Want to grow your leadership skills, build professional experience, make connections with peers and support the Orange community? Fitting for a variety of interests and schedules, explore the below student leadership opportunities today! For more information or to express interest while applications are closed, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
Goon Squad
Since 1944, Goon Squad members have been the friendly group of returning students who greet new students as they arrive on campus and help them move into their residence halls. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to participate in one of Syracuse University’s oldest traditions!
Goon Squad volunteers must be a returning undergraduate or graduate student enrolled for classes in Fall 2025.
- Attend a required Goon Squad training in Hendricks Chapel on Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, from 7-8 p.m.
- Welcome new students, families and supporters to campus.
- Help new students move into their residence halls.
- Early arrival date of Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. for students living in University housing (no exceptions).
- Receive three (3) hours of community service and one (1) meal ticket per volunteer shift (if you do not have an Unlimited meal plan). Community service hours may count toward Whitman and Honors requirements.
- Receive Goon Squad swag.
- Recruit new students for your Recognized Student Organization (RSO). RSOs meeting the Goon Squad volunteer requirement (see below) will be invited to table at the Orange Blast Involvement Fair on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 6:30-8:30 p.m on the Shaw Quadrangle. Please note that if an RSO receives an invitation to the Orange Blast Involvement Fair but fails to attend all assigned volunteer shifts, the invitation will be rescinded.
- 0-15 RSO members = at least three (3) volunteers
- 16-49 RSO members = at least four (4) volunteers
- 50-74 RSO members = at least five (5) volunteers
- 75-99 RSO members = at least six (6) volunteers
- 100+ RSO members = at least seven (7) volunteers
- Make a positive impact with new students, families and supporters during New Student Move-In.
Goon Squad Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 25, 2025, 11:59 p.m.
For questions or accommodations, please email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
Welcome Week Leaders
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student and may not be a graduate student during Fall 2025.
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- Remain in good standing with Community Standards.
- Must have no work or co-curricular conflicts during all required dates.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Students applying for the Welcome Week Leader position are encouraged to attend an information session.
- Serve on a committee to implement various aspects of Welcome Week, including signature events, Pre-Welcome Programs, spirit and more.
- Serve as a Goon Squad captain during New Student Move-In.
- Focus on welcoming new students and ensuring they belong through various social events, signature events and traditions.
Spring 2025
- Welcome Week Leader Meet and Greet | Friday, March 28, 2025, 5-7 p.m.
- Welcome Week Leader Meeting | Saturday, April 19, 2025, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Summer 2025
- Possible committee meeting (virtual) | Determined by Student Coordinator and the committee members
Fall 2025
- Welcome Week Leader Training | Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025-Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025
- Welcome Week | Monday, Aug. 18-Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025
- New Student Programs Banquet | Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
- Early arrival arranged for any Welcome Week Leader living on campus in Fall 2025.
- Meals covered for all training and program dates if the Welcome Week Leader does not have a meal plan.
- 50+ community services hours.
- Welcome and mentor new students.
- Gain leadership and professional experience.
- Receive Syracuse University gear.
- Build relationships with other student leaders and staff.
- Welcome Week Leader Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025
- Individual Interviews: Feb. 21-22, 2025
- Candidates will be expected to create an infographic on themselves to showcase during their individual interview using a single sheet of paper.
- Candidates will sign up for a 30-minute time slot during those days.
- Decisions Released: Friday, Feb. 28, 2025
For questions or accommodations, please email Butch Hallmark, director of New Student and Transition Programs.
Orientation Leaders (OLs)
Led by a desire to be campus role models, Orientation Leaders are upper-division student leaders who create a sense of belonging for incoming students and support Summer New Student Orientation.
Follow New Student Programs on Instagram to stay up-to-date with Orientation Leader updates, reminders and recruitment posts.
- Must be a full-time undergraduate student taking classes on Syracuse University’s main campus in Spring 2025 with a graduation date no earlier than December 2025 (i.e., applicants must not be studying abroad or away for an internship).
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.5.
- Remain in good standing with Community Standards.
- Must have no academic, work or co-curricular conflicts during all required dates.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse groups of people.
Students applying for the Orientation Leader position must attend an information session to be considered.
