- RAs and Their Impact on Campus Life
Resident assistants, or RAs, are an integral part of making residence halls feel like home for incoming students. Here at the University of Georgia, RAs are selected through a competitive process and serve as peer leaders, mentors, and community builders who play a vital role in supporting students’ academic success and well-being. These are among the university’s most engaged students.
Erin Mattson, an RA who will live in the university’s newest residence hall, Building 2266, exemplifies what it means to be an RA here at UGA.
Hailing from Roswell, Georgia, Erin began her first year at UGA in August 2023. Since then, she has become deeply involved on campus, serving in numerous leadership positions in her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta, and as a member of UGA Miracle, a student-run philanthropic organization that benefits Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Erin is also an active member of the UGA Child Life Organization and the Wesley Foundation.
Building 2266 exterior render Last summer, Erin began serving as an RA in Oglethorpe Residence Hall, which she describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of her time at UGA. She says the role has challenged her to grow as a leader, communicator, and mentor while allowing her to build genuine relationships with residents. Through her ability to create a welcoming community, support students through challenges, and help make campus feel like home, Erin Mattson excels in her role as an RA.
“Being an RA has shown me that the smallest acts of kindness and support can make a lasting impact,” Erin said. “It’s given me the opportunity to build meaningful connections, grow as a leader and help create a community where students feel welcomed, valued and at home.”
During the upcoming academic year, Erin will serve as an RA in UGA’s newest residence hall, Building 2266, where she will help welcome members of the Class of 2030. Along with other new constructions on campus, the comfortable, community-oriented environment of Building 2266 reflects the university’s commitment to student success. Erin and her fellow RAs exemplify that commitment by helping students build a sense of belonging from the moment they arrive on campus.
Writer/Contact: Katie Morgan, 706-542-3564, askstudentaffairs@uga.edu
