Maddox Morrow

What made you want to be a #49erRA and how has the role prepared you for life after college?

Being a 49er RA is such a fulfilling experience. I haven’t found any other activities on campus that connect you to so many people and resources and bring you so much purpose. As an RA, every conversation you have with a resident has meaning. The ability we have to assist in the growth of our residents and see them evolve as people during their time living in our halls is so rewarding. Some of the most meaningful connections I’ve made during my time at UNCC have been those I made through the RA job. The job offers very unique experiences, and oftentimes the work doesn’t feel like work and the memories we make in the job make the more difficult times worthwhile. I’d recommend the RA job to anyone interested because it has truly made my experience at UNCC so much better and I wouldn’t be the leader, student, or person I am today if I wasn’t in this position.

How do you manage your academics with your job?

In managing my schoolwork and course load with my job, I’ve found that it’s much easier than I had initially thought. I’m currently pursuing a triple major, and with that, the homework tends to pile up. However, the beneficial part of working in the RA position is that the job offers very flexible and consistent times and, for the most part, we’re able to set our own schedules and divide our time the best way we see fit. In regards to our jobs, deadlines are clearly set far in advance, giving us the ability to budget our time accordingly. Furthermore, the other scheduled times during the week are not as plentiful and remain consistent throughout the semester. Staying on top of my deadlines, setting self imposed deadlines, and ensuring that I’m budgeting and allocating my time properly allows me to be successful, both as a student and as an RA.

Why do you recommend living on campus to other students?

I think that living on campus is extremely valuable to those in college. Living on campus my freshman year instantly made me become a part of a community and have the opportunity to make new and deeper connections that I would have otherwise. Being on campus also brings convenience in regards to going to class, going to events, and being involved with campus culture and the UNCC community. Campus life also provides the opportunity to connect with resources that benefit your academic experience and needs as a student. The residence halls are all staffed with RA’s that are there to ensure the success and smooth adjustment of all of our residents. Living on campus also gives you the opportunity to come to all of the events we plan in the hall. Generally, living on campus allows you to smoothly transition to life after you graduate without having to be entirely independent right away. Also, you have the rest of your life to live off campus so you should make the most of being here while you can!

What have you learned about yourself and others since starting the RA position?

In working in the RA position, I’ve learned so much about myself that I didn’t know before. Before becoming an RA, I was apprehensive about my ability to be a leader in my community and balance the time requirements of my schoolwork and my job. However, once I started working in the position, I came to realize that I have the ability to be a leader within my community. Furthermore, I’ve come to find that I have a lot more creativity and artistic skills than I previously thought. The RA job introduced me to so many qualities and skills within myself that I didn’t know that I had. I also realized the extent to which people change and evolve during their time in college. The growth and maturing I’ve witnessed in my residents has shown me how much their time at UNCC shapes people and makes them come into their own. The RA job has shown me how much people are able to grow and change during their time in college.