Resident assistant named best in the West
An enthusiasm for helping others and for bettering the community in which she lives helped Tracy Cook to be chosen as the 2005 IACURH (Intermountain Affiliate of College and University Residence Halls) resident assistant (RA) of the year.
Cook was one of two RAs selected as RA of the year at Utah State University and was then chosen to represent USU at the regional competition where she was unanimously chosen as IACURH RA of the year. Not only was she the first person to have been chosen with a unanimous vote, but she is also the first married RA to attend the IACURH conference.
After learning about the RA program through a friend, Cook and her husband Steve decided to move their family, which includes their 3-year-old daughter Madison, to on-campus housing where she pursued the idea of becoming an RA and was successful. Her husband joined her halfway through the year. She said, “He was definitely doing everything before that,” and said she wishes he could’ve received the award with her.
“I love being all [the residents’] friends,” Cook said of her favorite part of the job. The genuine friendship she shares with each one has helped her to strengthen the bonds of the community that she is over, Cook said. When problems arise, Cook said she is able to handle them with ease and love. Fellow RHA board members said, “She has a talent for helping people realize and address their own problems in a way that provides positive support and resources, but lets them learn to handle their own life and take responsibility for their actions.” Her husband agreed, saying any situation where she had to give negative feedback, such as in fines, Cook has always turned it into a positive situation where friendships remain in tact.
Cook and her husband are currently RAs for both married and single students, which she said can be hard at times, but they have incorporated activities that bring the two groups together. Spa night, a Halloween carnival, a campout, guys/girls night out and salsa dancing night have all been on the agenda and brought praise from many who attended. Although she receives housing credit for her efforts, Cook said, “I would totally do it without it. I love it that much.”
Serving on numerous boards, including Residence Hall Association and Residence Life Council, Cook said she has helped to build bonds between the single and the married housing.
“Tracy is an outstanding RA because she loves what she does and because each area of her job is a priority for her. Working with people and caring about them is something that comes naturally for her,” January Webb, area coordinator said.
-albaugh@cc.usu.edu