Work with the Office of Orientation & First-Year Programming
Our office coordinates many programs that need enthusiastic student leaders who love to share their experience, UA pride, and help others! Check this page during the time periods listed to find out more about our unique opportunities and learn more about our student positions from our past and current leaders.
ORIENTATION LEADERS
Hiring Period: February to April
Position Period: May to August
Ready to be the reason new students feel at home?
Orientation Leaders bring the energy, answer the questions, and help create a welcoming environment from day one. You’ll lead groups, share your own experiences, and help new students and families feel comfortable, confident, and excited to start their college journey.
Why apply?
You’ll build leadership and communication skills, make new friends, and get paid while doing it. Orientation Leaders gain experience you can actually talk about on a résumé, connect with staff and students across campus, and make a real impact—all while having fun and showing off your campus pride.
You might be a great fit if you…
- Enjoy meeting new people and helping others feel welcome
- Are excited to share your campus experience
- Feel comfortable leading groups or want to build that confidence
- Bring a positive attitude and reliable energy
Ready to apply?
Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, March 26. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the team that helps new students start strong!
Full position details and requirements can be found on the application.
Questions? Email Carly DeBord at carly@uakron.edu
NEW ROO WEEKEND LEADERS
Hiring Period: April to May
Position Period: End of August
A short leadership opportunity with big impact, being a New Roo Weekend Leader lets you connect with incoming students over a weekend and help get them acclimated to campus!
This paid opportunity lasts the weekend right before classes start in the fall and is filled with fun events that our leaders get to attend with their students. Working with one to two other leaders, New Roo Weekend Leaders will help our incoming students learn the ropes of life at UA and give them some familiar faces to connect with at the start of the semester.
The 2025 application is closed for now. Check back in mid-June for our annual second call for leaders!
Questions? Email Carly DeBord at carly@uakron.edu
"Becoming an Orientation Leader has allowed me to build new relationships and deepen my engagement with the University of Akron community, immersing myself in its culture and creating new and memorable experiences with my friends."
— Oliver Legan, 2025 Team Leader
Hear from other leaders, past and present
"Being an Orientation Leader allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and hone my public speaking skills."
- Corey J.
"Working as an orientation leader was truly a summer I will never forget! It was such a valuable experience to be able to engage with new students, as well as to have the opportunity to interact and develop connections with so many different departments on campus."
- Renee C.
"Being an orientation leader was an amazing experience. I loved having the opportunity to make connections with future Zips and core memories with fellow NSO Leaders.."
- A.J. R.
"The personal growth and the memories I have from being an orientation leader are what I will carry with me beyond just my college career."
- Adrian V.
"I enjoyed being an Orientation Leader because I was surrounded by individuals who loved Akron as much as myself. I gained strong relationship and learned a lot about myself in the process."
- Elena V.
"Students really benefit from having a New Roo Weekend Leader because they have that friend on campus who is willing to show them where their classes are, and be one of those first friendly faces on campus that can be a very useful resource."
Jullien I.
New Roo Weekend Leader
For some of our New Roo Weekend Leaders, it has become an end-of-summer tradition to help students get their Akron Experience started off on the right foot.
"I can't wait to start every year off and end every summer with this experience. It's a great way to feel the energy and Zips spirit by welcoming a new class of students!"
- John R.
"Being a New Roo Weekend Leader lets me share some of my campus knowledge and UA pride, and have an impact on a group of students in such a small period of time. I love it!"
- Marissa K.
"Starting class can be a scary experience, so having a little break before it all starts is a great thing for new students. I benefitted from my experience as a student and was happy to give that back as a leader myself."
- Alex M.
Have questions?
Check out the New Roo Experience FAQs. If you have further questions or concerns contact our office by phone, text or email below.