This fall, University Housing is opening a new chapter in student life with the official start of the Residential Belonging Assistants (RBA) program, an initiative designed to help first year students find their place on campus.
As UGA’s student population grows and brings increasingly diverse experiences and backgrounds, the university commits to ensuring that every student feels seen, supported, and valued.
At the heart of the RBA program are 12 dedicated students who serve as the guides, the listeners, and the builders of the housing community. While traditional Resident Assistants (RAs) focus on individual connections and support within residence life, RBAs focus on helping students who might feel a bit lost or alone and connect them to useful resources.
“These RBA students are driven,” said Victoria Gathings, Coordinator for Residential Education and Belonging. “They are passionate about making meaningful connections, about being the person someone can turn to when they need to feel at home here.”
How do they create belonging? For the RBAs it’s in the little things, like facilitating conversation during a rock painting session so students can come together to decompress and chat or introducing new students to the broader campus community through attending a cultural night with International Student Life. They strive to create moments of connection and turn strangers into friends.
Behind these moments is a comprehensive training program that prepares the RBAs for the complex and nuanced work they do. Over two weeks, they delve into topics ranging from global student support to allyship and inclusive language. Each session adds a new layer to their understanding, making them not just assistants, but ambassadors of belonging.
The initiative has garnered strong support from university leadership. Vice President of Student Affairs Michelle Cook met with the RBAs, sharing her story and emphasizing the importance of the program.
“Her involvement underscores the university’s commitment to making this program a priority,” said Gathings. “It means a lot to both the RBAs and the broader university community to see such dedication from our leadership.”
As the RBA program embarks on its first semester, the excitement is palpable.
“It’s about fostering connections and ensuring that every resident on campus feels at home,” said Aman Bhavsar, a second year Management Information System major. “I want everyone to feel valued, heard, and make our community a welcoming place for all.”
“I can’t wait to see the difference they make,” Gathings says with a smile. “These twelve students are special, and I know they’re going to do great things.”
For more information about the Residential Belonging Assistance program and the events planned for this semester, please contact Victoria Gathings at vsg68225@uga.edu or visit University Housing Department Website.
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