Work in Residence Life

Hey y’all, I’m Rieme and I’m the resident advisor for Nechako 3rd floor! 

Coming a long way from home and adjusting to life here wasn’t easy, but my experience truly transformed with the support of my first-year Resident Advisor. They encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, build connections, and find joy in exploring new interests, and I quickly realized the impact a caring and trustworthy RA can have on someone’s journey. It inspired me to become an RA myself, hoping to be that same support for others. As an RA, I’ve learned the incredible value of trust and reliability. Being a resource and a listening ear for residents is something I take to heart, especially knowing that I can help answer their questions or connect them to the resources they need. The most exciting part of my role is building these connections with residents. I strive to create a safe, welcoming, and fun environment, and I’m passionate about helping each resident feel a true sense of belonging here.

Rieme Omigie 

RA, Nechako 

3rd year Bsc, Nursing 

Home town: Lagos, Nigeria. 

When I first came to UBCO I felt very alone. I was the only one from my community where I grew up that decided to go to UBCO, so I truly knew no one. As a result, I was fairly inactive in my floor’s community throughout my first year. When I saw that residence life was starting their hiring process for next year’s RA’s, I decided to apply because I wanted to be their to facilitate connections for people like myself who have a hard time making friends from scratch. 

I think because of my motives for becoming an RA, my favorite part of the job is going around and knocking on their doors to start conversations. Talking to my residents and listening to all their exciting stories not only makes my day ten times better, but I like to think that by knocking on their doors and asking how they’ve been, I’m creating the community that I would have loved to be a part of in my first year. Each resident has so much they bring to the floor in terms of personality and experiences and getting to learn about them just constantly reminds me as to why I applied for the Residence Advisor role.

Ultimately if you’re thinking about applying for the Residence Advisor position, I’d say it’s an opportunity worth pursuing. You’ll have the opportunity to make some incredible friendships, learn incredibly valuable soft skills applicable to your future career, and most importantly, you’ll have the opportunity to create you very own welcoming community for future UBC-Okanagan students.

Cain Tipton 
RA, Skeena 

Home Town: Comox Valley, B.C 

Third year Earth & Environmental science major. 

Hello, future RAs! My name is Kolbe, and I’m a Residence Advisor for Cascades Building J. 

I wanted to be a Residence Advisor because I have always wanted to help others, from disputes on the playground from elementary school to volunteering in peer-support spaces. Being an RA is a great way to continue my passion for peer support and offer a space of creativity in programs that support residents. After being unsuccessful in my first attempt, I put this position on the back burner. Later, I had a wonderful experience as a teaching assistant, which reignited my spark for peer support, so I applied to be an RA again. 

That said, I have learned that the other RAs and Residence Life Managers’ supportive network is more helpful than one thinks. As a new RA, I was very uneasy about being able to do my job effectively and if I could even do it. Learning to lean on other RAs and RLMs during times of uncertainty allowed me to grow in my role and be more confident in what I do. Also, reminding yourself the reason why you are an RA and that you can do this job, even if it looks different than others, helps you become more self-sufficient during these times of uncertainty, too. 

Overall, having conversations with residents or helping them when they have interpersonal or intrapersonal issues fulfills me the most! 

Kolbe Neva 

RA, Cascades 

Fourth-year undergraduate: BSc, Psychology 

Hometown: Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada 

“Working in Residence Life has been one of the most enjoyable and educational experiences of my life. This job has taught me many valuable skills such as critical thinking and quick decision-making, and has provided me with numerous opportunities to learn and grow. One of the most enriching aspects of working in Residence Life is meeting and interacting with people from all over the world, who come from different cultures and hold different perspectives. This surreal experience has shown me the diversity of the world and has ignited my desire to learn more about individuals and their backgrounds.”

Aryaman Nandyal
RA, Cascades

Hello! My name is Fikayomi, and I’m a Residence Advisor on the second floor of Valhalla. 

Transitioning into university from high school was very difficult, but my RAs helped me grow closer to my community. They recommended me to places on campus where I could easily meet people, make friends, and organize events that fostered community building. I applied to be an RA to be a part of that! I wanted to help new students transition to university and be a place where students can come if they need help. My favourite part is planning and executing events that bring the community together. A notable program was giving students safe tips for partying. Coming up with new and innovative ideas to get your floor involved has become greatly enjoyable. I have improved on many skills, such as communication, problem-solving and assertiveness. 

RA, Valhalla         

Third-year undergraduate: BSc, Psychology 

Hometown: Oakville, Ontario, Canada 

Hello future RAs! My name is Soumil Chhabra, and I am a Residence Advisor (RA) in Purcell residence. My journey as an RA has been one of the most enriching and rewarding experiences of my university life. 

As an international student traveling over 15,000 km to study at UBCO, I vividly remember the challenges of adjusting to a new environment. In my second year, I had the chance to serve as an orientation leader, guiding first-year students during their transition to university. The joy of helping them find their footing inspired me to take on the RA role, where I could continue making a difference on a deeper level. 

Being an RA has allowed me to create a “Home Away from Home” for my residents and foster a supportive, inclusive community. From organizing fun and engaging events to having meaningful one-on-one conversations, every moment spent supporting my residents has been priceless. The sense of accomplishment I feel when I positively impact someone’s university journey is unmatched. 

One of the best parts of this role is being part of the Residence Life team. It’s a uniquely welcoming and supportive environment, filled with individuals who genuinely care about each other and the community we serve. This experience has not only helped me grow as a leader but has also given me lifelong memories and friendships. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference and building connections, becoming an RA is an opportunity you shouldn’t miss! 

Soumil Chhabra 
RA, Purcell 
Third year: Computer Science Major and Management Minor 
Hometown: Panipat, Haryana, India