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Building Community in a Pandemic

Company

University of Toronto, New College

Role

Resident Assistant (RA)

Skills

Branding

Communication

Conflict Resolution

Crisis Management

Leadership

Relationship Management

Social Media Management

Teamwork

Duration

Sept 2020 - April 2021

Source

How might I create a welcoming, inclusive community despite the challenges from the pandemic?

As a Resident Assistant (or Residence Advisor, Residence Don, RA), my job is to help students transition to university.  We are also responsible for community management, creating events and programs, making referrals to campus partners and resources, and policy enforcement.  More info about the role can be found on the University of Toronto's website or the New College divisional website.

This year, due to social distancing measures, I managed a community of about 16 students.  The floor, called Elmsley House, was home of the Innovation and Technology Living Learning Community, and attracted many computer science and engineering students. 

Goal

Role

Challenges

  • COVID-19

  • Social distancing restrictions

  • Online-only events & programming

OVERVIEW
  • 16 students

  • 15 first year students

  • 1 upper year student

  • Aged between 17 - 20

  • About 40% were international students

  • More than half studied computer science or engineering

  • New to university (what's a syllabus again?)

  • Want to socialize and meet new people

  • Need to feel like they belong

  • Very tech-savvy

  • Connected on social media

Traits

RESEARCH

Target Audience

  • New to university

  • Want to socialize and meet new people

  • Need to feel like they belong

  • Very tech-savvy

  • Connected on social media

SOLUTION

Elmsley the Frog visuals and lily-pads 

In-Person

Virtual

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