On Thursday, Feb. 25, 2016, Chancellor Harold L. Martin grabbed his vest, hung up his picture and began his shift as a Resident Assistant in Blair and McNeil Halls.

A Housing and Residence Life program titled, “I Can Do That,” was an invitation for the Chancellor to serve as an R.A. for a day—an invitation that the Chancellor gladly accepted.

North Carolina A&T State University is not the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to implement a program that aims to bring the Chancellor closer to its student body. Winston Salem State University has monthly opportunities for students to interact with Chancellor Elwood Robinson, including having lunch in the cafeteria with the chancellor.

At the beginning of his shift, Chancellor Martin attended a weekly meeting with the R.A.s of Blair and McNeil Hall. These weekly meetings include: discussing new and old business of the building, expressing the highs and lows of the week, staff discussion and staff development opportunities.

This week’s topic of discussion was hope in the black community and society, and the staff and Chancellor Martin discussed how respecting authority and the importance of education were keys for hope.

Within dormitory halls, bulletin boards are utilized to inform, educate, and reach residents, and every month, R.A.’s have a general theme to follow for their boards.

For the month of February, the bulletin board theme was physical wellness and personal safety, with an emphasis on diet and sleep. In tune with theme, the Chancellor titled his board, “Catching up on ZZZ’s.”

Throughout the Chancellor’s shift, he performed room inspections, patrolled the halls, talked with residents and even co-hosted a bingo program. However, all of the chancellor’s responsibilities could not have been achieved without the help of his guide for the day, Kadijah Russell, a second year R.A.

“I never had the opportunity to be this close to the Chancellor, and I’m glad that I was awarded the opportunity to work with him. He’s a fast learner, and a genuine human being,” said Russell.

Area Coordinator of North Campus Kellie Dixon was one of the driving forces that ensured the success of the Chancellor’s day as an R.A. Dixon, who serves as the director of the building, made sure to critique Chancellor Martin’s performance and to no allow his position to inhibit of her routine responsibilities.

“I think it was a great opportunity for the Chancellor to be face-to-face with the residents and students on campus and provided insight on the obligation and commitment one has to have, as a member of the housing and residence staff,” said Dixon.

Students were also enthused to see the chancellor in a light that humanized their university leader.

“I was excited to see him actually face-to-face with us, which provided us, as students, an opportunity to get to know him as a person—beyond his positions—and peel back the layers of the man himself,” said Dominique Williams, a sophomore theatre student.

Mentorship is a critical part of shaping the minds of the younger generation, a duty that Chancellor Martin dived head first into. His day ended with making his last patrol around the building, playing bingo with residents, and writing down all duties that were performed.

Overall Chancellor Martin’s experience was one to remember, and if awarded another opportunity, he said he would gladly accept.

“Under the supervision of Ms. Dixon, my experience was sensational. I’m happy to understand and learn from the working students of this prestigious university,” said Martin. “…I am glad that I can get a clear perspective of how the Housing and Residence Staff operate.”