Resident Assistant (RA)
Position Overview
The Resident Assistant (RA) is a student leader who lives in university housing and works to foster a safe, inclusive, and supportive residential community. RAs serve as role models, peer mentors, educators, and resources for residents, helping to create an environment that supports both academic success and personal growth. Core responsibilities include building community through programs and one-on-one engagement, addressing conflicts, supporting student well-being, responding to crises, and upholding university policies. RAs also complete key administrative tasks, including duty coverage, health and safety checks, incident documentation, and regular meetings with supervisors and staff.
This is a live-in, academic year appointment (August–May) that requires participation in mandatory training, ongoing staff development, and availability during peak university events, holidays, and breaks. RAs are provided with housing, a meal plan, and are expected to prioritize this role above other commitments, maintain professional conduct, and serve as positive representatives of Residential Life and the university.
2027-2028 academic year Boston Campus Resident Assistant position- Applications open Thursday, October 1, 2026
Click below for more information:
Professional Skills and Development
Building Connections
Resident Assistants effectively build connections by actively employing strategies to be visible, available, and approachable in their community; preparing and receiving ideas and information; communicating effectively; and perceiving and being sensitive to the perspectives, feelings, and circumstances of others.
Sample skills that Resident Assistants will utilize and strengthen to achieve this include, but are not limited to:
- Active listening
- Empathy
- Coaching and mentoring
- Networking
Group Development
Resident Assistants effectively develop groups by seeking, integrating, and applying information on residents needs to engage the community; assessing group dynamics and addressing conflict with civility; and utilizing their skills and abilities, and showing a willingness to work with others to achieve results.
Sample skills that Resident Assistants will utilize and strengthen to achieve this include, but are not limited to:
- Communication
- Leadership
- Collaboration/teamwork
- Conflict resolution
Enhancing Belonging
Resident Assistants enhance student belonging across campus by showing empathy and concern for individuals, communities, and societies; engaging and/or facilitating dialogue to resolve or transform social and interpersonal conflicts; making decisions and choices that reflect an understanding of social/global impact; and creating spaces that welcome, engage, support, and affirm people from all backgrounds.
Sample skills that Resident Assistants will utilize and strengthen to achieve this include, but are not limited to:
- Conflict Navigation
- Advocacy
- Civic-mindedness
- Communication
- Self-awareness
- Self-directed learning
Personal and Professional Harmony
Resident Assistants effectively establish and promote wellness by building and sustaining relationships with individuals who can provide guidance and support; effectively balancing autonomy and interdependence; consistently employing strategies to carry out professional responsibilities, manage academic and personal responsibilities, and achieve goals; and making choices for the improvement or sustaining of one’s physical, emotional, social, and/or spiritual health.
Sample skills that Resident Assistants will utilize and strengthen to achieve this include, but are not limited to:
- Organization
- Time management
- Self-care
- Self-control
- Boundary setting
- Help-seeking
- Advocacy
Upholding Community Standards
Resident Assistants effectively foster a safe and productive community by exhibiting sensitivity and upholding an expected level of privacy; critically analyzing and assessing situations to make decisions and/or provide solutions; confront behavior; and report concerns.
Sample skills that Resident Assistants will utilize and strengthen to achieve this include, but are not limited to:
- Critical thinking
- Conflict resolution
- Help-seeking
- Problem solving
Eligibility
In order to be considered for an RA position, candidates must meet the below criteria:
- Attend an RA interest meeting in its entirety. Attendance is taken via Husky Card at in-person meetings and automatically by Teams in virtual meetings (be sure to sign in using your Northeastern account!)
- Maintain at least a 2.75 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA)
- Cannot be in any active conduct investigation, currently on disciplinary probation, or have an active conduct hold
- No outstanding holds (financial, academic, etc.) on your student account
- Must have lived in Northeastern University housing for at least one semester (including NU Boston, NU Oakland, NU London, New York City Scholars, and/or N.U.in program sites)
- Must be eligible for university housing. To be eligible for housing, candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
- Be a full-time matriculated student
- Currently in a degree-granting program
- Cannot be enrolled in the College of Professional Studies (CPS)
Remuneration and Benefits
Resident Assistants receive a remuneration package that includes a single bedroom and a meal plan. RAs also gain valuable leadership experience, develop transferable skills in communication, leadership, conflict resolution, community building, and event planning, and receive ongoing training and mentorship. Please note that RA candidates are assigned to buildings based on the needs of the community. Unfortunately, we are not able to take candidate preferences into consideration.
2027-2028 Application Timeline
- Thursday, October 1, 2026: New RA Application Open
- October 14, 2026 – January 15, 2027: RA Interest Meetings
- Monday, January 18, 2027: RA Application Closes 11:59 PM EST
- Thursday, January 21, 2027: RA Application Review
- Tuesday, February 2, 2027: RA Candidate Notified of Interview Status
- Tuesday, February 16-19, 2027: RA Interviews
- Monday, March 1, 2027: Fall 2027 RA Offers Sent Out
- Monday, March 8, 2027: 2027-2028 RA Agreements Due at 11:59 PM EST
Please note, we cannot accept applications past the January 18th deadline.
