No job is too tough for Jacob Mackey, a sophomore government and world affairs and history major. On top of balancing classes, workouts, swim team and a social life, Mackey has one more job to do. He currently oversees 31 freshmen on the third floor of Austin Hall as a resident assistant. 
Being an RA is not an extra hassle for Mackey, but rather something that he actually wanted to do.
“I wanted to become an RA because I really enjoyed the environment of my floor freshman year,” Mackey said. “I get to interact with some pretty amazing people on my Austin staff and have a phenomenal supervisor.”
Mackey said the best thing about being a RA is the freshmen residents he oversees. Something Mackey enjoys is eating lunch with his residents and knocking on their doors to find out what the latest gossip in the hall is.
“They make me want to do everything possible to benefit them. I seriously wouldn’t trade a single one of them,” Mackey said.
So far, Mackey has hosted cupcake decorating and pancake making events for his floor. One of his favorite programs was when his residents designed and decorated their own door tags.
“It’s a great way for the residents to establish a sense of community and get to know one another,” Mackey said. “Over the course of the year, the third floor has transitioned from 31 strangers to 31 people who symbolize a family and that’s something I’ll never forget.”
Next year, Mackey will continue to be an RA in Morsani Hall.