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Conveying the spirit and sense of community that is part of NKU's campus, Orientation Leaders: 

  • welcome new students and their guests/parents
  • assist the Orientation staff with programs
  • participate in information sessions
  • and facilitate small group discussions

The Center for Student Engagement & Orientation offers many opportunities for Student Leadership development. If you're an NKU student interested in getting involved with these programs, please call the office to let us know how you'd like to get involved and support the Orientation program!

RESPONSIBILITIES


What to expect:

  • Orientation Leaders (OLs)  are very much the "faces" of our university and are utilized in a variety of manners to convey the NKU experience.
  • OLs have fun, and in turn, they foster an environment that helps incoming students develop an identity as a member of the Norse community.
  • OLs will make telecounseling calls to incoming students to remind them of next steps, escort students and family members to different events/activities on campus, and assist in the preparation of Northern Exposure events.
  • OLs will be prompt and dutiful.
  • OLs will be respectful of each other, their supervisors, faculty & staff, new students and guests.
  • OLs will complete an eight week long leadership practicum 1-credit hour course, LDR 396, available to hired OLs (only) by permit, beginning January 2024.
  • OLs are encouraged to avoid additional employment, and/or classes, during the orientation season (May-August).
  • OLs will, most importantly, have the best summer of their lives ... to date.

 

REQUIREMENTS


To be an Orientation Leader, you must:

  • Currently be enrolled full-time as a undergraduate student at NKU.
  • Be enrolled at least through Fall 2024.
  • Have good academic standing (GPA of 2.5 or better) prior to applying AND at the end of the spring semester before the orientation season.
  • Be available for an eight week long, 1-credit hour leadership practicum, LDR 396 (course meeting times and included office hours) and ALL training and preparation for the Northern Exposure programs throughout the summer.
  • Earn a MINIMUM of a B- in the for-credit LDR 396 training course.
  • Maintain a positive attitude during LONG days and late nights.
  • Be an excellent team player.
  • Have appropriate levels of energy and enthusiasm.
  • Demonstrate excellent communication skills (you will be representing NKU).
  • Lead small groups and facilitate small group discussions.
  • Inhabit on-campus housing provided to you from May to August.
  • Be familiar with NKU's resources, services, and academic requirements.
  • Be mature and demonstrate independent judgment.
  • Maintain appropriate levels of personal hygiene and living-space cleanliness.
  • Keep an open mind.

COMPENSATION


2024 Orientation Leaders will receive a $1,500 stipend. In addition to the monetary compensation, OLs receive the following:

  • A discount at the NKU Barnes & Noble Bookstore that can be used on gear & books for the current orientation season and following fall semester
  • Paid on-campus housing from May through early August (special ‘move-in’ accommodations for those OL’s who live on campus during the school year)
  • Two dry-fit NKU polos to wear during the orientation programs
  • A personalized, NKU Orientation Leader Backpack.
  • Inclusion in various photo shoot opportunities used for NKU publications such as: Parent Calendar, Admissions View Book, NKU website, etc.

Perhaps the most important form of compensation is the joy and satisfaction you'll get from networking with your fellow OLs, supervisors, new students, parents, guests, faculty, staff and administrators.

 

How to Apply

THE 2024 ORIENTATION LEADER HIRING PROCESS IS NOW CLOSED.

 

Did you love your orientation process? Do you want to help incoming students learn the ropes and feel at home at NKU? The role you will play as an Orientation Leader at NKU is of the utmost importance. You could be the reason a student chooses NKU, joins a particular organization, declares a major and becomes a future Orientation Leader.

Hiring for the next team of Orientation Leaders (for summer 2025) will begin in the fall 2024 semester. For more information, please feel free to e-mail orientation@nku.edu or call the Office of Admissions at (859) 572-5220.