Lock Haven University, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania

Student Life/Housing Mission Statement

Reslife.Net Featured Institution

Spotlight on…

“We strive to develop mature, responsible, caring students who share and experience a common sense of community.”

Motivate!!!A training workshop to keep RA/CAs

motivated throughout the year

Lock Haven UniversityPennsylvania

Featured InstitutionSubmitted by Wendy Walsh

Student Life Coordinator

Description of “Motivate!”“Motivate!” was a workshop presented during staff training. Many different explanations about how to stay motivated through out the RA/CA experience were presented. One of the final exercises the staff participated in at the conclusion of this presentation was to create a big motivational goal sheet that they would keep on the back of their door. They drew a picture and wrote a description of what they want their floor section / community to look like by the end of the semester and by the end of the school year.

They are encouraged to hang the sheets on the back of their door so they can easily look at it to stay motivated. On really tough days they can remind themselves how to get and stay motivated to make a difference to the students that are on their floor .

Example of “Motivate!” sheet Clean and Happy by Michelle Bressler

Example of “Motivate!” sheet by Shana Fish, RA

Note from editorIn addition to Motivate! Being used for staff training, it can be used by RAs/CAs as a program.

The program can be developed to build a sense of a shared purpose for the floor to help it evolve into a positive community. A discussion about agreed upon goals for the floor and common community standards can end with this exercise. All members can draw/write the goals/standards for the floor.

This can also be used as part of an individual goal setting program: “By the end of this semester/academic year what do you want to accomplish personally/academically/professionally?”