Residence Hall Association students win awards at conference

Nine students from the University of Maine’s Residence Hall Association represented UMaine at the North East Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls (NEACURH) Spring Leadership Conference held March 1–3 at Northeastern University.

The conference offers students training on programs they can take back to their campuses on topics such as sustainability, leadership and development, self-care and other relevant topics for college students.

The UMaine delegation won first place for their group display “UMaine RHA: Discovering New Communities Everyday.” The display was a 3D model with the theme “Marty Goes Global,” featuring a suitcase with images of residence life and the group’s role on campus.

Aiden Ciaffaglione, a second-year sociology and political science double major and Oxford Hall resident assistant, was one of the student participants. Ciaffaglione won a second-place award in the Top 3 Passive Programs category. He created an interactive bulletin board-style program called “A Bob Ross Guide to a Self-Loving Life,” a booklet that RAs and residents could use to gain skills in self-care while attending college.

In addition, Ciaffaglione and fourth-year electrical engineering major Brandon Richards received two-year service pins for their involvement in NEACURH.

The RHA students who attended the conference were supported by UMaine’s Auxiliary Services through financial sponsorship and resources including transportation.