New friendships start early during new student orientation at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Amanda Davis, Kai Zhang and the rest of the Office of Admissions’ orientation leader (OL) team make sure of that.
“One thing I always let my students know is we’re here to be your friends,” says Davis, an information systems major with a concentration in cybersecurity in the class of 2026. “We set up group texts and tell them to text us anytime.”
“We’re pretty much their first friends on campus,” adds Zhang, a nursing major, also in the class of ’26.
Some 1,400 students, accompanied by even more family members, are visiting the campus of UAH, a part of The University of Alabama System, during 10 orientation sessions for freshmen and other new students this summer. Each two-day session directly involves 100 or so UAH student volunteers and faculty and staff members, plus dozens of other staff working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly.
“New student orientation is a crucial transitional experience for new Chargers, allowing them to connect with the UAH community with the stress of the college search process behind them,” says Chris Pinto, director of undergraduate admissions in the Office of Admissions. “Our goal is to provide useful information to both students and their families, but it’s the personal connections formed during these two days that really set the foundation for long-term success, both academically and personally.”
New student orientation leaders Amanda Davis, left, and Kai Zhang hang out with a furry friend during summer 2024 orientation activities on the UAH campus.
Courtesy Adriana Landreth
New students are organized into groups of 15 to 20 with two friendly OLs assigned to each group. Parents and other guests comprise one big group led by three OLs.
The orientation schedule features meetings with academic advisers, several Charger Chats with new classmates and even a Fear Panel for sharing any concerns. Presentations cover all aspects of Charger life:
- Using campus technologies, including UAH email accounts.
- Joining campus activities such as student organizations, athletics, Week of Welcome and Greek life.
- Navigating student services, including the UAH Library, Dining Services, University Fitness Center and Student Health Services.
Day one ends with late night activities – indoor and outdoor games and entertainment provided by the Association for Campus Entertainment.
Davis and Zhang recall their own shyness at orientation before OLs helped them feel right at home. Now they’re having fun sharing the knowledge and confidence they’ve gained as Chargers and as OLs.
“I enjoy providing information when the parents are really nervous,” Davis says. “I’m able to answer their questions and ease their nerves and ease the students’ nerves as well.”
Building new friendships, both say, is the best part about the OL team. That began in January when the admissions office chose 25 team members. Training included a trip to North Carolina for the Southern Regional Orientation Workshop of the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention in Higher Education. UAH is part of the group’s nine-state Region VI.
“We really bonded on that bus trip,” Davis says.
The strong friendships among the OLs translate into positive orientation sessions for new students.
“We’re able to do this because of the team,” Zhang says. “We’re all friends. The team dynamic is fun, and it makes everything else worth it. It’s more like an experience than a job.”
Davis agrees: “Making memories with my fellow OLs like Kai will last forever.”
Space is still available in the last three orientation sessions on Aug. 1-2, 8-9 and 14-15. Registration information and answers to frequently asked orientation questions – including what to wear and pack – are posted on the New Student Orientation page on the UAH website. Any unanswered questions may be emailed to orientation@uah.edu.
