Get Involved

Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) provides a complete residential college experience that serves as a converging point for one-of-a-kind living and learning opportunities in dynamic Dallas.

We bring together partners from all over campus and Dallas to help us offer unique opportunities for students, faculty, staff, and SMU departments to get involved in life on campus. Explore opportunities for you to get involved with life on the Hilltop.

Undergraduate Students
Graduate Students
Engage Dallas

Undergraduate Students

An important part of the college experience happens outside of the classroom, and SMU has no shortage of involvement opportunities, whether they be focused on service, leadership, or academics on campus.

Historically, the on-campus and Residential Commons leadership has played an integral part in maintaining the positive aspects of recognized SMU traditions. These include: competitive intramural teams, academic convocation, Commons-specific experiences, weekly Faculty-in-Residence traditions, Mustang Football, and more!

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students playing bubble soccer

SMU strongly encourages undergraduate students to participate in leadership opportunities within your Residential Commons, as well as other areas of Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH). Discover your fit within one of these on-campus leadership opportunities.

Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via SMU’s Residential Commons to address community needs focusing on south and west Dallas. The initiative is a long-term, university-wide commitment led by students to partner with local residents, organizations, and other leaders to positively impact the community. There is equal emphasis on campus and community impact stemming from the initiative. Think big and do good today.
From the beginning of the school year, Honors Mentors take an active role in welcoming the honors residents in their Residential Commons. They continue to meet informally with the honors students, serve as a resource, and encourage their participation in their Residential Commons and other University Honors Program events. Learn more and connect with your Honors Mentor.
The SMU Housing Unification Board (HUB) is an organization that serves and unites students who live on campus. HUB comprises seven student directors plus one RA liaison. HUB serves all students who live on the SMU campus to provide an experience unlike any other college or university. Learn more about the leadership possibilities in HUB.
Peer Academic Leaders (PALs) are a diverse group of undergraduate students with a common goal to help students better understand the University curriculum, utilize academic resources, and navigate academic challenges. Under the direction of the University Advising CenterPALs work directly with students in their residential community, empowering them to take ownership of their collegiate careers through mentorship and educational programming. Find your PAL in your residential community

The primary responsibility of RLSH Ambassadors is to work with the central office staff in Boaz Commons to assist in greeting guests, answering housing questions, both in-person and on the phone, and supporting the recruitment of prospective students. This one-of-a-kind customer service position is a unique way to serve your fellow and future Mustangs.

Learn more about this student leadership role or apply via Handshake when positions are available. 

The primary goal of the Resident Assistant (RA) position is the development of an environment conducive to the academic and personal growth of residential students. RAs are student leaders who live in our residential communities and serve as role models, peer counselors, resources, advocates, educators, community standard upholders, and community builders for residents. RAs also assist with the safety and well-being of students, as well as the planning and implementation of social/educational engagements that expand the student experience outside the classroom. RLSH typically begins seeking applications in late fall. Ask your RCD for more information and learn more about this student leadership position on the RA website.
Spiritual Life Mentors provide a listening presence to fellow students struggling with academic pressure, relationships, homesickness or other stressors through programming, 1-1 meetings, and small group settings. Supervised by the Office of the Chaplin and Religious Life, the aim of the Spiritual Life Mentor is to help connect a peer’s personal experience to their purpose in life so that they find meaning not only in what they do but in who they are. Learn more about the Spiritual Life Mentors.
The Wellness Eduction Student Team (WEST) is a diverse group of students trained to educate their Residential Commons and campus community about college lifestyle and wellness issues in a positive, interactive, fun, and nonjudgmental manner. In this program, students serve as liaisons for the Office of Wellbeing and and act as wellbeing advocates on campus. Learn more about the WEST program.

Graduate Students

SMU strongly encourages graduate students to participate in leadership and processional development opportunities within areas of Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH).

Discover your fit within one of these on-campus graduate student opportunities. Please note that some graduate assistantships are already filled for the upcoming year. Please visit Handshake to learn more about current vacancies.

