A new floor, a new dynamic. That is how Maryland Gamma Amanda “Mandy” Spohrer views her second year as a Resident Advisor (R.A.) in Charles Commons, a predominantly sophomore dorm. Every since she met her own R.A. her freshman year, Mandy knew this advising role is what she wanted to do.

At a school like John Hopkins University (JHU), the students are focused on studying and do not always give enough time for themselves. Mandy realized that sophomore year is extremely challenging to break out of one’s shell. The chances are, you have already made friends sophomore year or you’re still struggling to find that connection. So when she applied to be an R.A., she decided she would prefer to work with sophomores instead of freshmen.

Her R.A. role has its challenges. Some residents are totally open to attending the programs and events Mandy creates. Others stop by just for the free food. Others simply walk past. With some experience under her belt, Mandy learned what things were successes and what things could use tweaking.

One program Mandy changed was the annual trip to a local ice cream parlor. Although the residents that joined her had a great time, it was not the attendance number she hoped for. So this year, Mandy figured out how to bring the ice cream to the dorm, which substantially increased the number of attendees.

Mandy continues to be creative with the programs she has her residents participate in from attending the campus tradition Lighting of the Quads, an annual event in which the President illuminates the lights across the quad, to hosting a mac & cheese night in her room. She wants to help sophomores bridge the gap and make the transition into their upperclassmen years. “I want them to know people want to be there for them and it’s okay to still make friends,” she said.