University wins best roll call

Prairie View A&M University's Department of Residence Life participated in the 2011 Southwest Association of College & University Housing Officers Resident Assistant conference at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, Ark.

The department includes both American Campus Communities facilities of University College and University Village. 

Prairie View earned first place in best school roll call skit, competing against large universities such as University of Texas, Texas A&M University, and Oklahoma State University.

"It was a pleasant surprise. It felt like all our hard work in preparing for the conference paid off," said Elexia Robinson White, community assistant for University Village.

The theme of the conference was "Superheroes: Saving the campus before and after bedtime."

The three-day meeting brought together community assistants, resident assistants, and professional housing staffers from 75 colleges and universities across the southwest region. This was the largest conference in SWACUHO history with over 500 individuals registering, and the third year that the Prairie View Department of Residence Life has participated. 

The conference gave participants the opportunity to hone their skills in the areas of programming, organization, safety and security, ethical leadership, diversity, and cultural competence.

"This conference has given me so many exciting and innovative ideas to make my learning community the best it can possibly be," said Walter Merrell, community assistant for University College. 

In addition, the conference offered sessions and competitions promoting interschool relationships and university pride.