FY26 DOP and DOF Election Candidates

The following candidates have applied to run in the FY26 RHA Executive Board elections. Primary positions indicate the position that each candidate will initially run for; secondary positions represent “bid-down” positions that each candidate may run for, should they lose the election for their primary position of interest.

Sterling Payton
Primary Position: Director of Finance
Secondary Position: None

John Yang
Primary Position: Director of Finance
Secondary Position: Director of Programming

Hope Franke
Primary Position: Director of Programming
Secondary Position: None

Miguel Angel Aronátegui González
Primary Position: Director of Programming
Secondary Position: None

Kayla Vallere
Primary Position: Director of Programming
Secondary Position: None

C. Rix Lawler
Primary Position: Director of Programming
Secondary Position: None

Learn More About the Candidates

Below, you’ll find each candidate’s answers to a series of questions related to their experience and platform, along with copies of candidates’ resumes.

Sterling Payton
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Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I have served as the DOF on the executive board for the past year which has been an incredible personal and professional experience. I value the personal relationships I made throughout my time, as well as the impact I was able to make on events throughout campus. From financially advising other officers to expressing opinions on decisions, I have loved my time on the board and hope for another great year!

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.

On the Executive Board, we prioritize our health, family, and school above everything else. Immediately after that, however, we are expected to focus on RHA, including holding office hours, attending meetings and events, and taking care of any positional tasks which come up. Aside from these four commitments, the only other extracurricular obligation I have is to band. While it is a major time commitment, I have had a year of experience balancing the two activities by effectively communicating with all parties involved, and I will continue to prioritize my obligations so that I achieve everything this position requires as I have done for the last year.

Director of Finance

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

My primary relevant prior experience is my incumbency. Serving in this position for the last year has prepared me more thoroughly than any other organization or position I have been in previously, not only from a financial perspective but also a leadership perspective. Quantitatively, in this role I have been the primary advisor and distributor of a budget of $127,000. From uber rides to plane tickets, LC food to GT Catering, local bands to disney movies, and so, so much more, I have ensured vendors and residents get their funds. In addition, I have signed off on every Hall Council and LC EAF. I have loved my position in this role, and a year of learning and ensuring things run smoothly has prepared me for another year where I can not only maintain our accounts, but develop tools to improve accounting and distribution. Specifically on that note, a problem I have noticed throughout my time is the discrepancies between P-Card Purchases, Invoices, and Reimbursements. Each of these has a process to handle charges, each with varying levels of interaction with the DOF. For example, reimbursements are handled almost solely by the DOF until they are sent to Housing, leading to very little room for error as long as I do my job. However, invoices are received by the DOF and recorded in the budget tracker and invoice spreadsheet, but mostly processed by the advisor, meaning there is less interaction between leaving this role and fund distribution. Finally, P-Card purchases require zero interaction with the DOF, meaning that unless explicitly recorded by the advisor, they are difficult to track and record. Throughout this year, I have become well versed in reimbursement and invoice procedures. However, regarding P-Card purchases, I have worked with the advisor to develop tools to allow for direct communication between the roles and help with accurate accounting, and given another year, I hope to standardize it and ensure all future DOFs can benefit. Chronologically, one of the first responsibilities of the DOF is to organize our budget into accounts which will determine their use for the rest of the year. This is important and determines what RHA can achieve, and my year of experience has given me insight to make well informed decisions for the next year. At the start of the year, I reviewed previous years’ budgets and went from there, but at the same time introduced new accounts which seemed important. In hindsight these decisions actually proved to serve RHA very well, though there was still a level of guesswork involved. After seeing a year of RHA spending and between which accounts funds were transferred, I am in a position to make much more informed decisions for RHA going forward, as well as record my experiences for future DOFs. Another early responsibility of the DOF is to assign account numbers to Hall Councils and create budget trackers for them. This is the main problem I encountered in my tenure as the DOF. While I assigned numbers to each council, I was unaware that the DOA required these numbers to handle updates such as in the docusign and power automate, meaning there was a discrepancy in the numbers for the first few weeks of last semester. This led to a backlog in EAFs and issues regarding resident reimbursements which had to be handled individually. However, due to that, I have learned more about the role and am in a position to assist the DOA to ensure all systems are working as needed. While this is the most impactful issue I had to overcome, smaller situations throughout my tenure have given me an all around improved understanding of the role which can only be gained through experience, and would all contribute to a smooth next term. Aside from DOF specific duties, my experience has also prepared me simply to be an effective member of the Executive Board and Branch. From the first Executive Board Retreat we had, I have striven to be an active member in discussion, from brainstorming ideas to proposing solutions and everything in between. I have been able to work with the Exec Board, the advisor, and greater housing management, and this has prepared me to do the same – especially since including me, we will retain half of the executive board. I already have an established relationship with Ethan and Nathan and we have experience working through issues which arise, and we have developed a good system of communication to ensure RHA runs smoothly. Additionally, I have trained the Auditor, and chaired the Finance Oversight Committee. While the committee has been somewhat underutilized since this is its first year, my experience this year will help me delegate responsibilities to the next Committee and ensure that going forward, it is an effective part of RHA. To cover non-RHA experience as well, I will somewhat reiterate my answer to this question from last year, starting with my interest in finance. For over half a decade, my mom has served as a City Commissioner of my hometown, and throughout her time, we have had in depth discussions about policy, government, and especially finances. This is what prompted me to run for the Third Street Finance Coordinator my freshman year, which introduced me to RHA. As a Finance Coordinator, I had a year of experience brainstorming, planning and hosting smaller-scale events, and managing our significantly smaller budget, which I continued to do on a larger scale as the DOF. Overall, I cannot overstate how many facets of this position are simply learned through experience, and how my experience in the role has given me the most relevant experience of any candidate going for this role, as well as the greatest understanding for what the future of this role can be. I simply hope for the opportunity to serve as the DOF for another year to ensure RHA and, by extent, every resident on campus gets the most out of this role possible.

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

My main interest in the position of DOF is my ongoing year of experience in the role. I have enjoyed my experience ensuring I fulfill all duties required by the position and have found multiple areas for improvement. Based on my experience, I believe I am the best candidate not only to serve as next year’s DOF but to improve the position and leave a lasting impact on the position as a whole.

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

As the next DOF, I will be a dedicated member of the Executive Board. My interest in this position stems from a genuine passion not only for financial management, but for RHA as an organization as it allows me to make a meaningful impact on campus. As someone who understands the importance of effective financial management, I am invested in continuing the success and sustainability of the RHA, and I will continue to dedicate my time and effort to achieve this. Additionally, I will remain a valuable follower and leader on the team as needed. My experience in leadership extends back years, from leading service organizations and fundraisers to improve a community, to leading groups of peers as a Section Leader in band, and my participation as a follower extends for years before each of those. Throughout the last year, I have demonstrated an ability to listen to peers, take input, direct others, and anything else I need to do to be an effective team member. Furthermore, my track record of community involvement and event organization displays my dedication to making a positive difference, which I will maintain in RHA. I will be an active member in organization events, whether participating in, planning, or preparing events, and I will strive to make these events as impactful as possible with enthusiasm and determination. In assuming the responsibilities of the Director of Finance, I will work to improve the RHA in any way I can.

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

Aside from things I have previously mentioned in this application, one thing I hope to improve in RHA is our outreach, especially within other campus organizations. From a funding structure, we are very similar to SGA, and we are the second largest student organization on campus, though who we are and what we do is not widely known. While this is generally something the DOC would focus on, I believe by working alongside her, I can assist in spreading the word about RHA through my contacts in band, many of whom are student leaders themselves.

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?

While I don’t want to overstep my position and do the DOC’s job, my first step to help improve communication throughout RHA is simply to make it a higher priority in Hall Councillor’s lives. As the majority of RHA is made up of you all, you are the most qualified to spread the word about RHA, but to do that, you each need an invested interest in it. The main strategy I have thought of to help with this is regarding HCOTY points. HCOTY exists as a set of accomplishments a Hall Council can strive for, though by really looking at it, most of the tasks would naturally be accomplished by any dedicated Hall Council through simply doing their positional tasks. Overall, it acts as a way to promote competition between Hall Councils and serve as a record of how impactful each one is. However, it is also completely voluntary, meaning that beyond simply winning the HCOTY award at the end of year banquet, there is no driving factor for an indifferent Hall Council to strive for. On that note, I plan to propose a monetary incentive for Hall Councils who gain many HCOTY points. My initial thought is an initial dollar amount per HCOTY each Hall Council gains – perhaps $4, meaning each 5 point task gains a Hall $20. While this wouldn’t be a large amount at any one time, throughout a full semester a Hall Council who gains 50 points will gain $200, which is a reasonable amount. However, this doesn’t account for different sized HC budgets – For example, $200 would likely fund a full event as they were held in my time as the Third Street FC, but NAV would likely need much more to fully utilize the funds. Therefore, something could be said for a scaled amount for each point per Hall Council, ensuring that it is worth each member’s time and ensuring equity between Hall Councils. This comes with its own concern, though, regarding how much of the overall budget we want to allocate to this initiative. First comes how many points we expect Hall Councils to achieve, and while we have the past years to look at, we must assume participation will be higher with an incentive. So maybe, instead of dollars per point, we can set an amount of the overall budget we want to dedicate to this initiative and simply split it based on each council’s gained points. If we take this route, however, we must also look at how this will be split up, when to distribute funds to ensure they are actually usable, and more. As we can see, this will be a very interesting implementation. However, by drawing from my experience as the DOF and working with the rest of the Executive Board to make a well thought out decision, I am in a position to ensure this initiative actually gets off the ground in a way that actually benefits all residents.

John Yang
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Education: B.S. in Pure Mathematics, B.S. in Computer Science, B.S. in Economics

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I am passionate about hosting events and building community within GT. Currently I am a finance officer for Grad and Fam, but most of my role consists of planning events for residents. At the moment I am working out a program with the GT leadership course. I am also a prototype instructor the invention studio, where I help students and faculty with projects. When I found out about the executive board at RHA, I realized that this was a great opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact at Georgia Tech.

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.

Next year I will still be a provisional instructor at the invention studio. My duties will take no more than three hours per week. I may also do some fencing. I’m generally pretty well-organized and do not expect that my extracurriculars will be an obstacle to my work at RHA.

Director of Finance

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

Over the past few years, I’ve had the privilege of serving in multiple roles that have not only expanded my skill set but also deepened my commitment to building inclusive, well-managed communities. Serving on the hall council for both GLC and Tenth & Home (Grad and Fam) has been an incredible journey. In my role as Finance Officer, I was entrusted with tracking budgets, approving bills and EAFs, and ensuring our financial processes were transparent and efficient. The role required an eye for detail and a commitment to fiscal responsibility—qualities I know are essential for leadership on the RHA executive board. My responsibilities didn’t stop at numbers. Since our community council meetings are held in the GLC activity room, I’ve also collaborated closely with our meetings coordinator to plan and organize gatherings and events. Whether it’s purchasing supplies or fine-tuning event logistics, these experiences taught me the importance of effective communication, timely decision-making, and adaptability. Working behind the scenes to support events has shown me firsthand how a well-organized community can elevate everyone’s experience. I also serve as a PI at the Invention Studio, where my day-to-day tasks include guiding users through their projects, operating a variety of machines, and training prospective PIs. I lead eleven different training sessions—each ranging from 30 to 60 minutes—covering tool groups in our hub, metal, and wood rooms. Currently I am a welding apprentice, where I train people how to weld. Before my time on the hall council and at the Invention Studio, I was the captain and president of Hunter College High School’s economics organization. Leading what was recognized as one of the most successful student-run economics research and competition teams in the country was a transformative experience. I managed an $8,000 budget to organize travel, lodging, and daily expenditures for a 16-member team during competition seasons. Beyond the competition period , I led nearly 100 members through biweekly lectures, guest sessions, and fundraising events. These experiences required juggling various responsibilities—from financial management and event organization to research and public engagement. In both my roles as Finance Officer for Grad and Fam and as a leader in my high school organization, I learned to work closely with advisors and mentors. Their guidance was crucial, especially when clarifying campus policies or troubleshooting complex logistical issues. For example, when I discovered bugs in our budgeting spreadsheets (tools that had been in use long before my tenure), I didn’t hesitate to initiate discussions with our finance director and hall council advisor. Together, we refined the system, ensuring that our financial operations ran smoothly. This experience not only improved our workflow but also taught me that proactive problem-solving and a willingness to seek help when needed are vital to effective leadership.

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

If selected for this role, I will bring a mix of leadership experience, problem-solving skills, and strong communication to RHA. One of the biggest challenges I’ve seen—and something I will address—is the delay in communication between hall council officers and the exec board. Too often, there are long waits for responses to important questions about funding, policies, or event approvals, and that slows down progress for everyone. My goal is to be proactive in bridging that gap. I plan to establish clearer channels for communication, whether that’s through regular check-ins, office hours, or a more structured system for tracking and following up on requests. In particular, I plan to implement a group chat between all finance officers. Making sure hall councils get timely responses will help events run more smoothly and ensure that every community has the support it needs. Beyond communication, I bring experience in financial management, event planning, and leadership that will help RHA run efficiently. As a computer science major, I have implemented many automated systems before, particularly with finance. I see opportunities to streamline repetitive tasks like budget tracking, EAF data imputation, and communication workflows. By implementing better tools, we can reduce work, minimize errors, and allow hall councils and execs to focus more on engagement and community-building rather than paperwork. At the same time, I want to help make RHA more engaging by focusing on well-planned, inclusive events. I’ve seen how a thoughtfully designed event—whether a community gathering or a skill-building workshop—can bring people together in meaningful ways. I want to ensure that hall councils have the resources and support to bring their ideas to life and that events reflect the diverse interests and backgrounds of our residents.

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

If selected for this role, I want to strengthen the social and extracurricular experience within RHA, ensuring that residents have more opportunities to connect, engage, and build lasting memories. A strong residential community is more than just a place to live—it’s a space for people to meet, collaborate, and feel a sense of belonging. My goal is to help hall councils organize more dynamic and inclusive events while streamlining the processes that often slow things down. One of my main priorities is making social events more accessible and engaging. Many great ideas never come to life due to logistical challenges—whether it’s budget approvals, resource allocation, or communication delays. I want to work closely with hall councils to simplify these processes, ensuring that creative, well-planned events are easier to execute. Beyond traditional social gatherings, I also want to expand opportunities for skill-based activities, cultural celebrations, and collaborative projects that bring people together in meaningful ways. Fostering inclusivity is another key focus. As someone who has worked with a diverse range of people—from engineers to international graduate students—I’ve seen how valuable it is to create spaces where everyone feels welcome. I want to encourage events that reflect the interests and backgrounds of all residents, whether through cultural exchanges, themed social nights, or informal meetups that help people find common ground. Additionally, I believe in the power of cross-hall collaboration. Some of the most successful events I’ve attended or organized have been those that brought different communities together. By creating more structured ways for hall councils to co-host events and share resources, we can offer larger, more engaging experiences that foster connections beyond individual residence halls.

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 area I would love to improve in RHA is creating more social events specifically for hall council officers. These students volunteer their time to improve the residential experience, yet much of their role revolves around logistics and planning for others. I want to ensure that they also have opportunities to enjoy their experience, connect with fellow officers, and feel appreciated for their contributions. By organizing dedicated social events—such as retreats, game nights, or informal meetups—RHA can help hall council officers build friendships, share ideas, and collaborate in a more relaxed setting. Strengthening these connections would not only make their roles more enjoyable but also foster a stronger, more unified leadership community. When hall council officers feel engaged and supported, they are more motivated to create impactful experiences for their residents, ultimately benefiting the entire residential community.

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?

My previous answer is very feasible and to the best of my ability I will implement it should I be elected.

Hope Franke
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Education: B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, Minor in Chinese

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I want to join the RHA Executive Board because I’ve always enjoyed the process of planning events, and my previous experiences have only fueled my enthusiasm for it. I find excitement not only in the execution but also in the opportunity to engage with others, build connections, and create a stronger sense of community. Although my involvement with RHA has been brief, attending Hall Council meetings inspired me to organize more events for residents. Since then, I’ve become a representative for STAMPS Hall Council at Legislative Council meetings. As a resident myself, I want to help make our living spaces more welcoming and enjoyable. Joining the RHA Executive Board would allow me to plan large-scale events that offer a much-needed respite for residents who are balancing demanding academic workloads. I’m eager to contribute to making our campus community a more vibrant and supportive place to live.

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.

During my time as Director of Programming, I do not anticipate working anywhere else. I am currently involved with the Reformed University Fellowship and plan to continue attending their weekly meetings. My largest time commitment will be my classes, but I will prioritize RHA after academics. While I also intend to join a professional organization during my term, RHA will remain my primary responsibility. I will be available during the summer, although I will need to help my parents move, which may take a few days. Generally, I don’t plan to take on additional responsibilities until I have a clear understanding of my role in RHA and the time I can allocate to it.

Director of Programming

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

I believe my past experiences in event planning, whether through organizing field trips or executing my own events, have equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary for the Director of Programming role with RHA. One of the most formative experiences that has prepared me for this role was planning field trips for North Henry Academy, a small K-12 school. For instance, I organized an overnight field trip to an aquarium, which required careful coordination of logistics, transportation, and activities. This experience taught me how to balance various components such as timing, participant engagement, and safety—skills that will be essential when planning large-scale RHA events. Managing such a trip required attention to detail and the ability to communicate effectively with both students and adults, ensuring a smooth and successful experience. These are key elements of event planning, whether on a small or large scale, and they are directly transferable to planning programs for RHA. Another significant experience was my solo trip to Malaysia, where I stayed for four months. While abroad, I also planned and executed a short 3-day trip to Thailand with relatives. This experience taught me how to independently manage all aspects of travel, including organizing transportation, booking accommodations, coordinating itineraries, and ensuring cultural sensitivity. As the sole organizer, I was responsible for the entire process, from initial planning to day of execution, and I learned to handle unforeseen challenges that arose along the way. This experience has equipped me with a strong problem-solving mindset and the ability to manage both expected and unexpected challenges—qualities that are essential when planning events for a large group of people. While I did not plan events at Georgia Southern University, I participated in a wide variety of events, which gave me firsthand experience as an attendee. This allowed me to gain valuable insight into what works well in events and what could be improved. I now understand what attendees expect from events and how to structure activities that will engage them and keep their attention. Additionally, my experience planning Matcha Events for the Hall Council has been instrumental in preparing me for the Director of Programming position. Although the events were on a smaller scale, I coordinated with the Hall Council team to manage logistics, secure supplies, and handle promotion. I was responsible for the overall event execution, ensuring that the activities were engaging and creating a welcoming environment for participants. The intimate nature of these events also taught me the value of building personal connections with attendees, which will be important when organizing future RHA events aimed at bringing people together in a community setting. Taken together, these diverse experiences have provided me with the organizational, logistical, and creative skills needed for event planning. From organizing large-scale field trips to coordinating small, community-building events, I have developed a well-rounded skill set that will help me excel as Director of Programming for RHA.

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

I have always enjoyed the process of planning events, and my previous experiences have only increased my enthusiasm for it. I find excitement not only in the execution but also in the opportunity to engage with others and build a sense of community. Through my work with Matcha Events, I have discovered how satisfying it is to see an event come together, especially when it provides residents with an opportunity to connect and engage in a meaningful way. I am drawn to the Director of Programming position because it offers me the chance to create events that foster a strong sense of community among Georgia Tech residents. I am particularly excited about the potential to plan diverse events that can bring together people from different backgrounds, interests, and disciplines. My previous event planning experiences have taught me the importance of creating experiences that are not only well-organized but also engaging and inclusive. I am eager to bring these skills to RHA and contribute to the creation of memorable events that enhance the student experience at Georgia Tech. By creating fun, accessible, and thoughtful programming, I believe I can make a positive impact on campus and help foster a more connected and vibrant community.

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

As someone deeply passionate about event planning, I am excited about the opportunity to contribute to RHA as the Director of Programming. With a background in planning both large- and small-scale events, I’m confident in my ability to create impactful and memorable experiences for Georgia Tech’s residents. I have developed strong organizational and logistical abilities, a keen sense of creativity, and a collaborative approach to event planning—all of which I will leverage to ensure RHA’s events meet the diverse needs of our student body. 1. Creative and Engaging Event Ideas One of the primary qualities I aim to bring to this role is a dedication to creativity in event programming. I have always enjoyed designing events that offer participants something fresh and exciting, and I plan to continue this in my work with RHA. Whether for large-scale or smaller, more intimate events, I believe that creativity has the power to transform an ordinary gathering into a unique experience that residents will remember. For example, when planning my solo trip to Malaysia and coordinating a 3-day family trip to Thailand, I had to think creatively about all aspects of the experience. This included not just the logistics—such as transportation and accommodations—but also the cultural aspects, ensuring the itinerary resonated with everyone involved. I learned the importance of balancing diverse expectations, thinking outside the box, and tailoring experiences to foster engagement and lasting memories. For RHA, I would approach event planning with this mindset—seeking out new ways to engage residents in creative activities. Whether through cultural, educational, or hands-on events, I would strive to design programming that stimulates curiosity, fosters personal growth, and provides entertainment. These multifaceted experiences are key to keeping residents excited and engaged in future events. 2. Creating Events for Diverse Audiences As the Director of Programming, I recognize the importance of creating events that appeal to a broad range of residents, each with unique interests and needs. My experiences living abroad, particularly in Malaysia, where I witnessed and participated in the interactions between three distinct cultures, have taught me how to navigate cultural differences and build connections across diverse groups. This global perspective is crucial for understanding that students at Georgia Tech come from many backgrounds, but they share common interests and goals. I believe this understanding will help me create events that are accessible and relevant to all students. Whether through multicultural events, discussions on global issues, or simply creating social opportunities, I will ensure RHA’s programming resonates with everyone and helps foster a welcoming, engaging, and supportive community. 3. Collaboration and Teamwork Although I have managed personal projects independently, I highly value collaboration, especially when planning large-scale events. Effective teamwork is crucial when organizing events for 200-400 attendees. In my previous experience—whether planning the overnight field trip to an aquarium for North Henry Academy (NHA) or coordinating international travel plans—I’ve relied on others to help execute plans and provide feedback to ensure success. For RHA, I plan to bring this collaborative spirit to the table. By working with other RHA officers and campus organizations, we can combine ideas, integrate different perspectives, and ensure our events have maximum impact. Collaboration will allow us to balance strengths and skills, ensuring that large-scale events are both creative and logistically feasible, and most importantly, successful. 4. Feedback Integration Feedback is a vital part of the event planning process. No event is perfect, and feedback provides valuable insights into what worked, what didn’t, and where improvements can be made. While Owen Ha has plans to implement structured feedback mechanisms, I would also look to create informal channels through which residents can provide input, such as post-event surveys or impromptu conversations during events. This loop of feedback will help ensure that future events align better with residents’ interests and allow for continuous improvement of RHA’s programming. Being receptive to feedback is essential for creating programs that meet the evolving needs of the student body. I will ensure that RHA’s events remain dynamic and adaptive, with an emphasis on making residents feel heard and valued. 5. Promoting Wellness Across Eight Dimensions Georgia Tech places significant focus on the eight dimensions of wellness, and I plan to make these a central consideration when planning events. These dimensions—emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual wellness—are all essential to students’ overall well-being. I will design events that promote these dimensions, offering students the chance to grow in multiple areas while engaging with their community. For example, wellness events such as fitness challenges or stress-relief workshops can promote physical and emotional wellness. One successful financial wellness event at Maulding that I believe could be replicated on a larger scale was a ‘fake money’ event where participants could earn fake currency by attending different workshops and activities. They could then spend their earnings at a marketplace offering small, useful items. Career development panels can contribute to occupational wellness. Social events like game nights can foster social wellness, while intellectual wellness could be promoted through trivia, talks, workshops, or academic competitions. By addressing all eight dimensions, I aim to offer a holistic approach to well-being that complements both academic success and personal happiness. 6. Organizational Skills and Logistical Expertise I bring a strong organizational mindset and logistical expertise, having planned large-scale field trips and smaller community events. My experience with NHA, including organizing the overnight field trip to an aquarium, gave me the opportunity to coordinate every detail—transportation, lodging, activities, and participant engagement—to ensure a smooth experience. Managing large groups in unfamiliar settings honed my ability to oversee the logistical side of events while also ensuring that they met the needs of all participants. For RHA, I would apply these organizational skills to manage the logistics of large-scale events, from budgeting and venue securing to material preparation and event coordination. Clear timelines, vendor coordination, and attention to detail will be key in ensuring that RHA events are well-executed, on-time, and memorable. I am dedicated to ensuring that no logistical detail is overlooked, allowing residents to enjoy the event without distraction or confusion. In Conclusion With my passion for event planning, commitment to collaboration, and focus on wellness, I am eager to contribute to the Director of Programming role at RHA. My diverse experience, from organizing large-scale events to coordinating international trips, has equipped me with the skills necessary to create dynamic, engaging, and impactful events for Georgia Tech students. I look forward to bringing my creativity, organizational skills, and global perspective to RHA, and I am excited about the opportunity to work with a team to create meaningful and memorable experiences for our community.

