Author: Gabe Gauderman (Executive President)

Primary Position: Executive President

Education: 2nd Year, 4th Semester at GT, BS Business Administration

Leadership Track Status: Completed

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

As a current Executive Board member serving as Director of Finance, I have had a lot of experience working with the Exec team and operating within RHA on a campus wide level. I have developed the knowledge of how to develop large scale programming, communicate with professional staff within ResLife, and participate in on-going team development and growth. Specifically, as DOF, I am very familiar with the financial workings of our Executive expenditures as well as Area Council funds. This insight allows me to understand the inner workings of programming, meetings, etc. as a look at the budgets can tell me a lot about what factors play into these events from a perspective that many others do not see. Before becoming a member of the Executive Board, I was also a Hall Council Officer for West Village Hall Council (Finance Coordinator). As an HCO, I was able to develop connection with the on-campus community and truly understand what it takes to become an active member of this community. While Hall/Area Councils may look different than in past years, my experience as an officer helps me understand, in-depth how RHA functions at every level of operations. During this term, I won Finance Coordinator of the Year and my Hall Council won Hall Council of the Year. Also, during this time, I also completed the Larry T. Brown Leadership Track, an RHA specific track that helps develop and grow one’s leadership abilities. Outside of RHA specific activities, I have also been working on completing the Center for Student Engagement’s GOLD Route, a path also designed to develop leadership abilities using outside organizations speakers and activities. I also am a member of the Student Advisory Board hosted by OUE.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I am running for this position so that I can further develop my leadership and team working abilities as well as provide fun experiences for those who live on campus.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

I am interested in the President position as I feel as though I would have a larger impact on the residential community. I also want to lead the Executive team through a successful year of growth and development.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

I plan to bring my extensive leadership knowledge to the position. While I still have room to grow, I do have plenty of leadership development under my belt. Experiences like Clifton Strengths training, leadership retreats, leadership tracks/routes have all lead me to become more aware of what it means to be a student leader and become more aware of how to interact with my peers and the team around me. I also bring a level of organization, timeliness, and understanding into the position. As DOF, I am aware of the importance of deadlines and others needs as my position is completely based upon it. My position has also led me to be understanding with those around me as I rely on others information, time, and effort to complete my job.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

I would like to improve upon the communication within RHA. I feel as though the bigger picture can sometimes distract all levels of RHA from the most influential factor of having a good experience. This communication can be developed on the following levels: – The Area Council level with more advice, training, and guidance for ACOs – The Executive Board level with more effective communication and efficient meetings/team dynamics – The campus level with increased outreach about what RHA is as well as communicating what we do (Event wise and other)

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

The issue of communication is a slow process to fix but not impossible. On the AC level, more videos and materials can be prepared to provide reference to those who would like to double check themselves in their position or those who feel lost and don’t know where to begin. I also think more prepared communication methods (including increased timeliness and details) can provide a benefit to ACOs as well as the campus level community. On the Exec Board level, I think communication can be produced in more productive conversations that are more hands on, guided experiences with detailed prompts and objectives. Overall, my goal for communication is achieved through preparedness, organization, and detailed explanations of what needs to be achieved.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I currently work in the package room of the GLC and may continue to work there throughout next year if my financial aid warrants it. This will not be an issue as I currently balance my priorities with the DOF position and this job and, as RHA is a prior commitment, I place it on top of the job.

