Leadership Training + Workshops
University Housing RA/MA TRAINING
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
August 2020
2 Weeks Total
The purpose of the training was to ensure students understand the protocols of working in Housing, how to be leaders within the residence halls, and complete internal education. As a multicultural advocate, we had additional trainings to complete necessary internal education for jobs that focus on diversity and inclusion.
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Students working for Housing returned to campus much earlier than residents of the dorms. This two-week training consisted of understanding our roles as paraprofessionals, team bonding and building activities, and multicultural advocacy training. The internal education was especially necessary for the students (including myself) that took on the roles of Multicultural Advocates (MAs). We strived to provide opportunities for social justice exploration, delving into concepts around social identity, privilege, power, and oppression.
The MA program is coordinated by the Social Justice and Leadership Education (SJLE) team, providing supervision, guidance, training, and development. MAs assume an active leadership role in developing and maintaining a positive and inclusive learning environment within the residence halls. We served as role models and resource persons in assisting students in their education, personal growth, and sense of belonging in the residence hall community and at the University of Illinois.
My work as a multicultural advocate for University Housing makes it easy for me to interact with others and address their needs in a respectful and professional manner. As social inequities and healthcare are inextricably linked, I am eager to continue advocating for accessibility and multiculturalism in my future medical research career.