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 any one thing about RHA, it would be how well-known RHA events are. When I first transferred to Georgia Tech, I knew that RHA existed due to Week of Welcome and my RAs, but I was unaware of most of the RHA events being held. My RAs only announced the events that they were personally involved with, and since I’m not on Instagram, I received very little information about RHA events through other channels. While there is a monthly newsletter that provides event details, I found that the frequency of communication wasn’t enough for me to plan on attending many of the events later in the month, as I had already forgotten their existence by then. At my previous institution, I had been an active participant in RHA activities, likely due to the fact that I was part of a Living Learning Community, where nearly every resident event was communicated through emails and class announcements. When I transferred, however, I struggled to find out about upcoming events. I often didn’t even know what events were happening in my residence hall. I had to piece together event details from various scattered sources: Where were the events? What was happening? Who was running the event? When was the event? Who was the event made for? Do I need to eat before or after the event? The lack of consolidated communication made it difficult to get the full picture and, frankly, discouraged me from attending many events.

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?

First, I believe that the officers elected for next year, as well as the Primary Advisor, are already committed to improving RHA event accessibility. One way to increase visibility is through the creation of a comprehensive calendar, as Owen Ha plans to do, where all the key details about RHA events are compiled in one place. I also believe that Naann Shao, in her role as Director of Communication, is already planning to utilize various channels, such as continuing the monthly email newsletters and posting events on social media, to help more people stay informed about RHA events. However, for residents who may wish to receive more frequent communication, it might be helpful to consider offering short, reminder-based, bi-weekly, or weekly email updates. These updates could be brief and focused solely on upcoming events, providing an additional layer of timely reminders for those who prefer more frequent communication without significantly increasing workload. This way, residents who want more consistent reminders can stay informed, while still respecting the balance of the existing monthly communications. In addition to these efforts, I believe that engaging RAs more directly in promoting events would help make them more accessible through personal connections. I would also suggest collaborating with existing student clubs and organizations to expand the reach of RHA events. I know that RHA has done this successfully in the past, and I believe it is an effective way to not only increase visibility but also offer a more diverse range of events where residents can explore new topics and perspectives. Many people are more willing to attend events when they know others they trust will be there. Since many students are already connected to different clubs and organizations, partnering with these groups to co-host or promote RHA events could encourage greater word-of-mouth attendance. Clubs can help share event details with their members through emails, meetings, or social media channels, boosting the visibility of RHA activities. Additionally, working with student organizations can create opportunities for joint events, helping to foster a sense of cross-campus community. By partnering with clubs, RHA could create a more inclusive environment where students from various backgrounds feel that RHA events are both relevant and accessible. This approach could also attract students who might not normally engage with RHA but are involved with clubs or organizations that align with their interests.

Miguel Angel Aronátegui González
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Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

During my 2024-2025 academic year, I decided to be more present in my housing community. I went to events and discovered RHA in North Avenue Apartments. Since then, I have felt that I wanted to be part of that amazing community and do my best to let others know of it. For me, RHA is not just one more campus activity; it is a way to meet others, give something back to the community, and have a fun, relaxing time in times of stress. I believe that by joining RHA, I will be able to do all these things and more, and since I love the events, they do, I couldn’t find a role more fitting than the Director of Programming.

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.

During the 2025-2026 academic year, I plan to take 12 credits (four classes) each semester, giving me more than enough time to be involved in extracurricular activities. During my non-coursework plan, I am participating in an Electrical Engineering Program called EMBARC, which takes place once a month every Tuesday for two hours, which is not a lot of commitment time. My other extracurricular activity is working out every day to be an athlete; this commitment has been a part of me since middle school and has not impacted my participation in any other programs since I have developed strong planning skills and a strong sense of responsibility, which has let me meet all my goals and do my best on all of them. Aside from exercising every day and going to one or two classes a day, I will have plenty of time to put into my position as an RHA Executive Board. Since I have already been participating in RHA meetings, I have a good idea of the amount of time they take, and I would prioritize these scheduled times over any other non-important, time-consuming activity. Some of the RHA time-sensitive responsibilities I am already planning on my schedule would be my office hours every week, attending to LC, weekly meetings with the Executive Board and with my advisor, and being present in different housing RHA meetings. All of these and more are the time commitments I am eager to participate in as I don’t see them as a chore but as an opportunity to participate in doing something I love.

Director of Programming

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

Since middle school, I have participated in different clubs and events. For starters, I was in my school’s Robotics, Physics, and Math clubs. I have gone to multiple competitions and saw how event planning works from a participant’s perspective. This said, once I grew up, I have had the opportunity to participate as a volunteer for multiple events from my high school, like Earth Day, career fairs, Folklore Day, and Independence Day. All of these volunteering experiences have taught me the important role of teamwork and how complex the world of planning, reviewing, executing, and most importantly, enjoying the events you do is. Aside from high school experience, I have been an international athlete for around 8 years. This also let me understand how different types of events work and how little details matter to get the best out of the people who are participating. From my perspective, I have found joy when competing as a participant but also when I am a volunteer. Helping others has always been one of my greatest strengths. I have helped organize materials such as clothing, tools, food, and documents. One big event I helped in my community was a church retreat. I had to organize the gifts, letters, and swag that was distributed to participants. I oversaw calling the providers, making sure that each of the materials was correctly customized and reached everyone it was targeted to. Some challenges I encountered were that the providers were not responding and that deadlines for their products were not met. I had to resort to other methods of communication and some strategies to get all the materials on time for the retreat. The preparation part for everything was not simple. First, I had to participate in the event. Then, I had to go to weekly meetings and study and learn the areas that are implemented into hosting the event. Then, when I was given my responsibilities, I had to meet deadlines and prepare everything to go smoothly in the event. I am proud to say that aside from organizing the materials before the event, I was also bestowed with the position to lead one group of participants through their whole experience. This multitasking skill I applied had taught me that a lot of the responsibilities you have can be met if you have good preparation and are properly aware of the resources you need to complete them. Another experience I have had is working as a front desk in a clinic. I was able to achieve skills such as learning how to communicate with people, assist others with their requests, and also do a lot of office work such as organizing documents, talking with providers, and ensuring everything is well organized and nothing is missing or out of place. I have also helped plan events such as the Christmas dinner, the mental health month, and birthday presents for other employees. Now, I want to talk about my experience in Georgia Tech housing. My freshman year, I was presented to RHA through my RA, which encouraged us to go to events and vote for things we wanted to happen. It was a fun little experience, but I still didn’t know enough. My second year, I went to a couple more RHA events, talked to people, and loved the dynamic. Then, my third year, I decided I wanted to get my hands on and be part of the organizers that provided these events to residents. That is why I decided to be in the North Avenue RHA Hall council. The experience of being part of organizing events has allowed me to learn a lot about Georgia Tech Housing, the funds they have to give back to the students, and how residents can participate and submit their own events (some being very creative and others asking for cars or a TV). This excites me since I felt that as a resident and as a student, the place I am living at knows my situation and provides me with a fun and healthy way to excel in my daily life. For example, there are wellness events before exams, there are different opportunities to meet with others and relax from the hectic lives we have as students. And with this mentality, my Hall council and I have created events such as movie nights, Lego competitions, puzzles, picnics, painting, bouquet making, clay making, tote bag decorating, Halloween parties, Valentine’s Day Candygrams… All of these events have taught me the importance of creating community, and I am sure that if I get the role of Director of Programming, I will be able to do these and a lot more events to give back to students, let RHA be known and spread, and make my dream of others to experience RHA and get the best of it as I have done, a reality. Lastly, I’ve been gaining experience as a member of the Programming committee, familiarizing myself with the work and doing my best to ensure that the events turn out as planned.

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

The Director of Programming position is much more than just planning events. I believe it is an opportunity to help students build a sense of community, to allow some to just stop and relax, and it is a great opportunity to teach everyone something important through a fun activity, for example, teaching the dimensions of wellness. I believe our lives nowadays are built on an accumulation of events, and some events are momentaneous, and others stay with you as memories for the rest of your lives. I want to be able to create these types of events and inspire others to make a change in their lives. It can be something simple such as making an event about planting a flower, which has so much meaning but sounds fun. I want to believe that flower will someday grow and become something greater, and that’s the seed I want to plant into others in my events. I also feel that this opportunity will help me grow and understand others and what they want or need more, which is an aspect of myself that I would love to strengthen even more with this role.

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

As an international student, I plan to bring new ideas and a new point of view for my events. I want my events to be full-rounded, to feel well-planned, and to have a meaning. I plan to achieve this by implementing my years of experience attending events around the world and applying my knowledge and expertise into making them a reality. I am planning to make RHA known from the week of welcome. I am hoping to have a very strong encounter with new students, spread awareness, and for it to be a good start of the semester. My goals are to make the organization known, to make people want to incorporate RHA into their lives, and to build a community as we are all students, and we need to help each other to thrive. Aside from my eager goal of reaching students, I bring a sense of responsibility, my hands-on experience in event planning, my aptitude for hard work and helping others, and my research experience to make my events not just fun but something useful for people’s lives. I am a fast learner and innovative thinker, that is why I have already been talking to the current director of programming, Morgan Summerlin, for a week to learn about the role, to understand the requirements, and also help in what I can because there is no better way to learn than doing things for yourself. That is why I am part of the Programming committee, and I have been able to help in the planning and making of some of the DOP events. I have learned the fundamentals and feel well prepared to apply all my knowledge into my own events. Lastly, I understand this is not just me working. We are an executive board, and we all have a say in what the others do. I will propose my events, ask everyone what they think, what they like, what can be improved, and even if things have to be changed, I will be excited to do that because we are learning on the go and I am a good listener. This role is not individual. I feel that the director of programming is a collective job. The executive board is a team, and we rely on each other. The residents and students are our goal, so it all has to go around what they want and what they need. I know that I have some important tasks, and I will do them to my best in a timely and respectful manner, but for the most part, for me, this is more than a job; it is an opportunity to grow and give back to others, and that is why I will give my all. Now I want to get into details about the events I plan to do. For the most part, I plan to have food at every event since that is what brings people over. There should always be a vegan alternative, and I will not buy food from places I know people are not going to come to get. Aside from the food, I plan to structure my events in the following form: first, there will be a welcome to the people and a really brief talk about what RHA is. If I am allowed to, I would even have little pamphlets and stickers of RHA to create awareness (I won’t make the initial talk anything large; it will be just a welcome and a 2-sentence explanation of RHA, which I would say to everyone who arrives while I give them the pamphlet and the sticker). Then people can participate in the events. I will try my best to help everyone participate and have a fun experience with the event. For example, I am thinking of doing an event about planting a flower. I will have some foods that go with the planting vibe, and I will provide the pots already with soil. I will welcome everyone and give them gloves and seeds to plant a little flower or some different plants. I will teach them how the plant is called, what they need to do to help it grow, and let them know that plants are important and fun. With this event, I am teaching about nature. I am helping students get a healthy hobby, which is taking care of a plant, and I am leaving them with an experience that will last them a long time (hopefully they take good care of the plant and it grows into something beautiful). These goals are what I am looking to give in this role and is what I plan to do with all of my events.

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

For me, RHA is a great opportunity for people to build community, but I have seen that some feel afraid to participate or don’t really understand that these events are free and that they are not signing into any responsibilities, as there is no compromising for attending and it is just a fun event to enjoy. A lot of people also don’t know what RHA means, so I want to help them understand that we are there for them, and our goal is to provide a space and time for them and that it is important to take a break from the stress school can give them.

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 am really confident that the problem of not knowing what RHA is can be fixed. I believe that a fun way to address it is by giving pamphlets at events. These pamphlets should explain where we get our funds and what they are used for. They should also give some examples of the events we have funded and help people to not be afraid to come and ask for help to fund fun activities on campus. It should not be long. I am thinking about six sides in which the first one has a small paragraph explaining RHA, the second side explains our goals and vision with some pictures, the third side (the middle one) has our whole budget and a list of fun activities we help sponsor, the fourth side has some ground rules for getting our funding, and the fifth side has more photos of fun activities we had done. And the last side has our social media and contacts. By doing this, it should be really straightforward who we are, what we are capable of doing, and make it easier for people who are looking to get involved to do so. I want to make sure people do know us, so I think these pamphlets should be at every RHA event (even the individual Hall council meetings) and, if possible, also be distributed at the beginning of the semester by RA’s. Another fun way to address this is by making the RHA social media more present, doing an Instagram takeover, more of the Instagram giveaway, and trying to make the social media more interactive in the dorms like making a fun dance or uploading the RHA chants or events highlights… Lastly, I would like to make people come to more office hours of RHA so they are able to ask and learn more about us. I really like what this year’s Director of Programming is doing, which is giving some snacks and food twice a month during her office hours, which encourages people to attend and learn a little more about RHA.

Kayla Vallere
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Education: B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I am motivated to join the RHA Executive Board because I desire to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of campus residents. I hope to collaborate with other Board members to advocate for residents, promote a community of belonging, and assure that the desires of residents are not only heard, but also fulfilled. Therefore, my goal is to demonstrate leadership and make the on-campus experience positively memorable.

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.

The obligations external to RHA that I anticipate are serving as a GT 1000 Team Leader, being a member of 1-2 campus organizations, and serving as the Chief Product Officer of a startup company. I plan to balance these commitments by incorporating an extensive schedule and task calendar that ensure I am cognizant of the responsibilities and tasks I have due. Scheduling will allow me to plan accordingly and stay organized to avoid experiencing work overloads. Additionally, I hope to complete tasks at least 1-2 days before their official deadlines to account for any scheduling or commitment conflicts that may arise. Lastly, if I do ever experience troubles with managing these commitments, I will be transparent with the team by taking accountability for my duties and asking for help from others if needed.

Director of Programming

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

In high school, I held leadership positions as president, secretary, and event coordinator across three clubs. Additionally, I volunteered as a Youth Leader for summer and fall break camps, collaborating with fellow counselors to guide campers during weekly cooking, cartooning, and coding lessons. I also motivated and supervised campers in team building, outdoor activities, tutoring sessions, and field trips. In the summer between high school and college I joined the team for a startup company called Seamlist, which is dedicated to guiding aspiring authors in their writing and publishing journey and designing an automated book marketing tool and software for independent authors. Through this experience I have gained tremendous insight, working in a three-person team to design experiments to refine our company focus, conduct customer and market research, and attend meetings with clients and prospective clients. Additionally, I have learned to build a strong connection within our team, especially during our coworking sessions and weekly meetings where we discuss highlights, issues that need to be addressed, and our tasks for the upcoming week. Other aspects that I admire about working in Seamlist is that we each hold each other accountable, give daily check-ins to ensure we are staying on target, and encourage each other. Due to my contributions to Seamlist, I now serve as the Chief Product Officer. Furthermore, I am a mentor through the Ron Brown Scholar GPS Connect Program and served as a GT1000 Team Leader in Fall 2024, supporting incoming first-year students and providing guidance and advice with career development, personal support, and college decision making. Additionally, last semester I became the Events Coordinator for Nelson Shell Apartments, working with my fellow officers to organize meetings and plan events. Serving as the Events Coordinator so far has been insightful because I desire to hear feedback from residents, therefore I created surveys to gauge what events residents would enjoy. Furthermore, working in this team has taught me that it is important to be willing to help other officers, accept help from them, and be accommodating and flexible in regard to varying schedules. Similarly, I am a member of the RHA Programming Committee and last year I contributed to generating ideas for the decorations used during the Thanksgiving event. Considering that I was given creative liberties, I truly enjoyed experiencing the efforts needed to plan and execute an RHA event. I also volunteered on the day of the Thanksgiving event and felt glad to be a part of seeing students come in, take a break from studying, and enjoy the event. Overall, my history of leadership has taught me the importance of being an effective communicator, learning from mistakes, being adaptable, collaborating with my peers, and remembering to have a positive attitude. Therefore, I plan on applying my experience to this position by being attentive to the needs and wants of residents, being approachable and inclusive towards everyone, having an open mind to change and different perspectives, and striving to perform my best as part of the RHA Executive Board.

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

I am interested in the Director of Programming position because I hope to organize large and small-scale events that promote wellness, have a lasting impact, and cater to the interests of residents. As an Events Coordinator and member of the Programming Committee I have enjoyed planning hall council programs, volunteering at RHA events, and gaining insight on the responsibilities of the current DOP. Therefore, I plan to use this knowledge to coordinate engaging events during Welcome Week and throughout the year that will appeal to the diverse residential community. Additionally, I look forward to receiving any suggestions and feedback from residents, HCOs, and Executive Board members to ensure the events are positively memorable and the planning process runs smoothly. Ultimately, my goal in this position is for residents to have at least one RHA-led event be a highlight during their residential experience at Tech.

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

As the Director of Programming, I plan to bring open communication, transparency, and collaboration. With my prior experiences in leadership, I am positive that I can fulfill my responsibilities and promote the mission of RHA by organizing exciting programs for residents that encourage a positive residential experience. I will strive to diversify the events hosted to best suit the interests of all types of residents. For example, I could host smaller crafting programs for residents who enjoy expressing their creativity, outdoor activities for those who enjoy being in the sun, and cultural events for residents who want to learn more about the world. In other words, my goal is to plan events that residents would like to see. To ensure this, I plan to ask for ideas from the Programming Committee because I want to be considerate of other perspectives and want members to be involved in the planning process. Furthermore, to be an open communicator I will seek to be approachable during Legislative Council meetings, office hours, and via email so that others such as residents, Hall Council officers, and RAs feel free to contact me. Likewise, I plan to serve as a contact between RHA and external organizations such as vendors and to ensure strong connections that will make event planning seamless. This will require consistent two-way communication on my end, therefore I seek to be open-minded and approachable. Additionally, I plan to bring transparency because I want residents, RAs, and Hall Directors to all be aware of the day-to-day operations within RHA and the Executive Board. Therefore, I desire to provide timely updates to keep everyone informed during LC meetings. Another aspect I would like to encourage is seeking constructive feedback from residents through surveys to gauge not only my performance, but also RHA’s performance and use such feedback for improvement. Therefore, sending out feedback forms after events would be a great way to learn the aspects that went well versus those that could use some development and changes. Lastly, I plan to be highly collaborative not only with other Executive Board members, but also with residents, campus organizations, Hall Council officers, and Hall Directors. This is because I believe extensive and widespread collaboration will lead to greater campus outreach and foster meaningful connections between each group. Overall, my ultimate goal is to support and assist fellow RHA Executive Board members to ensure that our objectives are being met.

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

In my first year at Tech I was unfamiliar with RHA and I am confident others have felt or currently feel the same. Therefore, I would improve the awareness of RHA because I believe that many residents are unaware of RHA and all it has to offer. Even on a smaller scale, I have noticed during my time as a Hall Council officer that residents are not always familiar with aspects such as Hall Council meetings, bill submissions, and additional inner workings associated with RHA. Additionally, from my experience with helping to plan the Thanksgiving event with the Programming Committee I noticed that some of the attendees stated they were not even aware of the event prior but only happened to attend because of a friend in RHA telling them. Therefore, I believe work can be done to assure that more residents are better informed of RHA.

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?

To address the awareness of RHA within the resident community, I believe more opportunities for direct engagement are necessary. Although serving as the Director of Communication comes with the benefit of managing social media and newsletters, I recognize that these communication methods are not always effective for reaching the majority audience. Therefore, hosting engagement events such as in-person panels, promotions, and giveaways would increase the likelihood that residents would become more mindful of RHA. Additionally, even hanging posters around campus would encourage residents to learn more about RHA. Lastly, one key asset that may be overlooked is that RHA is affiliated with Resident Assistants who have direct contact with the residents. Therefore, fostering stronger communication between RHA and RAs and encouraging RAs to speak to residents about RHA would bring us one step closer to expanding RHA’s reach on campus.

C. Rix Lawler
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Education: B.S. in Business Administration

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I want to join the RHA Exec board simply because I want to help RHA. I have been part of RHA for about a year, and I have really connected with the people and the purpose of RHA. I love RHA, but I have also noticed some problems. I believe that by joining the executive board, I could help to alleviate RHA of many of these issues while also contributing to my own role as well as assisting my fellow exec board members and residents. I want to get more involved with RHA, and the best way for me to do that effectively would be for me to join the exec board.

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.

Honestly, outside of classes I do not expect to have many obligations next semester/year. I am planning on taking an average class load. I also plan on getting involved with a church group, but nothing more than just an attendee for Sunday morning church. I want to make sure that I prioritize RHA and my grades instead of other activities. Therefore, balancing my commitments should be fairly straightforward. Every day, I will have time set aside for RHA. I plan to dedicate myself to the role like I would for any serious job. Of course, if something comes up (like family health issues) I wouldn’t be able to attend, but I cannot plan for any of that. Honestly I am kind of rambling here (like a wreck, get it?), but the bottom line is that if I get the position, I will be primarily dedicated to the executive board and nothing else outside of my grades. Even if something does come up, I plan on prioritizing RHA activities as much as possible. If I have to skip a party, I’d do it in a heartbeat for RHA. Trust me!

Director of Programming

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

I have been a member of the Hall Council Association for about a year now and I have learned a ton during that short amount of time. I have spoken extensively with many of the executive board members and learned much about their roles as well as my own. I have also specifically been a member of the Programming Committee since I joined last Fall as well. This Committee has helped me to become an active part of RHA and how the role of Director of Programming works. Also, I have been doing what every Hall Council officer has been doing: Hall Council. I have led many weekly hall council meetings with upwards of thirty people often showing each week. This responsibility has prepared me for the position I am applying for as well as strengthening how I already am as a Hall Council Officer. A also was in a leading position in my high school Drama team, as well as my high school Beta club. Those positions helped me to learn the basis of leadership and fortified me even further. While there definitely could be plenty of other people with similar experience, I plan to utilize my past to propel me further than the rest of the pack. As a STAR student from my high school, there is plenty of evidence to back myself up.