Primary Position: Director of Development

Education: 3rd Year, 6th Semester at Tech, BS Public Policy

Leadership Track Status: Not Started

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

One of the most notable leadership experiences I have is as the current President and a founding member of the Public Policy Undergraduate Student Association. As an elected position, I was given the responsibility of holding the trust of other members of the organization, which is a position I take seriously. In it, I always strive to act in the best interest of the student body and be willing to advocate for their needs to the School of Public Policy faculty. This semester, I am working to lead this organization by coordinating several events and development nights for public policy students. I hope to transfer these planning and coordinating skills to a position of Director of Development with RHA. Similarly, I am also the Meetings Coordinator for the North Avenue Area Council. So far this year we have had successful movie night, game night, Superbowl, Valentines, holiday, and Thanksgiving events. This has all been achieved through my collaboration and trust within the other ACOs, and willingness to persevere through some of the challenges we have faced. It has also further shown me the importance of being elected with the trust of other residents in my community. Additionally, I have work experience as both a student assistant for the School of Public Policy and as an intern with the Georgia House of Representatives. In these roles I have learned the importance of professionalism in a workplace setting, became familiar with a number of administrative tasks, and improved my ability to network and communicate. Both of these roles have also allowed me to witness great leaders up close and see how they manage their own organizations and the challenges they faced. It is through all of these experiences that I have learned to grow and improve my skills as a student leader. For instance, I have developed excellent listening and communication skills. When I am in a team setting with my Area Council or other club meeting, I constantly seek the opinions of my team. This helps others on my team to feel included in the discussion and allows collaboration to turn good ideas into great ones. Good communication is also critical to keeping everyone on the ‘same page’ in the idea generating process and further helps in team bonding. Additionally, I have learned to be adaptable as a leader. I love when things go right. It is so satisfying, but even my Area Council has hosted several events where not everything has gone perfectly, or to our exact plan. Things happen, and that’s just a part of life sometimes. Food is delivered late or runs out too quickly, technology doesn’t cooperate, or something is slow to set up. When these things occur, I recognize the importance of keeping a cool head and doing what you can in the moment at hand. I believe that being able to think on your feet, stay calm and be adaptable to any situation is the best way to get through the problem. Finally, I know a good leader strives to make an investment in both themselves and others. As a student leader, I always strive to get feedback after everything I do. For instance, after every Area Council meeting, I try to ask my team about how the meeting went, what we did well, and what could be improved. This is critical in ensuring future growth and being able to improve our meetings each week and encourage residents to keep coming. Investing in others involves pushing others to become better leaders themselves, learning about their personal interests, and working with them to solve problems together. When these “investments” are made into the individual, it elevates the group’s product as a whole. It is my goal to bring my concern for the growth of others as well as my own personal growth to the forefront of my role as DoD for RHA. Overall, I believe that my past work and club experiences, as well as the skills I have acquired from them, have well prepared me to take on a role as the Director of Development of RHA.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I hope to be a member of the RHA executive board so I can work on my own leadership and teamwork skills while also inspiring others on my team and community to embody the ideals of RHA by growing, leading, and uniting as one. It is my goal to make sure all residents have a positive experience with their residence communities in their time here at Georgia Tech.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

I am interested in the Director of Development position, which is largely responsible for the internal organization, planning, and growth of RHA as a student organization. This role also focuses heavily on the development and investment in residents, AC officers, and Executive Board members as leaders, so I hope to use this position to inspire others to be better leaders while also improving my own leadership abilities. In the future, I am personally interested in a career in public administration and potentially managing a government or nonprofit organization. I believe this position would align perfectly with many of the tasks and duties which would be required in such a professional role.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

If I am elected as Director of Development, it is my plan to use my past experiences as a student leader to inform and enhance my ideas through RHA. As an Area Council Officer for the North Avenue Apartments, I work closely with my Area Council team to create positive experiences for North Avenue Residents. As an Area Council we have come to rely on and trust each other to put our best foot forward for the residents of North Avenue because we have each worked hard to establish an environment of respect and friendship for one another. The result of our efforts and planning has been outstanding. The North Avenue Area Council regularly meets quorum, hosts multiple events every month, and receives great attendance for each event. I believe similar collaboration can be utilized in service to RHA as a whole. As a public policy major at Georgia Tech I have also gained leadership skills through my coursework. I have taken a course about the foundations of leadership, and literally studied ways to be a better leader. This includes the best ways of listening, communicating, and being open to actively growing your own mindset while simultaneously taking the initiative to build a supportive environment in which others feel welcomed, thus embodying the RHA motto of “grow, lead, unite”. Additionally, I have taken courses in organizational studies as a part of my public policy degree which has helped me better understand how organizations relate to larger systems and groups in a society. As director of development, I plan to use this knowledge to better analyze how RHA fits within the culture of Georgia Tech and work with other groups and institutions to provide the best experience for RHA residents as well as further improve RHA as an organization. Finally, I have past experience in working within a bureaucracy setting. As an intern for the Georgia House of Representatives, I have seen first hand how our elected state leaders create change and growth within the State of Georgia. I have also become comfortable with reaching out to other organizations and groups for resources and collaboration purposes, building connections with those around me, and working with others in a team setting to achieve a common goal. Using this experience, I hope to apply my knowledge of bureaucratic processes to RHA.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

If I could improve anything about RHA, I would encourage more interaction between Area Councils and the RHA Executive Board. Since many of the Executive Board members have past experience with Area Council, I believe the sharing of those experiences and ideas over the course of a semester would be a good way elevate the Area Council experience right from the start, especially for ACOs who are new to Area Council. Similarly, I believe that RHA could do a better job at showcasing resident-led initiatives and events across campus that RHA funds are going towards. For example, my area council passes resident-led events each week. Some of these should be showcased to encourage others to submit bills for fun events as well!

