Last weekend, the Inter-Residence Council at N.C. State beat out 14 other schools across the state at the North Carolina Association of Residence Halls conference to become School of the Year. 

Conference organizers recognized the IRC for its programming initiatives, conference involvement and engagement with residents and leadership, according to Shreye Saxena, vice president of national communication coordination for the IRC.

The IRC also won awards for President of the Year and Student of the Year at the annual conference held at Appalachian State University. However Saxena said the biggest organizational award presented by the NCARH is the School of the Year Award.

“It is a very prestigious award,” Saxena said. “Out of all the schools that come together, the NCARH looks at the organization of student leadership and not necessarily just the IRC, but also the RAs, Hall Council and anyone affiliated with University Housing,” Saxena said.

Kurt Saenger-Heyl, the president of the IRC received the President of the Year award for his leadership, rebranding the proposals of the organization and his plans to increase the capacity of the IRC to become a residential resource.

 “He has a good leadership style and empowers people in the organization,” Saxena said.

Aaron Sugar, the vice president of hall council affairs in the IRC won the Student of the Year award for his academic achievement and long-lasting leadership with Housing, Saxena said.

The NCARH is composed of 14 affiliated schools in North Carolina. The NCARH holds an annual conference where delegates from the school assemble in order to discuss potential programs and network.

The delegation from N.C. State is comprised of Saxena and resident advisors Jesse Simmons, Sarah Bloomer, Anne Link, Shelby Anderson, Summer Higdon, Logan Perry, Robert Keefe, Chris Becker and Jared Bouchard.

Saxena said the conference organizers analyzed 75-80 resident hall programs, and N.C. State had two programs in the top eight. 

Simmons presented one of the top eight programs titled “Ugh, Get a Clue!” which examined the effects of technology and social media and relationships in college.

The other program, “What’s on America’s Playlist?” presented by Bouchard, assessed “classic” songs and how they impacted American society.

Saxena said Housing is not given enough credit for the various services and amenities it provides.

“I don’t think many people know how amazing the service is that the University provides,” Saxena said. “What the award really says is that N.C. State has the best campus life of any school in North Carolina and it’s something that people who live on campus should be aware of,” Saxena said.

Saxena said in preparation for the conference, the group prepared a banner representing the University and its affiliation with the state. That banner was acknowledged as the best banner at the conference.

“It’s an opportunity where you can explore your leadership style with the delegation,” Saxena said. “We had a very cool leadership style that attempted to unlock the mystery of leadership, and we were recognized for having the best banner.”