[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Steadman_Patrick.jpg” caption=”Patrick Steadman, a second-year student in medical & health physics, has been a community advisor at Moulton Hall for the past year. Photo by Susan Bubak.”]Living in residence for the first time can be both exciting and nerve-wracking. Making new friends, dealing with roommates and academic pressures can be overwhelming for some students. That's why every residence at McMaster is staffed by students like Patrick Steadman whose job it is to make the transition to residence life as smooth as possible.

Steadman, a second-year student in medical & health physics, is a community advisor at Moulton Hall. Inspired by his own community advisor, he wanted to help other first-year students make lifelong friends and memories while living in residence.

“I decided to apply for [a residence life position] in order to have the chance to make the first-year students' experience in residence at Mac the best it could be,” he said. “Being a member of residence life, you play a large role in shaping the students' experience while living in residence. This is quite the responsibility, but also quite the opportunity to enhance, educate and encourage growth for all residence students.”

Community advisors serve as mentors for younger students. They are trained to help students deal with academic, social and interpersonal issues that may arise while living in residence. They also refer students to university and community services when appropriate. As positive role models, they are expected to maintain a minimum 5.0 sessional average and ensure that residence policies are being followed.

“Having a community that is strong and supportive to live in is the key to enjoying university, and being able to help create that community through residence life gives me the most satisfaction and enjoyment possible,” said Steadman.

Approximately 130 community advisor and 12 house programming positions are available through Housing & Conference Services. Applications are due by noon on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

All applicants must attend one of the following information sessions in Gilmour Hall, Council Chambers, Room 111: