Make an Impact, Be a Resident Advisor
Residence Life Team at University Housing Services
We follow University Housing Services Mission Statement which is as follows: In collaboration with our residents and staff, we seek to provide a learning-centered environment that enhances a safe and welcoming community, opportunities for growth, leadership, and student success, and appreciation and empowerment for all backgrounds, beliefs, and cultures.
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Lead, Empower, Inspire
Be a Resident Advisor
Be a leader while empowering and inspiring other students. Being a Resident Advisor is more than just getting to know residents, it's about providing support, guidance, and mentorship while helping our resident navigate college.
RA Position Overview
The primary responsibility of the Resident Advisor for the academic year is to provide safety and security while building community in each of the residential halls and suites. Community building is accomplished through programs, socials, and enforcing community standards established by University Housing Services and by the residents of a building.
Resident Advisor General Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of the Resident Advisor for the academic year is to build community by providing safety and security while in each of the residential halls and suites. Community building is accomplished by connecting with residents and enforcing community standards established by University Housing Services and by the residents of a building.Community Development
- Establish rapport with all community residents using a justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging lens.
- Build relationships with assigned students via individual and small group interactions
- Implement the Residential Curriculum in the assigned community
- Facilitate creation of Community Standards & Roommate/Suitemate Agreements
- Mediate and manage conflict between members of the community
- Advise residents regarding academic & interpersonal concerns by referring residents to appropriate on/off campus resources as trained
Safety & Policy Monitoring
- Serve “On Call” throughout the semester, this includes weekdays, weekends, and holidays. Perform maintenance/security checks of assign residential area & report concerns as trained
- Typically 1 day per week and 2-4 weekends per semester
- Holidays include but are not limited to campus closure days, November, Winter, & Spring Breaks
- Provide emergency response and on-call support throughout the academic year
- Uphold and enforce University and UHS policies and procedures and document any violations
- Maintain privacy, when appropriate, in assisting with residents
- Maintain the facilities by placing work orders and performing appropriate follow-up
- Serve as a role model for standards of community living and academics
- Provide low-level mental health support and response for residents by reporting and referring to the appropriate campus resource
Administrative Responsibilities
- Attend and participate in weekly meetings (team meeting, one-on-one, committee meetings, etc.)
- Participate in move-in/out processes at the beginning & end of each semester
- Report regularly, informally and in writing to the Area Coordinator (AC) on community issues and concerns
- Perform maintenance and security checks of wing/hall/suites and report any problems
- Complete other administrative tasks as assigned
Staff Training and Departmental Initiatives (Attendance at all events is mandatory)
- Participate fully in all training sessions
- Actively participate and assist with Welcome Week activities in Fall 2026.
- Attend Spring Welcome (April 2026)
- Fall Student Leader Training (2 weeks in August 2026)
- Winter Student Leader Training (1 week in January 2027)
- In-Services (as assigned each semester)
- Have (at the time of application) and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3
- Must be in good judicial standing with University Housing Services and Cal Poly Pomona
- Must have completed at least one semester at Cal Poly Pomona by the end of Fall 2025
- Must be enrolled as a full-time student at Cal Poly Pomona for the 2026-2027 Academic year
The Resident Advisor appointment term is from August 2026 through May 2027. A 2-week training at the beginning of August 2026 is mandatory and required for all resident advisors to prepare for the academic year and resident move-in.
Resident Advisor receive in-kind support as follows for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.
- Single Room in a designated Single and Board plan
- 2026-2027 Academic Year Meal Plan
If you are selected as a Resident Advisor for the 2026-2027 academic year, your Financial Aid packet may be impacted.
If you have any questions, please visit the Financial Aid website for more resources to connect in-person or virtually.
Application Process
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Apply
Apply on MyBar starting November 4, 2025.
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Grade and Conduct Review
Must be in good judicial standing with Cal Poly Pomona and University Housing Services, and meet the 2.3 cumulative GPA requirement.
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Round 1: One-Way Video Interview
Candidates who pass grade and conduct review will be invited to Round 1: One-Way Video Interviews.
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Final Round: Group Interviews
Candidates who pass the Round 1: One-Way Video Interview will be invited to the Final Round: Group Interviews.
