Residence Life Resource Officer Program
Building trust, one conversation at a time.
Virginia Tech's residence life resource officers work with students where they live, learn and connect. Through mentoring, safety education, hands-on training, office hours and campus programs, the officers help students get to know the Virginia Tech Police Department as a resource before they ever need one.
Virginia Tech's Residence Life Resource Officer Program brings police officers into the residential community to build connections with students before they ever need help in a difficult situation.
Residence life resource officers work closely with Residential Well-being and other university partners. They spend time in residence halls and residential areas, provide educational programs, mentor students, participate in campus events and create informal opportunities for students to ask questions and get to know the officers who serve their community.
Meet the residence hall resource officers
Each officer brings a different personality and perspective to the program, but they share the same commitment to being accessible, helpful, and connected to Virginia Tech students.
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15 years of impact
Since 2011, the program has connected thousands of students with Virginia Tech police officers through education, outreach and meaningful conversations.
Participation figures reflect reported totals through November 2026. Annual outreach figures represent typical program activity.
Programs and training
From hands-on training to conversations about safety and law enforcement, residence life resource officers offer programs designed to give students practical skills, useful information and opportunities to get to know the officers who serve their community.
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Service beyond the residence halls
Since 2011, residence life resource officers have also been involved in activities and fundraising efforts benefiting Special Olympics Virginia, including the New River Valley Polar Plunge, Virginia Tech Police Department Hot Dog Sale, basketball tournaments at Cassell Coliseum, Little Feet Meets, Big Feet Meets and the Roanoke Airport Plane Pull. Cpl. John Tarter has been especially involved in helping organize several of the department's annual Special Olympics Virginia fundraising efforts.
Building connections through the years
Ways to connect
Not every interaction needs a classroom or formal presentation. Some of the best opportunities to meet the RLROs happen during everyday campus activities.
Office hours
Stop by the RLRO office in the main lobby of Pritchard Hall on Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Ask a question, learn about programs, talk about a concern or simply spend some time getting to know the officers.
Cheesy Nights
During finals, RLROs join University Libraries to make and serve grilled cheese sandwiches during Cheesy Nights, giving students a chance to grab some food, take a study break and talk with the officers.