Thirty-one University of Nebraska–Lincoln students will serve as orientation leaders for summer 2022. 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 to campus during the Office of New Student Enrollment’s flagship summer program.
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.
“Orientation leaders are some of the most prominent and visible representatives of the university,” said Jenni Brost, director of New Student Enrollment. “They have to be able to share their personal stories in a way that is both honest and impactful, so every year we need to hire the best of the best.”
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 three-hour, multi-part interview.
“We are so excited to have these students on the team for 2022,” Brost said. “They’re a well-rounded group, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll inspire students next summer.”
Following is a list of orientation leaders for summer 2022, listed by hometown, with their year in school, major(s) and college(s).
Nebraska:
Alda:
- Dulce Garcia, junior, advertising and public relations, and journalism, College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Bellevue:
- Isaac Alvarado, sophomore, architectural studies, College of Architecture
- LeAnne Bugay, junior, journalism, and advertising and public relations, College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Bennington:
- Connor Utech, senior, accounting, College of Business
Cambridge:
- Santiago Giraldo, sophomore, computer science, College of Engineering
Columbus:
- Malia Bloemker, sophomore, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Elkhorn:
- Sydney Spanel, sophomore, elementary education, College of Education and Human Sciences
Elm Creek:
- Anna Hoffman, junior, film studies, English and theatre, College of Arts and Sciences and Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
Grand Island:
- Osvaldo Palma Vargas, junior, sociology, College of Arts and Sciences
Gretna:
- Emily Austin, sophomore, psychology and communication studies, College of Arts and Sciences
Lincoln:
- Trenton Hammond, sophomore, biological sciences, College of Arts and Sciences
- Carlos Ortega, sophomore, secondary education (social science), College of Education and Human Sciences
- Jacob Vanderford, sophomore, sports media and communication, and music, College of Journalism and Mass Communications and Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
Nebraska City:
- Vinh Phan, sophomore, marketing and economics, College of Business
Omaha:
- Hannah-Kate Kinney, senior, advertising and public relations, journalism and broadcasting, College of Journalism and Mass Communications
- Jack Kinney, junior, business administration, and advertising and public relations, College of Business and College of Journalism and Mass Communications
- Isha Kishore, sophomore, finance, College of Business
- Paul Pechous, sophomore, special education (7-12), College of Education and Human Sciences
Papillion:
- Shaeley Wiese, sophomore, music education, Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
Republican City:
- Abby Waldo, junior, secondary education (English) and journalism, College of Education and Human Sciences and College of Journalism and Mass Communications
Valparaiso:
- Alijah Mallula, senior, English and emerging media arts, College of Arts and Sciences and Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts
Elsewhere in the U.S.:
Mission Viejo, California:
- Rachel Morros, sophomore, elementary education, College of Education and Human Sciences
Naperville, Illinois:
- Gabrielle Modica, sophomore, animal science and chemistry, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and College of Arts and Sciences
Westmont, Illinois:
- Aleksandra Glowik, sophomore, political science and psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Des Moines, Iowa:
- Rachel Freeman, sophomore, political science, College of Arts and Sciences
Sergeant Bluff, Iowa:
- Kate Vermilyea, junior, English and psychology, College of Arts and Sciences
Lawrence, Kansas:
- Lydia Storm, sophomore, biochemistry and forensic science, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Overland Park, Kansas:
- Madison Van Ophem, junior, forensic science and biochemistry, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Prospect, Kentucky:
- Jackson Anderson, junior, marketing and management, College of Business
Bridgeton, Missouri:
- Adam Kendrick, sophomore, forensic science and biochemistry, College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources
Las Vegas, Nevada:
- Madison Maloney, sophomore, computer science and mathematics, College of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences
