Neighborhood Fellows

Be Somebody to Someone

Looking to make a difference? Want to make an impact in your community? Wanting to build out your resume? Being a Fellow is a great way to do it all!

Hear from our student staff about what it means to be a Fellow, and what it's like to be somebody to someone!

Job Description


A Neighborhood Fellow is an undergraduate peer educator who fosters student growth through community development and engagement. A  Neighborhood Fellow assists students in their transition, integration, and progression through community living experience, specifically within the Student Neighborhood.  The Neighborhood Fellow is responsible for areas such as social, cultural, service, and educational engagement, as well as peer counseling, and support of an environment that is conducive to learning.  The Department of Housing and Residence Life seeks students who are committed to growth, invested in community, and seeking service to others. Additionally, we seek individuals who demonstrate potential for peer leadership and will be positive role models for others.

Minimum Requirements

To qualify, a student must meet the following minimum criteria:

Areas of Responsibility

Informational Open Houses

Individuals interested in the Neighborhood Fellow position have the opportunity to meet with current staff to learn more about the position and process for interviewing.  

Any and all students are invited to drop in to hang out with current staff to learn more about the position!

See below for details!

Application Process

Handshake Application

Interested candidates should begin the application process by submitting an application on the Handshake platform. Click below to get started.

HRL Employment Application

Once you complete a Handshake application, you will be directed to complete the HRL Employment Application on your MyHousing portal.

Individual Interview

All eligible candidates will be given access within their HRL Employment Application to sign up for an interview appointment slot.

Application Timeline

Application Deadline for Priority Consideration 

January 7, 2024

Application Deadline for Alternate Consideration 

May 3, 2024

Interview Sign-Up
January 7-11, 2024

Interviews Held
January 16-February 2, 2024

Accept or Decline Offer
February 15, 2024

General Housing Application Opens February 19, 2024

Deadline for Staff to Complete Housing Application and form Groups 

February 25, 2024

General Housing Application closes March 8, 2024

Housing Assignments Released

TBD

Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I "shadow" with a current staff member? Can I meet with current staff to learn more?

Though not required as a formal step, the opportunity to meet with a current RA or Fellow is offered and encouraged as a way to talk with someone currently serving in the role being sought after to increase familiarity with the position’s expectations and hear, first-hand, about the experience. Individuals who wish to take advantage of this opportunity can do so by directly contacting their RA or Fellow to set up a time. 

In the event that a staff member is unavailable or the applicant believes there is a conflict of interest, they may reach out to hrljobs@udayton.edu to request that they be contacted by another staff member. If participating, it is recommended to complete this step prior to submitting the Employment Application (see Step 2). Nothing is needed to be submitted to document completion, as this option is solely for the benefit of the applicant.

If I wish to apply to be a Fellow but I am planning to graduate next December will I be eligible? 

Because of the relational aspect of the Fellow positions it is desired that all Fellows will commit to a full year of employment to minimize disruption to the community and provide consistency in communication. That said, those unable to commit to a full year of service may not be considered.

Can I be a Fellow as a graduate student?

Fellows are required to be Undergraduate students in their junior or senior year. The exceptions are Grads who are in a "Bachelors plus Masters" program at UD. Additionally, per the Graduate School, students may not work as both a paid Graduate Assistant and an Fellow as Graduate Assistantships require a PAF to be signed that limits additional employment to be under 38 hours a month, which the Fellow role exceeds. Traditional Grads can consider one of our Resident Coordinator positions which are only available to graduate students. For more information visit here.

What if I want to apply for the Fellow position but will not be in Dayton during the interview window?

As we recognize that studying abroad and co-ops/internships are a fantastic developmental opportunity for students that oftentimes take place during our recruitment time, the Department of Housing and Residence Life is committed to working with interested candidates to ensure that they can still participate in the process and be fully considered. If this applies to you, please contact us at 937-229-3519 and we will navigate the options available to you. Typically this entails either a phone interview and/or Skype session.

What if I am old enough to live in the Neighborhood as a non-traditional student, but have first-year or sophomore status? Can I apply to be a Fellow?

Contact us at hrljobs@udayton.edu to be directed to a staff member to discuss your particular situation. 

 Can a current commuter student apply for a Fellow position?

Yes! Because living on campus provides a unique experience and opportunity for student learning, commuter students will want to reflect upon and demonstrate ways in which they can bring their commuter experience to a residential position.

What is the dress code for interviews?

Individual Interviews are more formal in nature and therefore candidates are asked to arrive dressed in business casual or business professional attire (e.g. Slacks, dress pants, khakis, appropriate-length skirts or dresses, etc.). 

When will I find out if I get a position? 

All candidates will receive a decision on their MyHousing Portal in mid-February.

What if I apply for both positions?

While you must apply to both positions on Handshake, you need only complete each subsequent part of the processes once. If applying to both positions, you will only need to participate in one interview. Candidates may only receive one offer of employment.

As a Fellow, do I need roommates? 

Given the structure of the Student Neighborhood and the relational nature of the position, Neighborhood Fellows are required to live with no less than three (3) roommates.

 Are Fellows allowed to live in a Special Interest House?

Those hired into the Fellow position are permitted to participate in Special Interest Housing however the assignment of their house must be in the space identified for Fellows by Housing Assignments and cannot be moved to a non-staff space. Fellows are not permitted to live in a Greek house or other established Legacy House while serving in their role (e.g. MSC, athletics, Spectrum, Honors, etc.)

