Search begins for first McMurtry RA

By Joey Capparella     2/25/10 6:00pm

After narrowing down its search for new master candidates, McMurtry College is now looking for a Resident Associate to join its growing community. The candidate selected will join the soon-to-be-determined masters and Lisa Balabanlilar, McMurtry's current Head Resident Fellow, in providing leadership for McMurtry.

A search committee began the process of selecting an RA this week. The co-chairs for the committee, Jones College sophomores Juliana Serrano and McKenzie Sorensen, began the process two weeks ago. Both will be transferring to McMurtry next year.

Last weekend, 15 current McMurtry students and future transfers applied and interviewed to be on the committee. Ultimately, five were chosen, Serrano said. Of these five students, three are McMurtry freshmen and two are Will Rice College sophomores transferring to McMurtry.

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Committee member Bailey Firszt said she wanted to be on the committee to increase her involvement with McMurtry.

"I wanted to be involved in creating the McMurtry community," Firszt, a McMurtry freshman, said. "The RA is an important part of the college, and I think it's great that students are able to have a say in who is selected."

The committee will also make the final decision on who will be the McMurtry master.

"Our main goal is to find someone who is available and committed to the students," Serrano said. "We are looking for someone who is excited about McMurtry and truly cares about the students of McMurtry."

The committee officially commenced its work Tuesday night with a reception for interested applicants, Serrano said. At the event, 15 master candidates mingled with McMurtry students and began their formal application for the position.

"It was a classy party with wine and cheese where search committee members were able to get to know some of the candidates," Serrano said.

The interview process will begin soon, and the range of candidates is diverse, Serrano said.

"We decided as a committee to interview all applicants, unless their application clearly shows that they are not qualified," Serrano said. "So far, we have a wide variety of interested applicants, ranging from Ph.D students to Italian professors to married couples with children."

Serrano said the committee aims to keep an open mind and consider all candidates equally. Though she could not specify a date for the final decision, she said she hopes the decision will occur a few weeks after spring break.

Firszt said she is enthusiastic about searching for McMurtry's first RA.

"We are very excited to expand the McMurtry family and choose someone who is committed to making McMurtry awesome," Firszt said.

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