He says he was the shy kid in high school–always outside the social circle, but one could never guess that now with Sam Lee’s firm handshake and welcoming smile. His upbeat personality and uninhibited mannerisms show that he definitely has some amazing people skills.

Sam Lee is a 21 year old senior, about to graduate in May with a degree in civil engineering, and has been at NC State since the fall of 2005.

“My whole family has gone to State,” Lee said. “I grew up in Raleigh. I just love it here.”

He became a resident advisor the fall semester of his sophomore year, and has not left the hall yet. He is currently advising Bagwell Hall for the sixth consecutive semester. What inspired him to get so involved with housing? A fantastic RA his freshman year.

“The RA my freshman year was great. He made me want to get involved in a

meaningful way, and help make a difference for students like he did for

me.”

After his first semester, Lee knew that Resident Advising was something he loved. Because of his great experience and the awesome support system he found in his co-workers, he decided that advising residents was his way to give back and meet people, including creating lasting friendships with his colleagues.

“Forming bonds with your co-workers is important. They are there to back you up when there is a policy violation and they are there to empathize when you are overwhelmed,” Lee said.

Lee has learned a few tricks of the trade throughout his three years at the position. He says that reaching out to every resident, even those not on his hall, helps to form bonds and strengthen the community. He makes it a goal to learn some things about as many residents as he can, like their classes or personal interests. He also makes sure to say hello to every resident he sees.

“I like to establish myself as a familiar face in the community.  It’s the little things that are most important.”

After living in a dorm for four years straight and being in charge of a hall full of boys, Lee has seen his share of the strange and unusual, once having an unwelcome guest living in a room on his hall.

“One night I was walking through my hall and there were a few boys standing around talking. All of the sudden, another boy walked out of his room with a pet snake around his neck.”

Because resident advising is a leadership position, Lee has to implement rules. Lee forms bonds with everyone on his hall, but they understood the difference between Sam as a friend, and Sam as a leader and policy enforcer.  The consequences do not weigh on the relationships he builds through the job.

“It’s not about confronting the people, it’s about confronting their actions,” Lee said about enforcing the rules, “No one has ever purposefully disrespected me.”

There are benefits of being an RA.  RA’s get their housing paid for, as well as a meal plan.  They also get a small bi-weekly stipend.

The bigger benefits, according to Lee, are the amazing leadership and team work skills that come as a result of advising. It also teaches the important lesson of time management, juggling duties with your floor and your community, schoolwork, family, and social life all at the same time.

“Being an RA helps you find out what works for you to be successful,” said Lee, who has mastered the art of managing time. Lee is currently serving at the AC of the Quad area, which relieves him of desk duties, but gives him other responsibilities as he must work with other RA’s to manage inter-staff relations and act as a liason between the staff and the Honors Fellows.

He is taking 18 hours this semester, and preparing for graduation, as well as finding time for his family and friends.  He also finds time for his hobbies, like photography and training for one of his favorite university events, the Krispy Kreme Challenge.

Lee is particularly passionate about the upcoming large group activities that the Honors community has been working on since the hate speech incident in the Free Expression Tunnel. In February, March, and April, they are having a series of communication meetings to discuss “hot topics.” The topics will cover sexuality and gender, socioeconomic status and economy issues, and religion and culture, respectively.

As May approaches, Lee enjoys his last semester manning the hallways of Bagwell. Looking back on his experiences, he says if he could do it again, he wouldn’t change his decision to stay on campus.  He enjoys the programs and access to enrichment activities that living on campus grants, as well as the unlimited resources available.

“I think that everyone should live in a dorm for a year. Some people don’t care for it, but they should at least give it a shot. It presents such a good opportunity to build relationships that otherwise you wouldn’t have built, and it allows people to grow as a student. “

After being an RA for so long, would Lee recommend it to others? Absolutely, as long as you are not the type of person who “will throw in the towel when times are hard.”  He thinks advising has been a great experience and has helped him to refine skills that will help make him successful as he goes through life.

Sam would like to say thank you to his co-workers throughout his time at NC State.

“I attribute a lot of success to the people I have worked with. “