AJ Amini, orientation coordinator for Division of University College (UCOL) at Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus (IUPUC), attributes his success in relating to students from all backgrounds through professionalism and respect while maintaining a positive and lighthearted attitude.
Amini’s ability to positively connect with students is made evident in the following student testimonials. Additionally, the connection seems relevant to the students expressed enthusiasm towards campus life at IUPUC.
When asked, Amini shared his thoughts on the orientation leaders at IUPUC. "There are a lot of assumptions regarding New Student Orientation. The most common assumption is that Orientation is a campus tour with some professors teaching you how to be a professional student."
He says, “Certainly, there is a tour, you get a chance to meet faculty members, and we go over resources and best practices for being an IUPUC student. However, the part often lost in translation is the opportunity created to interact with some of our best and brightest students."
"New students go throughout an orientation day surrounded by Orientation Leaders. Orientation leaders are high achieving students both inside and outside the classroom. Orientation leaders come from many different backgrounds and majors. We have future engineers, nurses, business professionals, teachers, and much more," says Amini.
"These student leaders are chosen not just off of academic standards but a handful of intangible qualities that show themselves when they are around other people. If anybody
opens up to our Orientation Leaders, he/she will find a group of diverse, fun, intelligent, and empathetic young leaders."
"Throughout my experiences, in high schools and universities, I have yet to find a group of young students I enjoy spending time and working with like these Orientation Leaders. Every orientation day is a blast due to their professionalism and great attitude. I always find myself smiling and laughing throughout the day."
In conclusion, “My hope is that the new students at IUPUC will also find themselves smiling and laughing when they interact with our Orientation Leaders," shares Amini.
Listed are the statements, in their own words, from each of the 2016 IUPUC Orientation Leaders.
CLARISSA BALTUS
Waymansville
Sophomore - Nursing
My experience at IUPUC has been amazing! I have met so many friendly people by coming here, and I have also had some really good professors who are willing to help me out whenever I need them to.
As an orientation leader, I have experienced many things. I have learned many new things and opened up a lot. Orientation leading is definitely the best job I have. I have met so many new people through this experience, and I have learned a lot about each person as well. My job helps the incoming students to learn tricks and tools to help them in their freshman year at IUPUC.
I feel that I make an impact on the students during each orientation because when school starts and I see them walking down the hall, we stop and talk or if we are busy we say hello. I like to let every group know that if they have any questions they can always ask me if they need to. Overall, orientation leading is a great job, and all the other leaders and new students make it so much fun!
RORY BAUMAN
Milan
Sophomore - Elementary Education
My name is Rory Bauman. I am currently a sophomore at IUPUC studying Elementary Education with a minor in Math. I graduated in 2015 from Oldenburg Academy. I am from Milan, Indiana and now live as a resident at the Annex. So far my time at IUPUC has been a great blessing. I have been able to get involved in many different activities on campus such as Student Ambassadors and intermural volleyball.
Over the summer I am going to be an Orientation Leader and a Bridge Mentor. I will also be a Peer Mentor in the fall. I hope to continue to get involved each year because that has been a big reason as to why my experience at IUPUC has been amazing. So far I have enjoyed being an Orientation Leader by going through training and getting to know the other leaders and coordinators.
RICHELLE BERRY
Columbus
Junior - Elementary Education
IUPUC has provided me with so many new opportunities that have continued to make me grow into a better and stronger person. My position as an Orientation Leader is one of those opportunities, and it has allowed me to build relationships with my peers and faculty, as well as strengthen my communication and leadership skills. I believe that Orientation Leaders allow new students to feel more comfortable at a new campus, and gives them the opportunity to begin building friendships even before the first day of classes.
BRIAN BLAND
Columbus
Senior - Business with a minor in Psychology
I have thoroughly enjoyed the faculty and staff available here at IUPUC. I see them as not only professors but even some as friends. They are always kind, accepting, and friendly. One huge plus for me is that the average class sizes are smaller which is beneficial for the students and allows them to have more interaction and provides the ability to know each other more than just by a face or name.
The overall position as an Orientation Leader is to engage, entertain, and assist with the process of getting the new students familiar with IUPUC. We typically answer questions that the students and parents have and provide as much information as we can that will help the student with their first semester of classes at IUPUC.
As one of the longest running current OL’s, my experience has been incredible. I have shared many orientations with all kinds of students, and I love the networking abilities that orientation provides. It is a fun interactive job that I have done every year, however sadly this will be my last year as I will be graduating. But orientation has provided me with many skills, as well as, helping better the skills in which I already possess. It has provided me with the incredible experience of hearing many stories, creating new memories, as well as friendships, and truly embracing what all IUPUC has to offer.
