Resident Life Assistants (known more familiarly as RAs) are MSM students who are hired and trained by staff members of MSM’s Residence Life office in Student Affairs, overseen by Director of Residence Life April Jenkins and Assistant Director of Residence Life Makila Kirchner.
RAs are essential to the mission of Residence Life at MSM and help build a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for all resident students. They have a wide variety of responsibilities that include being a peer leader, programmer, policy enforcer, community builder, and advisor to students who live in Andersen Hall.
Any student at MSM can apply to become an RA at the end of their first year.
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Junior) Hometown: Seoul, South Korea Fun Fact: I was a flute major before becoming a voice major Lynn’s NYC Rec: Neue Galerie Andersen Essentials: carpet
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Junior) Hometown: Ningbo, Zhejiang, China Mier’s NYC Rec: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Tavern on the Green, and Central Park! Mier’s NYC Hack: You can directory enter the subway using Apply Pay or a tap-to-pay credit card!
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Junior) Hometown: Brooklyn, New York Fun Fact: I enjoy learning new languages and I am secretary for the Black Student Union! Jayla’s NYC Rec: Carmine’s, Tony’s Di Napoli, and Olympia Organic Deli
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Second Year Graduate) Hometown: Trappe, Maryland Fun Fact: I grew up on a farm. Katelynn’s NYC Rec: Island Grill or Oasis Smoothies Andersen Essentials: my fuzzy slippers
he/him Major: Musical Theatre (Junior) Hometown: South Pasadena, California Fun Fact: I have a big Lego collection! Kenneth’s NYC Rec: I would recommend taking a long walk in riverside park! Andersen Essentials: SHOWER SHOES!!
she/her Major: Musical Theatre (Junior) Hometown: Farmingdale, New York Fun Fact: This summer I entered my nail tech and dorm-room-barista era! I also work as a party princess. Jenna’s NYC Rec: Dear Mama, Drama Book Shop, and Becco – I highly recommend their unlimited three pasta special!
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Senior) Hometown: Houston, Texas Fun Fact: I am the president of the Black Student Union and founder of Return to the Garden Bible study. Adaiah’s NYC Rec: Captain Louis, Chihiro Tea, Fotolab studio
they/she/theirs Major: Musical Theatre (Senior) Hometown: Honolulu, Hawai’i Fun Fact: I won a free trip to Japan by drawing a car! Sophia’s NYC Rec: Gnoccheria in the East Village, I promise you that it’s worth the hype! Andersen Essentials: To make your room smell good without using candles, I recommend a reed fragrance diffuser and room spray.
he/him Major: Classical Piano (Senior) Hometown: Las Palmas, Spain Fun Fact: I enjoy giving names to wild animals 🦝 Nelyam’s NYC Rec: Central Park Andersen Essentials: Things that make life easier (trash can, clothes basket, Yoga matters, cleaning supplies)
she/her/hers Major: Vocal Arts (Second Year Graduate) Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Fun Fact: I am obsessed with Just Dance 2014! Mary Katherine’s NYC Rec: Always wear walkable shoes! Andersen Essentials: Tea Kettle and LOTS of tea bags🙂
he/him Major: Classical Percussion (Senior) Hometown: Toronto, Canada Fun Fact: I’m left-handed! Gabe’s NYC Rec: Go exploring with some friends! Pick a neighborhood and wanter around. Andersen Essentials: My Andersen Essentials are a good pillow, a good book, and my foam roller.
she/her/hers Major: Contemporary Bass Clarinet (Second Year Graduate) Hometown: Popayán, Colombia Fun Fact: I love to dance! Mariana’s NYC Rec: The Metropolitan Museum of Art Andersen Essentials: Colombian coffee and chocolates
she/her Major: Musical Theatre (Senior) Hometown: Wayne, New Jersey Fun Fact: I was named after Selena Gomez’s character in Barney!! Gianna’s NYC Rec: ICHIRAN recommendation in Times Square Andersen Essentials: shower shoes, snacks, ID key chain
she/her Major: Vocal Arts (Senior) Hometown: Culpeper, Virginia Fun Fact: I’m MSM Student Government Association (SGA) President, I run MSM Lavender Society, and I’m the Dead Resident Assistant! Evelyn’s NYC Rec: The Chai Spot in China Town, Gnocchi on 9th in Lower West Village, and the Metrograph in Chinatown!
she/her Major: Musical Theatre (Junior) Hometown: Glen Rock, New Jersey Fun Fact: I can stilt walk. Fia’s NYC Rec: Go into every deli you pass by… you will always find a new feline friend! Andersen Essentials: Breville Bambino
he/him Major: DMA Candidate Hometown: Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil Fun Fact: I enjoy running and playing soccer! Edu’s NYC Rec: Central Park (terrace), Queen’s Night Market, Domino Park
Top Row, L to R: André Ferguson (BM ’26) and Zhongyang Ling (DMA Candidate) Bottom Row, L to R: Brian Linares (PPD ’26) and Lauren Seerey (MM ’26)
L to R: April Jenkins and Makila Kirchner (BM ’18, MM ’21)
Want to know what our RA’s are listening to this summer? Listen to the official MSM Orientation Playlist here!
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