Work in Residence Life

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, Cascades

Fourth 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 

SRA, Nicola

Home Town: Comox Valley, B.C, Canada

Fourth year Earth & Environmental Science major

If you’ve ever wondered what it is like to turn a building into a home, I can tell you – it’s pretty amazing. I’m Prina, RA in Cascades.

When I first stepped into residence as a first-year student, I was nervous but eager to find my place in this big new world. What made the difference for me was the sense of community that slowly began to grow around me: small conversations in the hallway, laughter over late-night snacks, and the kindness of people who made this  place feel like home. I wanted to be that person for others- the one who helps make university feel less overwhelming and more like belonging- and thats what led me to become an RA.

Now, three years later, this role has truly shaped who i am.I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about always having the answers, but about listening, adapting, and showing up for people when it matters the most. Through countless conversations, programs, and even the occasional late-night lockout, I’ve grown into a more empathetic communicator, a patient problem-solver, and someone who stays calm under pressure.

What i love most about being an RA is seeing how small moments can have a big impact-helping a resident feel heard after a tough day, watching new friendships form at a program, or simply being part of someone’s growth story. These experiences have not only built my confidence and leadership skills but also deepened my appreciation fro the power of community.

Being an RA has been more than just a job – it’s been a journey of growth, connection, and purpose. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing people find their footing, celebrate milestones, and turn residence into home – and in doing so, I’ve found mine too!

Prina Mehta  

RA, Cascades G

Fourth-year: BSc(Hon.) Computer Science, Minor in Data Science 

Home Town: Pune, Maharashtra, India

Hello everyone! My name is 蔡佳仪/蔡佳儀, or Minnie Tsai, and I am a senior residence advisor on Kalamalka first floor.  

Settling into university life as an international student is never easy. I vividly remember the hurdles I faced during my first year, trying to adjust and find my place. Fortunately, my Resident Advisors (RAs) at the time were two incredibly wise and kind people. They built a wonderful, if sometimes a little too playful, community that showed me what being part of a community truly means: collective resilience, sharing memories, and resolving conflicts together. Inspired by their character and leadership, I decided to apply to become an RA myself. The more I learned about the role, the deeper my respect grew for the RAs who had guided me through that first year. 

 Now, after nearly three years as an RA, I can hardly recognize the person I was when I started. I’ve learned to confidently approach strangers and start conversations, think quickly on my feet, manage multiple responsibilities, and maintain a clear sense of purpose. The most rewarding part of the job, though, is seeing the spark in my residents’ eyes when they’re laughing with friends or enjoying one of my events. I’ll never forget the moment one of my residents encouraged me before a difficult midterm, using the same words I once said to comfort her when she was struggling. This role has taught me not only how to give, but also how much you can receive in return through genuine connection and reciprocity. 

In helping others find their footing, I found my own. To me, that is the heart of what community truly means. 

Minnie Tsai

SRA, Kalamalka

Fourth Year BA, Anthropology major, Philosophy minor 

Home Town: Hong Kong, S.A.R. 

Moving into residence was my first time truly living alone. The initial independence was certainly a big adjustment. But, my RAs helped me navigate this new experience and settle into university life. The community they built on my floor made my first year in residence an unforgettable one. I decided to apply to be an RA for this very reason – so that I could build a tight knit community for my residents that they would never forget. 

Looking back at my time as an RA so far, I can confidently say that I accomplished this and so much more. I’ve been able to learn so many new things and really develop myself as a person, all while being a part of the amazing Residence Life community. Being able to organize fun events for the residence community is definitely the best part of the job – my personal favourite being the triple draft Clash Royale that I hosted in the Valhalla Lounge. 

Since becoming an RA, my communication, event planning, and leadership skills have all drastically improved. Because of this I feel so much more confident and prepared for life after university. I owe it all to the amazing Residence Life team for making my first year as an RA such a blast. 

Chigoziri Okpanku

RA, Valhalla         

Second Year BASc, Electrical Engineering

Home Town: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Being an RA has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It pushed me out of my comfort zone whether it was hosting large-scale events, meeting new people, or helping residents feel like UBCO is truly their home.  

When I first moved to UBCO in my first year, the transition was challenging. I felt lost, but my own RAs supported me, connected me to resources, and helped make UBCO my “home away from home.” Their impact inspired me to give that same experience to others. 

One of the best parts of being an RA has been becoming part of a supportive community where people uplift you, work alongside you, and stand by you both within and beyond the RA role.  

Overall, being an RA has been an incredibly enriching experience, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to make a positive impact on the UBCO community. 

Mahad  Jadoon  

RA, Upper Cascades

Third Year Electrical Engineering  

Home Town: Surrey, BC, Canada