Each year, University Housing Services has the privilege of providing financial support to resident and community assistants (RA/CAs) who have demonstrated exceptional academic and leadership performance as a student and members of our housing Redbirds. This year, three RACA Academic Scholarship Award winners were selected: Michael Severino, Kati Fuchs, and Kassidy Matykiewicz. Each student demonstrated excellence in their duties as a resident assistant (RA) and went above and beyond in fostering community and belonging on their floors.
Matykiewicz’s time as an RA on Watterson B can be summarized in one word: Dedicated. Her commitment to creating community, academic excellence, being a positive influence, and future career aspirations all lead her to be a great recipient of the RACA Academic Scholarship Award.
Dedicated resident assistant: Matykiewicz’s dedication to her role as a resident assistant stands out. “She actively engages with her residents to make them feel heard and supported. Matykiewicz understands the importance of being a reliable resource for her residents, especially as many are first-year students adjusting to their first year away from home. She maintains an open-door policy and is available for her residents whenever they need assistance, whether answering questions or simply being someone to talk to,” her supervisor noted.
Community building: Her supervisor mentioned, “Matykiewicz’s efforts to foster a sense of community are evident in her organization’s programs. She takes the initiative to ask her residents what activities they want to participate in and designs programs accordingly. Through events such as flower planting, pizza parties, and tote bag painting, Matykiewicz provides entertainment and opportunities for residents to connect and form friendships. Her commitment to building a solid and supportive community contributes positively to the living experience of her residents.”
Academic excellence: Matykiewicz’s dedication to her academic pursuits is evident through her impressive academic record. With a cumulative GPA of 4.0/4.0 and a Dean’s List achievement in all semesters, she demonstrates her commitment to excellence in her leadership role and studies.
Future goals: Matykiewicz plans to pursue a career in communication sciences and disorders, focusing on speech-language pathology or audiology. The scholarship would allow her to further explore these fields through observations and experiences without financial constraints.
Positive role model: Matykiewicz’s influence extends beyond her role as a resident assistant. She is described as a phenomenal role model who offers guidance and advice to her peers academically and personally. Her dedication, hard work, and approachability have earned her residents’ and colleagues’ respect and trust. Matykiewicz’s ability to balance her responsibilities while maintaining a high level of performance indicates her strong leadership qualities.
Overall, Matykiewicz’s passion for creating a supportive and engaging environment among her residents, her academic achievements, and her positive influence on her peers make her an excellent recipient of the Resident/Community Assistant Academic Scholarship Award.
