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It was the best summer of my entire life."
"I met some of my best friends this summer."

"We were able to travel to Dallas TX, Seattle WA, Chicago, and San Diego CA because of Orientation."

"I learned so much about myself."

"I really feel part of ESU now."

"Many faculty and administration members know us on a first-name basis since we’ve become OLs."

What do Orientation Leaders (OLs) do?

OLs welcome and provide incoming students and parents with information about ESU policies, programs, and services during summer Orientation sessions over not more than four weeks during June and July. OLs assist in providing new students and parents with a smooth transition to ESU. Orientation Leaders also assist students during their first semester at ESU.

Summer responsibilities include, but are not limited to: facilitating small and large group meetings and discussions, informally communicating with new students and parents about ESU, providing directions to visiting guests and leading campus tours, performing skits about contemporary university student issues, assisting in the facilitation of Recreation Center activities in the evenings, and assisting professional staff, faculty and adminisration in the execution of Orientation programs.

Valuable training is held in throughout the spring semester, prior to summer Orientation, and prior to fall Move-In Weekend. In addition, OLs have benefitted from conference participation through the National Orientation Directors Association conferences in locations such as San Diego CA, Tampa FL, Boston MA and Chicago IL.

OL Mentoring for New Students
OL Mentors aid new students as they begin the academic year at the University. OL Mentors work to enable new students to:

• Understand and meet the academic responsibilities associated with university-level classes
• Access University resources
• Wisely manage their time at the University level
• Become involved in productive co-curricular opportunities
• Build positive relationships with peers, faculty, staff, and the community beyond the University
• Discover the unique possibilities afforded them as members of the University community.

Academic Convocation Leaders
OLs are leadership staff members for Academic Convocation, the formal opening of the academic year for new students at ESU. OLs serve as guides for faculty and administrative stage party members prior to the ceremony, usher guests, distribute programs, provide assistance to technical staff when needed, and offer instructions to the audience. Numerous selected OLs have been speakers and soloists for the program. Academic Convocation introduces new students to:

• The dignity of University ceremonies
• The structure of the University and the individuals who serve in its leadership positions
• Academic regalia and their meanings
• The ESU Promise: A Commitment to Civility
• The ESU Alma Mater
• Distinguished Faculty Awardees

The Chair of the University Council of Trustees, the University President, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the President of the Faculty Association, the President of Student Senate, and an invited guest speaker who is typically a recent graduate or current student, all provide remarks about University opportunities, roles, responsibilities and expectations.

OL BALANCE Workshop Leadership:
BALANCE: Being an Active Learner Among New Collegiate Experiences

OLs provide assistance in facilitating BALANCE workshops throughout the fall and spring semesters. BALANCE is a weekly series of workshops that provides new students with strategies to successfully balance the multitude of components associated with university life. Workshop topics include, but are not limited to:

• Developing research and writing skills
• Successfully interacting with professors
• Managing time and stress
• Effectively taking notes and tests
• Strategies for retention of textbook material
• Budgeting and wise use of credit
• Techniques for choosing a major
• Developing healthy academic, personal, interpersonal, and social lifestyles

The University's BALANCE program has been nationally recognized for the past three years as a "Best College Character Program" for first-year students by the Journal of College and Character.

Volunteerism
Orientation Leaders are asked to volunteer for a variety of campus endeavors, for example: assisting at ESU Open Houses, helping the Orientation and New Student Programs Office with special projects, and participating in focus groups to obtain student viewpoints on campus issues.

If you would like the opportunity to lead, serve, learn and grow, this may be the job for you!