A nine-student delegation representing Valdosta State University’s Residence Hall Association recently traveled some 1,700 round-trip miles to unmask their inner super leader and represent Blazer Nation at the 2016 National Association of College and University Residence Halls Inc. Conference. The annual event was held at the University of Delaware.
 
Over the course of four days, Maya Mapp, Dahnea Finkley, James Cutts, Jazmin Serrano-Arce, Bailey Moore, Tashionna Bradford, Carina Sessions, Heaven Carr, and Nicole Lee listened and learned as the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Inc. team empowered, motivated, and equipped them with the skills and resources necessary to excel and positively impact their campus community, shared Mark McNalley, associate director of residence life with VSU Housing and Residence Life.
   
They discovered how to develop their unique leadership style, build a more cohesive team dynamic, create a more environmentally sustainable campus and a campus climate that focuses on service initiatives, see a new point of view and bring together those of different walks of life to form a better team, implement innovative practices when designing campus programming events, and much more. They also enjoyed opportunities to form alliances with their fellow residence hall leaders from across the United States, create memories through fun social events, and participate in service projects and philanthropic activities, including supporting The B+ Foundation, which helps kids fight cancer.
 
McNalley said that VSU’s Residence Hall Association sends a delegation to the National Association of College and University Residence Halls Inc.’s annual conference every year. The 2015 event was held at North Dakota State University in Fargo. The 2017 event will held at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind.
 
VSU’s Residence Hall Association is a highly involved student organization committed to advocating for the unique needs of on-campus residents and creating engaging programs. Each residence hall is comprised of a Hall Council that affords interested students the opportunity to play a key role in creating a safe and desirable on-campus living and learning experience. Seth Sterlin, an area coordinator for VSU Housing and Residence Life, advises the group.