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

I am interested in joining the executive board for the role of Director of Programming. I initially did not apply for this role as I doubted myself and believed that there were others greater than me who could do this role, but that was not the case as no one applied the first time around. After seeing that, I got the confidence to apply. I am in the Programming Committee, so I get to see firsthand how the Director of Programming operates. After seeing that, I know that I would love to be in that same position. I already am glad with what I am able to do in the Programming Committee, but being in a higher position would give me much more reach and connection to help RHA.

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

I plan to being the RHA a greater impact on Georgia Tech as a whole, as well as within itself in the RHA members. I want more people to go “WOAHHHH THAT RHA EVENT WAS AWESOME! WE SHOULD GO CHECK EM OUT!” after every single event. Sure, RHA is active, but I want to bring more pizazz to this organization.

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 one thing about RHA, it would be Legislative Council. Its sooooo boring, but it doesn’t need to be at all. I would introduce events, possibly before the meeting starts, to bring more joy to the more drool inducing sides of RHA.

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?

Answered in the previous response^^^

FY26 DOF and DOP Elections

Hello!!!

I am excited to announce that we are continuing the Election Process for the Director of Finance and Director of Programming positions for the 2025-2026 school year. This post will detail the timeline of the election for everyone, detail the application process, provide the necessary documentation, and then finally link to the application. If you have not participated in an RHA election before, please make sure to read all of the available material to get proper context and information.

Election Timeline:
2/27: Application for the DOP Position is live.
3/6 @11:59pm: Application for the Executive Board closes
3/11: Candidate Information Page is published.
3/11 -2/12: Platform Reviews
3/12 @8:00am: Candidates are required to submit materials for Election Night.
3/12 @7:00pm: Elections

Application Process:
All applicants for all positions must have the following actions done by their respective dates:
• Submit an application that is fully, correctly, and intentionally filled out.
• Submit a slide deck for an 8 minute presentation.
• Attend Legislative Council on their respective election night, 7pm – later.
• Have not campaigned in any capacity.
• Prepare for questions about RHA contributions, experience, knowledge, and intent.

Election Documentation:
• Position Descriptions (Information within the Position Descriptions is subject to change)
• Constitution
• Policy Book

Application Link:
• FY26 DOF and DOP Elections

Make sure to fill out every required question with a true, intentional, and helpful answer.
This should be all your own work. Any applications using AI can be disqualified.
Make sure to save your answers separately, as Qualtrics has been known to delete answers upon refreshing.

FY26 Executive Board Election Candidates

The following candidates have applied to run in the FY26 RHA Executive Board elections. Primary positions indicate the position that each candidate will initially run for; secondary positions represent “bid-down” positions that each candidate may run for, should they lose the election for their primary position of interest.

Ethan Morlu
Primary Position: Executive President
Secondary Position: None

Nathan Morlu
Primary Position: Director of Development
Secondary Position: None

Sterling Payton
Primary Position: Director of Administration
Secondary Position: None

Owen Ha
Primary Position: Director of Administration
Secondary Position: None

Kayla Vallere
Primary Position: Director of Communication
Secondary Position: None

Naann Shao
Primary Position: Director of Communication
Secondary Position: Director of Programming

Learn More About the Candidates

Below, you’ll find each candidate’s answers to a series of questions related to their experience and platform, along with copies of candidates’ resumes.

Ethan Morlu
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Education: Mechanical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Completed

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

Being on the executive board for RHA this past year has been such a fulfilling and fun experience. I’ve been able to serve residents by representing them and their interests in meetings with the Director of Housing Residence Life, connected with hall council officers through socials, trainings, and LCs, and been able to spearhead development of the organization through our goals. I’ve had so much fun interacting with hall council officers, attending conferences, and having a greater impact on residents that I want to continue to impact campus next year.

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.

During next year, my only major plan is to be on the executive board of RHA. This past year, I have successfully led RHA while also being the Treasurer for the Wrestling Club @ Georgia Tech, President of the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, a grader for Rigid Body Dynamics (ME 2202), and involved in research in Dr. Hu’s lab. Next year, I will be stepping back in many of these organizations, serving as just a member or a student advisor. I will also not be a grader for a class. These other organizations and research will take up a maximum of 10 hours per week. When on the RHA Executive Board, RHA will be my top priority. All other commitments are flexible with attendance and commitment level, and I am able, willing, and planning to lower my commitment so I pour all the time I possibly can into my responsibilities for RHA. Clear communication is important to me, so I will make sure to communicate all conflicts that may arise with the rest of the executive board. I will make sure to put RHA and residents first, and then my other commitments will come second.

Executive President

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

I have served in the position of Executive President for the last year. I have a lot of passion for this role, as it gives me the opportunity to understand firsthand the responsibility that comes with representing residents across campus, and the actions I need to take to ensure the organization runs properly. I develop myself as a person, while serving the campus community. As president this year, I have had the chance to meet with the Director of Housing and Residence Life, SGA’s Housing Chair, and SGA’s VP of Campus Affairs to discuss issues that residents had communicated to us, and how we can best use RHA’s budget and the DOH’s budget to fund initiative to better provide resources to residents who might not have them. I personally worked on helping SGA finalize the Menstrual Product Program, bringing these products to some dorms around campus to assist students that face troubles getting these products. I have also been working with SGA on a first aid kit initiative, trying to get first aid supplies into dorms to provide immediate care resources to students who lack kits themselves. Being able to advocate for improvements in the dorm has been a very rewarding experience, where I’ve developed the skills needed for effective communication of issues and generating solutions to the issues. I have also been able to lead the organization through achieving its goals for the year. With respect to making the organization more visible across campus, I’ve been a part of the execution of all our major programs, from Fall Festival to our Week of Welcome events. In addition, I also had the opportunity to represent the organization and all residents in public spaces like the fall organization fair, a well-attended public MLK panel hosted by the department of housing, and soon the groundbreaking of the new student dormitory at Curran street. For the goal of building community within the organization, I have been able to work with the Director of Development about how to make social events more engaging, lunch and learns more interesting, and how to improve our trainings all around. I was also able to institute a plan to have the executive board attend more Hall Council meetings throughout the semester so we can be more accessible to the officers. I look forward to seeing you HCOs at your meetings throughout the semester! Finally, I’ve made Legislative Council meetings more engaging by instituting themes, having a larger budget for food, and including fun quizzes to give a little brain break from the meeting. For the goal of improving internal infrastructure, I’ve encouraged the Exec Board members to send out more calendar invites for events so information can be shared in more ways that work for different members of the organization. I also expanded our executive cabinet to integrate RAs and NRHH into RHA more and amended the constitution to include committees and give residents and officers a pathway to contribute to the campus-level of the organization more readily. I’ve had so much fun being able to take part in moving the organization closer to these goals, and hope to continue to Grow the organization as I Lead members in Uniting residents across campus next year. While I have served as Executive President, I started RHA as the Finance Officer of the Nelson Shell Community (now hall) Council. While serving as a Financial Officer, I gained a very good understanding of RHA policy that has been beneficial while supporting Hall Council officers. The most important thing that I’ve developed while on the hall council, however, was the ability to work as a team. Nelson Shell community council was made up of mostly new faces, and we had to quickly come to understand one another and define our expectations for one another. We then had to figure out what our own responsibilities were and figure out how we best worked together with one another. We finished the semester functioning as a well-oiled machine, I will make sure that the new executive board quickly breaks through the troubles that come with an unfamiliar team, and make sure the Executive Board runs like a well-oiled machine that can serve residents across campus. In addition to my leadership in RHA, I have also served in various leadership positions from Vice President of Operations of the ME Honor Society, President of the ME Honor Society, and Treasurer of the Wrestling Club @ Georgia Tech. All these positions have given me experience in keeping members engaged in the respective organizations through high quality programs and activity, while working with teams of other leaders to make sure that the organization is growing and catering to the needs of the members. Additionally, I have also acted as a bridge between overhead organizations and the members of my organizations, advocating for the members. These experiences have heavily helped prepare me for the work I have been doing over the past year and will continue to act as foundation for the planning and advocacy I do for residents. My oldest leadership position is Senior Patrol Leader of my scout troop in high school, where I successfully led the troop through the COVID-19 pandemic and gained my Eagle Scout Rank. Leading the troop entailed working directly with the patrol leaders to make sure that they were effectively running their patrols, as well as helping them out with any issues that arose. As Executive President, I directly with the Executive Board, making sure that everything is running smoothly in their positions and finding ways I can help. I also serve as a point of contact for Hall Council Officers and external organizations that need support or advice on something in the community. I have the know-how to reach out to people, and make sure that everything is going well. These experiences have helped build up my ability to reach out and communicate with others to make sure everything is going well.

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

I am especially interested in the Executive President position because it is the position where I can have the greatest impact on residents. Being the direct line with the key administration means that I have a real impact on how the Department of Housing deals with residents. I will be able to elevate residents’ ideas to them and hear from them what direction the Department of Housing is heading. I want to be able to have a real impact on the Department of Housing, and there isn’t a better position to that end. I also want to be Executive President because they are arguably the most visible member of the Executive Board. This will give me the ability to connect with Hall Council officers and other residents more easily about what is happening in their community, whether that be something good or something that needs to change. This will give me the opportunity to help and make a change, if need be, or just encourage or support them. As president of the Residence Hall Association, I want to be able to support residents who need it, and make residents’ needs and ideas come to fruition.

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

Beyond my prior experience, I am proud to bring my listening skills, thoroughness, and dedication to the organization. I am proud to bring the fact that I am a good listener to this position. Being able to not just hear, but to listen to other people will is a highly beneficial quality for Executive President because I am the person who has a direct line to some of the key administration in the Department of Housing. This allows me to bring what residents want from the Department of Housing up the chain accurately and convey important information from the Department down to residents. This gives me a good platform for serving as a representative, but that platform is enhanced by the fact that I am also good at talking. I can effectively communicate the needs of residents to the administration and incite changes that benefit all residents. I am also someone who is very thorough. When I work on any project, be that schoolwork or extracurricular, I make sure to put in my utmost to make sure the result is above standard. This can be seen through my academic achievements. I strive for this excellence as I serve as Executive President in all the interactions I have, meetings I run, and events I help plan. I will do my best to make sure that RHA is correctly representing what the residents want and need to the Department of Housing and the greater Georgia Tech community. I will also bring time to the organization. Because I will not dedicate too much time to other extracurricular activities, I will make sure that RHA benefits from that extra time I have. I will pour my time into the different events and initiatives that RHA has, as well as talking with residents to make sure that the organization can perform how it needs to, and more.

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 want to improve the amount of community building that RHA does. RHA is an organization that puts on many different fun events, organizes initiatives, and has regular hall council meetings, but I still feel as though many residents don’t really understand what kind of communities they miss out on by not engaging with hall council and legislative council. I want more people to have positive experiences with Hall Council and RHA, so they find opportunities to get plugged into residential and campus wide community. I also want to build up the feeling of community between Hall Council officers and exec, providing more opportunities for them to connect, share ideas, collaborate, and voice concerns. If this was improved, I feel like there would be an increase in wellness in dorms and across campus, and residents would have a better residential experience, getting to know others in their dorms. I know from experience that being on hall council and exec has let me meet many different people that I would not have ever met if not for it.

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?

One way that RHA could build better community is diversifying the types of events that we put on. RHA exec could put on more social events focused on dorm areas to build connections between HCOs living in areas. Another type of event could be through pop-up booths where residents can talk to a member of the Executive Board and grab some stuff. There could also be more Lunch and Learns and discussions with prominent figures on campus to give residents and HCOs a chance to bring suggestions to campus administration. Another way RHA could build community is through being even more responsive to the needs of residents. This would build a stronger sense of residents’ voices being heard and allow for stronger bonds to form around advocacy. One idea I have is to make an easily accessible form for residents where they can put general concerns that they are having about their housing situation, or otherwise. This would allow RHA to have a direct line of what the residents want and what they are concerned about so that I would be able to bring this up with the key administration in the Department of Housing. RHA could also host “town halls”, where residents can come and talk with the organizational leadership about their issues. Residents can also be encouraged to bring their worries or changes they want to see in the form of resolutions to Legislative Council through emails, at events, and at Hall Council Meetings. RHA could also build community by making it even more fun for participants. This could be done through improving things RHA already does, like community sessions at Legislative Council, events put on by the Executive Board, through further improving the trainings, or through more meaningful and interesting office hours.

Nathan Morlu
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Education: Mechanical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Completed

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I wish to return to the Executive Board because I have seen and been able to contribute to the positive effect of events and initiatives that have been put forth as the current Director of Development. RHA’s events, HCO’s events, and even internal RHA social events give a chance for residents to come together, have fun, and alleviate the stress of school. I want to continue helping with planning and executing them. Additionally, I have seen the positive effect of the work I have been doing, by improving trainings and hosting worthwhile events for HCOs and want to contribute more to making RHA a fun and useful organization to be part of.

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.

This upcoming year, I will most likely hold a student advisor position in the Wrestling Club on campus. This will be a major step back from this year where I served as Executive President and successfully completed my duties as Director of Development simultaneously. Though the wrestling club hosts 2-3 two-hour evening practices per week, I have managed to secure a wrestling practice time that does not conflict with most RHA meetings and events. When there has been a conflict, such as on the night of the Fall Festival, I have prioritized my RHA commitments. I intend to continue this into the following year, especially since I will be in a position with lesser responsibilities. The wrestling club has low commitment requirements for members and has a strong executive board who has and will cover for me and allows me to put my time into RHA should any time conflicts arise. In addition to the Wrestling Club, I will hold an executive board position in the Pi Tau Sigma honor society. This is a continuation from this year and a much less rigorous role than RHA, with a much smaller scope of responsibilities, so I will be able to put my all into my Executive Board role. I will also be in Tau Beta Pi honor society as a member, and it is another low commitment role.

Director of Development

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

My most relevant experience to date is my current role as the Director of Development of RHA. This year, I have gained a lot of experience starting from the summer of 2024. Over the summer, I began building experience by building the Hall Council of the Year award criteria that is in use for this current Hall Council Year from scratch. I learned how to coordinate between different positions on the executive board, working to host a cook-out event over the summer and Week-of-Welcome events. During our regular year, I have worked to organize both the Hall Council Officer Fall Training and the Hall Council Officer Spring Training. Using feedback from Hall Council Officers, I was able to work to improve the Spring Training and create a better and more social experience. I also worked to host social events and lunch and learns, trying to find times and activities that can allow Hall Council Officers (HCOs) to learn, grow and have fun. Through my time as Director of Development, I have built skills that allow me to coordinate with the executive board. Working with our current executive board has shown me the importance of collaborating to make events enjoyable and diverse. I have learned the importance of being reachable as well as utilizing different communication methods to get the word about events out to Hall Council Officers. Getting to know HCOs and recognizing them for the work they do is just as important as providing opportunities for them. By being open and communicating effectively, I have been striving to bridge the gap between the executive board and HCOs. I have also learned how to host a successful social event and lunch and learn. This has allowed HCOs to bond and to develop as students and professionals. I feel that the important lessons I have learned in the role of the Director of Development help to prepare me for another term and would allow me to start strongly. Another relevant prior experience was my time as Meetings Coordinator of the Nelson-Shell Community (Hall) Council. In this role, I worked with my fellow Community (Hall) Council Officers to host weekly community council meetings, to plan events in the community, and to work closely with residents to hear about issues about our building and to pass bills that are transformative for the community. During my time in the role, I was also able to complete the Larry T. Brown Leadership track and win Meetings Coordinator of the Year and a Bronze Pin of Recognition. These responsibilities help prepare me for the role of Director of Development since I will be able to communicate effectively with the rest of the Executive Board on important matters. I have been able to use my experience writing meeting agendas to keep the discussion on track and meaningful. I have been able to use my ability to work in a team to effectively distribute work so that everyone in the Executive Board will feel like they are part of a team and something greater. I want to keep using these skills I have as a baseboard for growing and serving RHA. I have additional leadership experience from my time as Wrestling Club Executive President. Leading the wrestling club has taught me important lessons in communicating with campus resources, managing my time to make sure that things are moving forward and that I am making the most with the time I have, and taking the collective wishes of my club members into account and properly conveying those outwards. Communication with campus resources is important since they are integral to everything that happens. Though I have mainly communicated with the CRC, I have learned the etiquette needed when working with others and the important lesson to have enough time. Managing my time is extremely important when balancing all my responsibilities. My time as Wrestling Club Executive President has taught me the importance of keeping an accurate to-do list and following up with myself and others. These are things I implement frequently and find important to maintaining a proper running organization, regardless of the role. Arguably, the most important thing I have learned is advocating for my club members. As Director of Development, I will need to advocate for HCOs. Knowing how to collect their voices and how to present it most effectively is something crucial for this position that I have experience in. The final position that I have held that will prepare me for this role is the Senior Patrol Leader in my Scout Troop when I was in high school. Though it is a position I held when I was younger, I learned important lessons about communicating with advisors and event execution. As the Senior Patrol Leader, I did a lot of communicating with the adults in my troop to get a benchmark of where we were and where we needed to go. This was tantamount in my growth since I learned how to be prepared for these conversations and I learned how to set reasonable goals and expectations. I learned a lot about event execution as well. One of my responsibilities was to plan troop outings and itineraries. This helped me in coming up with fun yet fulfilling ways to spend time during events and then executing them. Many of the merit badge focused camping trips and events that I hosted functioned similarly to training sessions for younger scouts. Though it is not exactly equivalent, I will continue to use these skills of knowing what keeps people engaged to plan strong HCOFT and HCOST sessions.

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

I am interested in being Director of Development because I want to continue to support the hall councils and to help them grow. As an HCO, I had a lot of fun. Being able to support HCOs as Director of Development has allowed me to help others to have an even better experience than I have. I would love to continue supporting the trainings and enjoy my interactions with officers. I enjoy hosting social events and lunch and learns and want to keep hosting events that are engaging for HCOs. Additionally, I would love to continue to approve the HCOFT and HCOST sessions to bring an engaging and riveting experience for our officers. I really wish to use the feedback from officers to keep growing and bettering the experience that they have all around.

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

I plan to bring my work-ethic and my outgoing personality to the organization and positions. I have a very strong work ethic. I strive to get all my work done on time and to the highest quality. This shows through different facets of my life. In school, I am at the top of my class. As Director of Development, I have done this by more than doubling the amount of Lunch and Learns and Social events that were offered in the previous year. I have also found ways to make trainings more efficient and social based, managing to shrink the long training parts from a 6-hour session at HCOFT, to a 2-hour session at the HCOFT recap, to a 1-hour block at HCOST. I also cut the training time in half, moving from an 8-hour day to a 4-hour session. As meetings coordinator last year, I took my role to review bills and present them correctly and effectively at meetings very seriously. I made a point of knowing and reviewing policy in the policy book and following it and what I learned in training when dealing with bills and meetings. Despite this, many of the residents who went repeatedly to the Nelson-Shell community council attended because I was able to make it fun for them. I do not let my seriousness about policy get in the way of my interactions with residents and others. I even used tiny explanations of why I do things the way I do to bring humor to the meetings. I feel that my ability to be hardworking and my personality blend together in a way that would allow me to act uniquely. Another thing I plan to bring to the position is my ability to be flexible when the situation requires it. I find it important to plan meetings and events out fully, however, when last minute changes come around, I can act and pivot to make the most of the situation or to find a better alternative. This is something that I have been cultivating all the way back since high school. One example is when a Scout Camporee (a multi-troop skill competition) was canceled after we got to the camping site camping, and I designed an in-troop skill competition so we could still do almost everything we set out to do on that camping trip. I also have continued to be flexible here in school with my role as DOD, and The Wrestling Club as well. This struck unexpectedly when a resident approached me and the Hall Council officers of Nelson Shell, wanting to host a 64 person trivia event. Though it was not something I was accustomed to in my role, I happily worked with them to reserve the Cypress Theater, order food, and set up and take down for the event. The event was successful, and I was able to help without sacrificing my other duties. To the organization, I plan to bring my dedication to the role that I am in. I plan to do my upmost to keep RHA as a great organization and using my time management skills and my ability to plan accordingly, I plan on putting time to building the organization’s training resources and finding ways to effectively communicate information to HCOs.

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 one thing about RHA, I would try to get the Executive Board more involved in attending hall councils across the campus. In my opinion, currently, the best way to interface with the members of the executive board is Legislative Council. While I think Legislative Council is great, I think it would be wonderful if members of the Executive Board could come to hall councils campuswide occasionally. I feel that it would not need to be a steadfast rule that says that they need to be at every council meeting, but maybe just 1 or 2 per semester to say hi and to help build a stronger relationship between the community councils and the executive board. This is something I have started to work on this year, but feel that could be improved greatly next year.

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 feel that this is a problem that can’t be fully fixed but can be acted upon depending on the Executive Board’s Availability. The current Executive Board has shown interest in coming to meetings and has started to work towards attending more meetings; however, I have seen how tricky it can be to coordinate schedules. There is a living resource on the RHA website that gives the current meeting times and locations for community councils. Leveraging that and working with the executive president to create an initiative that helps Executive Board members coming to Hall Council Meetings could help to make this more of a reality. Unfortunately, though there are a lot of variables to overcome in this, some things that could be improved to help the executive board and individual community councils’ bond better could be a stronger emphasis on customizing bylaws and passing resolutions. The bylaws help to set the culture for a specific community council; however, I feel they can be overlooked since they hold a lot of similar information as the policy book. Utilizing these bylaws could help the Executive Board get a better feeling on the culture and the priorities of the members in the community council which could help to foster a better relationship during interactions at Legislative Council. Another thing is resolutions. Resolutions can be fun as well as serious. Something that RHA has considered in the past that I would like to bring back is hosting fun resolutions to help create a more interconnected feeling across RHA. Another thing that could be improved to help the executive board and individual community councils’ bond could be a stronger emphasis on hosting multi-community events, passing them through Legislative Council, and inviting the executive board. This way, the executive board would be able to see some of the amazing work that community councils are doing while also being able to interact with them on less of a ‘work’ basis. An example of this type of event is the Fall Physical Wellness Festival. This event, spearheaded by Hemphill Hall Council, was one such event. It managed to bring a similar amount of buzz as an event hosted by the executive board itself and helped the executive board get to know Hemphill Hall Council’s members. I believe that finding ways to encourage feedback from hall council officers would also bridge this gap. During my time as Director of Development, I feel that communicating only through teams puts limitations on HCOs and what they feel they can say and want to look for a way to help establish a 2-way street of conversation between HCOs and the executive board.

Sterling Payton
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Education: Mechanical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I have served as the DOF on the executive board for the past year which has been an incredible personal and professional experience. I value the personal relationships I made throughout my time, as well as the impact I was able to make on events throughout campus. From financially advising other officers to expressing opinions on decisions, I have loved my time on the board and hope for another great year!

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.

On the Executive Board, we prioritize our health, family, and school above everything else. Immediately after that, however, we are expected to focus on RHA, including holding office hours, attending meetings and events, and taking care of any positional tasks which come up. Aside from these four commitments, the only other extracurricular obligation I have is to band. While it is a major time commitment, I have had a year of experience balancing the two activities. I do this through prioritizing which is more important to attend, ensuring proper communication throughout the process with the rest of the executive board. This semester, I am regrettably unable to attend most LCs due to an unavoidable class conflict. However, even in this scenario, I am making sure to account for my absence by continuing to communicate with the board and keeping them and the LC updated to ensure my role is not completely missed, which I will continue to do for all future conflicts that arise.

