SEAHO Report - Fall 2024 - 39

UGA Housing Launches
New Initiative to Foster
Belonging and Inclusivity
By Carrie Campbell, University of Georgia
This fall, University of Georgia University Housing is opening a new chapter in student life with the official start
of the Residential Belonging Assistants (RBA) program, 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 every student feels seen, supported, and valued.
At the heart of the RBA program are 12 dedicated students who serve as the guides, listeners, and builders
of the housing community. While traditional Resident Assistants (RAs) focus on individual connections and
support within residence life, RBAs help students who might feel 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 and 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 their complex and
nuanced work. 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 program's importance.
" Her involvement underscores the university's commitment to making this program a priority, " said Gathings. " It
means a lot to the RBAs and the broader university community to see such dedication from our leadership. "
The excitement is palpable as the RBA program embarks on its first semester.
" 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 and 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; I
know they will 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 UGA's University Housing website.
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https://housing.uga.edu/about-us/employment/wfh-story-rba/

SEAHO Report - Fall 2024

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