Learn more
Attend Interest Meetings
The Residence Life Team will be hosting multiple interest meetings for students to learn more about the Resident Advisor role, hear from current resident advisors, and for you to ask any questions you may have. Interest meetings are not required and you do not need to attend all five sessions.
Important Dates
Review the Application Timeline
Below is the Application Timeline for the 2026-2027 Resident Advisor position. Please review the dates carefully. If you have any questions, contact uhsls@cpp.edu.
| Application Timeline Overview | |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | November 4, 2025 |
| Application Closes | January 4, 2026 at 11:59pm |
| Conduct and Grade Review | January 6, 2026 |
| Round 1: One-Way Video Interview Offered | January 7, 2026 |
| Last Day to Submit Round 1: One-Way Video Interviews Due | January 20, 2026 |
| Final Round: Group Interviews Offered | January 26, 2026 |
| Last Day to Sign-Up for Group Interviews if Offered | February 2, 2026 |
| Final Round: Group Interviews | February 7, 2026 |
| Candidate Offers sent for Academic Year and Alternate | February 19, 2026 |
| Last Day to Accept or Deny the Academic Year and Alternate Offer | February 26, 2026 |
Contact Us
| Name | |
|---|---|
| University Housing Student Leader Selection Committee | uhsls@cpp.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
View our most Frequently Asked Questions. If you have other questions, please email uhsls@cpp.edu.
Applications for the 2026-2027 academic year will open November 4, 2025.
Applications close on Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 11:59pm.
You can apply on MyBar via the following link: Apply to be a 2026-2027 Resident Advisor
Due to operational needs our Resident Advisor position for summer 2026 is selected from our current Resident Advisors.
Once you submit an application, candidates must first pass the Grade and Conduct review. If candidates pass, they will receive a Round 1 invite. If candidates pass Round 1, they will be invited to the Final Round for Group Interviews.
To review the Application Process click here: Application Process.
No, the position requirements state you must be a full-time student for the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
No, all candidates will not receive an interview. Candidates must meet the position requirements (Position Overview) in order to be invited to Round 1: One-Way Video Interviews.
Yes, If you are selected as a Resident Advisor for the 2026-2027 academic year, your Financial Aid packet may be impacted. If you have any questions, please visit the Financial Aid website for more resources to connect in-person or virtually: Financial Aid: Connect with Us.
Candidates will receive an invitation to sign-up for the Round 1: One-Way Video Interview on Tuesday, January 6, 2026 and will have until Tuesday, January 20, 2026 to complete the interview.
Please note: Not all candidates will be offered a Final Round: Group Interview after Round 1.
The interview process starts with Round 1: One-Way Video Interviews for candidates who pass Grade and Conduct Review. From there, candidates who pass Round 1 will be invited to the Final Round: Group Interviews which will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026.
To learn about the Application/Interview process click here: Application Process.
No, the deadline for candidates who are invited to Round 1: One-Way Video Interviews must submit their video by Tuesday, January 20, 2026. If you did not submit your video by this deadline, we encourage you to apply again next academic year.
No, the deadline to sign-up for candidates who were invited to the Final Round: Group Interviews is Monday, February 2, 2026. If you did not sign-up by this deadline, we encourage you to apply again next academic year.
Yes. Candidates will be notified each step of the process which includes whether you will be invited to Round 1: One-Way Video Interview and again if you will be invited to the Final Round: Group Interviews.
Final notification of application status, i.e. whether you were offered a position or not after the Final Round: Group Interviews, will be provided to all applicants that were invited to the final round on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
To be considered in good judicial standing you cannot be on University Housing Services disciplinary probation or Cal Poly Pomona disciplinary probation.
Student Leaders with University Housing Services (UHS) have diverse experiences, perspectives, and beliefs and thus it is hard to identify specific traits of a successful candidate. However, UHS traditionally seeks applicants with the following skills
- An understanding of how to interact with and support individuals of multiple identities
- Ability to effectively manage the time commitments of being a student and a student leader
- A drive and commitment to support fellow students and create a positive experience
- Ability to think critically and address concerns, violations of policy, and respond to emergencies