- Monday, Jan. 27, 2025, 3-4 p.m. | 100 Huntington Hall
- Friday, Jan. 31, 2025, 11 a.m.-Noon | 207 Hall of Languages
- Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, 5-6 p.m. | Zoom (Registration required.)
- Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, 1-2 p.m. | 104 Tolley Hall
- Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025, 4-5 p.m. | 122 Carnegie Library
The 20-person student leader team plays a pivotal role in welcoming first-year and transfer students and providing a sense of belonging to all students, families and supporters. Key responsibilities include the following.
- Provide support for five New Student Orientation sessions in July.
- Facilitate three student small groups each session.
- Provide directional support around campus during program.
- Build community with new students.
Spring 2025
- OL Retreat: Saturday, March 1, 2025
- OL Weekly Meetings: Wednesdays from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (March 19, March 26, April 2)
- OL 1:1 with Nick Stines, assistant director for New Student Orientation: Dates agreed upon between OL and assistant director.
Summer 2025
- OL Training: Monday, June 30-Thursday, July 3, 2025
- New Student Orientation Sessions: July 7-8, July 10-11, July 14-15, July 17-18 and July 21, 2025
Fall 2025
- New Student Programs Banquet: Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m.
- OL Recruitment: October-November
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- Orientation Leaders will have a pay rate of $18/hour (up to 40 hours/week) throughout the duration of the internship.
- On-campus housing and meals provided during Orientation Leader training and New Student Orientation sessions.
- Welcome and mentor new students.
- Gain leadership and professional experience.
- Receive Syracuse University gear.
- Build relationships with other student leaders and staff.
- Orientation Leader Application Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025
- Individual Interviews: Tuesday, Feb. 11-Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
- Candidates will be expected to create an infographic on themselves to showcase during their individual interview using a single sheet of paper.
- Group Process: Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025
- Application Decisions Released: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025
For questions or accommodations, please email Nick Stines, assistant director for New Student Orientation.
Student Coordinators
The Student Coordinator application is currently closed. Information for the next Student Coordinator application cycle will become available in Fall 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The OL role is now a paid summer internship focused on New Student Orientation (NSO) programming. OLs no longer lead Welcome Week activities (those are now run by Welcome Week Leaders).
While both roles help welcome new students, they differ in their timing, focus, and commitment:
Focus
- OL: Summer New Student Orientation (NSO)
- Welcome Week Leaders: Welcome Week Programming, including leading Belonging and Student Success Connections and ‘Cuse First Pre-Welcome Programs.
Program Dates:
- OL: July 7-July 21, 2025
- Welcome Week Leaders: Aug. 19-24, 2025
Spring 2025 Commitment:
- OL: March 1, 2025 (Retreat); Weekly Meetings (March 19, 26, and April 2, 2025); One-on-One meeting with Assistant Director for New Student Orientation – MUST be on campus and may not study abroad for spring 2025.
- Welcome Week Leaders: Some spring trainings, dates TBD; Can be abroad for spring 2025.
Summer 2025 Commitment:
- OL: Move-in on June 29, 2025; Attend training June 30-July 3, 2025.
- Welcome Week Leaders: Occasional committee meeting(s) over Zoom (to be determined by committee and Student Coordinator); Attend training Aug. 13-17, 2025.
Benefits
- OL: Paid internship ($18/hour, up to 40 hours/week); Uniform; Meals; Residence Hall accommodations during the duration of the Summer 2025 Commitment and Program Dates.
- Welcome Week Leaders: Volunteer role (50 community service hours); Uniform; Meals; Early arrival accommodations if living in a University-owned residence hall or south campus apartment.
For a student’s application to be considered, they must:
- Attend one information session.
- Meet all qualifications listed within the Orientation Leader description.
- Commit to attend all required dates listed within the Orientation Leader description.
Due to the responsibilities of our student leadership positions, students can simultaneously do the following. Please discuss with staff in New Student Programs and the respective offices below if you have more questions.
Orientation Leaders
- Resident Advisors (Residential Living)
- Dean’s Team, Peer Advisors (Your School/College)
- Peer Educator (Health Promotion)
- Peer Leaders (FYS 101)
- Welcome Week Leaders (New Student Programs)
- Goon Squad (New Student Programs)
Welcome Week Leaders
- Orientation Leaders (New Student Programs)