Orientation Leaders play a key role at Sacred Heart University. The position offers an opportunity for current full-time undergraduate students looking to be involved in a leadership role on campus.
An Orientation Leader (OL) supports new students during their transition to campus. The role involves welcoming students and their families on move-in day and serving as a student resource in the First-Year-Experience (FYE) required course.
Source: Daniel Passapera, Sacred Heart University
The applications to become an OL went live on Monday, Feb 16. Tori Vacca, associate director of first year programs, oversees the OL recruitment and application process. There are requirements outlined in the application such as GPA qualifications and letters of recommendation. Then candidates go through an interview process.
The same process occurs each year. Applications close on March 9 and selected students are on-campus in June training to be an OL. There is also virtual communication throughout the summer.
“I went into the experience looking at it from a work perspective, but I had so much more fun than I thought I would,” said senior and OL Zach Martin.
Students receive an email about becoming an OL, and the applications are available on Blackboard.
“I would say the biggest part of being an OL is you have to have a passion for Sacred Heart and you have to have a passion for assisting students,” said Vacca.
Martin says being an OL requires a large time commitment.
“The time commitment was around 17 days, pretty much all day, with a little break if we were lucky,” said Martin.
Junior James Grillo said the commitment is worthwhile.
“The time commitment is definitely significant, especially with summer training, but it’s 100% worth it,” said Grillo.
OLs also serve as FYE assistants. This class is held until mid-October, therefore students who are in this role cannot study abroad that fall semester.
The application requires one letter of recommendation from a Sacred Heart faculty or staff member.
“It should be someone that knows you well enough to speak to who you are as a Sacred Heart student,” said Vacca.
The orientation leaders create a sense of community among themselves, but also with the Office of First-Year-Programs.
“I really enjoyed becoming friends with my peers and I stay in touch with a lot of them today. I was also able to form connections with staff whom I would’ve never been able to if I hadn’t become an OL,” said Martin.
The Office of First-Year-Programs as well as the Student Life Office maintain close relationships with the OLs.
“We really do our best to bond the orientation leaders together,” said Vacca.
Grillo said his experience at orientation as an incoming freshmen played a large role in why he wanted to become an OL.
“My orientation leader was amazing and made my transition feel welcoming and less overwhelming,” said Grillo.
There are about 40 OLs each year and they live in the residence halls on campus during orientation.
“The main thing this experience taught me was to be comfortable in my own skin. I was exposed to such a different group of people than what I’m used to, and I felt at first I had to act a certain way, but this experience taught me to find contentment in being myself always,” said Martin.
