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Do Our Residents Know We Are Thankful for Them?

Submitted by Jenn Thorpe, Director of Residence Life, Chestnut Hill College

We often get so wrapped up in what is wrong and who is doing the wrong that we sometimes forget that most of our residents are doing it right. It is because of them that we have this great opportunity to work in residence life.

How do you say thank you to your residents? Here are a few ideas:

  • Write a personal note on each resident’s door.
  • Print out a favorite saying, quote or poem and personally sign it.
  • Ask your supervisor to send letters home about how thankful you are to be the RA and all the great things that floor/areas did over the semester.
  • Have an end of semester gathering with everyone sharing what they were thankful for in their hall; write all them down and print up together as a “semester-at-a-glance thank you to give to all your residents.
  • Don’t wait until Staff Appreciation Day to say thanks to your fellow staff and your supervisor.

However you do it, be sure to say thanks to your residents for giving you the experience to be their residence life staff person.

Finally, take a moment to thank yourself for the courage to do something challenging, by putting yourself out there as a residence life staff member. My residence life heart thanks you for all you do.

About the Author

Jennifer Thorpe is currently the Director of Residence Life at Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia . She has been a residence life professional for 14 years, spending most of it living amongst college students. She recently finished serving as President of the Mid-Atlantic Association of College and University Housing Officers, which has been a highlight in her career. Jenn earned her Bachelor’s degree in History at Rosemont College and her Master’s Degree in Counseling/Student Personnel from Shippensburg University.

Jenn’s favorite part about being in residence life is the staff. Working with student and graduate staff has been her motivation and whom she has learned the most from. Jenn believes that these are some of the best years of your life. “You don’t always get to do them over again so enjoy your college years. More importantly, being an RA is one of the greatest experiences you can ever have, so take advantage of all there is to learn, accept the challenges and most of all, enjoy it.”

She enjoys being involved in other campus activities, such as campus ministry and also serves as the advisor to the drama club. Off campus, she enjoys her family and friends, quilts, plays co-ed softball and assists in the management of the Zachary G. Wallace Fund, in memory of her nephew.