Residence Life Honors Top-Notch RAs for January/February

Pennsylvania College of Technology's Residence Life Office salutes its most praiseworthy students and programs from the start of the spring semester.

Chosen as the Resident Assistant of the Month for January/February was Dauphin Hall's Stephania Karoullas, a dental hygiene major from Landisville.

"Stephanie can be relied on for tasks above and beyond her normal duties,"staff wrote. "Although stacked with homework, (she) finds time to provide the Health Sciences Learning Community with activity and education ... such as a Wii Sports Night with her residents learning how to take vital signs."

Karoullas is a great advocate for her residents and a supportive teammate to her fellow RAs, staff added.

Jonathan Probst, a building construction technology major and a first-year RA at Campus View Apartments, was selected as the Rising Star of the Month.

"Jon has done a number of great programs for his residents, including a game night, a Super Bowl party and a 'Staying Healthy' ... program," office staff noted. "He's diligent in planning and executing programs and does so with little assistance. When asked to do anything job-related, Jon is usually the first one to complete all of his tasks and he does so without prompting."

He works in the Residence Life Office in addition to his Resident Assistant responsibilities, which staff said "gives him a different perspective on housing operations" that translates into his work.

Honored for organizing the Educational Program of the Month was Oluwaseun Filade, of Reading, an RA at Delaware Hall. A pre-physician assistant major, he presented an Academic Success Workshop in conjunction with the Academic Success Center and Pat M. Scheib, academic skills specialist.

"Residents were invited to a workshop on how to be successful students by learning test-taking skills, stress management and study skills," staff explained. "This Resident Assistant was able tofocus on the retention efforts of the college by bringing this workshop to the residence halls."

Turnout was low due to a coincidental snow-day closing of the institution, but Residence Life said Oluwaseun neither gave up nor canceled.

"They proceeded with the program and used this opportunity to deliver the literature door-to-door," staff said. "This allowed the RA to have one-on-one meetings with residents to discuss their academic priorities."

Filade also co-delivered the Social Program of the Month, an Abs Workout session to help students keep their New Year's resolutions to stay fit. Originally planned as a one-time event, theinitiative offered by Filade and Morris Sayon, an automotive technology management student from Upper Darby packed the room and was extended for two days due to the demand.

"Not only did the residents benefit from the workout, staff members from the Fitness Center and Residence Life attended," staff reported, adding that the RAs are providing weekly sessions at participants' request.

"Olu and Morris have 'abs of steel,' but, more importantly, a heart of gold for teaching others how to stay healthy and live longer."