In the month of February, Robert has outdone even his own high expectations. Robert has completed more programs than any other RA on campus, in his first full semester as an RA. In February, he changed out his main bulletin board three times, each was educational and targeted to his residents’ needs. Every two weeks Robert puts up a new bulletin board to keep the content fresh and to keep his residents engaged. Additionally, he continues to update two smaller bulletin boards with more educational content. This month Robert’s programs have ranged from informally chatting with residents and making door tags in the hallway to attending cultural events and hosting educational programs in the building. Robert took the idea of working with Catawba Care Coalition from a suggestion of a resident into a multi-building program that filled the Richardson classroom on a Friday afternoon. Robert was the driving force behind the program and ensured its success by frequently checking in with the presenters the week of the program, personally inviting residents, and developing advertisement that would get attention. Robert has developed relationships that allow him to get 20 percent of his floor to programs on Friday night. What impressed me most about Robert’s programming in February was how timely and relevant it was to the residents. He had moved from developing his community and helping residents reconnect in January to engaging residents on issues.

Additionally, in February, Robert attempted to mediate a difficult roommate conflict and assisted in the ultimate relocation of the residents. Robert handled the situation with ease and never-ending patience as one resident continually pestered Robert with nonsense questions and outlandish requests. Robert never once lost his cool and again demonstrated is consistent excellence in managing the situation.

Robert also represented the University at the SCORE conference and came back from the conference more motivated and driven to serve the residents and the university. Robert works the hall office in two buildings, in addition to his RA hours at the hall office; at each he is the star performer and never misses a detail.

As the month ended, Robert made a comment that he was finally done with the basics of helping his residents connect and he was excited to finally get on to “real programs.” To Robert all of the good that he has done; the community that he developed, was simply an opening act. I believe this insight into the inner workings of Robert’s mind truly shows his commitment, not simply to the position or title, but to the individual residents on his floor, to their development, and to the transformational power that Robert applies on a daily basis in every aspect of his job. If Robert doesn’t believe that he deserves this recognition it may only be because of his constant focus on the future and his belief that he can do better. As his supervisor, I have seen the difference Robert has made on his residents. Robert truly has taken the RA role as an opportunity to serve his fellow students.

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