If I am married, or have family living with me, can I serve as a Fellow?

Because of the nature and options for on-campus housing, and the fact that these positions require live-in responsibilities, Family Housing is not available for individuals serving in these roles.

How much will I be paid as a Fellow?

For the current academic year, Fellows are compensated with an annual stipend of $2,296 (which is subject to change each year). In addition to this stipend, staff members receive their housing for free (with the exception of taxes in some cases and valued at $5,730) as well as a meal plan (valued at $1900 for Fellows). Stipends are paid over the course of the academic year in payments directly deposited into your personal bank account. The University pays on the 10th and 25th of the month unless that date is a weekend or holiday. 

What are the main differences between being an RA and Fellow?

The overall responsibilities of the RA and Fellow are very similar in that they serve as community-builders and resources for their residents. The main differences are that RAs are placed in traditional residence halls and apartments/suites whereas Fellows are specifically assigned to the Student Neighborhood. RAs have 30-50 residents whereas Fellows oversee “districts” within the Student Neighborhood including as many as 200 residents within that district.

Since this is a live-in position, am I able to be hired if I have housing accommodation needs?

Yes. In the event that you need a housing accommodation, required documentation and supporting medical documentation from a qualified professional must be sent to the Office of Learning Resources by January 15 for returning students and May 15 for new students. For assistance, please call (937) 229-2066 to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs with OLR Disability Staff.  If your request is received after March 1, options may be limited and based upon availability.

What if I want to take time off to go home for a holiday or “contract weekend?”

Because visibility and availability in your area is such an important part of your position there is a limitation to how frequently you may request to be away. That being said, we recognize that it is likewise important that you take time away to re-energize and encourage all staff to utilize one weekend away per month, excluding holidays and breaks. Staff members must clear any nights away from campus with their supervisor in advance.


In terms of “contract weekends,” staff members may anticipate being asked to work/be available on the following week(end)s and may not be permitted to spend time away from campus unless they have been approved by their supervisor:


When does the position start? When do we have to be back on campus for training? (Summer and Winter)

The position formally begins (in terms of being “hired” with Human Resources) for all staff members on August 1. All staff members are required to return back to campus two weeks prior to move-in weekend. Staff members are asked to return the Sunday before Undergraduate Leadership Institute (ULI) training begins. Staff members must negotiate with summer employment, co-ops/internships and study abroad experiences in order to ensure that they return on time for training as it is a critical time for the development of skills, understanding of position responsibilities and formation and strengthening of staff relationships.


If staff members are enrolled in credit-bearing classes during the 2 weeks of ULI, they must discuss this with their supervisor prior to ULI to determine whether or not it will be possible for them to miss training as a result or if they will need to step down from the position.


As for winter training (Rejuvenation), all staff are required to return to campus the Wednesday prior to the start of spring term. Training will take place Wednesday night, Thursday and Friday. Any conflicts with attending winter Rejuvenation must be discussed with your supervisor, in advance, in order to determine whether or not you may be excused.


For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, training dates are tentatively scheduled as follows:

What if I’m not able to attend part of training?

All of the training is a mandatory expectation for the RA and Fellow positions. Individuals who have conflicts which will prevent them from attending all of training may be asked to step down from their position, or negotiate a means for resolving the conflict of time. In some unique circumstances, exceptions can be made however all requests must be directed, in advance, to our Training Absence Inquiry form to be reviewed and either approved or denied.

How do I get a parking pass for my area?

When you return to campus in August (for ULI) the Department of Housing and Residence Life will provide you with the necessary information needed in order to request a parking pass. All staff members are responsible for the full cost of their parking pass; however, as staff members for HRL you may be eligible for a reserved parking pass located near your building/area.

What if my roommate is violating the student standards of behavior?

All residents (staff members included) are subject to the Student Standards of Behavior and will be held accountable to any behavior which violates those standards. If a violation of policy is observed by any staff member they should report this as trained by documenting the incident and communicating the matter to their supervisor. Additionally, to help prevent roommate conflicts, all staff and roommates who are assigned to live together are required to complete a Roommate Agreement and participate in a Community Living Agreement meeting with a Coordinator or Residence Coordinator at the start of the fall term.

Can I work another job, in addition to being a Fellow?

Because of the nature of the Fellow position and the high demands, particularly during the fall term, all staff members are required to formally request approval from their Community Coordinator prior to exploring additional employment opportunities. Regardless of approval, no staff member may work more than 10 hours in addition to their position. 

How do I sign up for the EDC 402 Class?

All RA and Fellow staff (unless enrolled as a Graduate Student) are required to register for the EDC 402 Methods Class for the first fall semester of their employment. If you were hired mid-year (i.e. any time after the fall enrollment period), you will be required to register and participate in the course the fall following your hire date. Look for the EDC 402 class in the course menu and add it to your course schedule. 


Classes will be offered on a variety of days and times (TBD) and will have a maximum capacity not to be exceeded. Classes will be filled on a first-come-first-serve basis so new staff should not delay registration once it opens, in order to ensure they are able to negotiate a schedule that can accommodate the course.

If enrolling in the EDC 402 course will put you over the 17 credit hour limit, you will need to contact your advisor and request that they assist you with filling out the registration form or providing the information to Flyer Student Services by email. Make sure they copy (cc:) hrljobs@udayton.edu

Want more information?

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