Behind the doors: Lee University residential life

Lee University dorm life is a unique experience, and the Residential Life and Housing (ResLife) team exists to provide community and support to residents across campus.

The life of a ResLife staff member is a lesser-known aspect of campus life, but it is often considered one of the most rewarding.

“It really does elevate the college experience,” said Anna Nyberg, a senior graphic design major. “Resi- dential Life is a place where growing in your natural desire for community, or your natural facilitation of community, is enhanced.”

The current residential team consists of 14 resident chaplains and 51 resident assistants. For some stu- dents, ResLife is a small chapter of their Lee experi- ence, while for others, being part of a ResLife team shapes much of their time at the university.

Community takes many forms in a dorm, and each resident assistant (RA) decides how best to facilitate it, and each RA develops their own approach to connecting with residents.

“I need to find my resident where they are, which takes a lot more intentionality than just going with the motions,” said Christian Aranold, a senior psychology major.

ResLife equips staff members spiritually and professionally, and the roles help clarify personal strengths and challenges.

“Becoming an RA is a very humbling experience because you realize how much you don’t know,” Nyberg said. “If you approach it humbly, you end up learning so much more than you could have ever imagined.”

One of the main goals of ResLife is ensuring staff members continue developing throughout the year, often through mentorship from their resident director, team members, and other staff.

“What truly strengthens our student leaders is the broader Residential Life community—a community shaped by faith, encouragement, and accountability,” said Chris Gates, executive director of student life. “We see this through the faith of the leadership of the department, the Resident Directors leading their teams, and through the relationships the RAs and RCs create with one another.”

ResLife also provides staff members with a unique community of peers who understand and support the demands of the role.

“It’s things like that—those inside jokes—where any given resident might wonder what’s so import- ant about a stuffed bear,” Nyberg said. “But when you ask one of the RAs, the passion and lore come through.”

The ResLife community is often built through chaotic group chats, dorm wars, spontaneous hangouts, and staff pranks involving stolen dorm mascots. For many resident assistants and chaplains, the community they gain is one of the most meaningful aspects of the job.

“From every director I’ve worked under, and from every person I’ve worked with, I’ve learned a little bit more about what God’s love looks like,” Aranold said.

The details of RA and resident chaplain roles are often considered “behind the scenes”; however, that does not stop staff members from finding a sense of mission and calling in their work. Working in dorms places resident assistants and chaplains on the frontlines of walking alongside students.

“Through the grace of God, you are empowered to walk alongside them as they find healing and community,” Aranold said.

The Residential Life and Housing staff seeks individuals willing to lead, learn, and grow.

“They’re not looking for somebody who is already fully experienced,” Nyberg said. “They’re looking for people who are willing to learn, willing to mess up, and willing to grow as a result.”

While the roles involve complicated protocols, late hours, and demanding expectations, life as a resi- dent assistant or chaplain has the potential to shape both the staff members themselves and the many students they are uniquely positioned to impact.

Lee University employs students as both resident as- sistants and resident chaplains in underclassmen and upperclassmen dorms. The application process be- gins in the fall, and the interview process takes place over the first several weeks of the spring semester, providing applicants a glimpse of the teamwork and skills needed in the role.

For more information on ResLife, visit https://www.leeuniversity.edu/residential-life/ or call (423) 614-6000