Sam Williams

Psychology

Educational Studies and Gender, Women’s, Sexuality Studies

Being a Resident Advisor on campus inspired me to get involved in student affairs. After multiple conversations with my Assistant Director, we created this position for myself to delve into the world of student affairs. During the spring, housing is on everyone’s radar. My main job is to advise and inform students, especially first year students, about the housing information sessions, roommate mixers, Main Street tours, etc. through social media and email.

With the variety of courses I take, I get to open myself up to many different perspectives and theories surrounding psychology, education, and gender, women’s, sexuality studies (GWSS), all of which help me understand students and their different experiences. Knowing that I love working in student affairs really opens up the floor for me to take courses surrounding higher education and student populations.

The most important attributes I have practiced throughout my internship are teamwork and communication. Every day I get to work with professional staff, as a team, to ensure that students are comfortable, safe, and thriving in their respective living spaces. Communication to the students, keeping them informed, also plays a big role in my internship.

I had an inkling that I wanted to go into higher education and student affairs, and this internship has only strengthened my interest.

When asked about the most challenging part of her experience, Sam noted, “Unfortunately, as the saying goes, you can’t please everyone, even despite all our efforts. But, this staff will never stop trying to fulfill the needs of students on campus.” Despite this challenge, the coolest part of her experience was meeting new students who she would not interact with otherwise.

I love to read outside of my internship and classes!

Written by Alexa Alessandrini ’24