Eight students with majors in the College of Arts and Sciences are among thirty-two students who will serve as orientation leaders for summer 2023. In these roles, which are among the most competitive and prestigious student leadership positions at the university, the students will help welcome more than 4,500 students and their family members.
- Crystal Carrillo, Schuyler, Nebraska | Spanish (pre-health)
- Grace Charlesworth, Papillion, Nebraska | psychology
- Preston Kotik, Hooper, Nebraska | biochemistry and political science
- Loui Mercadante, Georgetown, Texas | meteorology/climatology and mathematics
- Emmerson Putnam, Papillion, Nebraska | biological sciences and women's and gender studies
- Ellie Reznicek, Waverly, Iowa | psychology
- Jayda Starks, Omaha, Nebraska | psychology
- Sophi Throener Rodriguez, Lincoln, Nebraska | history and Spanish
Through orientation, students and their families learn about campus resources, expectations, requirements, norms, success strategies and more. Orientation leaders facilitate small-group interactive activities for students, provide a nontraditional campus tour for parents and guests, and assist with daily logistics such as parking and check-in. For the interactive activities and tour, the leaders develop and deliver their own content about navigating college life, succeeding academically and socially, and persevering through challenges.
The students were selected through a rigorous application process that attracted many of the university's top students. Candidates were evaluated based on their campus involvement, work experience, essay responses, professional references and performance during a 3-hour, multi-part interview.
