Student Development and Leadership in Housing

UP's residence halls provide students with a myriad of opportunities for personal growth and development, leadership, and even student employment. This is essential, especially after what many of lost during the pandemic. Below is a four-year residential student development plan for the typical UP undergraduate student.  

Our Four-Year Residential Student Development Plan

Year 1 (First-Year)

• Experience living away from home for the first time
• Build relationships with your roommate and new friends
• Live with others from different backgrounds, cultures, and stories
• Attend floor “family dinners" and other in-hall programs and events at night and on weekends

Year 2 (Sophomore)

• Get involved through Hall Council and consider taking on a leadership role
• Become a Wellness Ambassador or Community Assistant in your hall
• Help develop and plan your hall’s signature events
• Consider helping with your hall’s weekly Mass

Year 3 (Junior)

• Take on higher-level and paid leadership roles in your hall including Community Assistant (CA), Resident Assistant (RA), or Service & Justice Coordinator (SJC)
• Help mentor and support younger residents in your hall
• Take on expanded roles in assisting hall staff with meetings, programs, and events for the community

Year 4 (Senior)

• Continue enjoying life in our traditional halls or consider moving to an on-campus apartment or rental house with UP friends to gain new independence. 
• Take on higher-level and paid leadership roles in your hall including Community Assistant (CA), Resident Assistant (RA), or Service & Justice Coordinator (SJC)
• Help mentor and support younger residents in your hall
• Build a new hall signature event or tradition that will live on once you graduate

Residence Hall Jobs & Leadership Roles

Hall Council – Each of our halls has its own hall council that plans programming and events for the hall. You can become your hall's president or vice president!

Hall Ambassadors – Each residence hall has Academic Resource Ambassadors, Peer Wellness Ambassadors, Sustainability & Innovation Ambassadors, Faith & Formation Ambassadors, and Intercultural Engagement Ambassadors. These are students who help provide resources and connections for their peers in the hall. 

Community Assistants (CAs) – Students can be paid to work as CAs at the front desk within their very own residence hall. CAs help build community, greet fellow students as they are entering the hall, and assist their peers in accessing recreation equipment and other supplies. 

Service & Justice Coordinators (SJCs) – Each residence hall has SJCs who facilitate opportunities to engage fellow students in their residence hall on issues of social, environmental, and economic justice. SJCs receive grants toward their room and board.

Resident Assistants (RAs) – Third and fourth year students at UP can serve as RAs. Every residence hall floor and wing has an RA who supports and guides our resident students. RAs at UP receive grants to cover the full cost of their room and board.