Examining How Working-Class Resident Advisors Perceive Social Class and Classism Within Residential Life

Social class on campus is omnipresent, with higher education institutions largely geared towards middle- and upper-class students. The social class contrast can be particularly poignant in the residence halls, where choice of hall and room type, personal possessions, and cocurricular involvement can all indicate one’s class background. Simultaneously, for working-class students, the resident advisor (RA) position is often viewed as a more desirable student employment option due to its combination of a high-profile leadership role and sizable compensation package. In this study, we examine how RAs from working-class backgrounds experience social class and classism within residential life. Using data from a larger narrative inquiry study on pathways into and through higher education for working-class students, we examine the experiences of seven working-class RAs working at two large public research institutions in the Northeast. Our findings show a series of tension points where the RA position provides important support for working-class students, but within limited parameters across financial, social justice, and community foci. We conclude with implications for practice to better support working-class RAs in their positions.