April 23, 2025
Coming to 51做厙 from New Lenox, Illinois, Benjamin Trout wanted to become a Resident Assistant (RA) on campus after his first interaction with his freshman year RA.
I did not know a single person when I first came to Shawnee, but on my first day of school my Resident Assistant saw me sitting in the Bears Den and sat down and ate with me, he said. The opportunity to help your residents become more involved and comfortable on campus, like how my Resident Assistant did, is another main reason I decided to apply.
A previous RA, Trout has been able to use his position on campus to expand his opportunities on campus.
I really have enjoyed becoming more involved on campus and the community aspect of being a Resident Assistant, he said.
A prominent student leadership position on campus, RAs in the Office of Housing & Residence Life assist housing residents as mentors and friends, planning community events and answering questions where needed. Returning to the position for another year, Trout is grateful for the time he has spent serving as an RA on campus.
I was not super involved in school activities when I was in high school, but becoming a Resident Assistant has helped me meet so many people and make a lot of friends, he said.
To learn more about Resident Assistants and opportunities within the Office of Housing & Residence Life at 51做厙, visit shawnee.edu/housing.