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

Making RHA more active in the Area Council process would greatly reduce the learning curve for new officers taking on ACO positions. It can be difficult being put into a new organization with little reference of how things were done in years past, or how to tailor a team to your own goals for the Area Council organization. RHA could help, especially in the beginning months, provide support to ACOs as they are getting started. This would be accomplished by having Exec board members and other leadership advisors show up to the AC meetings and coordinating/planning meetings to provide guidance, and even encouragement, to ACOs as well as team bonding activities. I believe this is even more feasible now that there are fewer area councils than in years past. Reversely, Area Council Officers would benefit from being able to provide some input in the planning of some RHA events and suggestions for event ideas. I understand that the Executive and Legislative branches should be separated to some degree, but I also feel as though some collaboration between these bodies for certain events may be beneficial. For instance, allowing ACOs to provide input and suggestions on RHA initiatives may better allow the RHA executive board to better tailor its needs to the residents of each community. This could be accomplished through monthly surveys in which the RHA exec board asks for feedback and input from Area Council officers. The exec board could then take those ideas into consideration in an effort to make RHA a better organization for all residents. Finally, RHA should offer more ways to showcase resident-led initiatives, which will potentially inspire others to start their own ideas for events. I know my Area Council residents have had some great bill ideas, so it would be nice to highlight some of their ideas across campus. One great resource for this is the RHA Instagram, which can highlight things like this through stories. I propose RHA create an online forum through which ACOs and bill authors can submit their events to be highlighted on the RHA social media platforms so residents can better see the events that are going on across RHA, and potentially get ideas for their own events!

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

Outside of RHA I anticipate being involved with the Public Policy Undergraduate Student Association, working a part-time position as a student assistant on campus, as well as my normal courses. One of my strengths is time management, and as an Area Council Meetings Coordinator this year, I was able to find the balance between these obligations in addition to taking on a full time internship in the spring semester. If I am elected to RHA, I will continue to manage my time accordingly by using calendars and organized to-do lists in order to keep myself accountable to all my duties as an officer.

Primary Position: Director of Development

Education: 3rd Year, 8th Semester at GT, BS Chemical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Not Started

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

In high school, I was able to obtain the rank of eagle scout by designing and leading a multi month service project to re-paint 100 fire hydrants in my neighborhood. I was able to lead several small groups to complete the task successfully and bettering my community. While at Georgia Tech, I co-founded the Dungeons and Dragons club in my freshman year to better connect with my classmates during the height of the covid pandemic. I have continued to lead this club in one way or another for several years, and we have now reached over 300 students as registered members. We have also been planning a major 2,000 person event called WreckCon what will take place on 2/25-2/26. I assisted in designing and working the funding for the event. I believe that my past leadership experience in high school and college show that I would be a good candidate for the director of development position within the RHA.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I want to be more involved with student government opportunities on campus. I feel that I have been restrained by covid over the past couple semesters, and was not able to fully experience all that Georgia Tech had to offer. I want to play a larger roll in the Georgia Tech community by applying myself to different facets of campus, such as research opportunities, independent clubs, and student government organizations.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

As director of development, I would be in charge of training and leadership development of the organization, as well as the collaboration of partner organizations to the RHA. I would design events to let officers of the RHA socialize and become a more unified group. Should the need arise for the RHA to partner with student organizations or other groups, I would spearhead those efforts. The most familiar job that I know the DOD has is planning the end of year banquet, which I believe I would be able to carry out effectively.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

I would bring the experience of an accomplished Eagle Scout who has completed a major service project, bringing his community closer together. I would also bring the experience of a student organization founder, making it easier for me to understand and work with other student organizations for combined events with the RHA.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

I would want to improve the executive board and cabinet training.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

This is a relatively easy process to include. I would first stay in touch with all previous executives, so that the new officers can reach out to an experienced past team member for assistance. I would also design a basic ‘cheat sheet’ from previous officers experiences to make current officers jobs easier and give them a reference document for difficult situations that have occurred in the past. In my experience as a student organization founder, I have found that the transfer of power when changing officers needs additional help and documentation to get the new officer up to speed and comfortable with their position.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I am applying as President of the Dungeons and Dragons Club at GT, however, this has rather minor time commitment weekly and would not interfere with any RHA commitments. I am currently applying to research positions around campus and would have to work my RHA schedule around any position that I obtain in the coming months. With proper time management, this should also not be an issue.

