Residence Hall Association

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) is a student organization that serves as the homeowner’s association for students living on campus. Through governance, programming, and advocacy, the Residence Hall Association strives to give residents the best experience possible by providing diverse cultural, social, and educational programming, and addressing the grievances and best wishes of the student resident population.

The Residence Hall Association serves as a voice for the student resident population at Spelman College. Acting as a liaison between residents and the Office of Housing and Residence Life, and other college entities, the organization seeks to ensure that the interests of its constituency are being heard.

Today, the organization strives to represent the nearly 1,500 students who live on Spelman’s campus. The Residence Hall Association is well-known for its programming, such as its annual Safe Trick or Treat, Miss and Mr. RHA pageant, Block Party, Stroll Off, and sending delegations to regional and national leadership conferences. Its determination to advocate for the needs of all residents spreads the influence of the organization throughout campus.

The Residence Hall Association also consists of the Community Leadership Councils (CLC). There is a community leadership council in each first-year residence hall on campus, and any student living in that hall can run for the Executive Board of the Community Leadership Council. The positions are President, Vice President, Secretary, RHA Representative, Publicity Coordinator, Treasurer, and Floor Representative. Community Leadership Councils are well known for their end of the year events and community swag!

Serve * Advocate * Program

Mission – The mission of this organization shall be to aim to enhance the general welfare of all residents by providing communication, education, leadership, and community development opportunities for all students living on campus.

History – RHA has existed at Spelman in many forms and has always strived to best represent the residential student population. In the fall of 2009, RHA, then a small organization that was just trying to find its place on campus, hosted its first annual leadership conference to train community leadership councils, became affiliated with NACURH (National Association of College and University Residence Halls) and a few years later attended its first SAACURH (South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls) Conference, winning first place in numerous award categories.

Since then, RHA has seen tremendous growth and development as an organization. Spelman’s RHA is well known for its programming, including its annual Safe Trick or Treat event in October, its advocacy for the concern of residential students, and its support for the Community Leadership Councils, one in each first-year residence hall. RHA has worked collaboratively on events with other organizations such as BONNER and SCSGA.

During the global pandemic, RHA was forced to take a pause. However, as of the 2023-2024 academic year RHA will be back stronger than ever. We are excited to see where this year takes us!

Mya is a Junior Dewitt Dean Scholar Majoring in Political Science and Minoring in Spanish from Cincinnati, OH.  Mya became involved in the Residence Hall Association when she served as President of the Community Leadership Council for Howard Herald.  She enjoyed planning activations and revitalizing traditions in first-year halls, which sparked her passion to become more involved in RHA.  Mya enjoys spending time with friends and family and will humbly serve as President of the Residence Hall Association for the 2023-2024 academic year.

Taylor-Faith is a sophomore Political Science major on the Pre-Law track from Princeton, New Jersey. Having gained extensive experience working with nonprofit organizations and community initiatives, she has developed a deep passion for social justice. After Spelman, she plans on dedicating her career to representing disenfranchised groups in efforts toward an equitable future. As the VP of Student Advocacy and Service, Taylor-Faith's vision is to cultivate an environment in which every student is embraced as an integral member of the Spelman community. Furthermore, she aims to be an approachable and trusted student leader, someone whom every spelmanite can find support and true sisterhood.

Kyrstine is a Junior Mathematics major, Secondary Education minor. This is her first year serving on the e-board as the Vice President of Administrative Operations. Kyrstine loves to workout (especially leg days), make YouTube videos, and serve in her church, where she sings in the choir, dances on the praise dance team, and teaches the youth for Sunday school.

Logan is a Sophomore Health Science major on a pre-medicine track from Anderson, South Carolina. This is her first year serving on the e-board as the Vice President of Communications. Logan enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to music (her favorite artist is H.E.R), and updating her Pinterest boards. She is so excited for this upcoming school year and can’t wait to see what all it has in store!