During the summer, RLSH hires ACUHO-I interns to assist with three different functional areas – student leader training, conferences, and summer school housing. In addition to gaining practical experience, all interns participate in professional opportunities, meet and network with other Division of Student Affairs (DSA) professionals and summer interns, and visit a regional university with interns and professional staff. The full job descriptions will be posted to the ACUHO-I Internship website in January of every year. Candidates must register through the ACUHO-I program to view the job descriptions and apply. Also, review our former intern testimonials as you consider opportunities at SMU.

How to apply: Candidates must register through the ACUHO-I Internship Program to apply

Contact: Kiel King (kielk@smu.edu), Assistant Director for Housing Operations


The Assistant Residential Community Director (ARCD) is a live-in graduate assistant who assists the Residential Community Director (RCD) in managing a residential community made up of multiple buildings.  Responsibilities include RA supervision and development, advising community/commons council, serving on-call, and monitoring the physical condition of the building.

How to apply: Applications now open and the priority deadline is March 18. Vacant positions are open to graduate students across SMU; applications can be submitted through Handshake.

Who to Contact: Kaiesha Serbin (kserbin@smu.edu), Associate Director of Residence Life.

The FHD position is a live-in graduate student worker role. Organizationally, FHDs are student staff members of the Office of Residence Life. FHDs may be assigned to oversee up to two fraternity houses. The primary function of the role is to provide leadership in community standards, Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) administration, and facilities operations. Administrative requirements include submitting work orders, participating in an on-call duty rotation, attending weekly team and one-on-one meetings, and reporting alleged violations of laws and/or university policy. FHDs additionally assist with facilitating resident check-in, check-out, and room inspections.

How to apply: Applications now open and the priority deadline is March 18. Vacant positions are open to graduate students across SMU; applications can be submitted through Handshake.

Contact: Kaiesha Serbin (kserbin@smu.edu), Associate Director of Residence Life

The Graduate Assistant for Engage Dallas within Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) is a live-on position reporting to the Engage Dallas Coordinator. Engage Dallas is a place-based community engagement initiative via SMU’s Residential Commons to address community needs focusing on South and West Dallas. The initiative is a long-term, university-wide commitment led by students to partner with local residents, organizations, and other leaders to positively impact the community. As a member of the Academic Initiatives team and co-supervisor of the Engage Dallas Student Directors, the GA champions a culture of community engagement and improvement within the department in support of student learning, development, and success.  

How to apply: Applications now open and the priority deadline is March 18. Vacant positions are open to graduate students across SMU; applications can be submitted through Handshake.

Contact: Kallie Terrana (kterrana@mail.smu.edu), Engage Dallas Program Specialist

The Graduate Assistant for The HUB will serve as a co-advisor for the organization. The Housing Unification Board (the HUB) is charged with representing all on-campus students (over 3,000 students) to the office of Residence Life and Student Housing. The HUB is focused on supporting the Residential Commons when appropriate, programming for on-campus students, and allocating additional programming and improvement fund. This graduate assistant will gain experience in advising and planning large-scale programs.

How to apply: Applications now open and the priority deadline is March 18. Vacant positions are open to graduate students across SMU; applications can be submitted through Handshake.

Contact: Elissa Moody (efmoody@smu.edu), Residential Community Director

The Graduate Assistant for Assessment within Residence Life & Student Housing (RLSH) is a position reporting to the Director of Academic Initiatives. As a member of the Academic Initiatives team, the GA champions a culture of evidence and improvement within the department in support of student learning, development, and success. The GA provides leadership to increase the department’s knowledge about residents, the educational residential college environment, and institutional effectiveness to continuously improve student programs and services and does so through service in support of outcomes-based assessment, data informed decision-making, strategic planning, student-focused research, and professional education. 

 

How to apply: Applications now open and the priority deadline is March 18. Vacant positions are open to graduate students across SMU; applications can be submitted through Handshake.

Contact: Brittany Billar (bbillar@smu.edu), Director of Academic Initiatives

Spiritual Life Mentors provide a listening presence to fellow students struggling with academic pressure, relationships, homesickness or other stressors through programming, 1-1 meetings, and small group settings. Supervised by the Office of the Chaplin and Religious Life, the aim of the Spiritual Life Mentors is to help connect a peer’s personal experience to their purpose in life so that they find meaning not only in what they do but in who they are.