year

Statement:

After having completed my first semester at Stony Brook, I felt that I needed to get involved and become a vital part of this diverse community.  Having lived on campus for three years and a perfect (British term for RA), I understood very well what the importance of campus living meant.  Thus, I strongly believed that becoming an RA, would not only provide me with an opportunity to become involved, but it would also allow for me to (directly and indirectly) positively influence the campus living experience of residents.  Moreover, it would give me a sense of self-satisfaction, and allow for me to better myself both collectively as a person and as a leader.

One of the primary things that I have learned from this position is the necessary development of dynamic communication skills while responding to the various needs and issues of my residents.  I feel that as an RA, facing the different challenges and issues, has made me a better problem solver and mediator.  Having been an RA for a year now, I feel this experience has certainly prepared me for the real-world through various challenges.  Also, working with a staff of individuals whom I didn't know prior to becoming an RA has made me a better group worker and drastically improved my communication skills, as well as increased my ability to adapt to different environments.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT PROFILE

RA Name: Ana Liao

Location: Whitman College

Gender:  Female

How long have you been an RA?   2 years

Statement:

My name is Ana Liao. I am a second year RA in Whitman College.  These past two years have passed by like a dream.  You do not have to be a social butterfly nor a valedictorian to become an RA.  I entered Stony Brook as a lost and confused freshmen, like all others, and somehow I ended up being one of the campuses' student leaders.  It may sound corny, but this experience has really taught me a lot.

One of the best things I learned while being a RA was time management.  I am a Biomedical Engineering and Applied Mathematics and Statistics double major, in addition to being a China Studies minor.   Furthermore, I am Vice-President of the WISE Student Leadership Council.  On top of all this, I am a RA.  Therefore, time management is critical to maintaining my sanity.  To be honest, I am no genius and I am just the average person, but I am able to do all these things, not because of superpowers, but because of careful planning and organizing.

Never be afraid to try things.  Be friendly, be forward and never think that you can not do it.  If those residents will not go to your hall meetings, do not be discouraged because eventually you will still get to know them.

Be genuine and do not fake anything, because these people will be your neighbors for a year and they will see through your act.  Your residents will learn to appreciate you for whom you are and trust you more, if you are true to yourself.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT PROFILE

RA Name: Daria Paul

Location: Ammann College

Gender:  Female

How long have you been an RA?   1 year

Statement:

I was inspired to become a Resident Assistant by my sophomore year RA who was able to create a warm and homelike atmosphere on the floor. I became a Resident Assistant because I saw the difference that one RA can make in the residence halls just by programming and getting to know the residents in their building and floor. Since becoming an RA I've had a chance to see first hand what a vital and important role that we play as RA's as mediators, advisors, and as an intermediate source of information between the administrative side of campus and the student body.

Through my experience as an RA I have learned how to handle difficult and confrontational situations, plan and organize programs and build community in the residence halls. As a Resident Assistant I have learned to work with residents in the campus community and to create an environment that fulfills the needs of a diverse group of individuals. I think that being a Resident Assistant will help me in the future working as a counselor and as an educator because I'll be able to utilize my skills in conflict management and dealing with confrontation and stressful situations.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT PROFILE

RA Name: Ahmed W. Belazi

Location: Benedict College

Gender:  Male

How long have you been an RA?   3 years

Statement:

I joined the Stony Brook University family in September of 2001. I entered at a declared Computer Science major. It was due to the influence and perceivable impact that my RA (John Liu) and RHD (Jeff Barnett) had on my and my fellow residents that I gained an appreciation for what the RA job entailed. In the Fall of 2002 I became a RA at Benedict College and continued in that position for the duration of my academic career.

In the Fall of 2003 I also joined the Stony Brook Volunteer Ambulance Corps. Currently, I serve as the President of SBVAC as well as volunteering in various other initiatives on campus in the area of student affairs and activities. I will be graduating at the end of this year with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and minor in Adaptive Aquatic Therapy. I am pursuing a Master of Public Health degree and will ultimately go on to pursue a Medical Doctorate degree. It is my intention to one day work in the field of Emergency Medicine as well as Epidemiological research.

RESIDENT ASSISTANT PROFILE

RA Name: Dee Levy

Location: West Apartments

Gender:  Female

How long have you been an RA?   3 years

Statement:

I became an RA after working for my first RHD as her OA. She urged me to consider the position after my involvement in LEG as a quad representative, secretary, and recycling representative. It was by far one of the best decisions I made in my academic career. I not only got even more involved on campus in organizations like SAFE and the Women's Center, but found out about valuable resources like the Academic Advising Center, where I am now a pre-professional graduate assistant, and the Career center, through which I got involved in the Americorps grant program. I have also had the opportunity to implement and organize programs like the West Day Ever, and a lobbying trip to DC. In my time as an RA I have gained wonderful communication skills, leadership experience, networking connections, and an overall unique and life changing educational and social experience. It is truly a position in which one determines how much they want and can get out of it. I aimed high and proud to say I am on my way to achieving my goals.