Name: Ryan Keith Norris Jr.Hometown: Wilmington, N.C.Major: AdvertisingMinor: PsychologyYear: SeniorCeleb Status: VP of Communications for the Residence Assistant Council, Executive Board Member of Higher Ground Acapella, Homecoming Court, NRHH
Hobbies include: Hiking, photography, sleeping, singing, hanging out with residents and biking.
Q: Why were you interested in becoming a Resident Assistant?A: “I had a really good RA, Taylor Sherril, my sophomore year who inspired me. Jess Coggins was another awesome RA who lived in my building that year too. I went through a lot of death and sadness in my life sophomore year, and they were both there to help me out. I wanted to impact the community on a different level like those RAs had done for me. And I love Appalachian, and I want to get as involved as possible, so it just seemed like a good fit for me.”
Q: What has been your best experience as an RA?A: “My best experience has definitely been this year. My residents are exhausting, but it is so worth it. The best time I’ve had with them has been when we went on the parkway earlier this year, and made s’mores. My residents struggled really badly and it was just such a fun, memorable, goofy bonding moment.”
Q: What other activities are you involved in?A: “I am also an executive board member the Higher Ground acapella group; I’m a second year RA and currently live in the Living Green RLC; I have been on homecoming court twice, and I am also involved with the National Residence Hall Honorary.”
Q: How do you think being the VP of Communications for the RA Council will help you in the future?A: “This position has taught me a lot about multitasking and time management, as well as how to deal with all kinds of people. I’ve learned to push boundaries and open up to new people and new experiences. I’ve also learned a lot about social justice this year, and I think that will help me stay open minded and aware in the future.”
Q: What is your dream job?A: “Probably to work as director of communications for a university, and work with an advertising team within that position. I would also love to work for student development in admissions for a university. It would be really cool to work for App. I don’t know if that’s a dream, but it sounds pretty good right now.”
Q: When you graduate, what will you miss most about Appalachian?A: “I think I’ll miss the people the most. Never have I been somewhere other than App where you can walk around and be surrounded with genuinely nice people. The atmosphere is great.”