ALEXANDRIA FIX
Shelbyville
Sophomore - Elementary Education
IUPUC is a very welcoming community that takes pride in full filling the promise. The small class sizes are my favorite thing about IUPUC.
Being an Orientation Leader has shown me how to be more outgoing to welcome new people here at IUPUC. Last year I was attending IUPUC Orientation, and I was nervous, but my orientation leaders made everyone fill more comfortable with one another, and I hope to be able to do the same.
LANCE FREEMAN
Westport
Senior - Mechanical Engineering and a minor in math
Being at IUPUC has been a great experience for me. I have developed my leadership style, and I have learned new skill-sets that prepare me to enter the workforce. The most amazing part of IUPUC for me has been all the people I have met. I am constantly amazed at how nice everyone at IUPUC is.
The first time I became involved at IUPUC was as an Orientation Leader. I was nervous when I first started, but the experience has helped me develop my communication and leadership skills. During my first year as an Orientation Leader, several other Orientation Leaders were part of the Campus Activities Board (CAB), so I decided to join; it was a great decision. CAB has been awesome! Joining CAB has let me meet many amazing people and learn how to work with people on a team. I am also a part of the Student Government Association, and I am a tutor at the ARC.
This Fall I will have the privilege of being a peer mentor for the introductory engineering class. Being an Orientation Leader and becoming involved on campus has made me feel like I am part of IUPUC. Classes at IUPUC have been good, but I have had the most fun as an Orientation Leader and an officer in CAB.
SUSANNAH FREEMAN
Westport
Junior - Nursing with a minor in Psychology
My college career at IUPUC has been an incredible experience. I
have been able to meet several faculty and staff and to participate
in several student activities. Last summer, I had the opportunity to work as an Orientation Leader and will hold this position again this season.
This job has helped me improve my communication, organizational, and leadership skills. As an Orientation Leader, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone to become a better leader and example for my fellow students. Besides being an Orientation Leader, I am also a student worker in the University College office, the secretary for the Campus Activities Board, a representative of the Student Government Association, and also a Peer Mentor. All of these involvements have been wonderful experiences and have made me greatly enjoy being at student at IUPUC.
SAMUEL LOEBKER
Crothersville
Sophomore - Mechanical Engineering
My experience at IUPUC has been very exciting as I've been able to meet all sorts of new people and get to enjoy my time the way I like to.
I have only been an Orientation Leader this year, so I'm excited to make new experiences as the summer goes on as I get to try it all out.
So far, the IUPUC experience has been interesting. As I prepare for this year, and I hope I can make new students more comfortable as they begin college here at IUPUC.
MANDEE MILEY
Greensburg
Sophomore - Business
My name is Mandee Miley. I am currently a sophomore at IUPUC majoring in Business. I live in Greensburg, Indiana. My experience
at IUPUC has been one of a kind. IUPUC offers opportunities that I would never experience at a bigger college. I am involved on campus in numerous different activities, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Being an Orientation Leader is a big responsibility. I am setting the reputation for all of the incoming freshman and I want
it to be a good reputation.
Although Orientation is a very educational day for the incoming freshman, we also want it to be an interactive day. That being said, I think I speak for all of the Orientation Leaders when I say that AJ Amini serves as the perfect Orientation Coordinator. I look forward to an Orientation filled summer!
CHRIS NIGARURA
Columbus
Mechanical Engineering
My name is Chris Dorian Nigarura. I am an international student about to start my junior year in Mechanical Engineering. I am from Africa, Burundi, but I have been living here in Columbus for the past two years.
I was worried when I first left home to come to IUPUC but thanks, in part to the orientation leaders, and the welcoming atmosphere of IUPUC, I feel at home here. I decided to apply to be an orientation leader as a way of giving back and thanking the people that have supported me while I became acclimated to college life and IUPUC.
I have enjoyed the training sessions, and I can't wait to get started.
I want to help new students as much as I can and show them that
College at IUPUC is a fun and wonderful experience.
ELLEN PATTERSON
Scipio
Junior - Majoring in Communications and Minoring in Business
My experience at IUPUC has been excellent! I am living the college lifestyle I want, which is being a student and a mother at the same time!
