Bulletin Board Winners: January 2014

East Campus

It's a two way tie!

Winner: Giorgi Kalandadze, Sheehan

Bulletin Board: 2013 in Pictures

Winner: Stephanie Misdary, Sheehan

Bulletin Board: Are You Living the Dream?

Main Campus

It's a two way tie!

Winner: Ashby Mammen, Moriarty

Bulletin Board: Find the Secret Image

Winner: Steven Gulotta, Simpson

Bulletin Board: Find Your Favorite Color

South Campus

Winner: Kris Reclusado, St. Monica

Bulletin Board: 2014 Presents a Year of Dreams

West Campus

Winner: Lauren Raguette, Gallen

Bulletin Board: Goal Setting

How To... Make a Winning Bulletin Board!

by Nata Flinn, Katharine Head RA

Whether you’re a 6-year RA veteran or this is your first year on the job, chances are that you've experienced that late-night bulletin board struggle at least once. Res Life is closed for the night, the printer in your campus office is out of paper, and you know your Staff Supervisor is coming around first thing in the morning. Aughhh! So you staple a few papers to the board, sprinkle on some glitter, and call it a night, promising yourself that you’ll be better next month. 

So what can you do to make your bulletin boards better? While we might not all have the capabilities of Res Life’s very own craft goddess Michele, here are a few tips on how to make your bulletin boards rock!

Bulletin boards are the perfect time to tap into your inner gold (even if you have to reach deep down in there), so get planning! First things first, you have to think of the board’s content. There are great resources that you can tap into on the internet. I’m a personal fan of Pinterest myself. But oftentimes the best sources of inspiration are all around you - your residents! Talk to them and see what they’d like to see up on the board. Residents typically like bulletin boards best when they are interactive, relevant, and aesthetically pleasing. 

Maybe they've taken up a recent interest in astrology, so why not post the monthly horoscope predictions for each sign and write the names of your residents under their sign? March Madness is quickly approaching, so how about starting up a Bulletin Board bracket? You can make it a CB and Bulletin Board all in one!

Once you've figured out what you want to do, it’s time to figure out how to do it! If you’re stuck this is a great time to tap into some of your resources, cough cough Michele. Crafty staff members and returners can also give you some great ideas on how to start visualizing your board. When you've got it all figured out in your head, take pen to paper and start drawing out a rough sketch of your board. Making sure it keeps in line with the bulletin board guidelines, hand in your bulletin board proposal to your Staff Supervisor. Once you've got the green light, take a look at these tips to bring your board to life!

• Make your bulletin board title quick and easy to read! Same goes for all of your written text. Residents will be more likely to read your bulletin board if it’s got short blurbs of text, not a doctorate dissertation. 
• Make sure your bulletin board seems “balanced.” Try to take up as much space on the board as possible, without the board seeming too squished or having huge gaps of space.
• Be creative with your use of colors, or stick within a “color theme!”
• When possible, try to make your bulletin board interactive or informative! If you’re on West, have residents submit their favorite recipes and put them up on the board. You could also have residents bring you something that is representative of them (a memento, a photo from home, etc.) that they'd be willing to share and post it up on the board to create a “Diversity Wall.” The possibilities are endless when you give yourself enough time to plan!

February bulletin boards are coming up… Go get 'em, tigers! Look at the VillanovaRA Pinterest account and these great ones below to get your minds jogging!

• http://www.pinterest.com/theraguide/bulletin-boards/
• http://www.pinterest.com/rachellynn17/ra-bulletin-boards/
• http://www.pinterest.com/callierimpfel/ra-bulletin-boards-and-program-ideas/

Current RAs Tell You Why to Apply!

See what some current RAs have to say about
why they applied & what they love about the job!

Name: Moe Shaltout
Building: Austin / Stanford
Class Year: Junior
Major: Computer Science

What is your favorite part of being an RA?
"My favorite part of being an RA is establishing a close relationship with my residents and staff. I have been able to meet a wide collection of amazing undergraduate and graduate students that I wouldn't have met if I wasn't an RA."

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?
"Being an RA has helped me build more effective communication and organizational skills."

What is the best lesson you have learned from being an RA?
"The best lesson that I have learned from being an RA is the importance of assuming responsibility. If I see something going on that shouldn't be, even if it's not taking place on my own floor, I feel obligated to address the issue."


Name: Dylan Toolajian
Building: Stanford
Class Year: Sophomore
Major: Nursing

What is your favorite part of being an RA?
"My favorite part about being an RA is getting so close to my staff. Having a supportive circle of friends on campus who share some of my responsibilities has been really wonderful - we share and laugh a lot, even when we all get stressed out."

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an RA?
"The most challenging part of being an RA, for me, is assertiveness. The job sometimes requires you to initiate uncomfortable situations and scenarios, and then resolve them, such as when you are documenting a resident. Thankfully, you need this kind of assertiveness in the real world, and the RA job is the best way to practice."

