Graduate Program
College Student Affairs
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
Spring 2025
Thesis Director
Jon K. Coleman
Thesis Committee Member
Dianne Timm
Thesis Committee Member
Jody E. Stone
Abstract
Graduate Assistants (GAs) face various demands such as conducting research, completing coursework, holding assistantships, and other personal responsibilities. GAs working in housing and residence life (HRL) departments face unique challenges, especially those who serve as crisis responders for students who live on-campus. This study examines the mental health challenges faced by graduate assistants in housing and residence life who live on-campus and serve in on-call roles at higher education institutions. It explores the effects of vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout, offering key findings, trends, and recommendations while sharing personal stories of GAs balancing on-call duties with graduate studies.
Recommended Citation
Peter, Dyjerlynn T., "I Can’t, I’m On-Call: The Psychological Effects of On-Call Duty on Graduate Assistants in Residence Life" (2025). Masters Theses. 5065.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/5065
Included in
Educational Administration and Supervision Commons, Higher Education Commons, Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons
