(Student) Resident Life Mentor
Davenport University
Grand Rapids, MI, USA
Posted on Nov 20, 2025
Residence Life Mentor
PAYRANGE: 100% of Room, Meal Plan Dependent on Residential Area, $800 stipend per semester
DEPARTMENT: Housing and Residence Life
LOCATION: W.A. Lettinga-Grand Rapids
REPORTS TO: Residence Life Coordinator
SUMMARY:
The Residence Life Mentor (RLM) is a leadership opportunity within the Housing and Residence Life Office. RLMs are instrumental in assisting the department with training and development opportunities for Resident Assistants. RLMs serve as an ongoing resource for all RAs in Housing and Residence Life throughout the academic year, with a special focus on new RAs. In addition to supporting their residence hall or area staff, RLMs perform all of the duties of an RA and support all aspects of Housing and Residence Life. As a leader within the department, RLMs are required to understand the fundamental beliefs, mission, and philosophy that guide the work of the department. RLM’s also play a role in assisting HRL professional staff with administrative tasks that promote the success and well-being of all on-campus residents.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Promote a safe, secure, and comfortable environment that fosters community living and academic success. RLMs are to know all of their residents and staff members and work to build connections. RLMs must be available - and be perceived as being available - a majority of nights in the residential area.
- Foster a sense of inclusiveness and promote a community that is welcoming of people of all backgrounds. Work with a variety of people from different backgrounds who hold opinions and ideas different from their own.
- Serve as point person for one 30 Thursday or major Housing and Residence Life program each semester. RLMs advise a committee of RAs to assist in planning and implementing these events.
- Perform administrative tasks including, but not limited to, facilitating the Room Condition Reporting process and key distribution; key auditing as applicable, developing inventory list for staff kitchen, resource room, and storage rooms; submitting maintenance work orders online; maintaining forms, files, or records for accuracy; tracking RA programming budgets and gift card use; and assisting the RLC with other operational tasks.
- Maintain open lines of communication pertaining to resident and staff concerns, time off, and work load to supervisor and other RAs.
- Check email, mailbox, and phone messages daily and promptly respond to messages and assigned duties.
- Interact with their supervisors, other RAs, and students outside of formal meeting times.
- Attend all scheduled RLM and RA trainings, in-services, meetings and scheduled 1:1s. Be on time and prepared for all sessions.
- Meet monthly with each RA individually to discuss relevant issues and concerns and to provide support and guidance.
- Schedule RA duty rotation for hall/area staff. Respond to requests for duty switches and update RA duty calendar.
- Keep track of RA programming and bulletin boards to verify that all requirements have been completed.
- Attend monthly RLM meetings with other RLMs and members of Housing and Residence Life professional staff.
- Complete one full round of building(s)/area each week, documenting and/or resolving any issues.
- Plan regular staff development and RA recognition activities and events.
- Schedule four office hours per week with the RLC in order to further assist with administrative or staff responsibilities.
- Serve as a resource for students and RA staff, offering support or referrals to campus and community resources as needed.
- Assist with recruitment and interviews for incoming Resident Assistants.
- Participate in an ancillary assignment as determined by the Housing and Residence Life professional staff. Examples may include: Marketing, Staff Training, and In-Services, Resident or RA Recognition, etc.
- Perform all duties of a Resident Assistant.
- Serve as a positive role model and comply with all policies set forth by the University.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Housing and Residence Life professional staff.
- Provide GREAT customer service, anticipating and exceeding the needs of our customers.
- Understand and abide by all external and internal regulations and policies. This includes NCAA, GLIAC and national affiliations associated within athletics or other role specific regulations.
- Demonstrate and promote the University Cultural Values.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be a full-time student at Davenport University (at least 12 credits – undergraduate; at least 6 credits – graduate).
- Must have a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.75. While employed, an RLM must maintain a semester grade point average of at least a 2.75.
- Must live on campus in a room assigned by Housing and Residence Life.
- Must be in good academic, financial, and social standing at the University and cannot be on academic or social probation.
- Must be invested in personal and professional development and actively work to improve job skills and grow developmentally.
- Must meet expectations as outlined by the supervisor. RLMs are subject to ongoing review and formal evaluation at the end of each semester. Each RLM is evaluated by their supervisor on overall performance, the fulfillment of the duties outlined in the job description, and the objectives of the staff.
- Must follow all policies and regulations, and local, State and Federal laws.
- Must be able to participate in fall and winter staff training and in-service events unless approved in advance and in writing by a Housing and Residence Life professional staff member.
- Must be a positive role model for one’s peers and have the experience and character to enable success in developing supportive relationships with one’s peers and the accomplishment of imaginative programming.
- Must actively plan, lead, and participate in departmental programming initiatives.
- Must demonstrate understanding and mature judgment in complex, sometimes emotional situations, including talking to one’s peers about concerns and confronting behavior problematic within the community.
- Must be a team player with a positive attitude, a genuine interest and willingness to help others, and possess the flexibility to respond to the unexpected.
- Must be able to work an irregular schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Must have studied at Davenport University at least one year (a minimum of 24 semester hours prior to employment).
- Must have completed one full semester of an RA position and have completed Fall RA Training prior to beginning work
- Business office/residential area. Prolonged sitting and standing. Use of personal computer and telephone (eye and hand strain). Some travel between locations required (own transportation). No regular lifting requirements, occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
Davenport is an equal opportunity employer
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