Director of Administration

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

Over the past year, I have served as the Director of Finance on the Executive Board. In this position, I have become familiar with the internal processes and infrastructure of the RHA, including understanding RHA’s financial and procedural policy, navigating through files in SharePoint, working with PowerAutomate, and creating, editing, and distributing Excel files. Throughout my time as the DOF, I have also expressed my opinions to the Executive Board, voted in pertinent matters, advised the board and LC in financial matters, helped plan and run events, and more, providing me with a year’s worth of experience in a position directly adjacent to the Director of Administration. One of my specific focuses as the DOA will be governing amendments in the Constitution and Policy Book to help accomplishments as the DOF was proposing an amendment to the constitution which revised the existing “LC Delinquency Tax,” a convoluted and ineffective policy which penalized Hall Councils who failed to attend LC. My amendment (Policy Book, Title IV, Article IV) greatly simplified the process, stipulated communication before penalization, and allowed discretionary enforcement for a more effective financial policy. This process helped me understand what should go into a constitutional amendment, upholding the integrity of RHA, and prepared me for future amendments that I hope to propose outside the scope of financial policy. One of my key responsibilities as the Director of Finance has been to communicate effectively with the rest of the Executive Board, ensuring they acted with accurate financial information. Throughout last semester, I worked especially closely with the Director of Programming to allocate funds to each of the events she wanted to see, including increasing the budget through the LC. While I wouldn’t be communicating the same information as the DOA, my experience communicating information to the Board as a whole, as well as individuals within it, will assist me when handling requests and communicating changes to the Board and LC. Another responsibility of the DOF in the past has been to create and update Hall Council budget trackers at the beginning of each year. While I made some major updates to most of the trackers at the beginning of this year, I am looking forward to using Power Automate to improve and standardize them, lightening the load for future incoming DOFs. The main improvement I plan to make is to consolidate the bill and budget trackers, as they are somewhat redundant and have led to confusion regarding the procedure for bills. Additionally, I plan on creating a flow which tracks all funds spent across all Hall Councils to help the DOF understand the spending habits of Hall Councils. Although many of my immediate ideas for infrastructural improvements focus on the DOF and their tools, I will be prepared to assist any other Executive Board member with anything they request. Another project that I will focus on as the DOA will be working with the Academic Advisor of the Board to update the role of the DOF in the Executive Board. In the past, their main focus has been on processing EAFs. However, this year’s focus on P-Card purchases over EAFs, the DOF’s role has been sizably reduced. Due to my experience as a DOF, I will be in a unique position to work with our advisor to redefine the key focuses of the position going forward and ensure future DOFs meet the full potential of the role. Beyond the pertinent experience I gained as the DOF, I also have the technical skills to achieve what I am hoping to do. Last summer, alongside my duties as a DOF in summer residence, I had an engineering internship at a local firm. Though it was a civil engineering firm and I am a mechanical engineering major, most of the work I did was coding of some kind. In one task, I wrote an excel macro which automated the majority of one of the finance employee’s job. In another project, I used Power Automate to create a set of file and folder links which organized invoices by their stage of completion. In yet another project, I used python to combine files from two remote servers into the local system. I am a very fast learner, and as the language used to code the website is the only one I am unfamiliar with, I expect to be able to make updates in a timely manner to ensure quick turnaround of projects and requests. Overall, my tenure as the Director of Finance has laid the foundation for me to excel as the next Director of Administration. The practical and technical experience I have earned throughout the last year will allow me to smoothly transition into this role, hitting the ground running after turnover by implementing the changes I have wanted to see throughout my time as the DOF. The summer will provide me with a great opportunity to transform the financial infrastructure of the RHA, and leave me able to focus on teamwork and requests once the school year starts. There is so much I have planned, so I hope I get the opportunity to implement it as the next DOA!

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

Throughout my time as the Director of Finance, I have used the existing infrastructure of the RHA extensively. However, over time, I have noticed inefficiencies, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement throughout. While I have made many updates to tools within my position’s capacity, such as the Executive and HCO budget trackers, I will have a much greater capacity to update tools as the Director of Administration with access to Power Automate. Aside from infrastructural improvements, I have a particular interest in writing and updating policy. As the DOF, I introduced an amendment which updated a financial policy. However, as the DOA, I would also have a greater capacity to propose amendments outside the scope of finances and make noticeable changes within the RHA.

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

In assuming the role of Director of Administration, I hope to continue the services I have provided to the RHA Executive Board for the past year. As a returning member, I will carry over valuable insight and experience into a new Executive Board and help provide a seamless transition into a new administration. After a year on the Board, I am invested in the overall success and longevity of the RHA, and I hope to leave an indelible mark on the organization. I will continue to spend time and effort to achieve all of my personal and the Board’s organizational goals to the best of my ability. In addition to acting as an effective DOA, I also hope to simply be an outstanding Board member by promoting and running events, fostering relationships with Hall Council Officers, attending all meetings, staying up to date on office hours and deliverables, and all of the other small tasks I have picked up on in the last year. The RHA has become a major part of my life at Georgia Tech and I hope to remain an asset largely through maintaining my current practices, but also focusing on key improvements as I transition into a new role.

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 had to choose only one aspect of RHA, I would work to improve the flow of LC meetings to make them more efficient. I firmly believe that all LC business, from getting food to dismissal, should never take more than an hour. However, due to strictly following established procedure, it often runs far longer than it should – i.e. simply getting food taking nearly half an hour – and I find myself losing interest, even as an Executive Board member. I find it hard to engage in a meeting that feels inefficient, and when I was an HCO, I rarely attended LC because it felt so tedious. While LC attendance is necessary, I want it to be worthwhile to all attendees, and I hope to work with the next DOD to make progress in this area in the coming administration.

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?

Throughout last semester, I recorded thoughts and inefficiencies I noticed in LCs. One of the main time losses I noticed was simply getting food, as preparing the food for serving wouldn’t even start until the LC started and most HCOs were already there, and serving the food would take over ten minutes meaning half the LC was already done eating before the other half even started. All in all, it led to LC business regularly being pushed back by over 20 minutes. I think this could all be improved by simply having the food already set up before the LC begins so that HCOs can self-serve as soon as they arrive. This would allow business to start almost immediately after the LC officially starts and save a significant amount of time. Another major time sink is in the strict adherence to parliamentary procedure. I have noticed that most bills are passed unanimously, yet explaining, questioning, and discussing the bill often takes between 5 and 15 minutes each. Currently, the only way to waive Robert’s Rules at an LC is in a clause-by-clause basis passed by ¾ of the LC, which is little known and never used. To simplify this, I plan to propose an amendment to the Constitution which allows the Executive President (or other presiding member of the LC) to simply announce that they are waiving Robert’s Rules for a certain bill and, barring dissent, will allow them to more informally move the bill along. This would allow the presiding member to speed up proceedings when they (reasonably) believe the bill will pass or fail unanimously or close to it, and hopefully keep LC members alert for bills or business which warrant a full discussion, all while ensuring the LC can override it easily if they don’t agree. Finally, though it isn’t nearly as time intensive as the other two, I always find role call to be dull as each Hall Council must manually be counted to determine their voting representation. I think this could be automated with a QR code which HCOs scan and enter their GTID and Hall Council. These would be used to determine the number of unique members of each Hall Council and record the LC’s attendance (as well as their voting representation to ensure quorum. Similarly, voting could also move online for a more modernized process. Hall Councils would still have their placards as well in case of technical difficulty and discussion, ensuring no harm is done by implementing electronic attendance and voting. These changes would allow for alternative methods of voting and effectively give the presiding member more power to run LCs smoothly, allowing them to balance formality and efficiency and ensure LCs feel more worthwhile. Even if I am not voted as the next DOA, I hope some of these changes will be implemented for future LCs.

Owen Ha
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Education: Civil Engineering Major | Architecture Minor | Global Engineering Leadership Minor

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I have always been passionate about hosting events and building community, which led me to create ‘The Trivia Show’ in my first semester at Tech. For its third annual run, I collaborated with the RHA LC to bring my vision to life. Throughout planning a highly successful show, I gained a deep appreciation for RHA and everyone involved. When I was then invited to be the NSL HC Meetings Coordinator and approached about applying for Executive Board, I immediately knew this was an opportunity to grow and make a lasting impact at Georgia Tech with a team of incredible people.

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.

Beyond RHA, my three main commitments will be working as a Georgia Tech Tour Guide, serving as President of the Juggling Club, and acting as Vice President of Event Development for the Little Einsteins Organization. Throughout my time in college, I have balanced multiple roles by refining my time management skills and adopting a ‘get it done’ mentality, i.e. tackling tasks immediately when they are assigned. A more unique and tangible tool I use is my ‘super’ calendar, a custom 3×5 foot calendar with all 365 days on a single poster. It serves as a quick visual reference for my commitments, helping me see the bigger picture. This system allows me to stay on top of my commitments, ensuring that I allocate my time efficiently, and prioritize responsibilities without feeling too overwhelmed. Utilizing this tool and planning effectively, I am confident in my ability to manage my obligations while fully committing to RHA.

Director of Administration

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

My campus involvement reflects a strong foundation in leadership, organization, and community engagement, all qualities necessary for the Director of Administration (DOA) position. Over various roles, I have personally grown and gained skills in managing logistics, maintaining records, and coordinating multiple large-scale operations, which align directly with the DOA responsibilities. In my role as the Meetings Coordinator for the Nelson-Shell Hall Council, I structure meetings, prepare agendas, and ensure smooth collaboration among the other officers. Most importantly I work towards providing an engaging and inclusive atmosphere for our meetings. Additionally, I encourage bill submissions, track documentation, maintain organized records, and facilitate communication with our residents by keeping them informed of upcoming events. These responsibilities are closely aligned with the DOA’s duties in managing RHA’s files, maintaining historical records, and keeping meeting minutes structured and accessible. As a Georgia Tech Tour Guide, I lead structured presentations clearly and effectively while adhering to timed schedules. This role has strengthened my ability to retain information, engage with diverse audiences, and manage logistics. In addition, my involvement with the Office of International Education (OIE) as a student ambassador has enhanced my ability to communicate effectively in a professional setting, as well as present and share information at recruitment events. These experiences have prepared me to handle policies, serve as an advisor to assigned ad hoc committees, and ensure effective communication within the organization and its members. Serving as President of the Juggling Club requires overseeing a group of 300+ members, coordinating multiple weekly meetings, teaching hundreds of students and faculty how to juggle every semester, and managing external partnerships for performances and outreach events. This responsibility not only builds my skills in scheduling and planning to ensure smooth operations, but, more importantly, develops my social skills as a leader and as a personable presenter and speaker. In my role as the Vice President of Event Development for the Little Einsteins Organization at Tech, I manage event planning, oversee volunteer coordination, and facilitate tracking over 400 volunteer hours per semester. These tasks require thorough documentation, system management through Engage and Slack, and strategic planning and advertisement with our Instagram. The skills needed for these tasks directly correlate to the skills needed to upkeep RHA’s digital and physical records, maintain IT systems, Engage, and SharePoint. One of the most notable experiences was my involvement with RHA’s Legislative and Hall Councils, where I collaborated with executive members and advisors to organize my large-scale event, The Trivia Show. I managed event logistics, worked directly with Tech’s dining services and event coordinators, familiarized myself with the Booqable system and the physical RHA office, and dealt with all the proper documentation of processes, budgeting, marketing, design, etc. This event required significant technical problem-solving skills, which are crucial for the DOA position. Among the countless issues I encountered working on The Trivia Show, I persevered and was able to devise a solution for each challenge. Thus, demonstrating key competencies for managing RHA’s IT infrastructure, planning, and digital platforms. By juggling (pun intended) all these different roles, I have developed proactive planning techniques and a variety of resources to keep schedules organized. With my experience in leadership, project management, and technical oversight, I am well-prepared and committed to serving in the DOA role and strive to contribute meaningfully to RHA’s mission.

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

My interest in the Director of Administration role stems from my deep enthusiasm for RHA, and the alignment between the role’s responsibilities and my experiences. While planning The Trivia Show, I was fortunate to have collaborated with RHA leadership and managed the logistics with the RHA advisor, who later suggested I should investigate upcoming opportunities and potentially apply for a position within exec. Upon reviewing the various roles, the DOA position would be most applicable to my current involvements and competencies. As Meetings Coordinator for Nelson-Shell, I am already familiar with the structure of RHA and its operations within the community. Beyond just RHA, I track volunteer initiatives for Little Einsteins, organize spaces and equipment for Juggling Club, and facilitate the Engage platforms for both organizations. I actively participate in all these outreach activities along with being a Tech tour guide and student ambassador because of a love for the community and knowing my involvement is making a difference. I am eager to contribute to the RHA in the DOA role, and committed to utilizing my skills, bringing a positive attitude, and further serving our community.

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

As Director of Administration, I will bring a structured and proactive approach to RHA, focusing on efficiency, organization, and engagement. My experience with campus leadership, event planning, and logistical coordination has contributed to my ability to manage records, maintain infrastructure, and build collaboration, all key aspects of the DOA role. One proposed plan for RHA is to implement a centralized, semester-long RHA calendar. Currently, there does not appear to be an accessible, up-to-date calendar that consolidates all of RHA’s meetings, events, and deadlines in one place. Ideally, if I search “Georgia Tech RHA calendar,” the first link should be a dynamic, regularly updated schedule containing everything from LC meetings to social events, making it easy for residents and RHA members to stay informed. As DOA, I will take full responsibility for maintaining this resource, updating it daily as needed, and ensuring that it serves as a reliable tool for the entire organization and the residents. I will maintain a clear structured organizational system within RHA. My experience with agendas, bill submissions, and officer collaboration can help create smooth Hall Council operations and a positive environment. Planning events such as The Trivia Show requires detailed coordination with RHA advisors, dining services, and event staff, which parallels the administrative oversight necessary for managing RHA’s files, IT infrastructure, and resources. Effective tracking systems developed in previous roles, such as managing Juggling Club’s inventory or organizing Little Einsteins’ volunteer records, can be utilized to improve how RHA stores and manages records, office supplies, and technology. This will create a well-maintained system for future members to build on. Beyond internal operations, I would like to make RHA’s resources more accessible and user-friendly. Whether it’s improving how we market or relay information, simplifying IT systems, or making the Engage more intuitive, my goal is to help members easily navigate and contribute to RHA. Creating welcoming environments is something I’ve prioritized in all my roles, like helping new Juggling Club members feel comfortable learning a new skill or inspiring elementary kids through Little Einsteins. I will bring the same mindset to RHA, ensuring our administrative tools support involvement rather than create barriers. Improving communication and transparency is another one of my top priorities. As a Tour Guide and OIE Ambassador, I am quite used to presenting complex information in an engaging and digestible way. I want to guarantee that members and residents clearly understand RHA policies, meeting outcomes, and event planning processes, making it easier to get involved and stay informed. The RHA website states, “Find A Problem? As the organization constantly evolves, some information may become outdated, and links may no longer work. If you spot any problems with the website, please contact the Director of Administration and it should be resolved shortly.” I will take this responsibility very seriously. I pride myself on being extremely timely with responses to emails, and most people who I have worked with will vouch for my ‘get it done’ mentality. I loathe seeing notification badges pile up, and I clear them as soon as possible to keep things running smoothly. That is not to say I just speed through the task at hand but rather prioritize my time management to make sure it is completed to the best of my ability as quickly as possible. This mindset directly correlates to how I will manage RHA’s website and IT systems. I will not let outdated links, missing information, or unresolved issues linger. If something needs fixing, I will handle it swiftly and ensure RHA’s online presence remains accurate and functional. Lastly, I plan to bring more than just enthusiasm to this role, I will bring a structured, forward-thinking approach focused on organization, accessibility, and engagement. By implementing a semester-long RHA calendar, maintaining timely and responsive IT support, and streamlining the internal systems, I will make RHA more available and efficient for both members and residents.

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 one aspect of RHA, it would be to increase the accessibility and visibility of announcements and information. As someone who was very unfamiliar with many RHA processes before becoming involved, I have noticed that important information, such as meeting schedules, election processes, and event opportunities, was often hard to find. Even still, many of the updates I receive about RHA logistics are by word of mouth. For instance, when I first learned about the Legislative Council, it was only through inquiring about The Trivia Show. Similarly, I had no prior understanding or even knowledge on the executive roles within RHA. When I wanted to apply for a position, I struggled to find clear information on how to do so, thankfully I had the help of current members and the RHA advisor to guide me.

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?

To enhance RHA’s visibility and communication, we need a more intentional approach to outreach and information sharing. Currently, many students are unaware of RHA’s meetings, events, or even its role on campus. When I shared my excitement about this role, I found myself having to explain what the role entails and why it is needed. I suggest incorporating in-person engagement, digital promotion, and further collaboration with existing networks to ensure that residents are informed and encouraged to get involved. One of the most effective ways to engage students is, in my opinion, through direct face-to-face interaction. As I table for Juggling Club at organizational fairs and events, RHA should also have a stronger presence at similar events. For being such a large organization on campus, our table should be memorable and engaging for students. Tabling at Ferst Center events, the Student Center, and residence halls would allow us to introduce RHA to students who may not be familiar with its purpose or opportunities. Additionally, we could incorporate more interactive elements, such as giveaways, games, or everybody’s favorite, free food, to encourage participation and increase visibility. These recruitment efforts should also be more intentional. For The Trivia Show, I hung posters, reached out to Hall Councils, contacted RA’s, and created an Instagram, @thetriviashow, to promote the event. While this approach was effective for my event, a more structured system with RHA might make recruitment and awareness significantly easier. Another key area for visibility is RHA’s presence on Engage. Little Einsteins regularly posts on Engage, and we see significantly better turnout because of it. It is also beneficial to continue highlighting free food events, as students actively seek those out. Maintaining clear, well-organized event listings should encourage greater attendance. In addition to Engage, RHA should also implement a semester-long calendar, an idea I would plan to implement as Director of Administration. Students should be able to quickly find an updated schedule of meetings, events, and deadlines. Having this resource available will allow people interested in getting involved to have an easy way to stay informed. An additional valuable resource is the connection to Tour Guides. As a Tour Guide, I recognize that we play a major role in shaping incoming students’ first impressions of campus. By incorporating information about RHA into Tour Guide training materials or mentioning it during our tours, we could introduce students to RHA even before they move in. If students arrive at Georgia Tech already informed about RHA, they are more likely to engage with it from the start.

Kayla Vallere
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Education: Mechanical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I am motivated to join the RHA Executive Board because I desire to ensure the well-being and satisfaction of campus residents. I hope to collaborate with other Board members to advocate for residents, promote a community of belonging, and assure that the desires of residents are not only heard, but also fulfilled. Therefore, my goal is to demonstrate leadership and make the on-campus experience positively memorable.

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.

The obligations external to RHA that I anticipate are serving as a GT 1000 Team Leader, being a member of 1-2 campus organizations, and serving as the Chief Product Officer of a startup company. I plan to balance these commitments by incorporating an extensive schedule and task calendar that ensure I am cognizant of the responsibilities and tasks I have due. Scheduling will allow me to plan accordingly and stay organized to avoid experiencing work overloads. Additionally, I hope to complete tasks at least 1-2 days before their official deadlines to account for any scheduling or commitment conflicts that may arise. Lastly, if I do ever experience troubles with managing these commitments, I will be transparent with the team by taking accountability for my duties and asking for help from others if needed.

Director of Communication

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

In high school, I held leadership positions as president, secretary, and event coordinator across three clubs. Additionally, I volunteered as a Youth Leader for summer and fall break camps, collaborating with fellow counselors to guide campers during weekly cooking, cartooning, and coding lessons. I also motivated and supervised campers in team building, outdoor activities, tutoring sessions, and field trips. In the summer between high school and college I joined the team for a startup company called Seamlist, which is dedicated to guiding aspiring authors in their writing and publishing journey and designing an automated book marketing tool and software for independent authors. Through this experience I have gained tremendous insight, working in a three-person team to design experiments to refine our company focus, conduct customer and market research, and attend meetings with clients and prospective clients. Additionally, I have learned to build a strong connection within our team, especially during our coworking sessions and weekly meetings where we discuss highlights, issues that need to be addressed, and our tasks for the upcoming week. Other aspects that I admire about working in Seamlist is that we each hold each other accountable, give daily check-ins to ensure we are staying on target, and encourage each other. Due to my contributions to Seamlist, I now serve as the Chief Product Officer. Furthermore, I am a mentor through the Ron Brown Scholar GPS Connect Program and served as a GT1000 Team Leader in Fall 2024, supporting incoming first-year students and providing guidance and advice with career development, personal support, and college decision making. Additionally, last semester I became the Events Coordinator for Nelson Shell Apartments, working with my fellow officers to organize meetings and plan events. Serving as the Events Coordinator so far has been insightful because I desire to hear feedback from residents, therefore I created surveys to gauge what events residents would enjoy. Furthermore, working in this team has taught me that it is important to be willing to help other officers, accept help from them, and be accommodating and flexible in regard to varying schedules. Similarly, I am a member of the RHA Programming Committee and last year I contributed to generating ideas for the decorations used during the Thanksgiving event. Considering that I was given creative liberties, I truly enjoyed experiencing the efforts needed to plan and execute an RHA event. I also volunteered on the day of the Thanksgiving event and felt glad to be a part of seeing students come in, take a break from studying, and enjoy the event. Overall, my history of leadership has taught me the importance of being an effective communicator, learning from mistakes, being adaptable, collaborating with my peers, and remembering to have a positive attitude. Therefore, I plan on applying my experience to this position by being attentive to the needs and wants of residents, being approachable and inclusive towards everyone, having an open mind to change and different perspectives, and striving to perform my best as part of the RHA Executive Board.

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

I am interested in the Director of Communication position because my primary goal is to increase the awareness of RHA within the resident community, so more residents are cognizant of the opportunities and benefits available to them. Therefore, I plan to provide clear and consistent outreach through newsletters, social media, and emails to ensure that RHA is promoted and advertised more effectively campus wide. Through these media outlets I hope to appeal to the resident audience and increase their engagement with RHA. Additionally, I am excited to foster connections with other organizations such as NRHH, NACURH and RAs and encourage partnerships that create a greater impact that could potentially extend past Tech. Lastly, I look forward to attending the conferences based on how the current Executive Board has spoken highly of the conferences and traditions such as the Roll Calls.

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

I plan to bring open communication, transparency, and collaboration as the Director of Communication of RHA. With my prior experiences in leadership, I am positive that I can fulfill my responsibilities and promote the mission of RHA by serving as a voice for residents. I strive to promote open communication because I hope to broadcast events, news, and announcements effectively to assure that residents are aware and to mitigate any uncertainties or concerns residents may have. I will be focusing on communication through eye-catching visuals on social media and newsletter and engaging through emails. I will also seek to be approachable during Legislative Council meetings, office hours, and via email so that others such as residents, Hall Council officers, and RAs feel free to contact me. Likewise, I plan to serve as a contact between RHA and external organizations to ensure strong connections with other campus groups. This will require consistent two-way communication on my end; therefore, I seek to be open-minded and approachable. Additionally, I plan to bring transparency because I want residents, RAs, and Hall Directors to all be aware of the day-to-day operations within RHA and the Executive Board. Therefore, I desire to provide timely updates to keep everyone informed. Another aspect I would like to encourage is seeking constructive feedback from residents through surveys to gauge not only my performance, but also RHA’s performance and use such feedback for improvement. Furthermore, I plan to be highly collaborative not only with other Executive Board members, but also with residents, RAs, Hall Council officers, and Hall Directors. This is because I believe extensive and widespread collaboration will lead to greater campus outreach and foster meaningful connections between each group. Overall, my ultimate goal is to support and assist fellow RHA Executive Board members to ensure that our objectives are being met.

