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Resident manager enjoys helping young people
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on Thursday, November 20, 2008 (CST)
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 By Rebecca Baird, senior
Editor's note: The original version of this story stated that Meghan Smith had been a resident assistant on the John Brown University campus. She had, in fact, only been an RA for JBU in Northern Ireland. We apologize for the error.
From the slums of Manila to Green Residence Hall at Friends University, resident manager Meghan Smith has a heart for helping young people.
“I wanted to help college students grow in life. I felt a strong pull and desire to do that,” she said
Smith grew up in Friendswood, Texas, southeast of Houston, and attended San Jacinto College for two years before transferring to John Brown University. She graduated from JBU in spring 2008 with a major in intercultural studies and a minor in international relations.
She gained experience working with college students while still one herself, working as an RA for JBU while on a study-abroad trip to Northern Ireland.
The RA's held the same community standards and had the same responsibilities no matter where they lived, but had to make some slight modifications while living in Northern Ireland.
“It really allowed me to broaden my variety of learning,” she said.
Although Smith has participated in mission trips since she was young, what really got her interested in international studies was living in Manila for three months in 2006 and working with a missionary couple in the slums, taking in students and giving them money for school.
“My parents definitely encouraged me to make a difference in the world and help others,” she said.
Smith, a Quaker, had a Kansas connection before moving here. She had visited the state a few times because Friendswood Friends Church is part of the Mid-America Yearly Meeting, and it was through this connection that she learned about Friends University.
She heard about the resident manager position while looking at master’s degree programs. Her duties as resident manager are varied, from going over housing applications and taking care of problems to building a community with students.
“It’s two-tiered, a business-type job as well as a relationship-building job,” Smith said.
Smith has been working here since October and likes the community within each of the residence halls. She has also learned a lot from the students she works with during the past month.
“Students show me that even a small gesture will change their outlook. I’ve been taught the beautiful trust students can give,” she said.
Smith also has praise for her co-workers, saying that they have taken her under their wings and have taught her much about the “wonderful town of Wichita.”
As for future plans, Smith says her plans are always open, but she would like to work more with international students and get a master’s, and says there are a few things she’s like to study more.
Although a self-described “Texas girl,” Smith says she loves Kansas and can see herself living here for a long time.
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