Club Spotlight: Residence Hall Association

By: Madison Howard, Features Editor

The Residence Hall Association (RHA) at Canisius University focuses on improving the residential student experience by organizing campus events and creating opportunities for students to connect. Through its programming, the organization encourages students to get involved, meet people outside their usual circles and feel more connected to the campus community.

From hands–on crafts to seasonal celebrations, RHA offers students different ways to participate in campus life. Its Halloween Week programming, running Oct. 26–30, features slime making, cookie decorating, Halloween–themed face painting, a trick–or–treat giveaway and the organization’s second annual Halloween Bash.

RHA is led by an executive board of six students who coordinate the organization’s programming and operations. Abubakr Jallow, a junior majoring in finance and data science, serves as president while Ashton Bechtol, a junior majoring in Animal Behavior, Ecology and Conservation (ABEC) and Digital Media Arts (DMA), serves as vice president.

The board also includes Financial Coordinator Amelia Kuhn, a sophomore majoring in psychology with minors in history and clinical counseling; Operations Coordinator Jamie Kosten, a senior majoring in psychology and history with a minor in art history; Event Coordinator Sienna Stepien, a sophomore majoring in sociology with a minor in criminal justice and psychology; and National Communications Coordinator Adrienne Steele, a senior majoring in psychology.

Halloween Week began Oct. 26 with slime making outside the RHA club room. Students could customize their own slime using different colors and glitter, giving them an opportunity to get creative while participating in a seasonal activity.

On Oct. 27, RHA continued the festivities with Halloween cookie decorating. Students could decorate cookies with frosting, sprinkles, candy eyes and other toppings, allowing them to personalize their treats.

The activities continued Oct. 28 with Halloween–themed face painting outside the RHA club room. Students could participate in the festive activity and choose designs inspired by the holiday.

RHA also organized a trick–or–treat giveaway, offering treat bags filled with candy, fidgets and Halloween–themed trinkets. Students could stop by the club room to pick up a bag and enjoy a few seasonal surprises.

The week will conclude with RHA’s second annual Halloween Bash on Oct. 30 from 5:30–7 p.m. under Palisano Pavilion. The event will feature Halloween music, activities and a costume contest, with a prize for the winner.

Students attending the bash can also trick–or–treat with student organizations, campus departments and other campus groups. The event gives students an opportunity to celebrate Halloween while learning more about the organizations and departments active on campus.

Through events like Halloween Week, RHA creates opportunities for students to engage with one another and take part in the campus community. Its programming combines social activities with opportunities to meet other students, explore campus organizations and make connections beyond the residence halls.