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

In my first year at Tech, I was unfamiliar with RHA, and I am confident others have felt or currently feel the same. Therefore, I would improve the awareness of RHA because I believe that many residents are unaware of RHA and all it has to offer. Even on a smaller scale, I have noticed during my time as a Hall Council officer that residents are not always familiar with aspects such as Hall Council meetings, bill submissions, and additional inner workings associated with RHA. Additionally, from my experience with helping to plan the Thanksgiving event with the Programming Committee I noticed that some of the attendees stated they were not even aware of the event prior but only happened to attend because of a friend in RHA telling them. Therefore, I believe work can be done to assure that more residents are better informed of RHA.

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?

To address the awareness of RHA within the resident community, I believe more opportunities for direct engagement are necessary. Although serving as the Director of Communication comes with the benefit of managing social media and newsletters, I recognize that these communication methods are not always effective for reaching the majority audience. Therefore, hosting engagement events such as in-person panels, promotions, and giveaways would increase the likelihood that residents would become more mindful of RHA. Additionally, even hanging posters around campus would encourage residents to learn more about RHA. Lastly, one key asset that may be overlooked is that RHA is affiliated with Resident Assistants who have direct contact with the residents. Therefore, fostering stronger communication between RHA and RAs and encouraging RAs to speak to residents about RHA would bring us one step closer to expanding RHA’s reach on campus.

Naann Shao
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Education: Biomedical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I have always enjoyed helping others and giving back to my community and, since I began serving Hemphill Hall Council as the Events Director, I’ve had many chances to do so. While planning for our Fall Health and Wellness Fair, I was able to connect with many campus organizations to set up meetings, coordinate supplies, and plan for tabling sessions. It was exciting to see the real-time difference I was making, both through setting up a fun and exciting campus-wide event, but also through forming connections for future events and gaining valuable insight to plan more valuable experiences for attendants.

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.

During my intended term, I will be a third year student and will likely be balancing around 15 credit hours per semester, which will leave me with more-than-adequate time for extracurricular responsibilities. Besides classes, RHA will be my primary priority, and I will be consciously planning well in advance to set aside at least 18-20 hours per week, around 3 hours per day, to brainstorm, coordinate, and execute actions for my role. I will also be forming much of my schedule around legislative council meetings, office hours I will be holding, meetings with the rest of the executive board, and setting aside 2-hour blocks during my day in the case of any events happening during the school year. During my time on Hemphill Hall Council, I have been able to prioritize my commitment to serving my hall council first and foremost by coordinating regularly with other team members, planning events and meeting times in advance, and setting aside time to work on projects daily. I am confident that the application of this method of time management will help in maintaining my commitment to serve RHA as an executive officer.

Director of Communication

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

During my high school years, I began working as a Public Relations manager for a local nonprofit, Gratus-Cubed. That was my introduction to community service work and taking initiative to create action and work to create the change that I want to see made. During my time in the position, I coordinated regularly with local homeless shelters, such as Bethany House, to plan and carry out donation events for food and supplies. The pandemic added an extra layer of difficulty to this, but I persisted and pushed myself beyond what I had experience with at the time, through social media campaigns, developing an email template for more professionalism, and brainstorming new strategies for coordinating donations despite social distancing. It was from this experience that I realized I had a passion for communication and marketing, and I continued to gain more experience through a variety of different opportunities: I held beach and park cleanups, conducted my own research study, in which I had to purchase, plan, and present all of the supplies and details of the study and its execution independently, and held an internship during my senior year of high school for Congresswoman Grace Meng where I conducted phone interviews to determine accessibility for elderly care centers in New York city. Coming into college, I knew I wanted to continue working in a position requiring communication. I have begun viewing it as a strength, though just a few years ago I would have described communication and public speaking to be my greatest weakness. I joined FASET as a FASET leader during the summer of my first year. I wasn’t able to participate in in-person FASET when I came to Tech, so I wanted to ensure that other in-coming students would still be able to join in on the fun, even if they were joining FASET virtually. I made it my goal to create a safe and welcoming environment for in-coming students where students could feel comfortable asking me questions, chatting, and showing their personalities and making new friends. I participated in almost 20 sessions of FASET, conducting a small group for each, and participated in our training retreat, where I learned more strategies and games to play with students during small group sessions to create a relaxed and fun experience. As I gained more experience in holding sessions, I began creating my own games for students to play, and engaging with students individually to ensure every student felt comfortable enough to ask me questions, if needed. I also helped serve as a direction guide to families and as a tour guide; since biomedical engineering, the major I’m in and often represented for tours, was so large, my time in sessions often taught me to project my voice and to gain the attention of many people at once. FASET was incredibly fun and rewarding for me, and one of the most important things I learned was to simply be direct. When I was helping students schedule for their upcoming classes, some of my advice that the students I helped appreciated the most were given to them very directly and respectfully. I learned that I could be kind but also be firm, such as when I had a few students confidently let me know their plans to take 20 credits during their first semester, including honors physics. I was able to compromise and let them know my opinions on their course load and my recommendations without making them feel scared or nervous, and was very clear about every add/drop policy this school had, which the students usually were not fully aware of. Once, after a day of FASET, while I was waiting for my shift to start for lifeguarding, I overheard a student next to me arguing with their parent about whether or not to ask me a question about their schedule, since they noticed I was still in my FASET uniform. While, in the past, I would probably be too nervous to directly approach them, I realized that, had I been in their position, I would likely be stressed and wondering if I could also ask the conveniently placed FASET leader next to me a question as well. I decided to directly approach them and offer my help, and together, we were able to find a resolution to the problem they were facing. Much of communication requires empathy and, at the beginning of this school year, I decided to investigate more deeply into that through taking LMC-3813-H, communication pedagogy. I wanted to know more about how we think and teach communication, and learn more about how I think of communication. My final presentation was on the pedagogical effects of standardized “critical thinking” lessons, and I researched into how we as a society approach critical thought, difference of opinions and approaches, and how there is no universal method to approach a work of media. Not only did this course teach me about how communication is taught, which directly links to how communication is shaped in different people and through different experiences, but I also learned just how vast our comprehension of media differs, and the multitude of interpretations that could exist for even one poster or advertisement. At the same time, I was serving Hemphill Hall Council as its Events Director, a position I still hold, which I joined due to my love and passion for event planning. To facilitate communication with our residents, we decided to host weekly events right after every weekly meeting. I create posters to advertise meetings, and through my experience with communications pedagogy, I was able to incorporate a lot of my new learnings into our meeting posters. Even graphical design elements such as the style of art used in the poster, fonts, and colors can be vital to catching the attention and interest of residents, and location placement is also very important. I also engage with residents, not only to create a fun environment, but also just to make new friends and enjoy the events for myself as well. We now have several regular attendants of events, and we’ve helped build a kind and warm environment for our hall. During our largest event held last semester, the Fall Health and Wellness Festival, my love and desire to continue working for RHA in communication was solidified. I was able to coordinate with over a dozen different on-campus facilities, organizations, and companies to plan and prepare for our event. Among these organizations, several were unable to attend, but still offered valuable insight and a desire to continue working with Hemphill on future events. It was immensely rewarding to be able to coordinate with so many amazing people who were all motivated and excited to host an event together, and the event ended up including many beloved campus institutions, including Chick-Fil-A, Parents with Pups, and the Mental Health and Wellness Empowerment Center.

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

I have always loved to communicate and coordinate plans with others, whether for a small get-together with friends I haven’t seen in a while or to put together an event with hundreds of attendants. Much of the Director of Communication’s role is to stay present within the lives of Georgia Tech students, to coordinate with organizations who want to partner with us and to let students know our purpose in helping their life at college. I enjoy the role of communications, whether it’s to create posters, newsletters, social media posts, or simply to email and schedule meetings with campus partners, and I would be very excited to implement many new ideas I have for the role. RHA could be a vital resource for many students, from hosting small, residence hall meetings to larger, campus-wide festivals, and I want to bring greater accessibility of RHA to the students at this school.

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

Communication involves understanding an audience and working with their interests. As the events director for Madhatter Knits, which I’ve begun serving at the same time as my time in RHA, I’ve also gained many valuable experiences. From talking to members and attendants of our events, I noticed that many students at this school want to learn crochet and knitting, but don’t want to only be limited to creating hats, which is customary for our club. In response, I began planning for more events that can benefit our community but also allow members to create simple crochet and knitted items, thus allowing all participants to learn and have fun while also not being limited to only hats. I ended up brainstorming many events, such as our “market” events, in which we sell products that members have created, thus allowing members to create anything they would like, and donate the profits, which allows us to effectively help local health organizations obtain supplies and continue their operations. I also created the plan to create handmade items for the families of babies in NICU, thus joining together our goals of helping babies in NICU and mothers, and offering support to mothers in our community who are going through a difficult and fearful process. I have also personally begun teaching members how to crochet and knit at events, which has been hugely popular as well, and leans into our strengths of being an already established crafting club and community. As events director of Hemphill Hall Council, I’ve become accustomed to gathering information on current interests and activities passively. When I walk through a grocery market and see eye-catching and heavily advertised snacks, I make a note to possibly include it as an item in our next event. When I see a new trend or craft online, I save it and search up supplies for the activity and brainstorm ways to include it into an upcoming event. Marketing an event to residents should also work in their favor: communication involves compromise, and any event or resource that we as RHA want residents to attend should also include items and activities that they would most want to see. Oftentimes, residents also don’t want to spend the extra money for popular items themselves, which makes an event valuable to residents as it not only offers the experience of having fun with friends, but also provides an experience they usually would or could not pay for themselves. When brainstorming for new ways to reach the rest of campus, I put a lot of thought into what students at Georgia Tech would like from their campus resources. I am excited to approach the Director of Communications role with more ideas: social media campaigning is very important to daily communication and could be greatly expanded upon for RHA. For example, there could be more frequent posts on the RHA account for behind-the-scenes on event setup, multiple posts per major event, such as the Halloween Festival, and some lighthearted participation in school-appropriate trends. RHA members on both executive and hall council levels could also be more strongly encouraged to repost all RHA posts, such as through points or prizes. Many of the more-liked posts on the RHA page are those with large collaborations and participants, such as the recent drag show, or the recent giveaway, which is a good area of interest to expand upon further for future marketing ideas as well, such as through more emphasis on giveaways or events that involve free items and by inviting other campus social media accounts to collaborate on posts. Furthermore, graphic design and color cohesion could also be used to make posts by RHA more eye-catching and recognizable. A helpful method to organize contacts when I was planning and coordinating the Fall Health and Wellness festival was to create a “points of contact” reference list. This was helpful in communicating to the rest of the team who to contact and email for various supplies and who we are in contact with for activities, as well as for future reference. For example, since the event was held at Burger Bowl, area reservation did not operate in the same way as Tech Green, and I had to schedule a separate meeting with the CRC. For future reference, those points of contact and the protocol are saved and could be revisited. This may be beneficial to keep track of and consistently keep in touch with campus partners on the executive scale, and could be useful in the event that a hall council or anyone on the executive board needs a resource but doesn’t know who to ask. A good example of this was that, due to the timing of the festival, I was unable to obtain tables and chairs due to commencement ceremonies, and I had to visit a separate campus conference center. This note of communication and resources is useful for the future, in case someone next year on Hemphill’s council wants to throw an event during the same time and isn’t sure where to find them.

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

A large difficulty of hosting events is how to communicate them to a student population. I think one of the largest issues, not only with RHA but with Georgia Tech as a whole, is the decentralization of communication and advertising for events and resources. I believe it is an impediment in students of Georgia Tech taking full advantage of the amazing opportunities, most of which free, this campus offers. I often hear comments from students when they cannot attend events, from RHA or otherwise, on campus, and oftentimes it relates to not knowing the event is going on rather than having a time conflict or not being interested. This not only limits the amount of students who can benefit from RHA events, but also limits the amount of collaborations or collaborative efforts RHA is able to do with the rest of campus. This is challenging to navigate, especially with the large size of the student body, but could be improved through more closely monitored communication techniques.

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?

A large part of the issues I want to address as Director of Communication are very tied with more carefully interacting with the rest of campus: communication protocols for both executive board and hall councils can be put in place, such as a recommended amount of meetings per semester or examples of advertising tactics that could be utilized to help students be in touch with RHA. As the executive board, points could also be awarded for encouraging residents to follow the RHA account or for hall council officers reposting content by the RHA account. The email of the Director of Communication can also be more widely given so that campus partners or anyone with questions could always reach the first point of contact. In partnership with each individual hall council, a monthly newsletter template could be sent out to every hall council for residents to not only keep track of what the executive board has planned, but also the meetings and events of their own hall council. Using a template would allow for stylistic cohesion and will allow editors to quickly change every aspect of the newsletter to quickly keep up-to-date with every month. A calendar of upcoming events, both for each unique hall council and also for general RHA events, could also be provided on this newsletter and, during tabling events in-person, this calendar, but edited to only contain general RHA events, could be printed and handed to students as flyers. After every general RHA event, there could be a followup post online on Instagram to show people what was accomplished and what activities were offered at the event. This could be especially helpful for smaller events, such as Lunch&Learns, in which students may want some photos of every event to properly envision how the events are organized. Furthermore, hall council of the year points could also be posted monthly to highlight the leading hall council of each month. This could not only promote activity and incentive within residents of a hall council to actively participate in their hall council, but hall councils that are posted can share photos from their events and meetings to inspire others, reflect on their successes, and share ideas of what worked for them. This also promotes a friendly competition, which can further promote community within each hall council and between hall councils. Tabling is also a great way to interact face-to-face with campus. RHA could attend club fairs, table on Tech Green, pass out merch, flyers, or other goodies, or set up a quick game booth for people, such as a wheel spin game, a ring toss, or offering a prize for people who want to try beating someone at rock, paper, scissors. Tabling can also provide a “sneak peak” for events, such as the Halloween Festival or Wellness Days. For example, a week before the Halloween festival, we could set up tables on Tech Green and pass out Halloween-themed cookies, or set up a quick Halloween game. For regularly occurring events, such as Wellness Days, we could pass out tea bags, small pastries, or stress balls. It would also help clarify to students that all residents are welcome to attend RHA events and get involved with RHA.

FY26 Elections are open!!!

Hello All,

I am excited to announce that we are beginning the Election Process for all Executive Board positions for the 2025-2026 school year. This post will detail the timeline of the election for everyone, detail the application process, provide the necessary documentation, and then finally link to the application. If you have not participated in an RHA election before, please make sure to read all of the available material to get proper context and information.

Election Timeline:
1/27: Application for the Executive Board is live.
2/12 @11:59pm: Application for the Executive Board closes
2/13: Candidate Information Page is published.
2/13 -2/19: Platform Reviews
2/19 @8:00am: Candidates are required to submit materials for Election Night.
2/19 @7:00pm: Elections (EP, DOD, DOA)
2/26 @7:00pm: Elections (DOC, DOF, DOP)

Application Process:
All applicants for all positions must have the following actions done by their respective dates:
• Submit an application that is fully, correctly, and intentionally filled out.
• Submit a slide deck for an 8 minute presentation.
• Attend Legislative Council on their respective election night, 7pm – later.
• Have not campaigned in any capacity.
• Prepare for questions about RHA contributions, experience, knowledge, and intent.

Election Documentation:
• Position Descriptions (Information within the Position Descriptions is subject to change)
• Constitution
• Policy Book

Application Link:
FY26 Executive Board Elections

Make sure to fill out every required question with a true, intentional, and helpful answer.
This should be all your own work. Any applications using AI can be disqualified.
Make sure to save your answers separately, as Qualtrics has been known to delete answers upon refreshing.

FY25 DOP Election Candidates

The following candidates have been approved to run in the FY25 RHA DOP elections.

Morgan Summerlin

Naann Shao

Learn More About the Candidates

Below, you’ll find each candidate’s answers to a series of questions related to their experience and platform, along with copies of candidates’ resumes.

Morgan Summerlin
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State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I am very passionate about Georgia Tech’s Residence Hall Association since my involvement in the North Avenue Hall Council as well as Committees. My motivation to join the RHA Executive Board is to promote wellness through events, implement events that are known around campus, improve knowledge about RHA in residential communities, foster community amongst residents, and help improve quality of life for residents. I believe as Director of Programming I would be able to accomplish these goals.

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.

During my intended term I will be taking 13 credit hours of courses and 3 credit hours of research. I decided to take 13 hours this semester to ensure I would have time to do RHA work if I got elected for this position. My time spent doing research is primarily during the work day in between my classes, with a fairly flexible schedule. I am planning to stay involved with NAV Hall Council because I am passionate about their goals and progress. They meet and have area-wide meetings each once a week for an hour. Director of Programming responsibilities would come above Hall Council tasks, and all the members of that council are clear of my intentions to run for this position. I am in the Society of Women Engineers, Women in Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Society, and Bioinformatics Club, but I am not a leader so I only attend when I am available. Overall, I have made my priority my classes and the potential to be DOP this semester by not taking on many additional commitments.

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

This past semester I have been on the North Avenue Hall Council. I was the Financial Coordinator and I have also been a part of the Financial Oversight and Programming Committees. I attended the South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls conference (SAACURH) to further my leadership understanding. I was able to learn from RHA members across the entire southeast about how they were fostering relationships in their own universities. This conference also allowed me to get to know the advisor and two members of the executive board better. Through my involvement last semester, I have fallen in love with working alongside residents, aiding in making their experience on campus the best it can be, and growing the community across campus for residents. The Director of Programming position would help me expand my leadership skills and allow me to learn how to create a space of safety and community. I have been serving as Interim Director of Programming since the end of November 2024. Since my selection as Interim, I have begun attending meetings with the RHA Executive Board, the RHA Exec Board Advisor, as well as running the programming committee meetings. I would soon start meeting with the Executive President as well. I attended the Spring Retreat and shared my event plans for this semester if I am selected. I spent a good amount of time on my Christmas break preparing this event plan so I could express my ideas clearly and well. I also began budgeting before the Spring semester so I would start ahead of the game. I have fully planned, budgeted, and prepared for an event on January 25th. I am working alongside the LGBTQ+ resource room and SCPC to plan an additional event on February 5th. I have ordered catering and communicated with other organizations about this event, with more planning to come as the event approaches. My general events planned for the Spring are: Board Game Bash, Drag Show, Bouquet Making, and Around the World (cultural end of year celebration). I also plan to instill biweekly events during my office hours where residents can come by and get free coffee, donuts, etc and discuss wellness/questions/comments they have with me. I am planning to continue using the programming committee this semester and hope to recruit new members as well. I have been learning about being in charge of the resource room by using Booqable and plan to meet with Farhan as needed to discuss resource room details. I believe that my position last semester as well as acting as Interim Director of Programming these past couple of months has prepared me for this role because I have learned about my responsibilities and begun serving in my intended application role. I have learned how to plan, budget, and prepare for my first event, getting me ready for future events I would do this for as well.

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

I am interested in this specific position because I believe I can follow through with Jackie’s goals from last semester: creating a sense of wellness within events, implementing 2 events that multiple people know about beforehand, and improving general knowledge about RHA in residential communities. I used Jackie’s plans and vision for last semester to frame my plan for the Spring and then built on it based on what I felt would be a strong event plan for residents. In this role I would foster community amongst residents, plan carefree, fun events that help improve wellness, and advertise events so people know about them and recognize RHA’s involvement on campus. I would like to improve overall event planning in RHA for the future. I believe if I do my best work this semester it will allow the future Director of Programmers to keep up a strong presence on campus. I am a very organized person and I’ve been learning how to create a system for my preparation for events, which I could then eventually pass on to the next DOP at Turnover, creating a well-refined, ordered system for the future.

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

I plan to bring my organized, enthusiastic, and kind being to this position and the organization. I believe these qualities would set me up well for this role because it requires someone who can organize all aspects of an event while also having effective communication skills. I think my event plan for the semester would help the residents with a variety of things. My first event planned is a Board Game Bash on January 25th which is a great event for residents who enjoy board games. There will also be a create your own board game station and general craft station to keep with the theme while targeting individuals who don’t enjoy board games as much. I will have food and drinks to help increase attendance and plan to try to talk to residents who attend and encourage them to stay for a bit/attend future events. This event is going to be fairly lowkey but I think it will be a strong start to the semester and is indoor in the Exhibition Hall since it’s still cold outside. The second event is a Drag Show on February 5th in which RHA will partner with the LGBTQ+ resource room and SCPC to create an event where performing queens will perform for those attending. RHA is catering and hosting a table with prizes and ideally run by executive board members. This is a great opportunity to spread RHA reach on campus and work alongside other organizations to put on a fun event! The next event is Bouquet Making, potentially partnering with SCPC and hosting the event in March. We will buy flowers and set up for residents to make bouquets for themselves or friends. This will just require some craft items, and can ideally be an event that is done on Skiles walkway that would attract a lot of people. The last event I have planned is Around the World which would be a cultural end of the year celebration on Tech Green. This would be a fusion of countries from around the world, potentially partnering with cultural organizations. It would include dance, music, food, booths, and more all catered to the international theme. I would give out passports at check in that residents could fill with passports from the booths representing countries. There would be internationally themed crafts like origami, henna tattoos, and paper maracas. Themed t-shirts could also be included in this event! I would love to involve Hall Councils in the event as well like at the Fall Festival, and if partnering with cultural organizations doesn’t work out they could run the booths instead. We would use GT Catering to get themed international food at the event. Most of the budget would go towards this event and it would help celebrate the end of the year, spread culture and diversity around campus, expand RHA’s reach, allow for a break from classes and focus on wellness, and allow residents to have a great time! I would also have small events biweekly during my office hours to help me connect with residents in a smaller setting giving out small things like coffee, donuts, etc to incentivize attendance. The organization at large would be more organized after I complete and execute my system, the events will have spread RHA’s reach across campus, residents will have enjoyed the events, and had the opportunity to help their own respective wellness. I would foster a community amongst residents and RHA members allowing for a more successful organization as a whole.

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 I would improve about RHA would be its advertisement and reach on campus. 45% of students at Georgia Tech live on campus (around 9000 people) and they should all know what RHA is, what we do (specifically the executive board and area councils), and our connection to residence halls, hall directors, NRHH, and RA’s. I would like every resident to at least know of what we do and our mission, which I think would also lead to better knowledge about RHA events and increase overall attendance.

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 do not know if this issue can be entirely fixed but I do think there are things we can do to adjust and try to resolve the issue, or at least make it less prevalent. A lot of residents are generally very interested in becoming an RA and/or attending RA events and there is much better knowledge surrounding this aspect of housing. I believe the Lunch and Learn revolving around RA Interview Tips is a step in the right direction but I think we can even reach outside of Area Councils too. Our RA Liason is our connection to RA’s and everything they do. An idea I had would be to let her know we are trying to spread RHA’s reach on campus. She can begin spreading this information to other RA’s (group chats, area groups, friends, etc). Then our Liason can tell residents at the very first meeting of the year about us and what we do, ensuring they know who we are. We can use our Liason to communicate with other RA’s about events we have planned and they can send flyers/information to their residents. RA’s can encourage residents to attend Hall Council meetings, which would allow them to learn more about RHA. Residents can be made aware of RHA Hall Council and Executive Board as another way to be involved in RHA outside of becoming an RA. We can have RA’s mention to residents that we have an office in Matheson Hall and a resource room with items they can borrow if they’d like. Hall directors could also help spread the word and we could partner with Hall Councils to share information about RHA at meetings to make sure our reach is spreading as much as possible. These are just some ideas I have to spread RHA’s presence on campus, which I believe would improve RHA’s effectiveness and ubiquity on campus.