Brooke is a Junior studying Psychology and Political Science. This is her first year serving on the e-board as the Co-Director of Programming. Brooke is a native of Atlanta, in which she loves to try new restaurants and travel around the city with her friends. She is also involved on campus if you see her around, ask if she has any restaurant recommendations

Paris is a sophomore Theatre and Performance major from Richmond, Virginia. This is her first year serving on the RHA Executive Board as Co-Director of Programming. During her free time, Paris loves singing, hanging out with friends, and going to the gym.

Shania is a junior Health Science major with a minor in Dance and Spanish. She first became involved in RHA when she served as Abby Hall Queen during her freshman year. Shania loves spending time with her friends, reading books, and travelling.

Chelsea is a Health Science major on the pre-medical track with a minor in management and organization. In the future, she wants to utilize her passion for health/ healthcare to eradicate health disparities within minority communities. Chelsea enjoys hobbies such as golf, tap dance, and traveling. She believes time spent with friends and family is crucial for growth and overall wellness. She  is excited to fulfill her position as National Communications Coordinator for RHA during the 2023- 2024 school year.

The president will represent the concerns of all Residence Hall students to the administration (in consultation with Advisor). The president will serve as the RHA liaison to all College divisions and exterior vendors. The President will preside over and manage the Executive Board.

The VP of Advocacy and Service serves as a direct liaison for resident concerns. This person will conduct monthly town hall meetings, open to every on-campus resident - including professional staff members and Resident Advisors.

The VP of Administrative Operations documents all proceedings of the General Board and Executive Board meetings. This person keeps accurate membership records and an office inventory. They also manage the email, website, and other administrative tasks.

The VP of Communications is responsible for the marketing and advertising of RHA and its events. The Director of Promotions is responsible for RHA’s Social Media presence.

The Co-Director of Programming oversees the development and execution of campus-wide programs and events. This person encourages the efforts of CLCs to collaborate on programs and events. Four (4) staple, annual programs are the August block party, Miss and Mr. RHA pageant, Safe Trick or Treat, and assistance with the Office of Housing and Residence Life Stroll Off.

The Community Leadership Council Director will oversee the recruitment and election of CLC members, organizes training, retention, and recognition programs for CLC members and serves as a resource and advocate for CLC members.

The National Communications Coordinator (NCC) represents Spelman’s RHA to the National Association of College and University Residence Halls (NACURH) and its affiliate, the South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (SAACURH). The NCC ensures Spelman is affiliated both regionally and nationally, regularly communicates with RHA members from other institutions, and represents Spelman in regional and national boardroom meetings of SAACURH and NACURH. The NCC is responsible for the selection and preparation of delegations to attend regional and national conferences and oversees the bidding for regional and national awards.

NACURH stands for the National Association of College and University Residence Halls. The operating structure of NACURH is comprised of eight regional affiliates and one corporate office. Each region is responsible for all schools in their respective area. Spelman is a part of the SAACURH region.

Mission Statement- As an organization, NACURH empowers, motivates, and equips residence hall leaders by providing them with skills and resources in order for them to excel and positively impact their campus communities.

Vision Statement- The National Association of College and University Residence Halls, NACURH Inc, seeks to create a network of engaged citizens sharing common experiences through residential leadership opportunities.

Every year there is a NACURH conference which is open to the entire country and Spelman RHA usually attends. This is a great opportunity for student leaders to talk to others from across the country.

The South Atlantic Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls is one of the largest affiliates of NACURH comprised of the nine southeastern most states in North America, as well as the Bahamas. The South Atlantic was formed in 1968 to advocate on behalf of member colleges and universities to better the on-campus experience for students.

SAACURH, like all regions within NACURH, is led by a Regional Board of Directors made up of elected student leaders within the region and advised by an advisor who is a professional staff member within the region.  SAACURH's Regional Board of Directors is charged with ensuring the daily functions of the region are being executed, helping the conference staff ensure that leadership and business conferences are a valuable experience for our members, and ensuring that SAACURH is represented well to the entirety of NACURH, Inc.