Primary Position: Director of Administration

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Education: 2nd Year, 4th Semester at GT, BS Computer Science

Leadership Track Status: Partial Completion

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

This past semester, I took on the position of auditor for RHA. This experience has familiarized me with Docusign (In relation to RHA financial documents) and Exec/AC budget trackers so that I feel confident in my ability to handle these interfaces and address issues involving them. In relation to other software that RHA frequently uses, I have grown very comfortable with Microsoft software (PowerAutomate, Sharepoint, Teams, etc.) so I feel that I will be able to appropriately coordinate RHA’s organizational technologies. My high school experience with Cyberpatriot competitions promoted my capacity to quickly learn new technologies as well so, if needed, I can adapt to other software types or uses. My previous job experience in retail will be beneficial to the Director of Administration position because I spent a lot of time organizing the store’s inventory and developing the store’s website. I believe my assistance in designing their website will translate heavily to administering RHA’s website. My position at the Graduate Living Center as a Senior Office Assistant has furthered my organizational skills and permitted me to work alongside RAs, residents, and professional housing staff daily. It has also acquainted me with housing processes (Lock out processes, RA on duty, Starrez, etc). In my first year at Georgia Tech, I originally attended hall council meetings to support a friend. However, I quickly grew interest in RHA aside from my friend’s association. I attended nearly all of the hall council meetings for the 2021-2022 school year, and I have attended as many area council meetings as possible with my current schedule restraints. Through this, I came to understand the importance of RHA in improving the wellbeing of Georgia Tech’s residents and realized that I wanted to contribute to this process. In all elements of my life, I strive to maintain a level of organization that I think correlates with the position of Director of Administration very well.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

Aside from attending Hall/Area Council meetings throughout this year and last year, my volunteer work with RHA (Fall Festival, tabling, West Village Smores event, etc.) piqued my interest in the organization and made me want to contribute further. I am motivated to better the resident experience and work towards a more organized RHA.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

The Director of Administration position specifically intrigued me because it matches my skillsets and knowledge overall including organization and optimization. This position would allow me to contribute to RHA in the way that best applies to my abilities while also developing my future capabilities and plans.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

I believe my attention to detail and commitment to organizing my personal life will assist in successfully taking on the Director of Administration tasks. In my previous job positions, my employers asked me to handle organizing and recording inventory because of my meticulous nature. I find myself to be a quick learner in any new task I take on and easily adaptable to most situations.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

I would like to improve the speed at which communication will reach residents, ACOs, and housing staff. The production of emails and newsletters could be optimized to more efficiently handle these day-to-day processes.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

I plan to work directly with the Director of Communication in optimizing RHA’s processes of communication to better convey information to all parties. Preprepared templates for emails and other documents to send out to residents could improve communication and organizational technologies. Automatic Teams messages could be utilized to increase awareness of events and assist the other members of RHA in being more cohesive. An example can be seen as already implemented with the DOF and auditor positions dealing with coversheets.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I currently work at the Graduate Living Center and volunteer with Literacy Action during the week. This should not heavily impact my participation with RHA.

Primary Position: Director of Administration

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Education: 3rd Year, 6th Semester at GT, BS Computer Science, Minor in Economics

Leadership Track Status: Partial Completion

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

I feel that the duties of the Director of Administration can be mainly split into two categories: technical duties and managerial duties. The technical duties include maintaining the IT infrastructure and managing the website. Through my internship, I have gained experience with the type of work expected of an IT professional, including hardware repairs, userbase management, and software policies. Furthermore, my experience with cybersecurity gives me insight into the types of malicious threats that the infrastructure may face, such as phishing scams, so that I can raise awareness and prevent damages. For example, during last winter break, when a phishing scam targeted the Georgia Tech community, I worked to analyze the threat, determined the methods and source, and then reported this information to not only Georgia Tech OIT, but seven other targeted universities as well. As far as managing the website is concerned, one of my current projects is a website running on Georgia Tech’s Plesk hosting services, allowing for greater customizability than WordPress, which is currently being used for the RHA website. For the managerial duties, I admittedly have less experience as I have not yet served as an officer of the Hall Council or Area Council, but I have regularly attended both. I know that I have a lot more to learn but I am excited to be able to have a positive impact on student life.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I have volunteered at RHA events and been an active member of the Hall and Area Councils, and I would like to be able to make a bigger impact on student life. Additionally, a position on the Executive Board would allow me to expand my leadership skills. I hope that I can apply my skills to progress the mission of the RHA.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

