By Elena Rowe\/\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Preparations for orientation for the fall semester have already started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With Sarah Tansits, interim director of Student Engagement and Orientation, in charge of orientation for the fall, the role of orientation assistants (OAs) has changed a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Previously, OAs would serve as leaders for the new first-year students, leading discussions, activities and programs over four days during the week before the semester began. Now, the orientation assistants roles have changed to an orientation peer mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the job description that was emailed to students on March 8, an orientation peer mentor is an undergraduate student who leads and mentors a group of approximately 15-25 first-year or transfer students throughout orientation and their first academic year at Hood College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tansits says that this will be a great opportunity for students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOrientation isn\u2019t just for four days; it\u2019s a gradual process that lasts throughout the first year,\u201d Tansits said. \u201cResearch has shown that when students have a peer mentor or year-long orientation guide, the new students feel more connected to the school, more connected to their peers and retention rates increase.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to the four orientation days in August, peer mentors will be required to participate in peer mentoring training once a week in April, May and August 12-18. Mentors will also be required to contact assigned mentees over the summer prior to the fall orientation, providing guidance and support through email, Zoom, phone conversations and social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI hope students gain leadership skills, transferable skills, build relationships and lifelong friendships,\u201d Tansits said. \u201cThis is an important role for students to fulfill because without them, there wouldn\u2019t be a successful orientation. Bringing first year and transfer students and fully orienting them on campus needs a team and needs student leaders. Peer mentors will guide these new students through their first year at Hood College.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tansits is excited to welcome new students in the fall and see how the orientation team grows in leadership skills and styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to working with their assigned mentees throughout the school year, peer mentors can expect to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The interviews will take place April 7- April 12. If you have any questions, contact Sarah Tansits at\u00a0tansits@hood.edu<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"