News | StudentsNovember 19, 2025

Taking Professional Development to the Lion’s Den

Written By: Ian Silvester

The life of a college resident assistant (RA) is a busy one. 

It’s one filled with long nights, managing a floor of students from various backgrounds, and consistently being a trusted resource for residents. 

Taking time off, even to become a better RA, isn’t an easy feat. 

Still, a group of RAs from the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith Lion’s Den Residence Halls managed to fit in a weekend trip to College Station, Texas, this past October for professional development. 

“I took eight RAs to College Station, where we stayed at the Texas A&M Hotel for the Southwest Association of College and University Housing Officers Student Staff Leadership Conference,” said Joe England, resident director of the Lion’s Den. 

Despite the mouthful of a name, England said the RAs took a bite out of what it means to be a “true leader among peers.” The group attended sessions hosted by other students and housing and resident life staff from universities in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and even Mexico. 

“This conference is one of the biggest ways that RAs can share knowledge with each other,” said David Taylor, a senior Lion’s Den RA majoring in mathematics with a minor in computer science and statistics. “Different traditions, methods for dealing with certain issues, and more were shared and passed back to the colleges we all came from.” 

As an RA, David said he already does his best when it comes to the small things, like waving, smiling, and saying hello to his residents. But his time at the conference showed him just how impactful the little moments can be for the students on his floor. 

“These small moments can create a healthy environment for everyone,” he said. 

David and his fellow RAs drove to and from the conference together, which he said provided plenty of time to learn more about one another. A couple of stops at Buc-ees also allowed him to pick up his favorite trip souvenir, a new coaster. 

As he reflected on the October professional development trip, he said it was seeing the community of RAs that made a lasting impact. 

“Meeting so many other RAs and getting to learn about their passions, interests, and traditions from their school really hit home for me,” David said. 

• Tags:
• Housing and Residential Life