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When she was a first-year student, Kymia Thomas ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21 says she often kept to herself. Her goal, she decided, was to change that. She wanted to get more involved in the campus community ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ and to help ease the transition to the University for students who would follow in her footsteps.

"I became an orientation leader to help new students get acclimated to college life," said Thomas, a civil engineering major. "I want to help students find their place at the University, and I want to be a familiar face for them on campus."

"I became an orientation leader to help new students get acclimated to college life."Kymia Thomas ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21

Thomas is one of 18 orientation leaders who are welcoming the Class of 2023 during six Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR) sessions this summer. The two-day orientation program, which includes spending a night in the residence halls ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ is a fun way for new students to meet their future classmates, as well as faculty and staff members.

"I am most excited to represent the University to the best of my ability."Wahdat Abbas-Rizvi ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21

In the weeks leading up to SOAR, orientation leaders spent time training and getting everything ready for their new classmates. Wahdat Abbas-Rizvi ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21, a chemical engineering major, and his fellow orientation leaders painted a banner in the UniversityÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™s colors to welcome new students.

"I am most excited to represent the University to the best of my ability," he said. "I hope new students will look up to me. I want to make the campus a comfortable space for them ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ academically and socially."

"I am enjoying meeting the new students, and I am excited to help them to get acquainted with the University."Ketyann Salem-Rosario ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21

At SOAR, incoming students learn about academic and student life at the University, receive their schedules, and learn about the resources available to them. There are team-building activities ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ including an ice cream social with orientation leaders ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ“ to help students get to know each other.

"I am enjoying meeting the new students, and I am excited to help them to get acquainted with the University," said Ketyann Salem-Rosario ÐÓ°ÉÔ­°æ™21, a psychology major. "I want to show them all the wonderful things that the University offers."