Out of the available positions, the Director of Administration is the most technology-based, and therefore also the position in which I feel I can best apply my skills. Additionally, the combination of technical and managerial duties of the Director of Administration will allow me to grow both professionally and personally. Technology is a powerful tool for change, but it is also one that must be maintained, and I hope to use my experience in IT to keep the lifeblood of the RHA flowing so that it can continue to provide for students.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

One trait that I pride myself on is my honesty. Honesty is the keystone of trust, and without trust, words hold no meaning. I could exaggerate my qualifications to act like the perfect candidate, but I believe it is much more important to be genuine. As an Economics minor, I understand the value of information towards generating efficient outcomes, as well as the harm that faulty information can cause. I hope that I am the best fit for the position, but I don’t want to hurt the student body if I am not. For the same reasons that I remain honest, I want others to remain honest as well. Everyone has input that can be used to make the RHA better, and I want to make sure that everyone’s input is heard. Everyone has unique perspectives, and a seemingly minor detail can spiral into chaos down the line if not handled early on. Most of my technical qualifications have already been listed previously in the experience section, but a summary seems fitting to include here. I have experience with Georgia Tech’s web hosting platforms. I regularly use SharePoint for file management. I have volunteered at RHA events. I have had an IT internship in which I have repaired both hardware and software, managed user permissions, and tracked inventory. I believe that I can leverage these skills to provide a better student life to the Georgia Tech community as the Director of Administration of the RHA.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

One thing that I would improve about the RHA would be the website. Currently, as a result of the site being run off of Sites@GT (WordPress) servers, the URL (sites.gatech.edu/residencehallassociation/) is long, hard to access, and somewhat unprofessional. I would negotiate for and use a dedicated subdomain (such as rha.gatech.edu). The site could also use some custom features, such as a calendar, to remain more organized.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

In order to implement these changes, the site would need to be moved from Sites@GT to a dedicated Plesk server on GT Webhosting. This would immediately grant a new URL, but this process would need to be initiated by the Advisor. I would oversee the transition between URLs, and the old site would likely be left as a permanent redirect to the new one. Implementing the calendar could be done with a plugin, but I would regularly be adding any new events to it.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I have no obligations apart from academics. RHA will be my highest priority beyond academics.

Primary Position: Director of Communication

Education: 1st Year, 2nd Semester at GT, BS Computer Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Partial Completion

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

I am currently an area council officer (programming coordinator) for East 1. Through this role, I have learned how to put together a program from start to finish, working with other roles. Furthermore, while putting together programs with my group, I have worked with our communication coordinator to put together marketing and find out what flyers to make and what the best way to market is. Furthermore, in high school, I was a regional communication officer and worked with a board to come up with information. I sent out monthly newsletters, organized monthly meetings with the members of my region, and I kept up to date with any questions people sent me and asked. In this way, I was able to directly communicate with the members of my region. The experience I got in using Canva and marketing events will be directly applicable to the work I will be doing as Director of Communication.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I am enjoying working in a team in Area Council making a difference in my community and helping others bring the visions they have to life. However, in Area Council, we have much less power and scope, so we can only do small things for our area. I want to help make a bigger difference and do initiatives and events at a larger scale.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

I want to apply for communication specifically because I want to directly talk to and communicate with the people in the community. Furthermore, I like doing artistic and visual things and making newsletters and flyers, so this would be right up my alley.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

I am good at making sure I do things on time, and I set self-imposed deadlines to ensure that I do things on time. I am also very good at adapting to different circumstances as plans change, and I like to keep up to date with everything going on.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

I would like to improve the accessibility of late-night required items (pads, toilet paper, tissues, etc.) in residence halls. People may stay up late, and realize they need something that cannot wait until the morning. If the residence hall keeps a supply of these items, students can come and get one or two without any issues. Otherwise, it can take some time to find it, and the student cannot buy it since most places are closed, especially if most of their friends sleep early.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

There could have a resource room, located in a small room central to a residential area. Then, every week on Monday, the room could be restocked via the janitors. Then, to ensure it is not abused, the room is unlocked only during quiet hours. It is locked at all other times.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I am in a sorority, and I will have classes. I plan to balance this by setting aside time for RHA every day and making sure I meet deadlines so that I can do my duties well.

