Orientation Staff: Orientation and New Student Programs

Meet Our Orientation Staff

Orientation Leaders and Welcome Week Coordinators are current Hofstra students who help plan and implement the Summer Orientation and Welcome Week programs. These students are responsible for helping incoming students with the transition to academic and cocurricular life on campus. During Summer Orientation, Orientation Staff stay in the same residence halls as first-year students and lead them to sessions and give their perspective of college life. The positions are among the most sought-after leadership positions on campus. We hope that you seek out our student leaders as a resource during your time at New Student Orientation, Welcome Week, and beyond.

Join the 2025 Orientation Staff

Interested in joining our staff? You must first attend ONE of the following information sessions in order to receive an application.

Wednesday, February 5, 2025	1:00 pm to 2:00 pm	141 Student Center
Friday, February 7, 2025	1:30 – 2:30 pm	141 Student Center
Monday, February 10, 2025	1:00 pm – 2:00 pm	141 Student Center
Monday, February 10, 2025	6:00 pm – 7:00 pm	141 Student Center
Wednesday, February 12, 2025	1:00 pm – 2:00 pm	141 Student Center
Wednesday, February 12, 2025	6:00 pm – 7:00 pm	141 Student Center
Friday, February 14, 2025	1:30 pm – 2:30 pm	141 Student Center

All interested applicants MUST attend one information session before they can apply. Info session dates will be posted here in late December 2024.

Application

Those who attended one of the Orientation Staff Info Sessions will be emailed the application link to their Pride email. The online application will include questions regarding your major, year, involvement, experiences at Hofstra, etc.

Eligibility

An applicant for the 2025 Orientation Staff must:

Be enrolled full-time at Hofstra University as an undergraduate student currently for the Spring 2025 semester and for the Fall 2025 semester.
Be in good academic and judicial standing.
Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 at time of application and throughout the entire term of employment.
Be eligible to work in the United States with the requisite documentation.

Benefits

Develop skills in leadership, public speaking, problem-solving, team building, and crisis management.
Stipend, on-campus housing, and meal card throughout the summer.
Great resume builder and opportunity for future leadership positions.
Hofstra swag (polo, shirt, name tag, backpack, etc.)

Recruitment, Application, and Interview Frequent Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are the Orientation Staff Info Sessions mandatory?: Yes, every candidate is required to attend an Orientation Staff Info Session in order for their application to be considered. These one-hour sessions will provide you with important details on what each Orientation Staff role (Orientation Leader, Welcome Week Coordinator) entails, expectations for each position, what the typical “day in the life” of each role looks like, the application process, and what to consider before applying.
What if I have a class conflict with all the Info Session times?: We have six sessions planned at various times so that you can attend.
What do I do as an Orientation Staff member?: We have two roles: Orientation Leader and Welcome Week Coordinator. Both positions provide new students and their families with a seamless transition to Hofstra University. Because each position is different in nature, we suggest you attend one of the Orientation Staff Info Sessions to get more information.
Where can I access the Orientation Staff application?: Once you attend an Orientation Staff Info Session, you will be sent the application link to your Hofstra Pride email.
Do I have to be involved on campus to apply to be on the Orientation Staff?: No, but it does help! We are looking for all types of students, personalities, and experiences. This is a leadership position designed intentionally to help you learn, grow, and develop new skills.
I graduate in a year. Can I still apply?: In order to be eligible for an Orientation Staff position, you must be a full-time undergraduate Hofstra student through Fall 2025.
When is the application due?: The 2025 Orientation Staff application is due on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.
Do I have to bring a hard copy of the application to the office?: No, the application is all online. To access the application, make sure to attend one of the Orientation Staff Info Sessions.
Do I need reference letters?: No. You do not need physical letters, but you will need to provide two references on your online application (i.e., name, title, email address). A reference could include, but is not limited to, a current or past professor, a faculty member, a current or past supervisor or advisor, etc. References should NOT be a current or past Orientation staff member, a peer, or a friend/family member.
Do I need to submit a resume?: Yes, you will need to submit a resume through the application link in PDF format.
Once I apply, am I automatically granted a group interview time slot?: No. Orientation and New Student Programs will begin reviewing applications on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. If you are invited to the group interviews, you will receive an email asking you to sign up for a group interview.
What should I wear to the group interview?: The attire for the group interviews is business casual. We suggest wearing an outfit that is comfortable to you, yet professional.
What should I wear to the individual interview?: The individual interview is more formal than the group interview. We suggest wearing an outfit that is professional and appropriate for an interview setting.
What if I can’t attend the group interviews or the individual interviews?: Each stage of the application process is required. We will handle those who cannot attend group interviews on a case-by-case basis.
What happens if I don’t sign up for an interview on time?: We will contact you before the deadline as a reminder to sign up for a group/individual Interview time slot, but if you do not select a time slot, we will assume that you do not wish to continue in the application process. It is your responsibility as the candidate to follow through on this portion of the application process.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the application or any of the Orientation Staff positions?: Please contact Stan Cherian (orientation@hofstra.edu), the director for Orientation and New Student Programs, with any questions regarding the Orientation Staff application and hiring process.

Graduate Assistantship – Spring 2025

Hofstra University – Graduate Assistantship Spring 2025
Dates Required: January 13, 2025 - May 17, 2025

The Graduate Assistant in the Orientation and New Student Programs office will gain experience and training by undertaking responsibilities in the following areas:

Support with planning and promoting weekend and evening events.
Assist with the assessment of weekend programs including, but not limited to, Explore Next Door (END) trips.
Aid with creating and editing content for various communication channels including, but not limited to, “This Week at Hofstra”, HOFCASTS and social media accounts.
Help facilitate New Student Orientation as well as with the recruitment and onboarding of orientation staff.
Act as an ONSP representative at sponsored events during the week and weekends (ie: Welcome Week, Music Fest, Fall Festival, Winter Orientation, END Trips, Music Fest and Office of Admissions events).
Partner with the Assistant Director for Orientation and New Student Programs on the planning and implementation of new student and class programming throughout the academic year.

Qualifications and Experience:

Must be a Hofstra matriculated, full-time graduate student by start date.
Must be available 25 hours per week and have evening and weekend availability.
Possess working knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite.
Possess strong written and oral communication skills.
Must be detailed oriented, creative, and organized.
Demonstrated effective skills working independently and as a member of a team.
Creative skills and knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and social media platforms preferred.

Salary:

$1,000 stipend and graduate tuition waiver up to 6 credits per semester (subject to reappointment each semester)

Application

Submit your application using this form - https://forms.gle/Nbhm3ux52jJEBp8AA