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College Resident Advisor Training Programs
On Common Ground, Inc. is a NJ Character Education Program of Merit

Introduction:

"On behalf of the Douglass College Residence Life Staff, we thank you for an amazing and informative training program. We hope that you will be willing to participate in the future. Thank you!"
- Douglass College, Rutgers University

Resident advisors (RAs) play a crucial role in the development of community on college campuses. In addition to their organizational tasks, RAs help set the tone of college residences, provide listening and support services to students, lead group discussions, and serve as the cornerstone of the residence community. On Common Ground, Inc. trainers brings over 100 years of combined experience in training, consultation, and community building to advanced RA skill-building trainings. On Common Ground training can dovetail with your current RA training program to provide a comprehensive and powerful learning experience.

While a "typical" On Common Ground college resident advisor training is outlined below, all On Common Ground training programs are customized to meet the exact needs of each client, and always begin with a program planning process. For more information on the program planning process, click here.

"Typical Training Description"

On Common Ground college resident advisor trainings focus on the parallel processes of community building and skill building. (Pictured below)

"The Double Rainbow"
Community-Building and Skill-Building

Adapted from Frank (2001). The Caring Classroom

Our highly experienced trainers can help your resident advisors form a supportive and caring team. Training consists of boundary-breaking, experiential activities that help participants learn about themselves and each other. We lead participants through a customized structured sequence of activities that promote the development of trust and safety within the group. On Common Ground trainers carefully process each experience, providing continual opportunities for challenge and growth. Utilizing facilitated group discussions and unique activities, we help raise self-awareness of the participants and help them share thoughts and feelings regarding topics such as racial and ethnic bias, leadership, heterosexism, discrimination, and sexism. As the group begins to form a community, On Common Ground trainers introduce the skill-building component of the training. We focus on helping RAs develop and practice active listening, helpful responding, conflict resolution, and group facilitation skills. These skills empower RAs to be caring, effective leaders of their communities. The On Common Ground RA training program supports the overall efforts of the college to develop a safe, inclusive culture.

Program Goals:

The overall goal is to supplement new and existing resident advisor trainings with our advanced community- and skill-building training. We accomplish this by:

1. Helping the resident advisors develop a supportive community among themselves.
2. Providing extensive training in self-awareness and in peer listening and helping techniques, including active listening and group facilitation skills.
3. Empowering the resident advisors to serve as catalysts for community building within their residence halls.

Program Fees:

For information on fees, please click here.