Naann Shao
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State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board.

I have always loved events and planning events to bring people together for experiences that can brighten their day. I think RHA is a vital part of campus, not only in terms of the fun activities and memories but also as a resource to help people feel less alone in such a large campus and city. As events director of Hemphill Hall Council, many people I speak with who attend events at Hemphill feel excited for events and feel that it is a way to relax and unwind. I want to bring that feeling of excitement and restfulness to the rest of campus as well, through the RHA executive board.

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.

For the rest of this semester and term, I will likely have many obligations that I will need to manage my time accordingly for. I am a tutor and I intend to also be involved in research and volunteering, as well as in Medhacks and Medical Robotics. I am also the current events director for Madhatter Knits as well, and I regularly craft for charity and for my small business. However, despite my obligations, I have found that working for Hemphill Hall Council, especially in larger-scale events, is something I am greatly passionate for, and that allows me to utilize my time efficiently and effectively and incorporate my obligations as the current Events Director for Hemphill as a regular aspect of my day. I have a separate organizational method I utilize to draft and plan events, budgeting, and communications, and I have a Canva graphic document set up to easily create sweet and fun posters to advertise events. I also regularly speak with residents at events, and many have come to expect me at events and actively look out for events our hall council holds. I also set reminders for myself daily to look over and keep track of the work I must do, and all of my files and documents are accessible for my team to view as well, and I make sure to update the rest of Hemphill Council on events-specific activities. This allows me to hold myself accountable and be honest about the tasks I must do to effectively conduct my role. Though life may be busy at times, I am passionate about the extracurriculars and work I commit to, especially RHA, and I will always organize my day to encompass all of the meetings and tasks I hold responsibility for.

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

In high school, I worked primarily in communications and marketing for charity and for my internship with Congresswoman Grace Meng. I conducted local events for beach preservation, donation events for homeless shelters, and helped raise over $150,000 for hospitals in Long Island, New York, with a team of 6 others during the COVID pandemic. Through these varied experiences, I became very passionate about event planning and coordination, and I learned many communication skills, graphic design, and online organizational methods through regular practice and trial and error. Now, in college, I employ the skills I have built up over the years in the extracurricular organizations I am greatly passionate for and have dedicated my time towards. Over the summer of 2024, I worked as a FASET leader, conducting almost 20 sessions for incoming students. It was an incredible and exciting experience, and helped me develop my time-management skills, my leadership, and allowed me to recognize my skills in helping others and making people feel welcome. I actively communicated with others and did my best to help every FASET event run smoothly, and even now I have students I spoke to during small group sessions, registration, or in the process of general guidance asking me for information and advice. Much of FASET involved behind-the-scenes preparation, and I learned through observing our leadership team about preparing for events in advance, and how to set the scene for the day of an event. An often overlooked part of FASET that taught me greatly was our name tags: several days before a session, some leaders would come together to pull apart and prepare the name tags for each incoming student. While many incoming students simply think of the tags as a neat token of their FASET day and assume they all came in prepackaged, we as FASET leaders actually had to painstakingly cut each and every single piece of paper, and individually prepare every name tag, plastic holder, and lanyard. It was a tedious process at times, but I was often there to help prepare them whenever I wasn’t in a session. It felt special to me to know that, while these name tags were not the focus of FASET, to say the least, they still made the experience just a bit more exciting and impactful, and it was just one small detail among many other aspects that came together to make our sessions so successful. I also often spoke with families who came to each session, with many appreciating the guidance and advice I was able to give, and appreciating the “human-ness” of our sessions. The event was not only to familiarize students to Georgia Tech; it was also to greet families, and welcome students to an incredibly exciting chapter of their lives. After my time in FASET, I was accepted as the Events Director for Madhatter Knits. I was empowered by the lessons I learned through FASET and through my past experiences in charity and crafting, and I had many ideas for activities and events we could hold for Madhatter Knits. Our role in our community is to make hand-knit hats for babies in NICU, and to support families who are going through the NICU process. One of my first ideas as Events Director was an Alice in Wonderland themed Halloween tea party. It not only celebrates our role in crafting and helping others through craftsmanship, as well as our unique and fun name, but it also allows for new members to join a low-stakes celebration as their first meeting, instead of being overwhelmed or nervous to immediately learn how to crochet, knit, or use our hat looms. It ended up being a great success, and we had many new members who saw our advertisements for the event and were excited to join the club. At the event, I was able to hold a lesson for crocheting, and I taught almost a dozen people how to crochet a circle, the basic starting stitch for a hat. For our later events, I was able to hold small group sessions to teach students how to crochet, knit, and use our looms, and we have had many completed projects from those events. Every event has technical purposes, but it is always important to never lose track of what you are doing an event for: in many cases, I have found that an event cannot simply be boiled down to a singular fact or figure you want to convey to an audience. You must also keep in mind what you want the audience to experience and what memories you want the event to impart on those who attend. I kept this in mind when entering my role in the Hemphill Hall Council as the Events Director. To incentivise more participation in our hall council, I came up with the idea of conducting events after every meeting, whether that be a fun snack served or an activity. We have boosted our attendance with a strong interest meeting and regular events, with some of our most popular events being a stationary giveaway and study night, a pumpkin painting and crafts night, and a matcha tasting event, where I worked with a student who proposed the idea to order supplies and create a setup that was feasible for our event location, the Crecine first-floor lounge. To advertise our events, I hung up posters around Crecine and the two Center Street buildings, and I also made a newsletter, though there were difficulties in circulating information through email. I had the idea of hosting a large, campus-wide event after realizing there were rarely any events in Burger Bowl and hearing residents tell me that they wished there were more events on West Campus. Initially, the idea started as a Halloween event, but quickly transitioned into a November event to fit the theme of Health and Wellness. This was more feasible, and fit with what I envisioned for those participating in the event, as I wanted the event to be relaxing and I wanted participants to be free to explore the various resources available to them on campus. I reached out to several mental health organizations on campus, many of which I became familiar with through my work in the Flag building through FASET, as well as to Chick-fil-A for food catering, and to Parents with Pups, as they are a tremendously important campus institution. After almost two months of preparation, in which I had numerous meetings to coordinate all the details of the day and many supply runs for different equipment we needed for the day, it was so exciting to see it come together and to see many people come to enjoy the event. We had 187 people sign the attendance form, and most of our supplies were utilized, with many people coming to visit the information booths, play with the puppies, and use the equipment from the CRC. My role in Hemphill is one I am tremendously passionate for, and I am excited to keep working with RHA this semester, whether it be through the executive board or through Hemphill. I cannot wait to keep learning more about events-organizing and communication to not only improve my professional skills, but also myself.

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

Because of my love for event-planning, I am applying for the Director of Programming role. I have many ideas for large-scale events that would benefit students on campus, such as a botany experience with the Atlanta Botanical Garden and a spring cultural festival. I am able to respectfully and professionally communicate and execute events, and I have extensive teamwork experience from my work in FASET and other on-campus and off-campus opportunities. I think that events are what makes our campus especially unique and fun, and they provide a valuable opportunity for students, especially during stressful times of their lives.

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

For this position, I hope to bring my own ideas for events to the table, and work with others in hall council and on the executive board to coordinate and plan events and outreach towards the general student body. For example, as an avid lover of plants, I hope to create a botany experience for the student body. This would not only promote wellness, due to the extensive research on plants promoting mental health, but it will also help residents of Georgia Tech in exploring new passions, interests, and teaching students how to care for plants, a skill some people may have never come into contact with before. For the Botany Experience, we could invite speakers from Atlanta Botanical Gardens come to a large atrium space and teach seminars on houseplant care and cooking with vegetation and flora, two of the courses already offered at the Botanical Garden, through interactive activities: a step-by-step potting session for students to make their own tabletop zen gardens, and a plating session using a GT Dining-catered buffet of warm dishes to show examples of quick and easy meals students could obtain at GT. This will not only help alleviate a lot of the stress of going to dining halls and having to choose different foods, but will also help students who have never come into contact with plating dishes based on nutritional health, and can also help students discover new dishes that they may not have ever considered trying before. Furthermore, a tabletop zen garden, especially one utilizing succulents, is a low-water garden, and does not need as much maintenance as some other plants. A great deal of stress when keeping foliage is the worry of them dying, so having an instructor who is able to give a seminar on how to properly keep a low-stakes garden is incredibly beneficial for students, and it also gives students a companion. We could also purchase ingredients and common grocery items for students to build their own salads, sandwiches, sushi, and snacks, skills students will likely need for college and beyond. In addition, we could offer many arts and crafts activities for students to try as they’re eating, such as bracelet weaving, DIY crystal suncatchers, and making artificial plants and vines through crochet, origami, or wire sculpting. It is these ideas and more that make me excited for this role as Director of Programming, and makes me very passionate about hosting events for 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?

A large difficulty of hosting events is how to communicate them to a student population. I think one of the largest issues, not only with RHA but with Georgia Tech as a whole, is the decentralization of communication and advertising for events and resources. This is an issue with many organizations I am involved with, such as NSTP and Naugle Communication Center, and I believe it is an impediment in students of Georgia Tech taking full advantage of the amazing opportunities, most of which free, this campus offers. While RHA does a good job in social media marketing, I believe there is still more to be done to fully and successfully communicate the role of RHA in students’ lives here on campus.

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 a way to help remedy the issue of communications gaps is not only to more closely interact with the student body, but to also take full advantage of tabling opportunities and external promotional events. For example, there is a club and organization fair each semester that is very important in drawing new members of organizations. While I am not completely informed on RHA’s promotional activities, I believe that it is events such as these that allow for the best way to communicate to the larger student audience on what RHA is able to complete and what RHA’s role is in a student’s life. Furthermore, regular tabling sessions, such as on the Tech Green walkway, is also a good way to verbally communicate to the student body on what RHA does. Having only a few people sit at a table for about an hour can still allow the student body to see our organization visually, and we could pass out flyers for upcoming events and ways to participate in local residence hall councils as well. Programming events does not only rely upon supplies and budget; RHA can also take a large part in students’ lives through social media and verbal and visual communication. By becoming a more solidified aspect in students’ lives, there are even more amazing events and opportunities that our organization can provide to the student body.

FY25 Director of Programming Election

Hello All,

I am excited to announce that we are beginning the Election Process for the DOP for the remainder of FY25. This post will detail the timeline of the election for everyone, detail the application process, provide the necessary documentation, and then finally link to the application. If you have not participated in an RHA election before, please make sure to read all of the available material to get proper context and information.

Election Timeline:
1/13: Application for the DOP Position is live.
1/17 @12:00pm: Application for the Executive Board closes
1/18 @12:00pm: Candidate Information Page is published.
1/18 -1/21: Platform Reviews
1/22 @8am: Candidates are required to submit materials for Election Night.
1/22 @7pm: Election

Application Process:
All applicants for all positions must have the following actions done by their respective dates:
• Submit an application that is fully, correctly, and intentionally filled out.
• Submit a slide deck for an 8 minute presentation.
• Attend Legislative Council on Jan. 22nd 7pm – later.
• Have not campaigned in any capacity.
• Prepare for questions about RHA contributions, experience, knowledge, and intent.

Election Documentation:
Position Descriptions (Information within the Position Descriptions is subject to change)
Constitution
Policy Book

Exec Position Presentation: Will be uploaded at a later date.

Application Link:
FY25 DOP Application

Make sure to fill out every required question with a true, intentional, and helpful answer.
This should be all your own work. Any applications using AI can be disqualified.
Make sure to save your answers separately, as Qualtrics has been known to delete answers upon refreshing.

FY25 Executive Board Election Candidates

The following candidates have been approved to run in the FY25 RHA Executive Board elections. Primary positions indicate the position that each candidate will initially run for; secondary positions represent “bid-down” positions that each candidate may run for, should they lose the election for their primary position of interest.

Nathan Morlu

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: Director of Development

Ethan Morlu

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Erin Taylor

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: None

Dana Kim

Primary Position: Director of Development

Secondary Position: None

Nirmal Karthik

Primary Position: Director of Administration

Secondary Position: None

Lynn Kim

Primary Position: Director of Communication

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Sterling Payton

Primary Position: Director of Finance

Secondary Position: None

Jackie Sullivan

Primary Position: Director of Programming

Secondary Position: None

Learn More About the Candidates

Below, you’ll find each candidate’s answers to a series of questions related to their experience and platform, along with copies of candidates’ resumes.

Nathan Morlu

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: Director of Development

Education: 2nd Year Mechanical Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

My most relevant experience to date is my status as Meetings Coordinator of the Nelson-Shell Community Council. In this role, I have worked with my fellow Community Council Officers to host weekly community council meetings, plan events in the community, and to work closely with residents to hear issues about our building and to pass bills that are transformative for the community. The responsibilities will prepare me will for the role of executive president since I will be able to communicate effectively with the rest of the Executive Board on important matters. I will be able to use my experience writing meeting agendas to keep the discussion on track and meaningful. I will be able to use my ability to work in a team to effectively distribute work so that everyone in the Executive Board will feel like they are part of a team and something greater. Though the responsibilities of the Executive President are much more expansive than the Meetings Coordinator, I will be able to use the skills I have as a baseboard for growing and serving RHA. I have additional leadership experience from my time as Wrestling Club Executive President. Leading the wrestling club has taught me important lessons in communicating with campus resources, managing my time to make sure that things are moving forward and that I am making the most with the time I have, and taking the collective wishes of my club members into account and properly conveying those outwards. Communication with campus resources is important since they are integral to everything that happens. Though I have mainly communicated with the CRC, I have learned the etiquette needed when working with others and the important lesson to have enough time. Managing my time is extremely important when balancing all my responsibilities. My time as Wrestling Club Executive President has taught me the importance of keeping an accurate to-do list and following up with myself and others. These are things I implement frequently and find important to maintaining a proper running organization, regardless of the role. Arguably, the most important thing I have learned is advocating for my club members. As Executive President, I will need to advocate for all residents in he school. Knowing how to collect their voices and how to present it most effectively is something crucial for this position that I have experience in. The final position that I have held that will prepare me for this role is the Senior Patrol Leader in my Scout Troop when I was in high school. Though it is a position I held when I was younger, I learned important lessons about communicating with advisors, event execution and how to lead. As the Senior Patrol Leader, I did a lot of communicating with the adults in my troop to get a benchmark of where we were and where we needed to go. This was tantamount in my growth since I learned how to be prepared for these conversations and I learned how to set reasonable goals and expectations. I learned a lot about event execution as well. One of my responsibilities was to plan troop outings and itineraries. This helped me in coming up with fun yet fulfilling ways to spend time during events and then executing them. One of the most important lessons I learned was how to lead. I learned that being authoritarian never worked and that working along side others and not putting myself as a leader above any of my other scouts inspired them and fostered greater relationships between us. As the Executive president, I would want to be an approachable leader who works along side the rest of the executive board to build RHA. I have additional leadership experience from my time as Wrestling Club Executive President. Leading the wrestling club has taught me important lessons in communicating with campus resources, managing my time to make sure that things are moving forward and that I am making the most with the time I have, and taking the collective wishes of my club members into account and properly conveying those outwards. Communication with campus resources is important since they are integral to everything that happens. Though I have mainly communicated with the CRC, I have learned the etiquette needed when working with others and the important lesson to have enough time. Managing my time is extremely important when balancing all my responsibilities. My time as Wrestling Club Executive President has taught me the importance of keeping an accurate to-do list and following up with myself and others. These are things I implement frequently and find important to maintaining a proper running organization, regardless of the role. Arguably, the most important thing I have learned is advocating for my club members. As Executive President, I will need to advocate for all residents in the school. Knowing how to collect their voices and how to present it most effectively is something crucial for this position that I have experience in. The final position that I have held that will prepare me for this role is the Senior Patrol Leader in my Scout Troop when I was in high school. Though it is a position I held when I was younger, I learned important lessons about communicating with advisors, event execution and how to lead. As the Senior Patrol Leader, I did a lot of communicating with the adults in my troop to get a benchmark of where we were and where we needed to go. This was tantamount in my growth since I learned how to be prepared for these conversations and I learned how to set reasonable goals and expectations. I learned a lot about event execution as well. One of my responsibilities was to plan troop outings and itineraries. This helped me in coming up with fun yet fulfilling ways to spend time during events and then executing them. This would help me as Director of Development to come
up with strong itineraries for trainings that cater to all. One of the most important lessons I learned was how to lead. I learned that being authoritarian never worked and that working alongside others and not putting myself as a leader above any of my other scouts inspired them and fostered greater
relationships between us. As the Executive president, I would want to be an approachable leader who works alongside the rest of the executive board to build RHA.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I wish to join the Executive Board because I have seen the positive effect of events and initiatives that have been put forth. RHA’s events (Fall Festival, Dogapalooza, etc.) give a chance for residents to come together, have fun, and alleviate the stress of school. Having volunteered at these events, I want
to help in executing them. Additionally, RHA initiatives such as free laundry have boosted residents’ quality of life, and I want to try to work and bring about more good changes.

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

I am interested in the position of Executive President because I was inspired by the work that the current Executive President is doing. I want to build important and lasting programs around the campus for resident such as the menstrual product program. I also want to be Executive President because I also want to play an important role in supporting my fellow executive board members. I want to be a president that my fellow board members can rely on and that will be able to communicate easily with. I want to be Executive President because it would place me in a role to hear students and work to directly bring change and relief to concerns. I have experience speaking with people who are working with developing campus resources through my time in the Emerging Leader’s Advisory Board. I have come to realize that there are many student desires on campus that just need to be given a voice.

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

I plan to bring my work-ethic and my outgoing personality to the organization and positions. I have a very strong work ethic. I strive to get all my work done on time and to the highest quality. This shows through different facets of my life. In school, I am in the top of my class. As meetings coordinator, I
take my role to review bills and present them correctly and effectively at meetings very seriously. I make a point of knowing and reviewing policy in the policy book and following it and what I learned in training when dealing with bills and meetings. Despite this, many of the residents who have come
repeatedly to the Nelson-Shell community council have come because I am able to make it fun for them. I do not let my seriousness about policy get in the way of my interactions with residents and others. I even use tiny explanations of why I do things the way I do to bring humor to the meetings. I feel that my ability to be hardworking and my personality blend together in a way that would allow me to act uniquely. Another thing I plan to bring to the position is my ability to be flexible when the situation requires it. I find it important to plan meetings and events out fully, however, when last minute changes come around, I can act and pivot to make the most of the situation or to find a better alternative. This is something that I have been cultivating all the way back since high school. One example is when a Scout Camporee (a multi-troop skill competition) was canceled after we got to the camping site camping, and I designed an in-troop skill competition so we could still do almost everything we set out to do on that camping trip. I also have continued to be flexible here in school with Community Council Events and The Wrestling Club as well. To the organization, I plan to bring my dedication to the role that I am in. I plan to do my upmost to keep RHA as a great organization and using my time management skills and my ability to plan accordingly, I plan on putting time to building the organization and helping to be an effective voice for residents campuswide.

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 one thing about RHA, I would try to get the Executive Board more involved in attending community councils across the campus. In my opinion, currently, the best way to interface with the members of the executive board is Legislative Council. While love Legislative Council, I think it would be wonderful if members of the Executive Board could come to community councils campuswide occasionally. I feel that it would not need to be a steadfast rule that says that they need to be at every council meeting, but maybe just 1 or 2 per semester to help build that relationship between the community councils and the executive board.

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 feel that this is a problem that can’t be fully fixed but can be acted upon depending on the Executive Board’s Availability. The current Executive Board has shown interest in coming to meetings; however, it becomes trickier once the meetings are taking place across campus. There is a living resource on the RHA website that gives the current meeting times and locations for community councils. Leveraging that and creating a plan to possibly divide up community councils across the members and where they are going could help to make this more of a reality. Unfortunately, though there are a lot of variables to overcome in this, some things that could be improved to help the executive board and individual community councils’ bond better could be a stronger emphasis on customizing bylaws and passing resolutions. The bylaws help to set the culture for a specific community council; however, I feel they can be overlooked since they hold a lot of similar information as the policy book. Utilizing these bylaws could help the Executive Board get a better feeling on the culture and the priorities of the members in the community council which could help to foster a better relationship during interactions at Legislative Council. Another thing is resolutions. Resolutions can be fun as well as serious. Something that RHA is currently trying to do that I would like to continue and push forth are hosting fun resolutions to help create a more interconnected feeling across RHA.

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. 

This upcoming year, I will most likely hold an executive board position in the Wrestling Club on campus. This will be a continuation from this semester where I am Executive President. This entails attending 2-3 two-hour evening practices per week. My plan is to secure a wrestling practice time that does not conflict with my RHA meeting duties. If there is a conflict with the time of LC, I will prioritize RHA meetings and duties. The wrestling club, as of right now, has low commitment for members and has a strong executive board who has and will cover for me and allow for me to put my time into RHA should this time conflict arise. In addition to the Wrestling Club, I will hold an executive board position in Pi Tau Sigma honor society. This is a much less rigorous role than RHA, with a much smaller scope of responsibilities, so I will be able to put my all into my Executive Board role. I will also be in Tau Beta Pi honor society as a member and it will not take up much of my time.

