Georges Richa, RA Extraordinaire

I had the great pleasure of interviewing New Student Orientation’s very own Georges Richa for my final blog post assignment. Georges, as we all know, is a natural leader, and role model that decided to take his skills to the residence halls of Rutgers University. He currently is the Resident Assistant at Tinsley Hall on College Avenue Campus, residing on the 3^rd floor. In Tinsley the first floor consists of special interest housing, and it is known as the quiet floor. The second floor is all girls housing, while the third and fourth floors are co-ed, traditional first year housing. The building, according to Georges and those I have known that live there say it is a close-nit community that the RAs have done a good job at creating.

            We had the lovely dialogue about the process of becoming an RA and certain experiences and benefits that he has gained from the position. Our conversation went a little like this:

What made you want to become an RA?

       In high school Georges was involved in “Lead For Diversity,” an organization sponsored by American Conference on Diversity. He served as a counselor for students from different socio-economic backgrounds and identities to help them understand topics extending from gender, race, sexual orientation, and ability status. When Georges came to Rutgers University, he wanted to have similar experience here, so he applied to be an RA to have the same impact on other students that are new to Rutgers.

Was there a specific place you wanted to work?

       Georges always wanted to work on college ave because he grew up a block from college ave his entire life, and knew the campus the best. His favorite part of being on this campus is the boundary, or lack-there-of, between college ave and the city of New Brunswick. He values the fact that the two are intertwined. Georges loves the city’s fun, free atmosphere. As an RA he hopes to bring the knowledge of the city to his residents. He feels he can help them the most on college ave and make their experience the best.

How do you think the programs offered

 for first-year students living in residence halls help?

        Because the process of programs are so planned out, Georges states, you know they are effective for students- being that there is so much time and energy in their creation. According to Georges, social interaction is key in such programs. This way the students become familiar with the people they’re living with, emotionally and physically. Soon after these introductory programs, as the year progresses, there should be programs relating the students to the campus environment, Georges states. In these programs discussing possible involvement opportunities, relating them to different campuses and then showing opportunities on those campuses is the key to success. Then, as the students feel more comfortable, it’s important to broaden their horizons with the culture, as Georges states. Making programs related to diversity, challenging their pre-exposed mentality, and showing them the different cultures of Rutgers to make a brand new, great experience is the main idea. Finally, Georges explains to me the importance of making his residents acquainted them with the academic system. This includes programs that should be catered to teach students about credit requirements, classes, and how to schedule.

What have been the most important needs

 of the students in your building?

      Georges explains that as an RA one must be prepared for many questions at random times. These mainly including academic questions because the college level academics are vastly different than high school level classes. Becoming acclimated to these classes as well as routes to other buildings are important questions that arise most frequently.

Has anyone made an impact on you?/ 

How have you made an impact on a student?

      Georges describes a story of a girl on his floor that lives right next him. Her brother died of a drug overdose at in the beginning of the year.  This situation was particular dramatic and devastating because her brother was a Rutgers student and a New Brunswick, so she was then notified by the police. Georges will always remember this particular situation because of the way she handled herself throughout the process; with such maturity. She was so inspiring and so strong. The experience showed him how mature people can really be in devastating situations. Georges wants to harness this strength in problems like such, being so close to his family.

Of his own impacts… 

                               Georges describes the experience of bringing his boyfriend over to his residence hall for the first time. He said there were a lot of the students on his floor/in the building that have never seen a non-straight relationship non-normative relationship firsthand. As his residents started to ask question and Georges became more open with them, they opened their minds to something different. They felt more comfortable with him as a person and their RA. The main thing that Georges feels accomplished in was allowing his residents to be acquainted with new culture that exists, and makes up the entirety of Rutgers University.

 

Review... 

My best friend is an RA at another school, but that's pretty much the sum of how much I know about being an RA. Georges really helped me understand what an RA has to go through, and let me tell you, it's no picnic. Its tough work on top of academics, extra-circulars, and a social life! But at the end of the day, I can tell from my firsthand interview with Georges, that their job is perhaps the most rewarding (besides being an Orientation Leader, of course) job that one can have working with first-year students at Rutgers University!