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What is an Orientation Leader?

An Orientation Leader (OL) is an undergraduate student who plays an integral role in supporting new students and their families as they transition to campus, and in sharing what it means to be a Bobcat at ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ. During their time as an OL, they make friendships, network across campus, gain transferable skills, and get new students excited to begin their Forever at OHIO.

As part of their daily responsibilities, OLs guide program participants through orientation, facilitate small group sessions and icebreakers, assist faculty and staff who partner with our programs, and create an inclusive environment where learning and growth can occur. Additionally, OLs are assigned to work with at least two specific academic colleges and will assist students as they learn course registration processes and register for the first semester of courses.

A key part of the OL role is spotlighting our campus partners, advisors, and staff experts. OLs help students recognize these professionals as trusted resources and connect them directly to the people best equipped to answer their questions and support their success.

OLs also support family and guest program participants in a variety of ways including, but not limited to, serving on student panels, supporting Family Weekend events, and answering general questions about academic expectations in specific majors.

About the Office of New Student and Family Programs

The mission of the Office of New Student and Family Programs is to support incoming and current students, as well as their families and guests, through seamless orientation and transition processes that include intentionally designed programs, effective online resources, and consistent outreach. Our programs ensure all students belong to the OHIO community, succeed as new students, and own their unique experiences.

To accomplish this mission, we engage all units and staff across the university in collaborative partnerships and develop informed student leaders who value diversity and inclusion, embody OHIO spirit, and demonstrate a genuine passion for helping their fellow Bobcats with a service-oriented mindset.

Our vision is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students to thrive as we establish the foundation for the transformational OHIO experience focused on personalized success.

Our initiatives include in-person and virtual orientation programs for all new first-year and transfer students beginning at OHIO each semester. We also coordinate Relocate Advising Day for regional campus students moving to the Athens campus, College Credit Plus orientation, and family/guest programs for all orientations, Family Weekend Events, as well as co-coordinate the efforts of Welcome Week.

The Office of New Student and Family Programs welcomes approximately 5,200 new students and 6,800 family members and guests to the Athens campus of ÃÛèÖÊÓƵ each year through Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) programs.

Eligibility

Students must meet the following requirements to apply:

• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.2
• Good academic standing (must be maintained to continue employment)
• Enrolled on the Athens campus at the time of application OR Enrolled on a regional campus at the time of application with plans to relocate to Athens in the spring semester.
• Planning to enroll on the Athens campus in the spring and fall semesters of the upcoming year.
• Positive energy and enthusiasm for being an OHIO Bobcat (strongly encouraged)

Graduate students will not be considered for these positions, but can contact our office for other opportunities.

Hiring Process and Timeline

Step 1 - Complete the Online Application

Students must submit an online application to be considered for the Orientation Leader position. The application will be due by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2025.

When submitting the application, candidates should be prepared to answer the following questions:

• Why are you interested in becoming an Orientation Leader?
• Describe a time in which your presence had a positive impact on others or a situation. What was the context and what did you do? What was the result?
• What do you think are students' greatest needs when they are attending Bobcat Student Orientation? What types of support do incoming students need most?
• Tell us about a time something did not go the way you wanted it to. How did you respond, and how did you proceed?
• Is there anything else about you or your experience that you believe we should consider when making our hiring decisions?

We recommend drafting your application question responses on a separate document to avoid losing any of your responses.

Step 2 - Individual Interview

Select Candidates will receive an invitation to interview with the New Student and Family Programs office. Interviews will be held on November 3rd & 4th, and students will receive an invitation with their time slot if selected. 

Step 3 - Group Interview

On the same day as the individual interviews, candidates will also participate in a group interview process with New Student and Family Programs staff and other candidates. 

Step 4 - Notification and Acceptance

Initial offers of OL positions happen in November and candidates are given a specific time frame in which to formally accept the position before it is offered to other candidates in the applicant pool. Unfortunately, we may have great candidates who we are unable to offer a position to. However, some of those candidates may be offered a slot in our alternate pool and could be asked to join the team at a later date if a position opens up.

Expected Participation

Student staff are expected to participate in the following:

• One-Day Orientation Programs – January, May, July, and August
• UC 3690 Orientation Leader Course* – Spring Semester
• OL Training* – mid-May
• Fall Orientation Programs* – late May through mid-July
• College Credit Plus Orientation Programs – July/August
• Welcome Week (Events and Responsibilities Vary) – August/September

*Students must commit to attending and participating in the UC 3690 course and OL Training in mid-May. They must also be available to work a majority of orientation programs in the summer in late-May through mid-July. Participation in the other events and experiences listed above are dependent on course conflicts and other student leader training and responsibilities. Generally speaking, the roles and work times for all programs not starred in the list above can be discussed. Students who are potentially unavailable for a portion of the summer are still encouraged to apply and should discuss availability during the interview process.

New orientation leaders are typically not permitted to enroll in courses, on campus or online, or hold other employment during training and throughout the summer programs that end in mid-July. Between these dates, staff members are expected to focus on their roles with orientation. However, students who are planning to take a summer course are still encouraged to apply and should discuss planned summer course enrollment during the interview process.