Academy - Residential Advisor; Michigan

About SMASH

At SMASH, we aim to build a strong STEM workforce through academic learning and experiential engagement for high school and college students. We empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, aiming to cultivate success in college and careers. Our vision is to create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy.

By providing opportunities, we seek to enrich our communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.

The SMASH Residential Team is composed of the Residential Director (RD) and Residential Advisors (RAs). The RD manages the RAs. RAs support the RD to oversee the residential and youth enrichment components of the SMASH Academy. RAs are responsible for overseeing approximately 100 high school students living on campus during the duration of the Academy. Reporting to the RD, RAs build a safe, empowering learning community that advances scholars’ interests in CS and social justice.

RAs promote scholar success in CS through facilitating residential programming, including workshops, wellness activities, and SMASH events, and serve as educational leaders for both students and staff.

This is a 3‑week residential assignment, with additional commitment for training and preparation before launch and a close‑out after the Academy. The role requires living on campus full time with evening and weekend work. A virtual component expects staff to provide their own computer, webcam, microphone, reliable 25 Mbps Internet, and a quiet workspace for video conferencing.

• Live on campus for the duration of the program.
• Supervise 30–105 high‑school students (minors) in residence; serve as a role model for responsible behavior and personal integrity.
• Work closely with fellow Residential Team members to create, deliver, and fine‑tune scholars’ residential experience.
• Continuously develop personal leadership and teamwork skills to ensure the whole team functions at a high‑performing level.
• Complete administrative duties related to surveys, incident reports, scheduling, event planning, and coordination.

• Manage and facilitate daily scholar duties and meetings, such as wake‑up calls, lights‑out, suite meetings, meal participation, and community meetings.
• Collaboratively implement the SMASH Residential Curriculum, consisting of experience‑based lesson plans and workshops.
• Coordinate and attend weekly Fun Friday activities, weekend field trips, speaker series, and networking nights, all dependent on COVID‑19 safety protocols.
• Support program activities, including scholar move‑in/move‑out, Town Hall, family picnic, dance and talent show, recognition and exhibition event, supplies inventory/packing, and staff debriefs.
• Manage scholars’ study time, collaborating with designated instructors on assignments.
• Plan and deliver activities for scholars during unscheduled times and supervise scholars’ unstructured free time and recreational activities.
• Complete all assigned deliverables on time.
• Adhere to COVID‑19 safety protocols.

• Attend and actively engage in regular program meetings, 1:1s with site management, RA retreat, training, and debrief.
• Communicate and uphold norms and program rules of conduct to ensure student safety, open and honest communication, and responsible behavior.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with all SMASH and university personnel; positively represent the SMASH organization and program.
• Act as an academic and leadership role model while maintaining physical and social boundaries with scholars (including on social media).

• Supervise scholars, being that they are minors, at all times and remain attentive to their safety and socio‑emotional needs.
• Create an environment that cultivates self‑efficacy and personal well‑being.
• Identify scholars needing additional support and collaborate with the team, per the RD and Program Director, to develop and deliver support plans.
• Uphold SMASH policies and core values.
• Communicate norms and rules of conduct to…