5 CEHS students selected as summer orientation leaders

13 Dec 2021    

Five College of Education and Human Sciences students will serve as orientation leaders for summer 2022. In these roles, which are among the most competitive and prestigious student leadership positions at the university, the students will help welcome more than 4,500 students and their family members to campus during the Office of New Student Enrollment’s flagship summer program.

Through orientation, students and their families learn about campus resources, expectations, requirements, norms, success strategies and more. Orientation leaders facilitate small-group interactive activities for students, provide a nontraditional campus tour for parents and guests, and assist with daily logistics such as parking and check-in. For the interactive activities and tour, the leaders develop and deliver their own content about navigating college life, succeeding academically and socially, and persevering through challenges.

“Orientation leaders are some of the most prominent and visible representatives of the university,” said Jenni Brost, director of New Student Enrollment. “They have to be able to share their personal stories in a way that is both honest and impactful, so every year we need to hire the best of the best.”

The students were selected through a rigorous application process that attracted many of the university’s top students. Candidates were evaluated based on their campus involvement, work experience, essay responses, professional references and performance during a three-hour, multi-part interview.

“We are so excited to have these students on the team for 2022,” Brost said. “They’re a well-rounded group, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll inspire students next summer.”

In total, 31 students were selected to serve as orientation leaders. The following is a list of the CEHS students selected for summer 2022, listed by hometown, with their year in school, and major(s).

Elkhorn:

• Sydney Spanel, sophomore, elementary education 

Lincoln:

• Carlos Ortega, sophomore, secondary education (social science)

Omaha:

• Paul Pechous, sophomore, special education (7-12)

Republican City:

• Abby Waldo, junior, secondary education (English) and journalism

Mission Viejo, California:

• Rachel Morros, sophomore, elementary education