Freshman orientation leaders offer a glimpse into the hard work and passion behind summer orientation
Every summer, hundreds of new students arrive on campus for freshman orientation where they register for classes, explore student resources and tour campus.
Orientation is an exciting first step into life as a Bronco, and none of it would be possible without the passionate, dedicated and always-smiling orientation leaders whose energy sets the tone for the new students’ college experience.
Freshman orientation leaders are some of the first faces incoming freshmen see at Boise State, and they take the responsibility very seriously. Offering a warm welcome to everyone and making incoming students feel at home is their top priority.
“I feel like a guide, in a sense,” said Jocelyn Anguiano, orientation leader and Elementary Education major. “Being able to be a friendly face, talking to students who may be nervous and making a difference for them is really awesome.”
Anguiano and the rest of the team show up early in the morning to prepare for each day of orientation, often arriving on campus by 6 a.m. to discuss their responsibilities and begin setting up.
“They are long days, I’m not going to lie,” Anguiano said.
Orientation leaders have many different responsibilities throughout the day, including set-up, preparing students for advising and leading small groups in activities and discussions.
Anguiano leads breakout sessions about life in Boise, talking to students about fun things to do, see and eat in the city. Other orientation leaders share advice about various other Boise State related topics, such as campus recreation and Greek life.
Students learn and connect throughout the day, and orientation leaders keep their high energy and infectiously positive attitudes throughout it all, some staying on campus as late as 10 p.m.
It’s demanding work, but they never seem to lose enthusiasm for what they’re doing. Anguiano notes that having strong connections with the other leaders drives that passion.
“My favorite part [of the experience] is how close you get to the other orientation leaders,” Anguiano said. “It’s insane how close you get so fast. It’s been awesome to have a team where I can connect with literally everybody.”
The camaraderie amongst the leaders makes the job fun, but it all ties back to making a difference for students.
“Being able to make any kind of impact is so rewarding for me,” Anguiano said. “It makes the hard work worth it.”
The orientation leaders’ impact is felt and appreciated most by the students who come into orientation nervous about beginning college.
“There were a lot of things I was stressed about that I’m not too stressed about anymore,” said Kyli Becker, an incoming freshman planning to major in Health Sciences. “I got a lot of questions answered and a lot of stuff figured out.”
The orientation team truly cares for the students they help, and for some of them, their passion comes from their own experiences.
“I want to ease a lot of their anxieties,” said Annapurna Gerber, orientation coordinator and Interdisciplinary Studies major. “When I came in, I was so scared about orientation. I was so scared I wasn’t gonna meet people. Now I can genuinely make a difference in making sure they don’t feel scared with their classes and that they make friends.”
Gerber encourages students to step outside of their comfort zone during their time at Boise State.
“Put yourself out there and make yourself really uncomfortable, because trying new things is not going to be comfortable,” Gerber said. “If you do that, you will meet people who will change your experience at Boise State.”
Orientation may only be a day or two for the freshmen who attend, but the impact of their orientation leaders lasts much longer. Their enthusiasm sets a positive tone for new students’ college experience and serves as a reminder that no matter what challenges they face, they are welcome here.
