Residence Hall Staff

Helpful Links:
Residential Service Desk
Residential Life Communities Staff Directory
About Service Room Repairs and Maintenance Requests

Somewhere along the way between your first days on campus and graduation, you may encounter obstacles to your academic success or personal peace of mind. Be assured that support is available from the Residential Life staff members in your residence hall.

Resident Assistants

Closest to your campus home, on your own floor and in your own residence hall, you can look to undergraduate Resident Assistants (RAs) for peer guidance. RAs assist students in creating safe, caring and inclusive communities in the residence halls. Additionally, RAs serve as a campus resource referral and educate residents about appropriate behaviors.

Peer Mentors

Part-time, live-in, student staff members who have a visible, active and positive presence in first-year residence halls. Peer Mentors (PMs) work individually and collaboratively to help first-year students experience a positive transition to UMass Amherst, and assist in the creation of inclusive, academically-focused communities.

Coordinator for Student Success

Coordinators for Student Success are full time professional staff with previous Residential Life experience and master's degrees dedicated to connecting first year students with academic resources on campus.

The mission of the First Year Experience program is to facilitate and support a smooth transition for first year students to UMass Amherst, to enhance student success and satisfaction with their residential experience, and to foster a sense of connection and pride with the University community. To fulfill this mission, the coordinators direct the development of a comprehensive program intended to meet first year students' residential, transitional, and academic success needs. The coordinators offer programs and resources for 1,500-3,200 first year students within a designated residential community.

Coordinator for Selection, Training, and Leadership

The Coordinator for Selection, Training and Leadership is responsible for student leadership development activities of student leaders including Residence Hall Association (RHA), house council and area government representatives, and community leaders; conducts need assessment, evaluates activities, and directs the development of a comprehensive program intended to develop the leadership knowledge and skills of students.

Residence Directors, Residence Hall Coordinators,  Graduate Assistants and Apartment Communities Coordinator

Professional Apartment Complex Coordinator (ACC), Residence Directors (RD), Residence Hall Coordinators (RHC), and Graduate Assistants are responsible for the leadership, programming, and student conduct of specific residence halls or small hall clusters. They are available to help resolve academic or social concerns and provide referrals to other campus agencies as needed. Visit the Residential Life Communities Staff Directory for contact information. 

Assistant Directors

Assistant Directors (ADs) oversee RDs, the overall operation of an entire residential area, collaborating with area student governments, and provide oversight for the Residential Curriculum and Community Standards.

Operations and Assistant Operations Managers

Operations Managers (OMs) and Assistant Operations Managers (AOMs) work closely with residence hall and area staff to manage building maintenance and custodial duties.

If you lose your key or UCard, have an emergency maintenance request, or need information about making a room change, you'll consult the staff at your Residential Service Desk. They are available to answer all of your questions about living in your residence hall and can refer you to other housing staff if necessary.

Residential Life staff are here for you to make your living environment pleasant and conducive to learning. Share your ideas with us, let us know how we can help, and from all of us in Residential Life, have a great year!

 Question? Contact us.