Residence Life Programming

Residence Life programming is a vital tool used by Resident Assistants to develop the residence hall community and round out the Westhampton College co-curricular experience for residential students. As a Residence Life system at a university that embraces a coordinate college system, we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to focus our efforts on the community of women who live in our halls.

An important aspect of our programming efforts is to ensure that students feel connected to the communities in which they live, which includes their residence hall, the University, and the city of Richmond. We aid in forging strong connections by fostering healthy, exciting opportunities for students to come together in a variety of settings.

In practice, this co-curricular model reflects the importance of five key personal development areas: intellectual curiosity, career formation, women’s wellness, culture and diversity, and life skills. By exposing residents to a variety of programs, we play an important role in their growth and development.

Read on to learn more about how our programs encourage growth in each of these important development areas:

Intellectual Curiosity -These programs encourage residents to foster relationships with faculty by bringing faculty members into the resident halls to continue discussions started in the classroom, educate students on community and world issues and prepare students to lead informed, purposeful lives.  

Career Formation - Similar to intellectual curiosity, Resident Assistants provide opportunities for students to interact with faculty and consider their career tracks. Resident Assistants often work with the Career Development Center to plan sessions that provide information on important topics such as writing a resume or getting an internship.

Women’s Wellness - As a women’s college within a coeducational university, we have the unique opportunity to focus on gender-related issues. The programs in the women’s wellness area encourage women to make choices with their physical, emotional, and psychological wellbeing in mind.  

Culture & Diversity - Life in a global society, specifically life at the University, demands citizens who value diversity. Through diversity programming we are able to encourage residents to think outside of their comfort zones and learn about cultures, ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, and lifestyles that are different from their own. We help to develop open-minded and curious students by encouraging conversation and providing activities for residents to learn about many forms of diversity.

Life Skills - Programming in the residence halls also focuses on everyday life issues including personal safety, alcohol and drugs, and financial management. These programs may include lessons on changing the oil in a car or even tips on doing laundry. Attention to these developmental tasks helps prepare women for life after the University.