Orientation Leader Program
Location: David Swope Student Center, Room 108
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Orientation is an important part of the first-year experience and is where incoming students transition to life at SUNY Westchester Community College. During orientation, students will meet other new Vikings, work with current students who are Orientation Leaders, and learn what life will look like as a SUNY WCC student.
The Orientation Leader (OL) Program is a unique experience for current SUNY WCC Students in developing leadership and other transferable skills that can be used throughout their academic and professional careers. OLs work closely with first-year students who attend both in-person and virtual Orientation programs by facilitating small group activities and workshops. OLs are known to be active at the college, have strong GPAs, and have a genuine desire to give back. Students in this program make bonds and lifelong memories by participating in a two-night retreat, high-energy development programs, and much more.
Become an Orientation Leader
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are student volunteers in leadership positions designed to serve first-year students. Orientation Leaders are an instrumental part of welcoming our first-year students to the SUNY Westchester community and are recognized by SUNY Westchester and other institutions as college leaders. This recognition often leads to scholarships and strong acceptance rates for OLs when they apply to bachelor’s granting schools after they graduate from SUNY WCC.
If you’re looking to be part of an extraordinary team, apply to be an Orientation Leader. There are only a few seats available each year, so be sure to apply early. Once selected you will be surrounded by others looking to be involved, and make a positive impact on the upcoming first-year students. The program is guaranteed to be an experience like no other and will be one of the top things you leave remembering and loving about your college experience!
Training and ongoing support will be provided to the Orientation Leaders by the Department of Student Involvement. Through this position, students will be given the opportunity to gain real-life experience, acquire practical and valuable skills, and make close relationships as they develop lifelong friendships with their peers. This is also a great opportunity to provide the college with a commendable service, and in the process build your resume, obtain letters of recommendation, and develop lifelong skills and a strong network of individuals committed to success.
- Participate in an overnight summer retreat and summer training week. The schedule is located below.
- Attend all team meetings and workshops.
- Attend the summer orientation sessions.
- Volunteer at the commencement ceremony.
- Volunteer during Welcome Week if you are returning for the Fall semester.
- Facilitate group activities with first-year students at orientation.
- Serve as a resource for new students in the fall semester.
- Maintain a positive attitude, open mind, and willingness to learn.
In order to be eligible to participate, students must meet the following criteria, unless approved by the Director of Student Involvement:
- Be enrolled in at least one credit-bearing course at SUNY Westchester Community College for the Spring 2026 semester.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- Be in good disciplinary and academic standing.
- Have good time management and communication skills.
- Be able to work in a team environment and among diverse groups.
- Desire to work with students, faculty, and staff.
- Have a positive and motivated attitude.
Orientation Leader Testimonials
What Past Orientation Leaders Had to Say…
The orientation leader program really opened me up to everything WCC had to offer like the student involvement organizations, the library’s services, and student support services. It allowed me to make connections with my fellow WCC students and make long last friendships! It also helped with my development and was a part of my journey to get my full tuition scholarship to pace university. I also had the pleasure of being an orientation leader coordinator which was my first internship ever and it really helped develop my leadership skills. I think the orientation leader program is amazing and should defiantly be something to be a part of because of the number of opportunities and connections you can make which can help you achieve the goals you have here at WCC.
2020 Orientation Leader
The orientation leader program really opened me up to everything WCC had to offer like the student involvement organizations, the library’s services, and student support services. It allowed me to make connections with my fellow WCC students and make long last friendships! It also helped with my development and was a part of my journey to get my full tuition scholarship to pace university. I also had the pleasure of being an orientation leader coordinator which was my first internship ever and it really helped develop my leadership skills. I think the orientation leader program is amazing and should defiantly be something to be a part of because of the number of opportunities and connections you can make which can help you achieve the goals you have here at WCC.
2020 Orientation Leader
