Orientation Leaders & FYE Assistants

An exciting leadership opportunity for those with both a passion for SHU and for becoming a resource for incoming students throughout their transition!

First-Year Programs will select a group of dedicated undergraduate leaders to assist with implementing the orientation program as well as the traditional transition events that take place throughout the summer and fall semester. Orientation leaders and First-Year Experience (FYE) assistants possess knowledge about Sacred Heart University acquired through training and experience and are skillful at sharing information with new students and their families. Becoming an orientation leader and FYE assistant is a unique honor and a rewarding opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Orientation leaders (OLs) and First-Year Experience assistants (FYE) are role models as well as sources of support and information for new first year and transfer students. They play a major role in facilitating the adjustment of new students and their families to the Sacred Heart University community. They share accurate information about academic and social resources while working collaboratively with faculty, professional staff and student staff from other areas on campus.

Position Description

Orientation Leaders and FYE Assistants:

• Familiarize new students with the campus environment and the services offered by on-campus resources by attending special programs and leading interactive events with new students during the orientation process
• Welcome and provide new students and their families with answers to questions about campus life or concerns regarding the transition they may be experiencing
• Foster a sense of belonging to the SHU community; promoting a positive attitude towards SHU and building new students confidence in their new role as a SHU student
• Motivate and encourage the participation among a diverse population of students, families, faculty and staff
• Teach new students about how Sacred Heart University works, and assist them in becoming involved in the academic and co-curricular life of the college
• Serve as role models and mentors for not only orientation and FYE students, but the SHU community as a whole

Qualifications

• Full-time undergraduate student for the 2025-2026 academic year
• May not be studying abroad in the fall 2025 semester
• Minimum 2.7 GPA fall ’24 & cumulative
• Must be available for all time commitments – outlined below
• Cannot have conflicts such as RSA, student union manager or other pre-fall events
• Must carry a sense of pride and enthusiasm towards Sacred Heart University
• Must be in good standing with the University Conduct Code
• Strong personal sense of responsibility and professionalism
• Must demonstrate proper time management skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Must be eager to improve leadership and teamwork skills
• Must have completed the Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training session hosted by Sacred Heart University prior to June training

Expectations

• Attend all training workshops, events, staff meetings or other meetings as assigned by student life and the orientation chairs
• Serve as an ambassador of Sacred Heart, providing a professional attitude with tactful responses
• Manage all personal public programs such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat or other online journals, instant messages and profiles, to adhere to the University’s mission statement
• As an official representative of Sacred Heart University, we request the removal of all references (including posts, photos, Snapchat and Snapchat stories, TikToks and memberships in groups) to excessive alcohol use, illegal drug use, offensive language or questionable behavior

Roles & Responsibilities

Orientation Leader

• Welcome new students and families upon their arrival to Sacred Heart University
• Prepare all signs, name tags, information packets, balloons, bags and other materials
• Serve as an information source to new students and families maintaining a positive attitude at all times
• Work together to ensure all aspects of Orientation, Welcome Days and First 50 Days are successful
• Role model appropriate personal behavior at all times
• Handle other projects as requested by the director of first-year programs, assistant director of first-year programs and the orientation leader chairs

Orientation

• Develop positive relationships and maintain open communication with a diverse group of students, families, faculty and staff before during and after orientation
• Assist with family orientation and serve as a family orientation leader
• Responsible for students in the orientation group during the New Student Orientation program, getting to know them and creating a safe and welcoming environment
• Facilitate group discussion and promote interaction between new students
• Give campus tours to new students and families

Welcome Week

• Return early to prepare for pre-fall move-in, pre-fall evening entertainment, Welcome Week/move-in and FYE assistant training
• Assist with the move-in process and staffing at Welcome Week/First 50 Days events and nighttime social activities

FYE Assistant

First-Year Experience (FYE) is a mandatory class for all first-year students that focuses on the transition of the student via developing one's resiliency and growth mindset while establishing a network of faculty, staff, students, and new friends. FYE assistants served as orientation leaders in the summer and continue to assist with the students’ transition to college as FYE assistants in the fall. FYE also focuses on identifying and developing interpersonal skills and relationships to help them navigate through college and life embracing challenges and setting goals.

As an FYE assistant you will:

• Work with first year students in the First-Year Experience class alongside a SHU staff member
  • Most classes are offered at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Wednesdays for the first nine weeks of the fall semester–please keep this in mind when registering for classes
• Introduce new students to all campus resources and be available to answer questions
• Facilitate conversations as well as activities in the classroom as well as sharing your experience as a SHU student
• Encourage involvement in all events and organizations and refrain from promoting individual clubs
• Be responsible for one-on-one meeting with all your students in the class and logging all updates in PioConnect within the first two weeks of the start of class
• Send weekly emails to your class with updates, due dates, events, reminders and other information every Monday
• Meet with your FYE instructor weekly before class
• Complete FYE assistant training
• Be responsible for attending and hosting the First 50 Days events/activities as well as the programmed FYE events focusing on transitioning to college and meeting new people during this timeframe

Orientation Leader Mandatory Dates*

*Tentative and subject to change. Application 2025 dates and timeline are forthcoming in the spring 2025 semester. 

Orientation Leader Recommendation

A total of two Orientation Leader recommendations must be submitted on behalf of each candidate. At least one recommendation form must be from a SHU faculty, staff or administrator.

Time Commitment 

Students selected will be required to forgo all other summer employment/participation in organizations and taking classes during training and Welcome Week.

You will be staying on-campus for the entire duration of training, orientations and Welcome Week. You will need to be available for the entire time period during Pre-Fall/Welcome Week in order to assist with prep, staff events and attend FYE Assistant Training. It is expected that you make a full commitment to being an orientation leader and will receive a detailed schedule including free time when you arrive to campus.

More Information

Applications are due no later than March 12, 2024.