Helping others feel at home in residence
As an East Village resident advisor and first-year Human Resources Management student, Yasaman Attari is known for going above and beyond.
Named the winner of December’s Peer Mentor of the Month award, Attari was nominated for establishing meaningful relationships, demonstrating preparedness and staying informed. Her creativity and care also shine through her communications, event calendars and bulletin boards.
“Recognition is always nice, so I was excited to see that email. It made me emotional, too, because Rayan Kanaan took the time to nominate me before moving on to a new role at UBC. It wasn’t guaranteed that I would be selected, but taking that extra step before she exited is very touching,” Attari said.
Attari is set to graduate in 2028.
“Yasaman’s win is certainly well-deserved,” Kanaan said. “She exceeded expectations in every way through programming, events, connections and interactions. She approached her work with thoughtfulness, innovation, positivity and attention to detail.”
Kanaan said that Attari felt at home as a mentor, always willing to lend a helping hand.
“She was eager to improve herself, seeking honest feedback from her peers and supervisors to expand how she supported others and improve overall productivity in her role. Yasaman positively contributes to every space she enters, and I am proud to have witnessed and supported her growth”.
A proud and resourceful big sister, Attari said that supporting her younger brother meant listening, helping and problem-solving, which prepared her for this role. “I saw all my students as family members, and I’m there to care for them as I would a sibling.”
Change or connection can require multiple attempts.
“In RA training, we’re encouraged to contact a student three times, but I’ve learned that it’s the fourth or even the fifth time that’s the charm. If, in the end, a student chooses not to engage, that’s OK, as long as they know support is available and can access it if needed,” she said.
“I want them to know that we never gave up on them. There are a lot of students walking through the halls who don’t feel seen, and for someone to ask, ‘Hey, how are you?’ has the power to change lives.”
If someone does reach out, Attari said, you can ask questions or provide prompts at first, but when they talk, you need to listen. “You need the whole story, which means making space for them to talk; you can’t jump to conclusions or cut them off to give advice out of context.”
Bonding is a process: Attari’s guide to making meaningful connections
- Start with an introduction; share a little bit about your story
- Follow with an invitation; provide a summary of what the event is going to look like
- Learn about goals through questions and observations, and alert them to opportunities related to their theatrical, creative and athletic interests
- Advertise through word of mouth, then posters, and finally social media
- Post a story at the beginning of the event to reach students nearby who could show up quickly
- Understand institutional service offerings to customize resource referral
- Acknowledge someone’s courage and bravery — showing up can be hard
- Wrap up with a little quiz. Make sure they remember your email or know where to find you. (But send them an email first to make sure they feel connected.)
- Follow up and welcome feedback
RAs help students adjust to campus life, promote academic or personal supports, plan events, and promote a sense of community.
“I’ve known students who weren’t comfortable talking at first. So, I’d say, ‘You don’t have to talk right now, or I can send you an email with my schedule, and you can get back to me via email, or you can pop by and chat whenever you want,” Attari said.
“It’s about providing alternatives and not forcing them to talk at that moment. These conversations don’t have to be formal, and can happen anywhere, anytime – in the hallway, on the elevator or if they see me in the residence.”
Celebrating successes, tackling challenges
Over time, Attari has noticed that when a student has an issue, they’ll often leave a message for her at the front desk. She said that common challenges revolve around balancing work, classes, assignments and social commitments.
“I remind them that everyone is going through something, share a bit of my personal experience and offer suggestions.”
As daily life becomes increasingly expensive, divisive and stressful, Attari notices that students are happier and more hopeful when they feel invested in their majors, have a passion for learning, or are part of a club, a peer mentor group, WorkStudy or co-op.
“The ones who are just trying to graduate, it’s a bit tougher to see hope in them.”
Attari noted that seeing someone open up, attend events, accept opportunities and make connections with other residents always feels like a win.
“Students grow in confidence because of the people who have helped them see themselves. It opens their world in so many ways, and it’s a gift when you can sit back and enjoy their success.”
Connection is critical to student life
When Attari arrived in Kamloops from Iran in 2023, she felt lonely without a sense of community.
“I didn’t have any friends or family nearby. I have cousins, but they live in Toronto, not around the corner. I was looking for ways to make friends, so I joined and attended a few events at East Village. I won a mug as a prize, and that mug is my favourite — I use it all the time, and want other students to find joy in winning a souvenir,” she laughed.
As a self-described introvert, Attari worried she couldn’t handle the social aspects of the role.
“My RA encouraged me to apply anyway, and I’m just so happy I did,” she said. “Any first- and second-year students who typically aren’t eligible for those TA positions should apply. To be a resident advisor, all you need is to be passionate and open to living in residence. I really liked the whole community there, which is why I chose it as my home. I’d live there even if I weren’t an RA.”
Martina Garrido, Community Advisor, said, “Yasaman leads by example, demonstrating responsibility, professionalism and genuine care for her residents. She ensures that every student feels seen, supported and comfortable.”
“This role has changed my personality for the better,” said Attari.
“I’m more outgoing, and conversations flow more organically, which has helped me in relationships with my classmates, my colleagues, and myself. I feel better equipped to put my ideas into action. I wasn’t confident in design, technology, or content creation, even though I’m Gen Z. RAs receive extensive training in event planning, emergency management and conflict resolution, which has allowed me to grow.”
Bulletin boards are updated monthly to provide timely information and promotions.
In team meetings, Attari said that RAs are encouraged and supported.
“We’re not expected to be Picasso; we just need to try our best, which is empowering and appreciated. Now, with events, the idea is mine, the organization is mine, and my community advisor is there to provide me with all the supplies and support I need to make it happen. I have that power because I have a vision, which is really the first step.”
“I am continually impressed by Yasaman’s leadership and dedication,” Garrido concluded. “She is welcoming and engaging, and everything she does reflects her understanding of the residents’ needs and interests. We are truly happy to have such a kind, driven, and resilient member on our team.”
The TRU Peer Leader of the Month Award recognizes one or two Peer Leader(s) per month from September to April of each academic year for contributions they have made to their mentees, peer leader group, the TRU community, and/or the broader Kamloops community. This award recognizes the diverse contributions made by peer leaders and rewards students who exemplify attributes such as passion, leadership, resilience, excellence, creativity, and empathy.