Ethan Morlu

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Education: 2nd Year Mechanical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

Being in RHA as the Finance Officer of the Nelson Shell community council has prepared me the best for being on the RHA Executive Board. Before this academic year, I had no idea what RHA was, and I had only roughly heard of area councils. Now, I am fully confident in my understanding of RHA as an organization that seeks to Grow residents, let people Lead, and Unite the campus. I have seen firsthand the events and programs that RHA and the Executive Board put on to meet this goal, and I will bring my passion to continue this to the Executive Board. While serving as a Financial Officer, I have gained a very good understanding of RHA policy that will be beneficial while supporting new and returning Community Council officers. Furthermore, I have been able to take part in RHA through legislative council and have gained a greater understanding of what is important for the campus community. The most important thing that I’ve developed while in RHA, however, is the ability to work as a team. Nelson Shell community council was made up of mostly new faces, and we had to quickly come to understand one another and define our expectations for one another. We then had to figure out what our own responsibilities were and figure out how we best worked together with one another. We now function as a well-oiled machine when it comes to planning and execution, but it was a process to get here. I will bring this experience with me to the RHA Executive Board next year. It is uncertain whether there will be familiar faces or not on the board, but I will make sure we quickly break through the troubles that come with an unfamiliar team, and make sure the Executive Board runs like a well-oiled machine that can focus on the residents. Before RHA, however, I started my leadership journey in high school as Senior Patrol Leader for my scouting troop. I got the position in December of 2019, and had to lead my troop through the COVID-19 pandemic, navigating the transition to virtual, then to hybrid, then back to in-person. It was a highly developmental experience for me because I had to not only keep the scouts engaged and invested in the troop through this transition, but also had to act as a bridge between the youth and the adults in the troop. I had to understand what the youth wanted in the program, as well as communicating to the Patrol Leaders what direction the adults saw the program going in. This experience will directly help me in the Executive President’s role, as I will be acting as a bridge between the residents and the Department of Housing. I will need to be able to understand and communicate what residents want to the key administrators, while also communicating the Department of Housing’s view to the residents. I will also be able to use my experience as Senior Patrol Leader when working with both the Executive Board and community councils. As Senior Patrol Leader, I had to work directly with the patrol leaders in making sure that they were effectively running their patrols, as well as helping them out with any issues that arose. As Executive President, I will be working directly with the Executive Board, doing 1-1’s with them to make sure that everything is running smoothly in their positions and that they don’t need help with them. I will additionally be a direct contact for any Community Councils that need support or advice on something in the community. I have the know-how to reach out to people, and make sure that everything is going alright. My experience as Vice President of Operations of Pi Tau Sigma will also help me with this as well. I currently oversee two other positions to make sure that they are putting on events and that they are going well. These experiences have helped build up my ability to reach out and communicate with others to make sure everything is going well. Being Senior Patrol Leader has also helped me plan and run executive meetings. I was always responsible for running the monthly planning meetings within the troops, bringing an agenda, and making sure that every Patrol Leader was ready to give updates and on their positions. As Executive President, I will oversee running all the executive meetings, making sure that necessary information is conveyed and that all members of the Executive Board are updated. This will also come in handy while running Legislative Council meetings, where I will be able to effectively run through the meetings. In addition to these administrative experiences, I am also confident in my ability to manage large events. I have experience through events like my Eagle Scout project and helping run my high school’s annual wrestling tournament. This will help prepare me to support the Director of Programming and the Director of Development with any events they need help with. My experience as financial coordinator and auditor will help me assist the Director of Finance with any policy they need help on. Overall, my experiences with RHA, scouting, and Pi Tau Sigma have helped prepare me for working with a new team on the executive board while rising to the responsibilities of Executive President.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

During this past semester, I’ve realized how fun and fulfilling it is to serve on community council and be both a source of support and a representative for them. I now want to take this service to the next level by serving on the RHA Executive Board. After interacting with the Executive Board of this year, I am excited at the opportunity to be able to serve a much greater scope of residents through the Executive Board, and I am looking forward to the fun that comes with interacting with residents, community council officers, and the greater Georgia Tech community.

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

I am especially interested in the Executive President position because it is the position where I can have the greatest impact on residents. Being the direct line with the key administration means that I have a real impact on how the Department of Housing deals with residents. I will be able to elevate residents’ ideas to them and hear from them what direction the Department of Housing is heading. I want to be able to have a real impact on the Department of Housing, and there isn’t a better position to that end. I also want to be Executive President because they are one of the more visible members of the Executive Board. This will give me the ability to connect with Community Council officers and other residents more easily about what is happening in their community, whether that be something good or something that needs to change. This will give me the opportunity to help and make a change, if need be, or just encourage or support them.

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

One quality that I have that I am proud to bring to this position is the fact that I am a good listener. Being able to listen to other people will be a highly beneficial quality for Executive President because I am the person who will have a direct line to some of the key administration in the Department of Housing. If I was not good at listening, I wouldn’t be able to correctly hear what residents want from the Department of Housing and be able to communicate that well. Additionally, I wouldn’t be able to do a good job of communicating what the Department of Housing’s response was if I didn’t listen well. I would just hear what I wanted to, and ultimately fail at being a good representative. Despite being good at listening, I am also good at talking. I feel as though this skill will be vital in the role of Executive president because I need to be able to communicate what the residents want. I also need to be able to talk with the residents to understand their needs. If I couldn’t talk, then listening would ultimately be wasted as a representative. I am also someone who is very thorough. When I work on any project, be that schoolwork or extracurricular, I make sure to put in my utmost to make sure the result is above standard. I will strive for this excellence in as I serve as Executive President in all the interactions I have, meetings I run, and events I help plan. I will do my best to make sure that RHA is correctly representing what the residents want and need to the Department of Housing and the greater Georgia Tech community. I will also bring time to the organization. Because I don’t plan to dedicate too much time to other extracurricular activities, I will make sure that RHA benefits from that extra time I have. I will pour my time into the different events and initiatives that RHA has going on, as well as talking with residents to make sure that the organization can perform how it needs to, and more.

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 honestly feel that one of RHA’s downfalls is its current lack of visibility. I know RHA has become more visible from the time that I first came to Georgia Tech, and I want to continue to make it even more visible to the residents. RHA is an organization that puts on many different fun events, organizes initiatives, and has regular community council meetings, but I still feel as though many residents don’t really understand what kind of an opportunity it presents through community councils and legislative council. I want more people to come to understand what this organization is that builds community, so that they will get involved by going to community council, legislative council, or the events. If this was improved, I feel like there would be a much better sense of community within dorms, and residents would have a better experience, getting to know others in their dorms. I know from experience that being on community council has let me meet many different people that I would not have ever met if not for it.

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? 

One way that RHA could become more visible is through using different methods of communication to reach the residents. One such way could be through the usage of more emails to spread information about events, legislative, or just what RHA and Community Council is. Another way could be through pop-up booths where residents can talk to a member of the Executive Board and grab some stuff. Another way RHA could be more visible is through being even more responsive to the needs of residents. One idea I have is to make an easily accessible form for residents where they can put general concerns that they are having about their housing situation, or otherwise. This would allow RHA to have a direct line of what the residents want and what they are concerned about so that I would be able to bring this up with the key administration in the Department of Housing. I also want to encourage more residents to bring their worries or changes they want to see in the form of resolutions to Legislative Council. They could be encouraged to do this through emails, at events, and through their local community councils. RHA could also become more visible to the community by making it more fun for participants. This could be done through improving things RHA already does, like community sessions at Legislative Council, events put on by the Executive Board, through better balancing fun and business at CCOFT and CCOST, or through interesting office hours. This could also be done by new things, like fun resolutions to lighten the mood at Legislative Council and create discussion, or unique food ideas at Legislative Council. All in all, through increasing RHA’s visibility to residents, many residents can have fun experiences where they build a sense of community and make friends.

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. 

During next year, I plan to be the Treasurer for the Wrestling Club @ Georgia Tech and be on the Executive Board for the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering Honor Society. Being the Treasurer of the Wrestling Club, I attend 1-3 practices every week and deal with the processing of any finances for the club. This takes a maximum of 5 hours a week but can take less when I attend less practices. Being on the Executive Board of Pi Tau Sigma is relatively low commitment and only takes up 2 hours per week. When on the RHA Executive Board, RHA will be my top priority. Both other commitments are flexible with attendance and commitment level, so I am able and willing to lower my commitment to those and pour all the time I possibly can into my responsibilities for RHA. Additionally, I will make sure to communicate with my fellow Executive Board members about my schedule, so that I can be transparent about any conflicts that might come up, and deal with them accordingly. I will make sure to put RHA and residents first, and then my other commitments will come second.

Erin Taylor

Primary Position: Executive President

Secondary Position: None

Education: 1st Year Electrical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

This past year I have been the meetings coordinator for the Eighth Street Community Council. This role has introduced me to the workings and impact of RHA and given me experience in connecting with residents, running meetings and organizing a team. Currently, my Community Council has met quorum every meeting and the meetings are conscious of resident’s time. Outside of RHA, working at the Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology has helped me grow my communication skills, ability to work through obstacles and be a reliable employee. These skills will help me on the RHA Executive Board to work well with the other board members and be an impactful, effective leader.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

This past year I have been meetings coordinator for the Eighth Street Community Council and have loved getting to know other residents, organizing meetings and being involved in my west campus community. I want to be a member of the RHA Executive Board because of its position to make an impact on the entire campus. I have found so much fulfillment from Community Council by being able to pass bills and host events that engage residents and improve their living experience. On the executive board, I hope to be able to apply my enthusiasm for building community and make change on a larger scale.

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

I would love to serve as the Executive President because I believe that I can positively impact the experience residents have while living on campus. I believe that I can run effective meetings and organize the executive board to function for the benefit of the residents. As president, I would bring enthusiasm to RHA and listen to the residents for how RHA can best help them.

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

I am very enthusiastic, organized, and passionate which will help me be the best president and executive board member I can be. I plan to bring positivity and my best thinking to the table to make positive change in the community. I hope to bring people together through engaging and exciting community events.

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 communication between community councils and executive board. As a meetings coordinator, I felt that the RHA exec board could have done more to reach out and support community councils to make sure they are doing well throughout the year. This would have helped many community councils to be able to be their best and involve their community.

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 think that the RHA exec board can reach out to community councils throughout the year. Having attendance from RHA exec board members was helpful in my experience, and I think it would also be helpful for others if they did not have that support in-person.

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. 

In addition to RHA, I am currently a part of the women’s lacrosse club team and work at the Institution for Electronics and Nanotechnology on campus. I plan to continue to work at IEN and am unsure if I will continue club lacrosse. I have been able to balance my schedule well and I am an organized person, which I attribute to my planner. Last semester, I was involved in these activities and was able to work out an effective system to stay healthy and organized. If I am elected to the board, I am willing to prioritize it over lacrosse and other smaller clubs I’m involved in.

Dana Kim

Primary Position: Director of Development

Secondary Position: None

Education: 1st Year Neuroscience Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

With my extensive leadership experiences throughout high school and current roles within the Vietnamese Student Association and Asian American Student association, I believe I am prepared with the skills and qualities necessary for the Director of Development position. In high school, I served as the co-founder and president of Hearts & Crafts, where we sewed stuffed animals and crafted jewelry to donate to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. As a president, I often had to guide other executive members while also managing the overall coordination of events in this newborn club. These experiences helped me develop strong leadership and management skills. In addition, we often facilitated collaborative events with other student organizations, such as the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and National Honor Society (NHS). During our collaborative executive meeting with HOSA to plan out fundraising sales, I made sure to listen to differing opinions while also emphasizing our common goal to promote healthcare. Through these experiences, I learned how to effectively collaborate and work toward common goals. Furthermore, as the Secretary with a logistic focus in the BETA club, I was responsible for logistical aspects of the club, such as brainstorming events ideas and managing up budgets and resources. These experiences helped me develop organizational and management skills. Additionally, serving as the Ambassador for the Korean American Student Association, I gained valuable experience in promoting cultural awareness and connecting with other students with similar backgrounds within the school community. Currently, I continue to apply and develop my leadership skills by building a vibrant community in college settings. In the Fundraising Committee of the Vietnamese Student Association, I am responsible for communicating with external organizations and facilitating overall logistics of monthly fundraising events. Being a part of this group has further enhanced my ability to work in teams and improve organization events. I also had more opportunities to actively get involved in the student body and create a welcoming environment for students in contributing to a good cause. Similarly, in the Asian American Student Association as a Junior Outreach Chair, I further develop my collaboration and management skills, as this position requires me to communicate with external organizations and ensure smooth coordination events such as catering food. In addition to leadership roles, I was able to develop teamwork and collaboration skills through participating in the Vietnamese Student Association’s modern dance team. Actively participating in numerous practices and performances, I learned how to effectively cooperate as a group to achieve success. I also learned how to balance the extracurriculars with academics and manage my time wisely, as individual practice in addition to weekly group rehearsals required a significant amount of time and energy. Additionally, being a part of the ACE family in VSA provided me with further opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and build a strong community. In the ACE family, I learned the importance of sharing experiences and creating intimate relationships with others from similar backgrounds. These experiences reinforced the importance of building a welcoming and vibrant community where everyone feels included and supported. Through the role of the RHA Director of Development, my experience in collaboration from past leadership positions will be applied. Some examples may be holding bonding events with Area Councils and contacting external partners to plan out events such as End of Year Banquets. Connecting with my experience as a president of Hearts&Crafts, I can guide and teach other board members to achieve our aspired goals collectively. Furthermore, I will use the organizational skills which I acquired by being a Secretary for BETA club to coordinate events and manage initiatives for RHA to ensure that all events are run smoothly and successfully and provide a positive experience for all students in the residence hall. Moreover, my ability to work effectively in groups and build a strong community gained from experiences in modern dance and the ACE family will be invaluable in my role within RHA. From planning the end-of-the-year banquet to training executive members, I am confident that all my experiences and skills will allow me to actively participate in RHA’s development as well as create a GT residence community in which every student feels welcomed.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

Having been active in many student organizations throughout high school and freshman year in college, I realized the importance of engagement and community building and wanted to take a greater part in creating an inclusive and intimate community through other opportunities. Earlier this semester, I was introduced to the RHA’s Bill system open to any residents. Although my bill for a movie night at Atlantic Station was rejected at the community council meeting due to financial conflicts, this experience introduced me to RHA’s strong commitment for creating a welcoming space for everyone, inspiring me to join and contribute to this work.

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

I am interested in the Director of Development position within RHA because it presents an opportunity in which I can showcase my passion for building community using the skills I developed. I am very excited to collaborate with others such as through bonding events between Area Councils and the Executive Board. In these events, members from different branches would be able to connect and share ideas as a group to work toward a common goal. This perfectly matches my aspiration for collaboration and building communities where everyone’s idea can be supported. Facilitating these interactions will strengthen the bond within the group and also reinforces RHA’s fundamental idea of using effective collaboration to build a vibrant and supportive community that fosters growth and inclusivity. In addition, planning the End of Year Banquet will offer me a unique opportunity to celebrate the achievements of RHA board members. I believe coordinating such events will not only help me develop my management skills but also allow me to motivate each members’ continued engagement within the organization.

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

Throughout my leadership experiences, I have always been passionate about creating a community where every member feels empowered and supported. I will employ a strategic approach to organizational and positional training for the success and progress of individual board members in RHA. Throughout my involvement in various leadership roles, especially serving as a co-founder and president of Hearts&Crafts, I have developed my ability to give comprehensive training to the board members. This experience provided me with crucial insights into building effective leadership that could be applied to people with different past experiences and learning styles. I intend to develop a framework for training activities that will equip members with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles. I am dedicated to creating an environment that fosters continuous learning and development and where leaders will be empowered to make meaningful contributions that go beyond the organization. Furthermore, I am determined to organize a memorable End of Year Banquet that celebrates the outstanding achievements of the board members shown throughout the semester. Through my involvement in various extracurricular activities, such as the Fundraising Committee in the Vietnamese Student Association and the Asian American Student Association, I have been able to gain hands-on experience in event planning and execution utilizing my creativity and attention to detail. I am dedicated to arranging a banquet experience that will celebrate the achievements and also fosters a sense of RHA community at large. Moreover, my past leadership experiences have given me in-depth understanding of the importance of collaboration and inclusivity. Throughout my experiences in groups like HOSA and Hearts&crafts, I cultivated efficient bonding networks within the executive board and collaborated with other organizations to accomplish common goals. Similarly, as a member of the Asian American Student Association’s Junior Outreach Chair, I have been working collaboratively with external organizations to coordinate events and initiatives. Drawing from these experiences, I am determined to promote a culture of collaboration and inclusivity within RHA, where each member’s voice is valued. Through my dedication and collaborativeness, I am confident that I will be able to make a meaningful impact within RHA as a Director of Development, empowering executive members to develop their leadership skills and fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for all.

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 there is one thing I could improve within RHA, my primary focus would be communication and engagement between RHA and residents. I believe that it is challenging for residents to stay informed about the various opportunities RHA offers to them, such as submitting bills or participating in community council meetings. By advocating these events more effectively, RHA can create an environment where more students can actively contribute ideas and participate in initiatives that shape their living environment. In addition, more actively gathering feedback from residents would allow RHA to ensure that the events and activities align with students’ interests. This would not only increase the community engagement but also enhance residents’ satisfaction with the GT residence hall. Moreover, programs could be diversified by incorporating cultural celebrations and wellness activities so that RHA can provide a more inclusive and holistic experience to the residents.

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? 

RHA would be able to achieve greater communication and engagement by utilizing a multichannel approach to reach more residents to effectively advocate events. This may involve using social media platforms, like Instagram, more effectively in sharing event details, such as using engaging features like polls, and highlighting past and present achievements through applying aesthetic edits. Additionally, sending emails and digital newsletters can ensure delivering vital information and reminders directly to residents. Furthermore, actively soliciting feedback from residents would enable RHA to align its events with more residents’ preferences. Incorporating feedback mechanisms that are easier to participate in, such as short surveys or virtual town hall meetings, would give more residents an opportunity to voice their opinions in the planning process without difficulties. RHA would be able to show its dedication to meeting the needs of the diverse community members by actively collecting feedback and incorporating their suggestions into event planning . By prioritizing these initiatives, RHA can create a more vibrant and inclusive residential community where every resident feels valued and included. RHA can also diversify programming by introducing cultural celebrations and wellness activities. Cultural celebrations would provide an opportunity to promote and celebrate the different backgrounds within the residential community. Some models to follow include VSA’s Moonfest or AASA’s Tour of Asia that involved cultural celebration to promote diversity and inclusion with cultural performances, exhibitions, and interactive activities. These events not only celebrate diverse cultures but also foster understanding and respect for different traditions and perspectives. Providing traditional food would also attract more residents and allow them to try food from different countries around the world, which would be a unique experience. The wellness activities would be designed to enhance the mental and emotional well-being of residents. Offering a variety of wellness activities can cover the different needs and preferences of the residential community. For instance, offering free healthy snacks during exam seasons or hosting meditation sessions and yoga classes can help residents reduce stress and enhance overall mental and emotional well-being. Including cultural celebrations and wellness activities in RHA’s program will improve the residential experience by providing the residents with opportunities for cultural exchange and community bonding. Through embracing diversity and promoting well-being, RHA can build a vibrant and inclusive residential community where every resident feels valued and supported.

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. 

During Spring 2024, I will be serving as Junior Outreach Chair in Asian American Student Association and a part of Fundraising Committee in Vietnamese Student Association. Having a flexible schedule after classes, I will dedicate time for each commitment to complete all tasks by the deadline. I cultivated time management skills through high school while balancing academics and extracurriculars such as student organizations and community service. I prioritize and complete tasks in order of importance after careful planning and also take breaks after each task to maintain productivity. This way, I am able fulfill my duties to each organization while also maintaining a healthy work-life balance even in a high stress environment.

Nirmal Karthik

Primary Position: Director of Administration

Secondary Position: None

Education: 2nd Year Computer Engineering Major, Graduating BS This Spring

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

My first experience with IT was in 10th grade, when I was an intern for my school districts IT department. My project was completely redeveloping the district website and migrating the hosting to in-house: a task which I soon learned was much more challenging than it first appeared. Although it was initially a struggle to find quality educational resources on how to accomplish this or setup meetings with my supervisor to verify my approach, the process taught me a lot about the importance of administration and fueled my interest in Cybersecurity. Since then, I’ve developed roughly half-a-dozen websites and gained experience with cloud computing services such as AWS, Oracle Cloud, and Google Firebase. Additionally, I’ve explored coursework in this area and have taken classes such as Advanced Programming Techniques and Cloud Computing. I believe these skills will be invaluable to my efforts as the next Director of Administration.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

My first experience with the RHA was as a freshman, when I was the proud Communications Coordinator for my Area Council. I vividly recall the excitement of collaborating with fellow students to promote events, share important updates, and foster a sense of community within our residence halls. It was during this role that I discovered my passion for effective communication and community engagement. My current role as the RA for the Global Leadership LLC has further ignited my commitment to fostering a supportive and globally aware community. Serving on the RHA exec board would enable me continue my commitment to the RHA as a graduate student and have a more significant impact on the Tech Community.

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

As a Computer Engineering student, I take specific interest in the Director of Administration role because it offers me a way to apply my skills to the RHA. While, my primary motive in joining the RHA exec board is to contribute to the RHA to the best of my ability, I believe I can make the most positive impact as the Director of Administration. Additionally, the role offers me an experience to apply and grow my skillset in a field I am very passionate about.

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

I believe my experience with IT and cloud computing will be a unique contribution I can bring to the RHA. Through my journey of learning about cloud computing and applying these concepts to IT, I’ve encountered numerous challenges. From minor mishaps like misconfiguring a domain name to more significant blunders such as accidentally deleting my private SSH key to a remote server, each experience has taught me valuable lessons. I’ve made it a point to learn from these setbacks and ensure that I never repeat the same mistake twice. As a member on the RHA staff, I would bring these unique technical lessons and problem-solving to the board along with my continuous commitment to learning.

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 major component of the RHA which needs improvement is its communication. Overall, I feel that the RHA is fantastic at supporting students through its programs and initiatives; however, many students are unaware of the resources the RHA offers beyond this because of a simple lack of communication. One of the things I most recall from my experience as an Area Council officer is that many of my fellow residents were unaware of what the Area Council did or why we existed; for the first few weeks we struggled with attendance and it was only after immense communication efforts, including GroupMe messages, emails, and physical flyers hung up on each floor of each residence hall, that we were able to impart our purpose to residents and bring attendance to our events. For an organization as large as the RHA, this is a much more formidable task, especially because the flaw does not lie in a lack of communication for RHA programs, but rather a lack of communication for the resources RHA offers in general. Naturally, it would be hard to improve, but the RHA and students would benefit from better communication.

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? 

Improving the communication for an organization as large as the RHA would be a formidable task. One possible approach could be to do mini-interviews for random samples of Tech students and ask them what their perception of the RHA is and what they know about the resources it offers. These interviews could provide valuable insight regarding which communication channels are employed effectively and which need improvement. Additionally, asking questions like which sources influence students’ perceptions of the RHA could indicate potential communication channels to utilize. Another approach entirely could be to observe external organizations which have been successful in their communication initiatives and see which communication channels they’ve employed effectively. Modeling our communication strategy off of theirs could result in similar success and improvement. Yet another approach could be to host a dual-purpose event which would educate Tech students about the RHA. For example, a stress-buster event which also includes information about resources that the RHA offers outside its initiatives and programs. Events like could leverage the RHA’s strength in communication program-based information to address the RHA’s challenges in communicating resource-based information.

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. 

In addition to serving on the RHA executive board next year, I also intend to serve as a graduate research assistant or teaching assistant as well as maintain a commitment to two extracurricular activities. By using the same time management skills I currently employ, I am confident in my ability to balance these commitments. For 3/4 semesters at Tech, I have balanced a 20-credit course load with my leadership responsibilities to two extracurriculars and my commitments as a resident and teaching assistant. This semester, I proudly serve as a research assistant, resident assistant, and teaching assistant in addition to my commitment to the two extracurricular activities. I love it and thrive in this mentally stimulating environment. This semester, I look forward to graduating from my BS with a 4.0 and can’t wait to start my MS in the fall!

