Residential Leadership
A variety of leadership opportunities are available to you when you live in the residence halls, including serving as a Resident Assistant, working at the front desk as a Desk Assistant or being a member of the Residence Hall Arts Council.
Resident Assistants
Your Resident Assistant (RA) is an integral part of Cornish College of the Arts’ Housing and Residence Life staff.
RAs are second, third or fourth year students who work part-time and are live-in paraprofessional staff members. They help create a healthy, safe and thriving community where students are able to gain life experience, are intrinsically involved in Cornish activities, and develop their interpersonal, academic and leadership potential. The RA’s primary responsibility is to cultivate relationships among residents and to help build a community that is culturally rich, socially robust, inclusive and respectful of diversity.
The residence halls at Cornish have a total of 11 RAs, six at 7th Avenue and five at 8th Avenue. The RAs undergo extensive training before you move in. They support you by being available in the evenings through on-call shifts, planning activities and programs throughout the school year, navigating and facilitating tough conversations such as roommate conflicts, and by being a positive presence, resource and mentor.
Interested in being an RA? The selection process begins in the beginning of December for the following academic year. Check back during December for more information.
Meet the RAs.
Desk Assistants
Desk Assistants (DAs) also play an important role on the Housing and Residence Life team, serving as one of the initial points of contact for the residence hall and Cornish communities. They staff the front desks of both halls, assisting in the administration, service, and security of the residence halls. DAs help you with various needs and questions, planning front desk programs for residents, providing information and working to strengthen the sense of community within your residence.
Residence Hall Arts Council
The Residence Hall Art Council (RHAC) is a group of residents that aims to improve the quality of life in the residence halls and make a positive impact on the college. RHAC serves the resident student body by organizing events that strengthen our learning community. RHAC also works to improve the halls and meet the needs of residents and members. RHAC is open to all students living in the residence halls and welcomes dedicated, enthusiastic new recruits. For more information email rhac@arts.cornish.edu. Meetings are Fridays at 12:15 pm in MCC 309.
