This study examined how six White resident assistants experienced cross-racial interactions within their role at a primarily White institution in the Northeastern United States. Each participant was either currently a resident assistant or had been in the past six months. The study applied interpretative phenomenological analysis to understand how participants made sense of cross-racial interactions, and data were analyzed through the lens of identity negotiation theory. Results from the study indicate that White resident assistants make sense of their cross-racial interactions through a lens that reinforces a nonracist self-identity. These results are consistent with prior research findings that White people distance themselves from what they perceive as racist behavior in order to show that their own experiences or perspectives are not racist. Findings from the study were also aligned with prior findings that resident assistants' identities shift to achieve a successful outcome, measured by emotional affirmation. However, this study also shows that White people's comfort with interacting across race was superficial and often reflected a desire to be seen in a positive way rather than being reflective of their experience. Another finding from this study is how White participants utilize their identity as a resident assistant to position themselves in a sympathetic position being stereotyped as authoritarian. This pattern of results suggests that the opportunity for critical reflection on cross-racial interactions challenges participants' self-perceptions and leads to more accurate reflections of self. Implications for practice and future research are addressed. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]