Primary Position: Director of Communication

Secondary Position: Director of Programming

Education: 2nd Year, 4th Semester at GT, BS Chemical Engineering, Minor in Industrial Design

Leadership Track Status: Partial Completion

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

Serving on North Avenue Area Council’s coordinating board as the Communications Coordinator this past year has given me a great deal of experience planning, organizing, and communicating events. Planning and communicating events to an entire community is very intensive and requires preparation. From deciding vendors for our meetings, responding and listening to feedback, and brainstorming ideas for events, I have gained many organizational skills that will help me in RHA. Additionally, my role as the Communications Coordinator relates to the Director of Communications position. I had to make effective flyers and emails to send out to the entirety of North Avenue to communicate information about our events, meetings, and bills. I also further developed my collaboration and leadership skills by working with the rest of the coordinating board. Everyone on our coordinating board has been dedicated to their roles while also assisting and helping in other areas as needed. Being able to function within a team is an essential skill that requires practice and patience. Most importantly, being reliable is crucial in a team setting—showing up to set meetings on time and following through on commitments is an excellent show of dependability, and a team cannot function without it. I have demonstrated my ability to collaborate and work in a team by the numerous events and meetings North Avenue Area Council has hosted; each of these events required teamwork, from making flyers to leading and setting up events. North Avenue Area Council has had many events—movie nights, a game night, a Super Bowl Watch Party, giving out candy for Valentine’s Day, and more. Because North Avenue has so many residents, as a coordinating board, we definitely had to learn and troubleshoot effectively distributing food to fifty or more residents in one event. While planning is one part of a successful event, being able to lead and direct at the event is an essential skill that I have further developed in the past year. Additionally, being a part of Area Council has given me insight into the functions of RHA. After being on the coordinating board, I understand the way Area Councils function and how RHA can assist and lead them. My perspective would be a great asset to the RHA executive board because it will make it easier to communicate with and help Area Council officers and ultimately improve Area Council processes for residents. Area Council is the gateway for residents to become involved with RHA, so it is important to monitor this system to improve resident life.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

One of my favorite parts of being on an executive board is working together towards a common goal. The time and effort are always worth it when we plan a successful event and watch others grow and succeed. I know that being on the executive board will help me grow important leadership and communication skills while having meaningful and fun experiences with the rest of the executive board and residents.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

Communication is so important, not only for organizations and departments, but also in daily life. Being the Director of Communications would give me a great opportunity to cultivate my communication skills and learn more about other organizations. Not only that, but I love writing and designing flyers and newsletters, which I will be able to do as Director of Communications. Because of my major, I spend a lot of my time doing calculations, but this position would allow me to brainstorm and be creative. Overall, this position will help me to be a more well-rounded person. I believe practice is essential, and this position will allow me to apply and practice important skills and ultimately improve in ways I wouldn’t be able to if I was not in this position.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

One quality I value in myself that would make me successful in this position is patience. Patience is essential for communication—it takes patience and understanding to effectively communicate with others. Patience is also important for quick-thinking and making important decisions in stressful situations. Being detail-oriented is also very important for communication. Ensuring that the correct information, including dates, times, and locations, is essential for contacting outside departments and sending campus-wide emails. I am also very organized with my time and with materials. Organization is key for being responsible and productive. Without organization, planning and working as a team is very difficult.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

To expand or improve upon the type of events RHA hosts, RHA could have a volunteering program for residents. It would be great if RHA could sponsor a volunteering activity of sorts, and possibly provide transportation for residents to volunteer somewhere in the community. Volunteering is a great way to be involved in the community—not only is it a way to give back, but it can also bring residents together to create meaningful and fulfilling experiences. Additionally, some volunteer activities are relaxing and can allow residents to take a mental break from school. Making volunteering activities more accessible to residents would encourage more of them to volunteer. Because Georgia Tech is so close to Atlanta, there are a wide amount of volunteering opportunities available, meaning this program could be expanded in many different ways.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

It might be difficult to organize something like this, especially since it involves reimbursing transportation, which is not approved by legislation and is expensive and difficult to track. Instead of volunteering off-campus, we could find volunteering activities that can be done on-campus, such as making self-care kits or gardening. RHA could also host an event to connect residents to volunteer organizations on and off campus. Because there are a lot of volunteering options in Atlanta, it might be overwhelming to navigate alone. An on-campus volunteering fair would be great to inform residents and help them find ways to volunteer close to campus!

