ABOUT US
The Illinois Residence Hall Association(IRHA) was founded in 1977 to provide leadership development and cooperation between institutions of higher education in Illinois. IRHA brings student leaders who work within residence hall environments across the state together every year to showcase programing focused on leadership, diversity, and personal development. In addition to programming IRHA provides a space for networking between institutions, and recognizing the successes of affiliate institutions. All of these things take place at an annual conference which is local, cost effective, and high quality. In addition to the annual leadership conference, IRHA provides resources year-round for member institutions. IRHA serves Residence Hall Associations and National Residence Hall Honorary Chapters of large and small institutions.
A Message from the President
Hello IRHA!
My name is Tea Wheat and I have the privilege to be your president for the IRHA 2020-2021 academic year!
A little about me, I am a Senior majoring in General Studies and minoring in Educational Studies and leadership. After my graduation this May of 2021, I plan to attend graduate school to obtain a Master's in Student Affairs in Higher Education. I have attended several leadership conferences both state-wide, regionally, and nationally. I was an IRHA delegate my second year in college and I feel like I have grown so much as a person from my involvement in IRHA and other leadership conferences. These conferences have been extremely influential in not only my journey as a student leader, but also as an individual.
Due to the passion that IRHA instilled in me, I became a member on the IRHA Executive Board the year ater my first IRHA conference as the Coordinator of Information and Technology Services. From there, my passion for IRHA only grew. I was inspired to bring IRHA 2020 to my home institution of Western Illinois University, and am happy to have served as Co-Chair for the IRHA 2020 conference this past year.
As president this year, I have several goals in an attempt to maintain the same inspiring and growth-conducting environment that I have experienced, for others. One of my main hopes is to increase interest in our conferences and the IRHA board, to continue the growth and state-wide impact of IRHA as a whole. The board and I have been working to introduce new content and concepts that will, hopefully, sustain the IRHA experience and allow for others to enjoy IRHA as much as we do.
We are also very excited to be working with Northern Illinois University as they plan the next annual conference. They have worked tirelessly to organize IRHA 2021 to be a place where people can cultivate leadership and communication skills, as well as meaningful connections. While this year may not look the same due to COVID-19, we are looking forward to a wonderful virtual conference experience where we can continue on the IRHA Luv.
Please feel free to reach out to anyone on the board with any questions that may arise. We are here to support not only IRHA as an organization, but every individual that IRHA represents.
IRHA Luv,
Tea Wheat
Current IRHA Board
Tea Wheat
IRHA President
Institution: Western Illinois University
Fun Fact:
Amanda Wright
IRHA Vice President
Institution: Eastern Illinois University
Fun Fact:
Kaylyn Walsh
IRHA Secretary
Institution: North Central College
Fun Fact:
Tea Wheat
IRHA President
Institution: Western Illinois University
Amanda Wright
IRHA Vice President
Institution: Eastern Illinois University
Kaylyn Walsh
IRHA Secretary
Institution: North Central College
Marianna Carr
IRHA 2021 Conference Chair
Institution: Northern Illinois University
Greta Dieter
IRHA Advisor
Institution: Eastern Illinois University
Chris Smith
IRHA Advisor
Institution: Aurora University