Lynn Kim

Primary Position: Director of Communication

Secondary Position: Director of Finance

Education: 2nd Year Neuroscience

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

Throughout my academic journey, I’ve consistently looked for opportunities to serve my community. I believe my leadership and community service experiences from high school and at GT have given me the skills and qualities necessary to work as the Director of Communication for the Residence Hall Association. During my time at North Gwinnett High School, I co-founded and served as the President of the Hearts and Crafts Club in my last year of high school, where we made accomplishments such as donating around 400 handmade stuffed animals to four different children’s hospitals and donating $700 to the Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta by holding charity fundraising sales of our handmade jewelry. My role involved various responsibilities: communicating with the school to make the club an official student organization and to provide members with volunteer hours approved by the school; holding weekly meetings with executive board officers to assist them with their roles; creating graphics to promote club meetings, events, and fundraising sales; organizing collab events with other clubs to increase participation; and, reaching out and communicating with hospitals organize donations. My experiences from founding and running the Hearts & Crafts club equipped me with various skills such as leadership, communication, and organization. In my role as the primary person responsible for the organizational newsletter, I would utilize my graphic design skills from Hearts & Crafts in order to ensure that the newsletter serves as an effective tool for communication and engagement within the RHA community. Being responsible for drafting and sending emails to residents, Resident Assistants, and Hall Directors also aligns perfectly with my experiences. My role as Vice President of the Korean American Student Association in my high school further deepened my understanding of importance of communication in promoting inclusion and addressing societal issues. Initiatives like facilitating open discussions on racism and coordinating awareness campaigns taught me how to better build a diverse and welcoming environment for everyone. In addition to the awareness campaigns, I played a significant role in expanding the club’s membership from 60 to 120 students through social media promotion, which I believe will be a helpful experience for me as a Director of Communication. Transitioning to Georgia Tech, I continued to build onto my leadership and communication experiences as the Fundraising Director of the Vietnamese Student Association and Junior Education Chair of the Asian American Student Association. Organizing cultural events like the Moon Festival and Tour of Asia allowed me to promote diversity and inclusion on campus through encouraging active student participation. Furthermore, coordinating fundraisers helped me gain more effective communication skills with external vendors and school administrators to hold successful events. As a GT Undergraduate Research Ambassador working in the Events Committee, I am currently involved in planning and executing events to promote undergraduate research experiences on GT campus. I believe my experience of guiding students through their research journey and facilitating their engagement with academic opportunities would be beneficial as I work as a resource and advocate for the interests of the residence hall community. Tutoring SAT, AP classes, and various subjects over two years has further improved my teaching and communication abilities to carry out my thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. Promoting my tutoring to gain new and keep my continuing students also enhanced my communication and interpersonal skills, which I believe would be beneficial for my work as a DoC. Beyond leadership and academic pursuits, I’m passionate about community service. As an assistant teacher at the Korean American School of Atlanta, I used my knowledge of Korean language and culture to teach young learners, later getting recognized as Assistant Teacher of the Year. Volunteering at the Gwinnett Public Library and serving as a Blood Donor Ambassador at the American Red Cross further made me realize the values of service and community engagement. My experiences in leadership and community service roles have equipped me with the passion, knowledge, and skills necessary to work as the Director of Communication for the Residence Hall Association. I believe I’d be able to efficiently contribute to the RHA executive board with my background and commitment to the community.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

Through RHA, I want to foster community. Using my leadership and community service experiences in various student organizations, I’ve found the immense joy and fulfillment that comes from serving and caring for others and from seeing their genuine enjoyment of events I’ve organized. Transitioning from rooming with random roommates to living with a close friend this semester made me realize the importance of building meaningful connections with neighbors, Joining the Residence Hall Association executive board, I aim to foster a stronger sense of belonging among GT students through events that bring them together and allow valuable personal connections.

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

I’m interested in the Director of Communiation position as I believe that the leadership and community service experiences and skills I have make me well-suited for the role. From my various leadership experiences working as co-founder of the Hearts and Crafts Club, Vice President of the Korean American Student Association, and Fundraising Director of VSA, I’ve gained useful skills in communication, organization, and events planning and execution. Holding inclusion and awareness campaigns also taught me the importance and power of effective communication and promotion. I believe that these experiences, along with my background in graphic design, make me well-suited to serve as the primary person responsible for the promotional newsletters and emails. I’m excited about the opportunity to use and build onto my diverse experiences and skills to contribute to the residence hall community at Georgia Tech.

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

As the Director of Communication, I plan to bring my unique experiences in leadership, communication, and community service. My experiences in different leadership positions have provided me with valuable insights and skills for effective communication skills. I will use these experiences to facilitate communication within the RHA community. Furthermore, my background in graphic design and communication would greatly help me with the responsibilities that I would have as a Director of Communication. As the person responsible for the organizational newsletter, I’ll utilize my graphic design skills to make sure that the newsletter serves as an effective communication tool. Additionally, my experience in drafting and sending emails to diverse organizations and people will help me to effectively communicate with residents, Resident Assistants, and Hall Directors. As an advisor to various committees within the Office of the Director of Communication, I’ll provide guidance and support to encourage collaboration and creativity within the board. Utilizing my experiences in planning and coordinating events, I’ll effectively work with committee members to come up with creative ideas to contribute to building a community. As a Director of Communication, I’d like to improve student engagement within the organization and build collaborations that could benefit diverse communities at Tech.

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 any one thing about RHA, I would prioritize increasing diversity and participation among students on campus. I believe that inclusivity and representation from diverse backgrounds are most important in order to build a vibrant, inclusive community at Georgia Tech. Continuously encouraging participation from individuals with different and unique cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds would allow RHA to better reflect the diverse composition of the student body at Tech. Reaching out to new individuals to participate in RHA events on campus would not only increase student involvement but also help more students to make meaningful connections with others. This would allow students to interact with others who share similar interests, qualities, and lifestyles them, which would greatly enrich their college experience. I think that maintaining a good social life in college is essential for personal growth and development because interacting with and learning from peers offers invaluable insights and experiences, which often are very difficult to obtain outside of college. I’d love to contribute to providing more students with more new opportunities to interact with others and make meaningful memories with one another during their undergraduate years at Tech.

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? 

Holding collaborative events with different student organizations could be very helpful in increasing student involvement and participation in RHA. Such collaborations would not only expand the scope of RHA’s initiatives but also provide opportunities for cultural exchange and collaboration among different student organizations and groups. From my experiences as the President of Hearts & Crafts, collaborating with diverse student groups allowed us to expand our charity initiatives and encourage more people to get involved. Similarly, I believe that I can effectively contribute to this collaboration initiative using my personal connections with diverse student organizations and groups on campus. Moreover, increased participation from students with diverse backgrounds within RHA would instill a sense of belonging and community among Georgia Tech students, as students from different backgrounds would feel more valued and represented.

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 external commitments like weekend tutoring, research projects I’m conducting, and involvement in the Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (URA). Since my first year, I’ve been involved in research at the Comparative Neuromechanics Lab, dedicating 3 to 6 hours weekly. Last semester, I also participated in VSA modern dance, devoting over 6 hours each week to practices and performances, although I’m not continuing next year due to other commitments. My past experiences at Tech and in high school, balancing multiple leadership roles alongside a demanding academic schedule and extracurriculars, have given me effective time management skills. With this background, I’m confident in my ability to effectively prioritize tasks and allocate time, ensuring consistent contributions to RHA every week.

Sterling Payton

Primary Position: Director of Finance

Secondary Position: None

Education: 1st Year Mechanical Engineering

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

For over half a decade, my mom has acted as a city commissioner of my hometown. As my role model, her interest and dedication to her position has deeply influenced me. Throughout the years, we often discussed governance, municipal affairs, and financing a city. Through these conversations I have gained an understanding of governmental process and budgeting, but I have also gained an appreciation for the importance of effective financial management. As the Financial Coordinator for the Third Street Community Council, I have drawn parallels between municipal and community financials, and improved my understanding through practical applications. Before any of this, however, growing up financially challenged has left me with a pragmatic understanding of money as a whole. To this day, I rely on Pell and Zell grants and VA benefits to attend college, so I have to responsibly manage my own finances to account for the present and more importantly, the future of my education. This firsthand, ongoing experience has translated to my position as the Financial Coordinator; whether it is budgeting, allocating, or evaluating our financial situation, I am able to prioritize forward and sustainable thinking for our community. My ongoing tenure as the Financial Coordinator also represents the most telling experience I have in this field. As such, I have refined my financial management skills by budgeting, tracking our expenses, reporting to the community, filling out paperwork, and ensuring fiscal success in our residence halls. This firsthand experience has reinforced my conceptual and practical understanding of the importance of well-informed financial decisions for organizational success, and I look forward to bringing this knowledge to the greater RHA. In addition to my financial experience, I also have a long history of event organization and community involvement, whether it was running fundraisers to coordinating service projects. From successfully raising funds for Easter baskets in middle school, to acting as the Service Project Coordinator of the BEAR Club in high school, to brainstorming possible service projects as a TBΣ candidate, I have consistently organized and participated in meaningful initiatives. As the Financial Coordinator, I have also worked with my council to host a Christmas Movie night and a Superbowl watch party, which both had a large positive impact in our community. I am excited to use my skills to support the greater RHA as the Director of Finance. From managing finances, to training future Community Council members, to organizing campus-wide events, I am prepared to dedicate my time, effort, and energy to the future of the RHA and all it stands for.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I am interested in the RHA Executive Board because of my passion for community involvement and municipal governance inspired by my mom’s role as a city commissioner. Serving as the Third Street Financial Coordinator, I’ve witnessed the positive impact of my position which has been a very rewarding responsibility, and I am interested in bringing this experience to the broader RHA.

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

Ever since my mom became a city commissioner, I have been interested in municipal governance and community involvement. For years now, we have had discussions about the workings of a city, including amenities, utilities, and most importantly, money. When I came here, I learned about the RHA by an email from my hall director, and I was immediately interested in pursuing the Financial Coordinator position. I saw the chance to apply theoretical knowledge practically and I jumped at the opportunity, specifically in a financial position because I believe that financial stability is crucial for progress. It is true in a city, and from what I have seen, it is true in the RHA. I am now running for the Director of Finance because throughout my time as the Third Street Financial Coordinator, I have seen the positive impacts of my work which has been a rewarding experience, and I believe I can bring this passion to the greater RHA to have a greater impact.

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

In assuming the role of the Director of Finance in RHA, I am prepared to be a dedicated member of the Executive Board. My interest in this position stems from a genuine, long-standing passion for financial management and a desire to make a meaningful impact greater than myself. As someone who understands the importance of effective financial management, I am invested in furthering the success and sustainability of the RHA, and I will allocate as much time and energy needed to achieve this. Additionally, I will be a valuable follower and leader on the team, as needed. My experience in leadership extends back years, from leading service organizations and fundraisers to improve a community, to leading groups of peers as a Section Leader in band, and my participation as a follower extends for years before each of those. I have a demonstrated ability to listen to peers, take input, direct others, and anything else I need to do to be an effective team member. Furthermore, my track record of community involvement and event organization displays my dedication to making a positive difference, which I will bring to the RHA. I will be an active member in organization events, whether participating in, planning, or preparing events, and I will strive to make these events as impactful as possible with enthusiasm and determination. In assuming the responsibilities of the Director of Finance, I will work to improve the RHA in any way I can.

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 given the opportunity to improve one aspect of RHA, I would loosen some restrictions residents encounter while submitting particular bills. As it stands, the Community Councils and greater RHA are an inconsequential part of most residents’ lives, and interest in them as an organization is generally superficial and tenuous at best. On top of this, while trying to submit bills, they are met with complex restrictions they aren’t prepared to navigate, such as dollar limits per receipt, receipt limits per bill, and misconceptions and incomprehension regarding permanent improvements. By revising these policies, I hope to make the RHA more user-friendly, allowing residents to take a more active role in their communities. Simplifying financial stipulations on bills, clarifying guidelines, and making more intuitive policies will not only enhance efficiency but also provide increased opportunities for residents to see their visions for their communities come to pass.

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? 

Regarding the revision of policies within the RHA, I recognize the distinct challenge presented by outlining a direct strategy without a comprehensive knowledge of their origins and rationale and a thorough grasp of the aspects involved in changing policy, as well as without input from the rest of the Executive Board. Under this premise, I believe it would be counterproductive to base a strategy with no practical basis, so another approach must be taken. Instead, I advocate for a different approach centered on the research and analysis of existing policy. In order to be in a position to effectively revise policy, I first need a foundational understanding of the context and intent behind said policy in the first place. This will allow me to work with the Board regarding possible changes to introduce to the RHA, ensuring that my actions are informed, practical, and beneficial. Ultimately, my goal is to simplify policies in a manner which both upholds the integrity of the RHA and enhances accessibility for Georgia Tech residents, meaning that while I will strive to achieve this, I can’t begin this process without communication with the Executive Board and the greater RHA.

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. 

During my intended term, my primary external obligations will involve participation in band organizations including Marching/Pep, Concert, and Jazz bands, as well as my commitment to ΤΒΣ. These combined activities require a lot of time, but I am confident in my ability to manage these commitments. I plan to maintain open communication with all parties involved and prioritize my time accordingly. In my past experience, band-related leadership has been understanding about my scheduling conflicts due to my performance and willingness to make up events, and I am confident that this will continue to be an effective strategy this upcoming year to prioritize my time effectively while still making sure I fulfill all of my responsibilities.

Jackie Sullivan

Primary Position: Director of Programming

Secondary Position: None

Education: 1st Year Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Major

Leadership Track Status: Has Not Started

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

While historically I have held many leadership positions for various clubs and organizations, my position as Meetings Coordinator for West Village has best prepared me for Director of Development. And while I could sit here and list various leadership roles and civic engagements, I think my words here are best spent in describing how this one role has prepared me for executive council. I have gotten to wear many hats as the Meeting Coordinator for West Village, and got to act as the primary planner of all of our events. Anyone can come up with a good idea to improve engagement in our living communities, but it takes a very special kind of person and a team of strong people in order to actually bring these ideas to reality. Two of the accomplishments I am most proud of this semester is our Pumpkinfest event and our Holiday Party. My team decided that we wanted to have a pumpkin carving event for our residents, and so a bill was drafted and it was passed at our next community council meeting. As the date set for the pumpkin carving event approached, we quickly realized that there was a lot more that went into organizing a pumpkin carving event than we had previously thought. I drafted a budget form for this event, and went through and added costs for thirty pumpkins, pumpkin carving tools, trash bags, apple cider, cutlery and cups, snacks, paint, and paint brushes. I only had a budget of two-hundred dollars, and I had to pull off an event for over thirty residents. After a question at one of our meetings about the ecological effects of pumpkin carving at our meeting, I started considering other aspects of planning, like how to be the most environmentally friendly. I changed the budget to change for biodegradable cutlery, changed the location of the event to outdoors so that the pumpkin guts could decompose naturally instead of ending up in a landfill, and even looked into biodegradable paint for the pumpkins that would be painted. I work a part-time job and was taking seventeen credit hours with two lab classes working towards my degree in chemical and biomolecular engineering, and yet I still found myself spending hours thinking about how I could best manage my team and plan this event. I drove to Target and hauled thirty pumpkins by myself, picked up tables and games from the resource room and set up for the event, and then manned the event to make sure that everything was running smoothly and that our residents were enjoying their time carving pumpkins. The event was a smashing success. We had a larger yield than expected and received nothing but positive feedback from our residents. By the time the holidays rolled around my team and I already had our eyes set on a large-scale Holiday Bash. I spent countless hours planning for this event and preparing, but I had learned from the first event that it was okay to ask my team for help and that I could better provide for my residents if I wasn’t working alone. This time I delegated. I made an outline of different responsibilities that each member of my team would have, and checked in with them frequently to make sure they weren’t overwhelmed and were able to complete everything that had been assigned to them. My partner in crime was the West Village Financial Coordinator, Austin Wang. He looked over my detailed budgeting form for our budget, helped me decorate and set up an hour before the event, was there with me for the entire two hours, and helped me carry the tons of decorations back to my dorm. One thing that I have learned from this position is the importance of gratitude, and he went above and beyond for me to help me with this event. Having someone I knew I could rely on taught me teamwork, gratitude, and it gave me a love for what I do for my residents by seeing the community that we were building. The dedication I saw within myself and in those who helped support me, like Austin Wang, inspired me to want to continue this kind of work on a larger scale. Because of the lessons I have learned from managing this team and planning these large scale events, I believe that I will make a valuable addition to the executive team. One event that is coming up that I am very excited for is the whopping eight hundred dollar Lunar New Year Bill. This is even more money to plan for than next semester, and I have been busily planning for this event as it quickly approaches. One of the biggest considerations for this event is making sure that it is as culturally accurate as possible in order to respect the culture of our residents that celebrate but also to give our residents that do not celebrate a chance to appreciate the beautiful traditions of their fellow residents. Inclusion is very important to me which is why I have been working so hard to make this event accessible to every resident in our building. We are currently expecting between seventy to ninety residents for this event. This amount of residents is definitely stressful but I have felt supported by my team to help make this event as amazing as we possibly can. We have also been consulting with people outside of RHA, like members from the Chinese Student Association, in order to help make this event a success. I am so excited for this event, and am ready to tackle the challenges that come with it. I can only imagine that my excitement will grow exponentially if I got the opportunity to plan large events like this for the entire student population, and it is my hope as the Director of Development to celebrate the culture of every single student at Georgia Tech.

State your motivation for joining the RHA Executive Board. 

I was the RHA West Village Presentations Coordinator this past year, and a large part of my job was connecting with other area councils and working with my team to organize large events. I enjoyed doing this quite a bit, and I feel like I could do a lot for the Georgia Tech Community on the RHA Executive Board because I have been able to connect with so many different people. Diversity is something that I love about Georgia Tech, and through these connections I have been able to help support our diverse student population and encourage this celebration of our diversity.

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

I am interested in Director of Programming because I have been the primary idea person and planning person for all events that my council has put on this year. I genuinely enjoy being able to plan events that are not only educational but also fun for the residents. Food is always a good thing too, and I love talking to residents to find out the kinds of foods that they want for their events. Talking to residents is important, because sometimes I can be surprised by the things a lot of our residents would like to see. I am dedicated to working to make Georgia Tech a more welcoming place, and I feel like the best way to do this is through programs and events because that is where residents are able to get the most involved. As Director of Programming I want to be able to reflect the beautiful diverse community we have at Georgia Tech and be able to build community through events for our residents.

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

The other members of my community council often ask me, “How are you able to balance so much? You seem like you have a lot on your plate.” Yes, while it may seem on paper that I am doing a lot and managing quite a bit, mindset is the number one tool in being able to successfully manage life, and a team. I work a part time job, am taking 5 classes, working on an engineering project, am in a sorority, and manage my RHA team like a tight ship. And yes, I still have friends and a very good social life. So how do I balance being a good student, student leader, and employee? It’s all mindset. Instead of overwhelming myself with everything I have to do, I make a detailed plan with due dates for myself to break my work into bite sized pieces. This plan is meticulous; I have exactly when I will start my assignment and exactly when I will be finished with it. I have the times that I will eat, and the times that I will be social. I make sure to schedule myself breaks so I don’t get burnt out. And most importantly, I remind myself that I am surrounded by a community of people that also have a lot to do but also are willing to help if they are able. I help delegate tasks for large events with my RHA team, and when they ask for help I make sure they get it. I teach my team how to be an active worker and how to accomplish things well, and they have thanked me for the life management skills I have taught them. I am always willing to help when I can, but I don’t let me helping others overwhelm my own schedule. I am incredibly organized, and I work well with deadlines. I would bring all of these organizational skills and work ethic to this position. As mentioned earlier, I can be a bit of a social butterfly. This works perfectly for the Director of Programming because it is most important for the Director of Programming to be able to interact with residents and put on events for them. I am a great active listener, and I am excited to be able to talk with residents and listen to them to build the community that they want to have.

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 think the way that we have our community councils set up is not most beneficial to RHA. Yes, the workload on paper is distributed fairly, but in actuality that is not always the case. From the people on my team that complain they are doing too much their most common complaint is that they had no idea what they were signing up for. I think it is in the best interests of RHA to fully disclose what each position is like. Additionally, these people that complain that they were blindsighted often express wishing that they could leave, but worry that if they do leave that the councils will fall apart. There needs to be a procedure in place to help the people that can not do their jobs exit gracefully and find someone else that can be elected so that the team is not abandoned. Unfortunately when it is hard for a team member to leave they end up bringing the rest of the team down with their negativity and inaction to complete the tasks needed. As Director of Programming, I would like to be able to work with the community councils to make sure that this does not happen because teamwork builds community.

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 feel like I answered this briefly in the last question, and any other specific adjustments would have to be determined as a team.

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 social sorority and plan on running for executive board on this social sorority. This is a time commitment beyond RHA but it goes to show just how deep my connections are within the Georgia Tech community. Many of the events that my sorority puts on, social or philanthropy, help the sisters and larger community, similar to how RHA serves the residents on Tech’s campus. My involvements with this sorority should not interfere with my RHA commitments. Additionally I am known for having excellent time management skills. I am a Chemical Engineer and take 15-17 credit hours a semester while working 10-12 hours a week at my job and running my council meetings and setting up for large events as the Presentations Coordinator of West Village. In one week I managed an 800$ Lunar New Year Event, put together close to 150 candygrams, and planned for a bracelet making event, all while getting straight A’s on the 3 exams I had that week, going to my sorority events, and working 12 hours. I am an excellent time manager and my outside obligations will not interfere with my RHA duties because I am committed to staying diligent to my work for RHA and for being able to put in the work necessary in all parts of my life. I do not foresee any issues for me with balancing commitments.

FY25 Election Timeline & Information

Hi, everybody! I am excited to announce that we are beginning the Election Process for the 2024-2025 Fiscal Year. This post will detail the timeline of the election for everyone, detail the application process, provide the necessary documentation, and then finally link to the application. If you have not participated in an RHA election before, please make sure to read all of the available material to get proper context and information.

Election Timeline:

11/29: Application for the Executive Board is live.

2/14 @11:59pm: Application for the Executive Board closes

2/16 @11:59am: Candidate Information Page is published.

2/16 -2/20: Platform Reviews

2/21 @8am: Candidates are required to submit materials for Election Night.

2/21 @7pm: Election

Application Process:

All applicants for all positions must have the following actions done by their respective dates:

  • Submit an application that is fully, correctly, and intentionally filled out.
  • Submit a slide deck for an 8 minute presentation.
  • Attend Legislative Council on Feb. 21st 7pm – later.
  • Have not campaigned in any capacity.
  • Prepare for questions about RHA contributions, experience, knowledge, and intent.

Election Documentation:

Position Descriptions (Information within the Position Descriptions is subject to change)

Constitution

Policy Book

Exec Position Presentation: Will be uploaded at a later date.

Application Link:

Make sure to fill out every required question with a true, intentional, and helpful answer.

Make sure to save your answers separately, as Qualtrics has been known to delete answers upon refreshing.

⭐Community Council Officer Recruitment

Interested in engaging your community through fun events and initiatives? Become a Community Council Officer! The application can be found here! More questions? Reach out to your Hall Director or any RHA Executive member for more information. The timeline for applications can be found below:

You don’t have a PDF plugin in your browser, but you can download the PDF file.

FY24 Executive Board Election Candidates

The following candidates have been approved to run in the FY23 RHA Executive Board elections. Primary positions indicate the position that each candidate will initially run for; secondary positions represent “bid-down” positions that each candidate may run for, should they lose the election for their primary position of interest.

Kylie Wentworth

Primary Position: Exec. Pres.

Secondary Position: None

Ethan Radulski

Primary Position: DOD

Secondary Position: None

Samuel Eichner

Primary Position: DOA

Secondary Position: DOF

Saumya Agarwal

Primary Position: DOC

Secondary Position: None

Parker Green

Primary Position: DOP

Secondary Position: None

Amanda Bock

Primary Position: DOD

Secondary Position: None

Avalyn Mullikin

Primary Position: DOA

Secondary Position: DOF

Jessica Keith

Primary Position: DOC

Secondary Position: DOP

Learn More About the Candidates

Below, you’ll find each candidate’s answers to a series of questions related to their experience and platform, along with copies of candidates’ resumes.

Kylie Wentworth

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.

Amanda Bock

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.

Ethan Radulski

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.

Avalyn Mullikin

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.

Samuel Eichner (He/Him/His)

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.

Saumya Agarwal

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.

Jessica Keith (She/Her/Hers)

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.

Parker Green (He/Him/His)

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.