Residence Life honors Resident Assistants

RAs are recognized for planning activities and enhancing student life.

Ask Jessica Komoroski ’11 (West Islip, NY) what being a Resident Assistant (RA) means to her and she’ll tell you that it’s the opportunity to help her fellow students feel comfortable in the Bryant community.

“As an RA, I knew I would be able to use my experiences to help others grow and learn more about themselves,” says Komoroski, who has also been an orientation leader, a writer for The Archway, and a participant in Bryant’s Alternative Spring Break community service trip. “I wanted the opportunity to help others while also building friendships and professional relationships.”

(L-R) Garrett Staples ’10 (Scarborough, ME), representing "Staff of the Year" Middle Village; Jessica Komoroski ’11 (West Islip, NY), "Rookie of the Year;" Kaleigh Durkin ’10 (Douglas, MA), "Programmer of the Year;" Emily Deschenes ’10 (Swansea, MA), "RA of the Year;" and Emiliano Omeri ’10 (Tirana, Albania), "Outreacher of the Year."

For her efforts as a first-year RA, she was named “Rookie of the Year” at a recent banquet organized by Residence Life.

Komoroski says she was honored. “I realize I still have room to grow, but knowing that my fellow RAs have recognized the work I did throughout the year is gratifying,” she says.

Building connections

Becoming an RA was a natural progression for Kaleigh Durkin ’10 (Douglas, MA) after her involvement in student council and peer leadership groups in high school. This year, in her first year as an RA, she organized a screening of “Sex in the City,” a drive to purchase Christmas gifts for needy children, and a talk by Women’s Center Director Toby Simon. For her efforts, Durkin was named “Programmer of the Year.”

"Upper Village" Staff (Halls 11-13 & 17) back row (L-R) Nicole Scott '11 (Hyde Park, MA), Casey Amaral '10 (Westport, MA), Scott Twardowski '11 9rehoboth, MA), Pratik Parikh '11 (Garfield, NJ), Laura Sargent '09 (Grotn MA), James Joly '09 (Chicopee, MA), and Area Director Shawn McQuillan. Front row (L-R) Christine Lorefice '09 (New Windsor, NY), Sasha Batista '09 (Providence, Ri), Kayla Wheaton '10 (Reading, MA), and Daniel Hackenson '10 (Webster, MA).

“Programs are a vital way of connecting with your residents in a creative way,” says Durkin. She believes that regular events also help to build a level of trust with the students in her residence hall.

“The relationships I have built with my residents are rewarding,” she says. “Students come to me when they have a problem or just need to vent, and I truly feel like a resource for them. That makes my job worthwhile.”

Making an impact

Emily Deschenes ’10 (Swansea, MA) was nearly brought to tears by the nominations from her fellow RAs, who selected her as “RA of the Year.”

“I honestly was shocked when I won the award,” she says. “It was so nice to hear that the small things I’ve done have made an impact on others.”

Emiliano Omeri ’10 (Tirana, Albania) says he decided to become an RA because of the impact his RA had on him during his first year at Bryant. “I decided I wanted to be in a position to help out new students in the same way that my RA helped me,” he says.

Clearly he has made an impression of his own. In being named “Outreacher of the Year,” one nominator wrote, “He is consistently helping anyone. You can call him any time of night, and he will be there to help.”

Omeri most appreciates the opportunity to build his leadership skills. “I like giving students the skills they need and then sitting back and watching them grow,” says Omeri.

"Lower Village" Staff (Halls 1-5) back row (L-R) Area Director Nick Poché, Tom Carroll '10 (North Hampton, NH), Michael Ostrander '10 (Yarmouthport,MA), AJ Papa '10 (Wrentham, MA). Front row (L-R) Elizett Pires '09 (New Bedford, MA), Mahah Mirza '10 (Dhaka, Bangladesh), Jaritza Cortes '09 (New Britain, CT), Matthew St. Peter '10 (West Springfield, MA), Maria Acosta '09 (Garnerville, NY), and Jessica Komoroski ’11 (West Islip, NY).

The Middle Village staff, which includes Residence Halls 6-10, were named “Staff of the Year.” The RAs are:

Chelsea Daigneault ’09 (Lincoln, RI) – Head RA
Eric Boudreau ’10 (Granby, MA)
Jessica Bullock ’09 (Cranston, RI)
Maria Carranza ’11 (Worcester, MA)
Chris Colabrese ’10 (South Windsor, CT)
Kaleigh Durkin ’10 (Douglas, MA)
Deidre Fraser ’10 (St. Catherine, Jamaica)
Brian Griffin ’09 (Bow, NH)
Katy Sidorsky ’11 (Rocky Point, NY)
Garrett Staples ’10 (Scarborough, ME)

In addition, the Office of Counseling Services received a special “Certificate of Appreciation” for its close work with the RAs, and the Townhouse Wine and Cheese night was named the “Program of the Year.”