Isolation and Belonging: The Complex Reality of Black Resident Assistants

The resident assistant (RA) position is one of the most complex and important roles on college and university campuses in the United States. Although these student staff serve many functions, the primary responsibility of RAs is to make their residents feel welcomed and valued in their community. Black students who take on the RA role at Historically White Institutions (HWIs) are charged with creating welcoming environments and making students feel valued in the community while often not feeling welcomed or valued themselves due to stereotypes and racism. This qualitative phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and development of a sense of belonging for Black students serving in the RA role at HWIs. The study shares the stories and experiences of 10 students using interviews and photovoice. The words and images captured by the participants helped us better understand how Black RAs at HWIs experience the role of resident assistant. Implications for practitioners to consider when working with these students are highlighted.