Be a Leader - Join Our Team!

An Orientation Leader (OL) is an undergraduate student who helps incoming first-year and transfer students transition to NIU. An OL’s primary role is to build connections between new students and help form a sense of belonging on campus. Additionally, OLs serve as a resource and role model to new Huskies.

Orientation Leaders will participate in semester-long training and will assist with summer orientation programs from May to August. To further their leadership opportunities, Orientation Leaders will assist with various programming during Week of Welcome (WOW).

Interested in the Orientation Leader position? Apply today by submitting your Orientation Leader Application!

Please contact Mitchell Huftalin at mhuftalin1@niu.edu with any questions.

Transfer2Transfer (T2T) is a peer mentoring program that provides an opportunity to engage with and guide new students as they begin their transition to NIU. This is a great way to give back to students in need, build your resume, and work toward your own personal success.

We’re looking for students who are interested in:

• Sharing your experience in transitioning to a new university.
• Helping your peers find involvement opportunities.
• Gaining valuable volunteering and mentoring experience.
• Supporting other transfer students in finding their place in the Huskie community.

As a student who has successfully transferred to NIU, you are a champion who can help welcome new students to campus. We encourage you to apply to become a Transfer2Transfer Peer Mentor today!

Applications are due June 15.

Graduate student leaders (GSLs) help implement the curriculum in the university experience class (UNIV), facilitate class discussions and apply student development theory to practice in a first-year classroom. This is an opportunity to co-teach an UNIV 101/201 section with a full-time educator

To be eligible to become a GSL, you must have:

• A Graduate School cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a class of first-year students.
• Weekly availability of four to five hours for UNIV teaching responsibilities in the fall semester.
• Preference will be given to graduate students pursuing a degree in Counseling, Adult and Higher Education.

Recruitment for GSLs for the fall semester will begin in the prior spring semester.

University Experience (UNIV) educators are current members of the NIU faculty or staff. In addition to completing an application, all applicants must attend all educator development trainings, workshops and conferences to be considered to be a UNIV educator. Selected educators will serve for a two-year term.

Recruitment for the fall 2023-2024 educator cohort will begin in the fall of 2022.

The Faculty/Staff Mentor program is designed to connect incoming first-year students with a faculty or staff member. In addition to providing general scholastic advice, it is expected that mentors help their mentees become more aware of opportunities and resources that will help to increase student success and retention. 

We are looking for mentors who are interested in:

• Connecting students to involvement opportunities.
• Nurturing and championing the goals of students.
• Listening to the concerns and hopes of students.
• Fostering student retention and a growth mindset.

Faculty/staff mentor applications are due May 31.