Become an Orientation Leader!

Do you want to welcome new students to campus? Do you want to become a better leader? Show off your love for Geneseo and apply to be an Orientation Leader! 

Information Sessions

TBD! Check back here for updates.

Applications available now! Apply today!

The Orientation Leader (OL) role is crucial in assisting new students in their transition to Geneseo. Often being one of the first connections a new student makes at Geneseo, Orientation Leaders positively impact the new student experience and represent the Geneseo community. Orientation Leaders are role models who also serve as peer mentors and sources of support and information. An Orientation Leader displays an energetic and positive attitude while facilitating large and small group discussions about campus life, academics, College resources and the community.

Responsibilities and Duties of Orientation Leaders

  • Serve as a positive role model for new students.
  • Facilitate and effectively lead discussion/team building activities with groups of new students.
  • Assist in the preparation and execution of Orientation/Weeks of Welcome/ Geneseo Late Knight activities and materials, including but not limited to, orientation prep, escorting students/families and guests around campus, participation in meals and evening activities, and other duties as assigned.
  • Hold office hours throughout the summer for new students to ask questions and connect with other students.
  • Serve as a peer mentor during the fall semester and attend events for new students.
  • Develop and execute programs tailored to new students.
  • Educate new students on academic opportunities and procedures.
  • Acquaint new student with campus services and building locations.
  • Encourage new students to fully participate in the Geneseo community.
  • Assist with directing students on campus and acclimating new students with the campus layout.
  • Maintain a professional and positive relationships with all Orientation staff members, including but not limited to SOCs, Professional Staff, Orientation Leaders, and other campus leaders.
  • Reports to the Student Orientation Coordinators and Student Life staff.

*In addition to the above responsibilities, several Orientation Leaders may be asked to serve as Teaching Assistants to the First-Year Seminar Class in Fall 2024.*

Timeline:

Spring

  • Attend training sessions at the end of the spring 2024 semester.

Pre-Orientation (Summer)

  • Attend virtual check-ins with professional staff and Student Orientation Coordinators from June to August 2024.
  • Attend virtual summer trainings.
  • Hold office hours biweekly with Orientation Leader buddy.
  • Connect with student groups.
  • Send emails to students on course work and important reminders.

Fall Orientation

  • Attend in person training sessions in August.
  • Serve as peer mentor for new students.
  • Facilitate small and large group discussions (in person and virtually) on campus life, academics, and the community.
  • Participate in all days and events of orientation
  • Assist with move-in procedures as needed.

Fall Semester

  • Serve as a peer mentor for new students.
  • Develop and execute monthly programs.
  • Schedule monthly check-ins with your orientation group.
  • Send weekly emails connecting students to new opportunities.
  • Attend monthly meetings with orientation staff.
  • *Optional: Serve as a teaching assistant for the First-Year Seminar in fall 2024.

January Orientation (if requested)

  • Attend training session in January
  • Serve as peer advisor for new students
  • Facilitate small and large group discussions (in person and virtually) on campus life, academics, and the community
  • Participate in all days and events of orientation

Qualifications and Skills

  • Exhibits a passion for Geneseo and making connections
  • Demonstrates a positive, adaptable, and professional work ethic
  • Has excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Campus or community involvement (i.e. service, extra-curricular activities, etc.)
  • Punctual, dependable and takes initiative
  • Mature, responsible, and display a willingness to assist students in transitioning to college
  • Team player
  • Flexibility and ability to think on your feet
  • Public speaking skills
  • Ability to promote sense of belonging
  • Ability to work with diverse students, parents, faculty, and staff
  • Present a positive and professional demeanor that favorably represents Geneseo and the Department of Student Life
  • Desire to be a leader and role-model, including on-campus, online and in the community
  • Ability to work in a fast-pace, high pressure environment
  • Most importantly, must love to work hard and have fun!

Eligibility Requirements

  • Orientation Leaders must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 throughout their employment term.
  • Orientation Leaders must be in good conduct standing and not have current conduct sanctions.
  • Campus leadership conflicts that preclude students from becoming an OL:
    • Resident Assistant - OLs may not serve as a resident assistant during their employment term due to training conflicts.

Benefits

  • Opportunity to develop leadership skills such as group facilitation, organization, public speaking, problem solving, and team building
  • Connections with faculty, staff, and peers that often lead to other opportunities on campus
  • Serve as a role model while assisting in the transition and retention of new students
  • Great resume builder
  • Develop great friendships
  • Participate in fun and engaging staff bonding
  • Early move-in for on-campus residential OLs
  • Certain meals during in person training and orientation sessions
  • Orientation Leader apparel

Time Commitment

Orientation leaders must attend various spring trainings in April, May, June and July. Specific dates to be determined. In August, OLs are expected to return to campus the week of August 12 for training. During Orientation, OLs are expected to be present at all Orientation and new student related activities.

Following Orientation, OLs will continue to foster connections with and among new students until December.

Compensation

$1000 with the possibility of additional compensation for involvement in January 2025 Orientation

Application

https://forms.gle/MRVvAAPwuMUrXPQaA

Interview Process

Once applications are reviewed, the Orientation Lead Team will reach out to schedule a 20 minute interview. 

The final step of the interview process will be group interviews, which will be conducted after spring break. The Orientation Lead Team will reach out with more information after your individual interview is conducted.

Contact Information

Department of Student Life & Orientation
Email: Orientation@Geneseo.edu
Phone: 585-245-5852

Orientation Professional Staff

Charles Matthews
Senior Director of Student Life
College Union 306
matthewsc@geneseo.edu
585-245-5926

Kristina Barsema
Associate Director of Student Life
College Union 305
barsema@geneseo.edu
585-245-5150

Cara Dolan
Coordinator of Student Life Programs and Orientation
College Union 304
cdolan@geneseo.edu 
585-245-6175

Student Orientation Coordinators

Shannon Ervay
orientation@geneseo.edu
585-245-5852

Naomi Tsang
orientation@geneseo.edu
585-245-5852

For questions and concerns, please contact the Orientation Leadership Team by email: Orientation@geneseo.edu