Residential Education oversees a comprehensive residential student leader selection and training process designed to build strong student leader teams for each community. We seek undergraduate students who are committed to supporting peers in dynamic, socially engaging environments that welcome a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Questions? Connect with us here via email
Why Become a Residential Student Leader?
Residential student leadership roles provide opportunities to grow personally, academically, and professionally. These experiences help students build communities, strengthen relationships, and develop practical skills—from budgeting and conflict mediation to public speaking and emergency response—while fostering self-confidence, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of campus and community resources.
- Community Building
- Relationship Development
- Teamwork in Collaborative Settings
- Emergency Response
- Interpersonal Communication
- Public Speaking
- Active Listening
- Negotiating
- Business Communication
- De-escalation / Conflict Mediation
- Self-Confidence and Self-Discovery
- Time Management
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Knowledge of Campus Resources
- Knowledge of Community Resources
- Knowledge of University and Administrative Processes
Student Leader Selection
Residential Education strives to facilitate a student leader selection process that balances consistent standards and expectations with the distinctive needs and cultures of the individual houses.
Student Leader Training
Preparing student leaders for success is a central focus of the Residential Education team. In support of the university's academic mission, the training curriculum is based on the responsibilities outlined in the terms and obligations of appointment.
2026-27 Stipends for Residential Student Leaders
| Position | Autumn Quarter | Winter Quarter | Spring Quarter | Total Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Resident Assistant | $4,400 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $12,400 |
| Ethnic Theme Associate | $4,400 | $4,000 | $4,000 | $12,400 |
Preparing to Apply
Before you apply, there are several things you can do to prepare. Reviewing the items below will help you make an informed decision about whether the role is the right fit for you.
Below are the general eligibility requirements for residential student leader appointments.
- Appointed Student Leaders must
- Have at least one year of guaranteed undergraduate housing remaining at the time of application for the residential student leader role.
- Be a rising junior or senior (coterminal students who have not yet conferred a bachelor's degree and are eligible for undergraduate housing can apply)
- Be a registered student and enrolled in classes at Stanford throughout their appointment, with plans to reside in the on-campus appointment location all three quarters.
- Remain in good academic standing. Incompletes must be completed before the start of the appointment in September. If a residential student leader is placed on probation, provisional registration, or suspension during the appointment, this can be grounds for termination.
- Be eligible to receive stipend payments associated with appointment, or be willing to forgo stipend (this may apply in particular to student athletes on full athletic scholarships).
- I-9 is not required to receive a stipend.
Residential Education does not guarantee a single room as a result of receiving a placement upon the conclusion of the residential student leader selection process.
The length of appointment for student leader roles, both the Resident Assistant (RA) and Ethnic Theme Associate (ETA), is for all three quarters of the academic year beginning in autumn, continuing through winter, and ending in spring. Students considering study abroad opportunities during the academic year need to carefully choose between a study abroad opportunity and serving in a residential student leader role. Doing both in the same year is not possible.
Before applying, we encourage students to learn more about the wide range of residential experiences across campus. Understanding the different house types, themes, and communities can help applicants make informed choices during the selection and matching process.
Tips for exploring residential communities:
- Visit the ResEd house pages and R&DE Undergraduate Housing Options page to review housing types and individual house profiles.
- Browse multiple house types (e.g., row houses, co-ops, theme houses, frosh communities) to understand how responsibilities and community culture can vary.
- Pay attention to details such as house size, residential student leader team size, location, and whether the community is theme-based or special-interest. Consider the timing of each house's mandatory team meeting.
- Talk with current student leaders or residents to gain firsthand perspectives about day-to-day life in different communities.
- Consider what community style aligns with your strengths—community-building looks different in small, medium, and large residences.
Incident Reporting for Residential Staff and Student Leaders
According to the law and university policy, residential staff and student leaders must report certain crimes and incidents to designated university officials. The information on this page describes the various reporting responsibilities for residential staff and student leaders and provides guidance on how to make reports.