Residential Education

The River Hawk Residential Experience Support

UMass Lowell's residential experience offers a supportive academic environment where students can thrive in and out of the classroom, bolstering their ability to participate in extracurricular and social activities. Through meaningful connections, skill-building opportunities and curated learning experiences, our residential communities help prepare students for life beyond college. Students are confident, capable and ready to lead.

While living with us, we want students to experience first-hand what makes living on campus at UMass Lowell special and welcome them home!

How We Envision a Supportive Academic Environment

SOAR: The River Hawk Residential Experience was developed using a Residential Curricular Approach, grounded in best practices for co-curricular student learning in higher education. SOAR stands for support, opportunities, achievement, and readiness — key focal points that guide the experiences we aim to provide for our students. By harnessing the power of intentional co-curricular learning and integrating experiential opportunities, our residential education staff deliver meaningful learning and social experiences through a variety of engagements.

Our Residential Educational Staff

The Associate Director for Academic Initiatives and Partnerships, a full-time member of the residential education team, leads the development of the SOAR residential curriculum and educational plan, which outlines learning goals for the entire academic year. Through thoughtfully designed strategies, the plan delivers these goals using a range of methods, including active programs, informational bulletin boards, engaging newsletters and more.

Area Coordinators (ACs), our full-time residential education staff, implement the same educational plan and learning goals when designing strategies for the residence hall they oversee. This ensures that all campus residents engage with the same learning goals at the same time, creating a shared learning experience across the residential community. Each AC tailors their strategies to meet the unique needs of their student population each semester.

Assistant Area Coordinators (AACs), our graduate student staff, assist ACs in implementing the educational plan and learning goals for the residence hall they oversee. AACs help foster a shared learning experience across the community and support ACs in coaching Resident Advisors (RAs) to build strong, inclusive communities.

Resident Advisors (RAs), our student staff members, focus on the Connections learning goal. They help build community within their residence halls by designing community-building activities, engaging in meaningful conversations known as Hawk Talks and maintaining a supportive presence for their residents.

Our SOAR Residential Curriculum

Educational Priority

UMass Lowell's Residential Education empowers students to grow into engaged, responsible and well-rounded individuals by focusing on building connections, practicing community responsibility, developing a sense of self and purpose, and prioritizing lifelong wellness. Through intentional residential experiences, students will grow both personally and interpersonally, preparing them for success during and beyond their college years.

Our Four Learning Goals

Connections

• The Connections learning goal recognizes that a strong sense of belonging is foundational to student success. Residence halls provide a unique opportunity for students to build meaningful relationships with peers, Resident Advisors, professional staff, and campus resources through intentional interactions and shared experiences. Rather than simply increasing participation, this goal focuses on creating communities where every resident feels welcomed, valued, and supported. By fostering authentic connections and encouraging engagement in campus life, students develop supportive peer relationships, strengthen their sense of belonging, and become more confident in seeking support, contributing to their community and thriving throughout their college experience.

Community Responsibility

• The Community Responsibility learning goal emphasizes that every resident plays an important role in shaping the residential experience. Living in a shared community requires students to recognize how their choices, behaviors, and interactions affect those around them while contributing to an environment that is respectful, inclusive and supportive. Through intentional education, reflection, and real-life experiences, residents develop an understanding of their responsibilities within a shared living environment and learn strategies for addressing challenges, supporting one another, and caring for their community. As students practice these skills, they become active contributors to a positive residential experience by understanding their role and impact within the community and applying shared responsibility strategies that promote the well-being of those around them.

Self & Purpose

• The Self & Purpose learning goal encourages residents to intentionally explore their strengths, develop essential life skills, and discover resources that support their personal, academic, and professional growth. The resident hall serves as a living-learning environment where everyday experiences, challenges, and interactions become opportunities for self-reflection, skill development and increased confidence. Through intentional learning experiences, residents gain new perspectives, strengthen their ability to navigate college and beyond, and identify the resources that contribute to their success. As they grow, residents will recognize how their residence hall experience has helped them develop new skills, perspectives, or personal attributes and apply those skills and insights to support their continued growth, future goals, and overall success.

Wellness

• The Wellness learning goal encourages residents to view wellness as an ongoing and intentional practice that supports success both inside and outside the classroom. Recognizing that wellness is multidimensional, residents are introduced to strategies, habits, and campus resources that promote their physical, emotional, social, and academic well-being. Through educational experiences, self-reflection, and intentional engagement, students develop the knowledge and confidence to care for themselves, seek support when needed, and build healthy routines that contribute to long-term success. As a result, residents will identify wellness practices and resources that support their overall well-being and apply wellness strategies that enhance their academic, personal and emotional success.