Super CAs

Community Advisors are leaders in building a sense of belonging in the College’s residence halls, whether it’s by organizing programs or lending a helping hand.

By Ryan E. Smith
Date

Community Advisors eager to help out on Move-In Day this year included, from left, back row: Wisdom Akanwe ’27, Layla Bayoumi ’25, Keiko Ohta ’27, DeeDee Mazon ’25; front row: Tariro Murima ’27, Ayesha Aslam ’27. (Photography by Ayman Wadud ’25) 

Community Advisors fill a number of important roles for their fellow students: mentor, friend, role model, advisor, mediator and all-around helper.

It’s a big job that helps make sure everyone feels part of a larger, inclusive community, and it’s a responsibility that this year’s group of CAs has taken particularly seriously, according to Leah Reuber, assistant dean of students and director of residential life. 

Always engaged and enthusiastic, the College’s 50 CAs — spread throughout 28 residence halls and apartments — have embraced their duties with gusto, whether they’re planning fun mixers or facilitating difficult peer-to-peer conversations.

“They have proven to be a really special group this year,” she said. “The CAs are so deeply committed to their residents and communities; they approach their responsibilities with creativity and kindness, and this energy is nothing short of palpable.”

From the moment students set foot on campus in August, these CAs swing into action showing people around campus, carrying minifridges, building beds, and doing whatever else was necessary to welcome their peers.

As the year moves on, these leaders play an essential role in helping students get to know each other, feel connected and have a good time in a safe, supportive environment. Sometimes that means organizing a game night, Halloween party, or moving screening; at others, it’s as simple as creating personalized door decorations and bulletin boards.

CAs can’t shy away from getting serious, either, as they lead roommate mediations, direct peers to important resources, and help organize programs on everything from alcohol education to conflict resolution.

Here are just a few of this year’s star CAs, photographed over the course of the year by Ayman Wadud ’25, describing what they do — and why it’s so important to them — in their own words.

Move-In Day with Andrew Sears ’25

“Having that first infusion of students back on campus for Move-In Day was really fun. I felt like I got to meet nearly everyone moving into McBride Residence Hall and live vicariously through all these families leaving their kid at school for the first time and all the excitement and anxiety.”

“I took it upon myself to become a bit of a beast of burden. I figure I can't be a psychotherapist, but I can carry as many bags as possible to physically lighten the burden of this moment for people. I'm in a first-year hall as a CA, and I've realized that the blessing of college is being allowed to grow in a relatively stable environment, and that's really my aim — just giving these first-year students the space and stability to properly grow into the person they're going to become.”
— Andrew Sears ’25, McBride Hall

Door Decor with Rebecca Keller ’26

“I think the most important thing for incoming students coming to a new place is a warm welcome, and I see the door decorations as playing a huge role in welcoming students and helping foster a sense of belonging in the dorm.”

“I find it very important to put a lot of effort into making these door decs as well as making them unique to each resident — but sharing a common theme — because I feel that the residents will see the work I put into making them and they will know that their CA really cares about them individually as well as collectively. And seeing their name up on the door with a handmade and thoughtful decoration will let them know that they belong here and to the community in the dorm.” 
— Rebecca Keller ’26, Gund Residence Hall

Secret Sisters with Annalia Fiore ’25

“Almost all my residents are in division housing for sororities. I wanted to create something that would potentially reach the divide between various sororities. So what I did is, I basically assigned each resident to a resident that was in a different sorority.”

“I also gave them brown paper bags with the idea that over the course of the semester, once or twice, they could put together a little gift bag for their ‘Secret Sister’ and then potentially reveal themselves at the end of the semester. I wanted to facilitate the sense that each resident, while not knowing every person in their hall well, could feel like they were a part of a community that was larger than just the various social circles that they were in.”
— Annalia Fiore ’25, Leonard Hall

Valentine's Day Lovies with Wisdom Akanwe ’27

“The Valentine's Day event making stuffed animals was such a fun experience. There was something really special about watching people’s faces light up as they picked out their stuffed animals, some laughing with friends, others carefully choosing the perfect one for them.”

“One moment that stuck with me was when we were all trying to figure out where to put the stuffing, and after someone finally figured it out, there was this collective sigh of relief and a wave of laughter. It was such a simple thing, but it brought everyone together in such a genuine way. That’s what made the event so meaningful. It wasn’t just about making stuffed animals, but about sharing little moments of connection and kindness. Seeing everyone smiling, chatting and just taking a break from the stress of school reminded me why I love being a CA. It’s about creating spaces where people can just be, together.”
— Wisdom Akanwe ’27, Old Kenyon
(pictured with Assistant Director of Residential Life Ivy Jenn)