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 our student leadership opportunities today!
To receive email updates regarding student leadership opportunities during recruitment periods, complete the interest form below. For more information or to express interest while applications are closed, email New Student Programs or call 315.443.9187.
2026 New Student Programs Student Leadership Interest Form
Student Coordinators
The Student Coordinators support Welcome Week event planning and overseeing the Welcome Week Leader team. Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
- Must have previously served as a Welcome Week Leader (WWL).
- Must be a current matriculated Syracuse University student in Spring and Fall 2027.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Must remain in good standing with Community Standards.
- Cannot hold conflicting campus positions (e.g., Resident Advisor); any additional roles must be reviewed by the assistant director of Transition Programs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Able to work effectively both independently and in team settings, with a focus on collaboration across varied perspectives and backgrounds.
- Student Coordinators will work a maximum of 5 hours each week (as needed during the spring semester and will work up to 40 hours per week in the summer and August. Availability during some evenings may be required. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is not required, but compensation will utilize FWS funds if applicable.
- Spring 2027:
- Conduct biweekly 1:1 meetings with NSP professional staff.
- Attend biweekly Student Coordinator team meetings.
- Complete assigned tasks and meeting prep. for committees.
- Support WWL recruitment, including marketing, info sessions, assisting in interviews and advising in selection.
- Plan and execute Spring 2027 WWL events.
- During Welcome Week:
- Lead a Welcome Week committee focusing on a specific area of Welcome Week implementation (events, operations, team dynamics, etc.).
- Participate in morning and afternoon energizers.
- Lead and check in on the assigned committee.
- Support Welcome Week events, which include, but are not limited to, event set-up, materials preparation, team meetings, etc.
- Additional duties as assigned.
- Spring 2027
- WWL Recruitment and Information Sessions
- Team Meet and Greet, Date TBD
- Welcome Week Prep, Training and Events
- Aug. 16 – Aug. 29, 2027
- $17.50/hour pay rate.
- Professional development and networking opportunities, including the possibility of attending and participating in the Spring Conference.
- Provided early arrival/move-in for Fall 2027 (if living in Syracuse University housing).
- New Student Programs and Welcome Week Leader apparel and gear.
- Pre-Welcome
- Support planning, development and facilitation of New Student Programs’ Pre-Welcome Programs.
- Lead the pre-welcome committee through small group facilitation guides.
- Check in with the committee after small groups.
- Collaborate with pro staff on creating the pre-welcome schedule.
- Support pro staff tasks of assigning small groups, nametags, etc.
- The Slice is Right
- Support planning, development and facilitation of the Slice is Right gameshow.
- Write an appropriate script for the Emcees.
- Compile a list of prizes, costumes and any other supplies needed.
- Work with the committee to develop the games.
- Lead rehearsal in the Dome.
- Spirit
- Support planning, development and facilitation of team development and positivity.
- Participate and/or lead the morning and afternoon shift energizer.
- Make welcome posters for citrus in the city and team envelopes for fish notes.
- Organize daily team check-in texts.
- Lead of social media during training and Welcome Week.
- Thursday, October 22, 2026, 5 p.m. | Student Coordinator Application Deadline
- Wednesday- Friday, Oct. 28-30, 2026 (scheduled between professional staff and candidate availability) | Student Coordinator Interviews
- Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | Student Coordinator Offers
- Apply today!
Program Assistant
The Program Assistant, serving as a member of the Student Coordinator team, is a student leader who supports the Orientation Leader and Welcome Week Leader teams, New Student Orientation (NSO) programming, Welcome Week events, and general departmental operations. Applications are due Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.
- Must be a current matriculated Syracuse University student in Spring and Fall 2027.
- Must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Must have a valid U.S. driver’s license.
- Must remain in good standing with Community Standards.
- Cannot hold conflicting campus positions (e.g., Resident Advisor); any additional roles must be reviewed by the assistant director of Transition Programs.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Able to work effectively both independently and in team settings, with a focus on collaboration across varied perspectives and backgrounds.
- Must have no academic, work or co-curricular conflicts during all required dates.
- The Program Assistant will work 5-10 hours each week during the spring semester and will work up to 40 hours per week in the summer and August. Availability during some evenings may be required. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is not required, but compensation will utilize FWS funds if applicable.
- Attend biweekly Student Coordinator team meetings and biweekly one-on-one meetings with the Assistant Director for Transition Programs.
- Assist with spring Orientation Leader (OL) meetings by attending sessions, helping create and distribute materials, and oversee internal team competition standings.
- Support the Welcome Week Leader recruitment process, including marketing and information sessions, assisting in interviews and advising in team selection.
- Attend spring department events and meetings (as available). Examples include evaluating graduate students as part of the NODA internship process, tabling for New Student Programs during Spring Receptions Admission events, and biweekly staff meetings.
- Provide support for New Student Orientation sessions in various capacities including, but not limited to, material preparation, program check-in, and office coverage.
- Manage new student lockouts in the residence hall (during overnight sessions) and participate in the on-call structure with Residential Living (late-night hours would be expected as part of this position; however, there will be no work-related responsibilities on the weekends).
- Plan, support, and execute Spring 2027 Welcome Week Leader events and August team training.
- Support Welcome Week events, which include, but are not limited to, event set-up, materials preparation, morning and afternoon team energizers, team meetings, etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Spring 2027
- Weekly Orientation Leader Meetings and Retreat
- WWL Recruitment and Information Sessions
- WWL Team Meet and Greet (TBD)
- New Student Programs department meetings and events (as available)
- Summer New Student Orientation
- Dates TBD
- Welcome Week Prep, Training and Events
- Aug. 16–Aug. 29, 2027
- $17.50/hour pay rate.
- Professional development and networking opportunities, including the possibility of attending and participating in the Spring Conference.
- Provided early arrival/move-in for Fall 2027 (if living in Syracuse University housing).
- New Student Programs, Orientation Leader and Welcome Week Leader apparel and gear.
- Thursday, October 22, 2026, 5 p.m. | Program Assistant Application Deadline
- Wednesday- Friday, Oct. 28-30, 2026 (scheduled between professional staff and candidate availability) | Program Assistant Interviews
- Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | Program Assistant Offer
- Apply today!
Orientation Leaders (OLs)
The Orientation Leader team supports summer New Student Orientation (NSO) sessions and programs. Information for the next recruitment cycle will become available in Fall 2026.
Welcome Week Leaders (WWLs)
The Welcome Week Leader team supports New Student Move-In and Welcome Week signature events in August. Information for the next recruitment cycle will become available in Spring 2026.
Goon Squad
Since 1944, Goon Squad volunteers have been the friendly group of returning students who greet new students as they arrive to campus and help them move into their residence halls. Information for the next recruitment cycle will become available in Spring 2026.