What is the best lesson you have learned from being an RA?
"The best lesson I have learned from the job is that I am very capable outside of my comfort zone. I thought I would be strangled by my nervousness, but I've become a more confident and able person all around by confronting it."


Name: Marissa Bonanno

Building: Klekotka
Class Year: Junior
Major: Chemical Engineer

Why did you apply to be an RA?
"I had really great RAs freshman and sophomore year that inspired me to apply. They did an amazing job making me feel welcome and comfortable in my hall, so I wanted to do the same for others."

What is your favorite part of being an RA?
"My favorite part of being an RA is the reward of knowing that I have improved the lives of others."

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an RA?
"The most challenging part of being an RA is finding the appropriate balance between being a friend and being an authority figure. Since I am a junior living with other juniors that I know from my classes, it can sometimes be uncomfortable to enforce policy."

Name: Bridget Kiley
Building: Stanford
Class Year: Graduate Student
Program: Counseling, Concentration in Secondary Education

Why did you apply to be an RA?
"I went to Villanova for undergrad and I saw the impact an RA could make on residents. I wanted to be a part of building community, getting to know and providing support for students, as well as developing my leadership skills through the role. Being an RA never fit with the other extracurricular obligations I had as an undergrad. I was lucky to be coming back for graduate school and offered the opportunity to be a RA!"

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an RA?
"At first, I felt like I wanted to fix everyone's problems and respond immediately to every situation. I have learned that just providing a listening ear or a calm presence is the most important. Knowing that not everything can be fixed through my powers continues to be a challenge, but having the support of my staff and more experience has helped me grow and take on the challenge confidently."


Name: Teddy Powers

Building: Stanford
Class Year: Senior
Major: Marketing

What is your favorite part of being an RA?
"I like working with the residents 1-on-1 and seeing them develop into the best and most successful people they can be."

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an RA?
"Drawing the line between authority figure and peer. It's a tough call sometimes as to what you need to be to gain the respect of your residents."

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?
"It's helped me be more balanced and disciplined."

Name: Elyssa Strickler

Building: Moriarty
Class Year: Senior
Major: Criminal Justice

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?

"Being an RA has given me confidence that I simply never had. After my first year of being an RA, I interviewed for an internship that, I honestly believe, I would have otherwise been too intimidated to even apply for. In that interview, all I talked about was being an RA and it worked! I even connected with an interviewer who had been an RA in college."

What is the best lesson you have learned from being an RA?

"That I can do anything I put my mind to; I no longer back down from something simply because it may be challenging."


Name: Kate Florio

Building: Delurey
Class Year: Senior
Major: Biology

Why did you apply to be an RA?
"I applied to be an RA because I was interested in making a bigger difference on campus. I wanted to be a leader, but also be a friend to residents and help them/answer their questions. It is tough to be a sophomore sometimes, and I wanted to be a resource for those that might be struggling."

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?
"During job interviews, I never have to hesitate when someone asks me about a challenge I have faced in the past or a time when I worked well with a team. Being an RA is great preparation for job and graduate school interviews!"

Name: Shondaray Ducheine

Building: St. Mary's
Class Year: Junior
Major: Classical Studies, Education

What is your favorite part of being an RA?
"Connecting with my residents because I love having the opportunity to meet new people and discover amazing things in them."

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?
"It has allowed me to be more of a leader on campus in other organizations. It also helps me in the classroom with presentations and group work."

What is the best lesson you have learned from being an RA?
"Be open to improvisation! Not everything goes according to plan. And, if chaos develops, do not panic! Create something wonderful with the chaos and grow from it."


Name: Victoria Carbone

Building: Sullivan
Class Year: Senior
Major: Communication, specialization in Public Relations

Why did you apply to be an RA?

"To be able to live on campus and to get to know more people at Villanova."

What do you think is the most challenging part of being an RA?

"Getting to know all of my residents' names because I have so many of them."

How has being an RA helped you in other areas of your life?

"It has helped me with my time management skills and has helped me simultaneously complete multiple tasks."

Learn even more about being an RA at the RA Info Session

on Tuesday January 21st at 7:30pm in Driscoll 132!

The application is available on Novasis and due January 27th!

Bulletin Board Winners: December 2013

East Campus

Winner: Alyssa Suhm, Sullivan

Bulletin Board: Homemade for the Holidays

Main Campus

Winner: Ray Ducheine, St. Mary's

Bulletin Board: Twelve Days of Christmas in St. Mary's

Ray's residents acted out lines from the song, including 9 ladies dancing.

South Campus

Winner: Erin Digan, St. Monica

Bulletin Board: The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer

Honorable Mention: Meg Dunne, Stanford

Bulletin Board: 5C Advent Calendar

West Campus

Winner: Andrew Chavez, Moulden

Bulletin Board: Fun Winter Facts (It was plugged in!)

