Samantha Merchant is a Resident Assistant (RA) in Yuma Hall, one of the dorms on campus. She’s a member of the Honors College Ambassadors and a pre-nursing club called PAIN (Professional Achievements in Nursing). When she’s not studying, Samantha can be found watching Netflix or taking a nap.
Name: Samantha Merchant
Year: Sophomore
Major: Pre-Nursing
Hometown: Corona, CA
Why UA?: The nursing program is really great here and super competitive. The school’s really cool and Tucson’s cool, kind of.
Coffee or tea?: Coffee, definitely! I think I could be a chai tea drinker, but I need the caffeine.
Starbucks order: Caramel Macchiato
Life motto: Sparkles and happiness!
What made you want to be an RA?: I first learned about being an RA from my brother because he was an RA, so that got me interested in it. I also wanted to help students with their transition to college, just be their person if they need me to.
What’s the biggest struggle you’ve faced as an RA?: Getting people to come to programs is always a struggle. You’ve got to be creative and plan it so they have to do something in order to get the free food.
What’s the most rewarding part of being an RA?: The community that I’ve seen being built and the connections I’ve made with residents.