As a Tuscaloosa native, Autumn Pernell arrived at the Capstone with a sense of familiarity— she’d grown up just minutes from campus, already knowing its streets and traditions. But one early choice, opting to live on campus, ended up shaping her college journey in ways she never expected. Now, as a senior, Autumn sees how what began as a step toward independence turned into something far more meaningful: a role that would challenge her, connect her to others, and leave a lasting impact on both herself and the students around her.
That journey started in Ridgecrest South, where Autumn experienced firsthand the importance of support and community during a student’s first year. Although she could have lived at home, Autumn felt she needed to live on campus.
“I thought that it would be important for me to get that experience of leaving the nest truly for the first time and getting to be on my own and still feeling like I could come back home at any point in time if I needed anything,” she said. “I think that was a really good decision on my part just for growth.”
While living in the residence hall, Autumn formed a close friendship with her resident advisor (RA), which gave her a deeper understanding of the role and its impact. She credits her RA with playing a crucial part in her smooth transition to college life.
“She made it so much easier for me, and I wanted to be in that position to help other incoming freshmen adjust to college a bit easier and so I applied to be a resident advisor and got the job,” she said.
For Autumn, the idea of becoming an RA hits close to home. Her father, a student at UA in the 1980s, often shared stories about his time as an RA in Paty Hall. He always talked about the leadership opportunities and the lasting friendships and lessons that came with the role.
“It’s an added bonus to be able to walk in the footsteps of my dad when he was a resident advisor and get to experience a lot of the same opportunities he did at UA,” she said.
Since her sophomore year, Autumn has served as an RA in Ridgecrest West, and it’s quickly become her second home. Autumn’s dedication to the role is evident not just in her enthusiasm but in the way she approaches the job— with heart, care, and connection. One of her core philosophies is that intentionality builds trust. Even something like remembering a resident’s name can make a difference.
“I think that those interactions are so important in terms of building that rapport with residents and making it so that they can feel comfortable coming to me with any issues or any questions that they may have,” she said. “Housing has really helped me to be intentional about making sure that people know much I care.”
Autumn found a strong sense of community while living on campus and loves seeing her residents experience the same. This year, for example, her floor bonded over a shared project— they all pitched in to buy a pet fish for the hall. But that sense of connection extends beyond just her residents. Autumn has also found a supportive, tight-knit family among her fellow RAs. One of her favorite memories came during her second year, when the Ridgecrest East and West RA teams went out for breakfast together during training.
“I just remember the distinct feeling of ‘it doesn’t feel like I’m surrounded by a bunch of co-workers right now. It feels like it’s just a big group of friends.’ That’s kind of a testament to the community that I’ve found with all the other resident advisors. We are really close.”
As Autumn prepares to graduate and pursue law school, she’s been reflecting on the legacy she wants to leave behind— not just in Housing, but at UA as a whole. She hopes her former residents carry forward not just memories of events or advice, but the knowledge that someone truly cared about their success and well-being.
“I want my residents and co-workers, everybody who I worked with to remember me for how intentional I am trying to be in terms of finding ways to serve, finding ways to support, rather than trying to find ways to make myself known,” she said.
In helping others feel at home, Autumn found a second home of her own. And just like her father before her, she’s leaving behind a legacy of connection, care, and community. One day, she’ll have stories of her own to share about late-night laughs, hallway traditions, and the quiet impact of showing up for others, just like the ones that first inspired her.