IUPUC faculty and staff have helped me become the best student possible and allowed me to discover who I am and encourage me along the way. Being an Orientation Leader has opened so many opportunities for me and has allowed me to meet so many new friends. I am also getting to use my Communication skills, which will help me with my major. Seeing new students come into orientation is so exciting! The students might be nervous, scared, anxious or excited and I love to experience all of those emotions with them as they prepare for the next 4+ years of their life.
SABRINA SCHIPPER
Columbus
Senior - Biology and Pre-veterinary with a minor in Chemistry
I have enjoyed the faculty and staff that is available at IUPUC. They are always friendly and helpful. The class sizes are smaller which is beneficial for the students and allows them to obtain assistance when it is needed.
The incoming students, both traditional and non-traditional attend the orientations to obtain information about the campus. Our job as an Orientation Leader is to engage, entertain, and assist this process. We typically answer questions that the students and parents have and provide as much information as we can that will help the student with their first semester of classes at IUPUC.
I have enjoyed teaching the students about what IUPUC has to offer to them. The experience has helped me to become a better speaker and communicator with new people. The Orientation experience has helped the incoming students create connections with students in their same majors that can continue for years to come. It also allows the students to know some of the faces on the IUPUC campus that are willing to help them with any questions they may have during the following semesters. Additionally, I belong to the Alpha Lambda Delta National Honors Society at IUPUC and am currently the Vice President.
MAKAYLA SCHUBERT
Indianapolis
Junior - Nursing
My experience at IUPUC has been nothing but fantastic. As a freshman I was very hesitant to join clubs because I did not know how I would adjust to the college work load. I ended up joining Student Ambassadors my freshman year and loved going around to different high schools promoting IUPUC.
I worked hard my freshman year and was on the Dean’s List my first semester. I then decided to be an Orientation Leader. I found out the summer before my sophomore year that I had been accepted in the nursing program, which meant I could no longer participate as an ambassador. I was very busy my first year in the program and couldn’t participate in a whole lot of clubs and organizations. However, I continued to be an Orientation Leader because I wanted to be involved somewhat on campus.
As an Orientation Leader I have met an amazing group of people. I love getting to know incoming students and easing their nerves as they arrive to campus because I remember how anxious I was. I have seen an improvement in my self-confidence and I know longer worry about public speaking. I love being an Orientation Leader and getting to know the incoming students. It is very rewarding to walk down the hall and see the freshman walking around confident in where they are going.
HAYLEE SIEGEL
Milan
Sophomore - Elementary Education/ Special Education
My experience at IUPUC has taught me how to be very independent.
I have been able to get involved and keep playing volleyball, make great memories, gain lasting friendships, meet some of the best professors on the planet and keep working towards my dream job of becoming a special needs teacher.
I am excited to be starting my first summer as an orientation leader. My fellow orientation leaders are a lot of upbeat and excited people. I have also learned that AJ Amini is just a big kid in an adult's body.
Orientation was such a helpful day coming into my freshman year.
I learned so much about the school and felt a lot more comfortable while preparing for college. I have maintained friendships with many of the people I met during orientation. Although
orientation may initially be intimidating, if incoming students have fun and allow themselves to be open to learning new things, they'll most likely leave feeling prepared!
HELLA TEFERA
Columbus
Sophomore - Nursing
One of the things at IUPUC that I was fortunate enough to do was making close connections with my professors and being able to find help whenever I needed it.
I have also been able to get involved on campus in different aspects; such as working on campus, being an orientation leader and more.
So far, considering our orientation training, I have gotten to meet and work closely with new people I may have less likely done so. It has helped me make new friends and given me the opportunity to develop leadership skills that I may need to apply in different aspects along the way.
As I mentioned in the previous question, it has personally helped me meet new people and develop leadership skills. And I think that in a similar way it has enabled other students to meet new people and helped them learn things they can apply in their lives in the long run.
BRIANNA TEMPLETON
Columbus
Senior - Business with dual-concentration in Management and Health Services Administration
My experience so far at IUPUC has been filled with opportunities.
I started here as an Early College student my senior year of high school, and I have been fortunate enough to be involved on campus as a Student Ambassador, Peer Mentor, and Orientation Leader. I think those experiences, along with my classes, have shaped me into the student leader I am now and continually help me grow into the person I would like to be in the future, personally and professionally.
As an Orientation Leader, I have met so many great people and learned more about myself in the process. IUPUC is a small campus, but it can make a tremendous impact on the students, as well as faculty and staff, and I’m grateful to be part of making new students’ experiences positive and memorable.