Hi! I'm Naomi Teklemariam (she/her), your RA for this upcoming year, and I'm excited to meet you. I'm from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. My home and family mean everything to me, so I understand how difficult it is to be so far away from home. Whenever you're feeling homesick, I'm always here for you.
As a member of the African Student Association and a Senator in the Student Government Association, I'm actively involved on campus—so if you see me, please don't hesitate to say hi! I'm a Political Science major pursuing a minor in Legal Studies and a certificate in African Sustainability and Development. You can think of me as Mike Ross, just a bit more forgetful.
Some of my favourite pastimes include reading, painting, spending time with friends and family, and baking. If you're lucky, you might get to try one of my sweet treats.
Now that you know a bit about me, I want to say I'm really looking forward to getting to know every one of you. Whether it's through one-on-one meetings, late-night chats, or perhaps even conflict mediations (hopefully not too many of those), I can't wait to make you feel welcome and like Penn State is home away from home.
Why do these matter? Because I am committed to finding the right balance so I can create a grounded, fair, and supportive environment for my residents and myself.
I naturally look for patterns and think steps ahead. When a resident feels stuck, I help them see several paths forward so they can make a choice that feels right for them.
I help keep morale up, especially during stressful periods. That said, I am mindful that people need space to feel what they are feeling beforehand, and I’m ready to meet them there first.
Motivated by the bigger picture, I remind residents that difficult moments are temporary. This is my favourite strength, as it enables me to persevere. However, I can get impatient and rush toward the outcome rather than enjoying the graduality of the process.
I am a FIRM believer in fairness and transparency. I hold the same standards for every resident to create trust and predictability on the floor, while learning to adapt when circumstances call for it.
I follow through on what I start, meet deadlines, and stay on track with goals. When plans shift unexpectedly, I can get frustrated, which is something I am learning to manage with more flexibility.
A Resident Assistant is a trained peer and residence life staff member tasked with fostering an inclusive community and helping other students adjust to college life and its obstacles.
An RA is responsible for connecting students to resources, supporting them in navigating challenges, and helping them feel welcome.
RAs are students themselves, which means they understand situations from a student's perspective and can respond accordingly.
An RA creates a safe and welcoming environment while upholding university policies with genuine care for residents.
As your RA, my role extends far beyond enforcing rules and filing reports. It means managing a wide range of residential responsibilities alongside academic and co-curricular ones while playing an essential part in helping both students and the institution thrive in all aspects.
Learning about Student Development Theories has fundamentally shaped my identification of potential challenges and strategic responses.
Time and energy invested directly impacts development. I ensure every event is tailored to residents' actual interests—not just what's convenient—to create experiences they genuinely want to return to.
Developing identity without dependence on external validation. I guide residents through moments of self-discovery, recommending resources like CAPS and scheduling one-on-ones to assess their internal growth.
Students persist when academically and socially integrated. By organizing Community Builder events and creating genuine incentives, I help ensure every student feels they belong here.
Across all theories, my strategies are: Intentional Programming (addressing real needs), One-on-One Connection (residents as individuals), and Resource Referral (pointing toward campus services and following up). Together, these approaches support the whole development of my residents.
Bridging the RA Role and the Legal Profession
Understanding that having balance between a full class schedule and my role as an RA is mandatory, which requires me to have a clear organization system. While working towards becoming a lawyer will be my top priority, it won't be my only one.
One of the most valuable parts of being an RA is having residents who come from different backgrounds. I will encounter a mosaic of perspectives and I am prepared to approach each one with an open mind. Whether a resident is a first-generation student adjusting to college life or an international student navigating a new country, I will meet them where they are, not where I expect them to be.
Conflict happens in every community. As an RA, I will stay calm, listen carefully, and help residents find a resolution. This ability to navigate conflict professionally is invaluable in any future workplace.
I understand what residents actually need, this can be seen in the way I plan community builder events, daily interactions with my residents, and schedule one-on-one meetings to evaluate their well-being. Being an RA requires attention and curiosity, which translates directly to any leadership role.
College comes with challenges that no one should navigate alone. These resources are free, confidential, and immensely useful.
Free, confidential mental health services. Mental health is health.
Visit CAPS → 717-948-6260Resume building, mock interviews, and career exploration.
Visit Careers → foodpantry@psu.eduConfidential free essential items for students in need.
Visit Pantry → HBGCares@psu.eduCentral hub for navigating difficult academic or personal situations.
Visit Student Advocacy → 717-948-6647Visa advising and adjusting to life at home at Penn State.
Visit Global Engagement → 717-948-6015Care for your well-being, ranging from shots to counseling sessions.
Visit Health Services →nkn5351@psu.edu — always just a message away.
"College is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming, and nobody should have to navigate it alone. My goal as your RA is simple: to make this feel less like a dorm and more like home."
That means being genuinely available to you. Whether you're missing home or working through a disagreement with a friend, I'm here. No question is too small, no problem is too big, and no hour is too late. And if I'm ever unavailable, I'll always let you know in advance so you're never left without support. I plan to build a community grounded in respect, kindness, and real inclusion. It also looks like showing up for you beyond planned programs, whether that means helping you find a campus resource, walking you to an office you've never been to, or just sitting with you when things feel heavy. Having lived in the dorms myself, I know firsthand what this experience can feel like: the highs, the hard nights, and everything in between. That experience is exactly why this role means so much to me. I'm here to make a genuine difference in your college experience, and I take that seriously. Your room is where you sleep. This house is where you live. I want to make sure it actually feels that way.