CB Spotlight: Week of 12/9/2013

Freshman-Sophomore Dinner Buddies

Hosted by: Marissa D'Ambrosio, Austin & Sneha Kallukaran, Stanford
CB Category: Unitas / Veritas
Objective: Have the Freshmen from Stanford and Sophomores from Austin mingle over a meal in the SPIT

Sneha shared the following about how she and Marissa planned the CB:

We wanted a way for Freshman and Sophomores to be able to engage in a relaxed setting. We thought it would be neat if the sophomores could share things that they have learned about their time at Villanova with the underclassmen. Marissa and I created a sheet of ice breaker like questions that could get conversation started - (i.e. What was your favorite class at Villanova? Have you engaged in study abroad through the school?) We found a clear spot in the Spit and set up the table speed dating style. Freshmen could sit on one side, and sophomores on the other so they could ask each other questions. We planned on rotating the seats every few minutes so that way everyone could get an introduction. It was a fun and relaxed evening!

Being a Head RA: The Challenges & Rewards

by Katherine Florio, Delurey Head RA

After spending two solid years living “quad life,” I was stunned finding out that I was chosen to be a Head Resident Assistant in a smaller, more intimate building. I didn’t know too much about Delurey Hall, except that it was in a small cluster of buildings on the Southwest Corner of campus near Campus Corner, which I can say, without shame, has been a major landmark of my last 3 and a half years on campus.  I was nervous and excited about what was in store for me, and really had no idea that this job would be one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had as an undergrad.

I wasn’t at all thinking about applying to be a Head RA until my Area Coordinator suggested it to me during a one-on-one meeting. He told me that it would be a great way to expand and strengthen my leadership skills and build upon my already growing passion for residents, especially sophomores. I really loved my job as an RA, but I knew deep down that I had the potential to give a lot more to residence life and to residents. After a little bit more prodding from my Area Coordinator, I decided to apply.

After my interview, I was lucky enough to be afforded the opportunity to become a Head RA. Upon reading the letter, my mind was spinning and I raced down the page to see what residence hall I was going to supervise. Delurey Hall. All I thought to myself was, “Okay, I’ve spent the last year with sophomore residents in a large building, and now they are going to put me in a smaller freshman building? This is bananas (I actually said that)!” Unbeknownst to me at the time, Delurey was about to go through a transformation to an all-sophomore residence hall, and I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of it. I have always been a person that loves to be challenged, and my decision to accept the position rested mostly on the knowledge of this transition. I knew that with this change, there was going to be a lot of challenges- dealing with residents who already lived on the Southwest Corner and had expectations and predispositions from the year prior, empathizing with those residents who wanted to experience “quad life,” and creating a totally new dynamic in a building that has housed freshman students for so many years.

While not all Head RAs experience residence hall transitions like I have, all of them are being challenged in different ways. Having these challenges and being able to work through them either on your own or with your staff is an incredibly rewarding experience and an awesome opportunity to learn how to be an effective leader. I am able to supervise two fantastic RAs and have the privilege of interacting with not only 20 of my own residents, but 50 others throughout the building, most of them calling me “mom” which really just makes me chuckle about 100% of the time. I know most of the residents who grace our lovely halls, and have even heard some residents talking about how much they love our building (major score, Delurey FTW).

Being a Head RA means you not only have support from your Area Coordinator and other members of the Residence Life staff, but you are able to give more support to your own staff and watch them grow into their own kind of leaders. It sounds awesome- and it is- so before you brush off the HRA position and say “this is bananas!” think about this opportunity and how you can further expand your involvement in residence life and campus as a whole.

CB Spotlight: Week of 11/18/2013

St. Mary's Carnival

Hosted by: St. Mary's RA Staff
CB Category: Unitas
Objective: Throw a carnival for residents with different games, a raffle, and snacks from local businesses

Ray Ducheine, St. Mary's RA who participated in planning the carnival, shared the following about making this huge event a success:

The St. Mary's Carnival was organized by each staff member having a category of tasks and reaching out to our resources on and off campus to accomplish them. Residence Life, Student Development, and Greek Life were able to lend us games and raffle tickets. Athletics was able to give us a time slot in the gym. Food was donated by Shake Shack and Meltdown. Our crafting queen Michelle provided us with decoration ideas for the gym. We made catchy advertisements in the building and used social media to help spread the word! The main event of the carnival was 'Pie Your RA'. In order to do this, participants had to have five raffle tickets. The raffle tickets were obtained by participating at the carnival booths. They were Connect Four, Fish Bowl, Spin the Wheel, Ring Toss, Can Slam, Guess the Amount, Corn Hole, and Basketball Knockout. The raffle tickets could also be used for winning Chipotle gift cards and Villanova t-shirts.

St. Mary's RA Pratika at her Candy Count table

Alissa, Michele, and Stanford RA Tiffany visiting the carnival

St. Mary's RA Ray holding down the Fish Bowl table

St. Mary's Head RA Steve taking a pie to the face to make residents smile