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

I have two different jobs at the Student Center and work around 15 hours a week, but I can ask for less hours depending on what I need to prioritize that week.

Primary Position: Director of Programming

Education: 3rd Year, 6th Semester at Tech, BS Business Administration, Minors in Mathematics and Leadership Studies

Leadership Track Status: Partial Completion

Please discuss any relevant prior experience and how it has prepared you for the position(s) you are applying to.

I am currently the Director of Programming. Despite the general statements that I understand the position, I have developed other skills that make me a prime candidate. I have worked with the GT event reservation system and fostered a report with the staff. I have worked with multiple vendors, such as Action Packed Parties, GT Catering, The Main Event Company, etc., and have cultivated a working relationship with each. I have run events ranging from 100 to 1000 people and $500 – $15000. I understand the development and scaling process for events letting me work independently of the rest of the team while maintaining their input and collaboration. I have learned this position does not require others to function, but they are the most important for DOP to flourish. I was the Finance Coordinator for Eighth Street Apartments. I have experienced the past and present of RHA to a decent degree. I have the understanding required to aid in a healthy transition between both states of RHA and maintain morale. I know the financial policy well, so I can make purchases and submit reimbursements properly. I planned multiple events for my hall council, although they were not of the same quality or scale as my current projects. To be clear, I am well qualified for the position, but that does not mean I am as good as I can be. The most important experience that I have had is the growth I have achieved as Director of Programming. In the fall, I struggled to put together a large-scale event with help; in the spring, I have been able to do so pseudo-independently and love to do so. Sadly, growth in a position cannot be instantaneous; thus, I want to apply my learning and skills to further my ability and impact.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

To put it simply, I have been on the board, I loved it, and I want to do it again. I find immense value in what I do and I hope to continue.

Please discuss your interest in the specific position(s) you are applying for.

I have been the Director of Programming for a year now. I have adored the position, its work, and its workload. The position is what you make of it and I have taken it by the reigns. I just want to be able to do so again. It has been a blast and, despite the amount of work I do, I find it to be the most fulfilling thing I have ever done.

What you plan to bring to the position(s) and organization at large?

I am an extremely hard worker and have a lot of free time. Not that it is the best work-life balance, but I did around 25 hours of work a week during school operations. I know that I am intended to do 10, but when the work is this fulfilling, I really cannot stop myself. The best events are the ones that I got to raise from idea to execution and I love to shower them with unconditional love and time. Also, I have strong opinions and help foster task conflict. Healthy conflict increases job performance and helps to create trust. I learned this in the variety of leadership courses I have taken, specifically to better my understanding of my position and leadership. I am still working on my leadership, but these courses and curriculum have been useful for everything we have done. Finally, I bring aggressive devotion. I am very loyal to RHA and will fight for its values and my own. When representing people, you have to be enthusiastic and have humility. I am both, but clearly not humble. I enjoy what I do and I know that I will make mistakes and need to fix them with my team and help them do the same.

If you could improve any one thing about RHA—related to your position(s) of interest or not—what would it be and why?

I would improve the transition process. To create motivation, we need urgency, support, and knowledge. If we do not properly support and teach the new board and existing board, we will never be motivated to complete our tasks.

If your answer to the previous question is something that can be fixed, how might that be done? If it’s something that can’t be changed, what can we do to adjust? 

I believe we need to develop relationships between boards and continue conversations past their departure. For inclusive leadership to occur, everyone needs to be on the same page. If we constantly discuss past processes and events, we ostracize new board members who will eventually pioneer new creations and functions. Also, having the support of past board members allows for a deeper legacy to be felt and fostered. I believe we need to better educate the board on their positions and policy. With uneven training, many members can feel that they do not have a serious position or that they are more important than others. I want to develop an equal environment where each member has the ability to thrive and learn with psychological safety and trust.

Please discuss any obligations (work, extracurricular, and otherwise) that you anticipate having external to RHA during the duration of your intended term and how you plan to balance/prioritize your commitments. 

Classes and a part-time summer internship in Ireland. I have always placed RHA at the closest level to school possible, without ever exceeding it. I am willing to spend whatever time necessary to develop success.