Dates are subject to change. All meetings are in Eastern Time (EST/EDT). If you have any questions regarding the RA position, please email the RA Search Committee at residentassistant@northeastern.edu.
2027-2028 RA Application Tabling Events
- October 6, 2026 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Stetson East Dining Hall Area
- October 13, 2026 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM International Village Lobby Area
- October 21, 2026 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Curry Student Student
- November 2, 2026 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Stetson East Dining Hall Area
- November 10, 2026 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM International Village Lobby Area
- November 18, 2026 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Curry Student Student
- December 3, 2026 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM Curry Student Center
Dates are subject to change. All meetings are in Eastern Time (EST/EDT). If you have any questions regarding the RA position, please email the RA Search Committee at residentassistant@northeastern.edu.
2027-2028 Interest Meetings
Attendance is taken via Husky Card at in-person meetings (make sure you bring your card) and automatically by Teams in virtual meetings (be sure to sign in using your Northeastern account!)
- October 14, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: ISEC 102
- October 26, 2026 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Behrakis Hall 010
- November 3, 2026 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM: West Village F 20
- November 12, 2026 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Cargill 097
- December 4, 2026 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Virtual Microsoft Teams
- January 13, 2027 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM: Virtual Microsoft Teams
- January 14, 2027 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: In-Person Location TBD
- January 15, 2027 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM Virtual Microsoft Teams
Dates are subject to change. All meetings are in Eastern Time (EST/EDT). If you have any questions regarding the RA position, please email the RA Search Committee at residentassistant@northeastern.edu.
RA Roles Not Currently Accepting Applications
- Summer 2027 Resident Assistant position- applications available February 1, 2027.
- Summer RA positions are only available to those who currently or have previously served in the Boston campus RA role at Northeastern and are eligible for university housing. You can serve in a summer position while taking classes, co-op, clinical, or if you’re taking a break from classes/co-op or taking fewer credits over the Summer but will resume classes in Fall 2027.
- May 2027 Graduates, who are not returning to Northeastern for Fall 2027, are not eligible for Summer 2027 positions. Students graduating in August 2027 can apply.
- We will prioritize offering positions to those returning to the RA role for 2027-2028.
Resident Student Association (RSA)
The RSA is the representative body of resident students at Northeastern. It is composed of general councilors, members of every hall council, and an elected executive board. RSA works to improve the quality of life for all resident students at Northeastern University. This mission is completed through legislation, the planning and implementation of campus-wide events, and through service on various University committees.
Stetson West, Suite 128
(send mail to 4 Speare Hall)
(617) 373-8682 (voice)
(617) 373-7538 (fax)
https://rsa.sites.northeastern.edu/
The RSA plans programs for the resident population and represents students to the Department of Housing & Residential Life and the University administration on all issues dealing with student housing.
General Council
The general council is the main deliberative body of the RSA, empowered to create legislation to formally express the opinion of RSA or to call the University to action. It deals with issues and plans programs that involve all residence facilities. Some events sponsored by the general council include Husky Hunt, Recyclemania, and Snowball. The general council is divided into four committees: advocacy, engagement & leadership, programming & collaboration, and national communication.
Hall Councils
Each residence hall, complex, or neighborhood is served by one or more hall councils comprising at least four residents who live in that area. The members of hall council meet regularly to discuss issues affecting students in their area. They work with a professional staff member (who also acts as an advisor) to improve the quality of life for their constituents.
In addition, hall councils are tasked with planning and implementing events for their fellow students, as well as purchasing equipment for student use, including board games, DVD collections, video game systems, and pool tables.
Events sponsored by hall councils include ski trips, paintball trips, movie nights, ice cream socials, and assorted competitions. The hall council program is overseen by the Resident Student Association in consultation with the Department of Housing & Residential Life.
National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH)
The National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) is the recognition branch of the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH), an organization under which Northeastern’s Resident Student Association (RSA) is also affiliated. NRHH was created to join the top student leaders in a school community together to take part in the three pillars of Recognition, Service, and Leadership.
NRHH Pillars
Recognition
NRHH members work to recognize each other, staff, faculty, fellow leaders, and emerging leaders around campus as well as provide service opportunities to students on their campus and in their communities. At Northeastern, NRHH facilitates monthly awards such as Of the Month Awards (OTMs), Breakfast of Champions (BoCs), and Group Awards for Terrific Service (conGRATS).
Service
NRHH is dedicated to providing members opportunities for service that provide them a holistic perspective of both Northeastern and the greater Boston communities. From taking part in bi-weekly service events at local organizations as well as leading larger events, NRHH works to engage all members of the Northeastern community. In the Fall, Northeastern students gather during Homecoming week to pack over 20,000 meals to combat hunger worldwide, and in the Spring, NRHH hosts a week-long program called Give 5 Week to highlight a relevant community issue and how Northeastern can get involved.
Leadership
Members are all leaders in their own campus communities and NRHH strives to create spaces that let those abilities come through. Through engaging in regional and national conferences with other campus leaders, as well as smaller activities throughout the year, we focus on fostering leadership skills and sharing knowledge between our members.
