DeKALB – NIU’s Orientation and First Year Programs is currently looking for applicants to be orientation leaders for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The purpose of the Orientation program is to make new students feel welcome on campus.

Scott Johansen, program assistant for Student Training and Development, explained what the main goals of orientation programs are.

“I would say the main goal and kind of focus of orientation programs is getting students acclimated and connected with NIU campus, and kind of ,building that foundation of we know that it’s a very challenging transition for some students, and can be really daunting if you come to NIU and you come and you’re like, I have no clue who anyone is or what any of the resources are,” Johansen said.

In order for orientations to run smoothly, the Orientation program hires orientation leaders to run the different orientation sessions. There are three different orientation sessions offered. New students have the option of attending orientation in-person or virtually, and sessions for transfer students are also available.

Johansen explained what orientation leaders do and how they help students feel welcome.

“We typically hire a team between nine and 15, kind of depends based off of the year, and their role kind of looks different based off of kind of the three main categories of orientation. But the main gist and responsibility of orientation leaders is to connect with first-year students. So kind of being that peer connection during the programs, of being able to share their story as a Huskie to help ease the transition for new students,” Johansen said.

Orientation leaders go through training to help out new students and make them feel welcome.

“Leadership isn’t a title, it’s an action. So throughout training, we kind of help teach our orientation leaders how to be leaders to new students and kind of be a role model, so that as long as anyone is open to learning new things, then I think becoming an orientation leader is a good step,” Johansen said.

Johansen explained the different ways students can apply to be an orientation leader if they are interested.

“There’s two main ways that students can go about or signing up to be an orientation leader. Through our application, you can either find it on Huskies Get Hired, and our job is posted there. I believe it’s listed as 2025 orientation leader as a search option, as well as on our website of NIU orientation and first year programs. There’s a ‘join our team’ page and on there is information about orientation leaders. So it has a very brief overview of what an orientation leader is, as well as ways to get connected with us further with info sessions and the link to apply,” Johansen said.

Applications close on Nov. 13 at 11:59 p.m.

Students of any major and background can apply but must have a cumulative 2.5 grade point average and cannot graduate before the start of summer.

Johansen gave some advice for students who may be interested in applying to be an orientation leader.

“Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. When speaking from my previous experience, I was also an orientation leader at my undergrad institution, and I did it my sophomore year, but it opened the door to many opportunities at my university, of kind of, once I became an orientation leader, that I really built up my own self-esteem and self-advocacy, of realizing my potential as a leader and kind of being able to build those skills too,” Johansen said.

The Orientation and First Year Programs office is located in Williston Hall Room 334. For more information about orientation, students can visit the orientation website.