Orientation staff prepares to welcome new Bobcats to campus

Rachel Hefner is excited to be part of the team of student leaders who will welcome new Bobcats to campus for Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO). A first-year student from Perrysburg, Ohio, Rachel is an undecided student in University College and a member of the OHIO Honors Program. 

When Hefner saw the opportunity to apply to join the orientation team, she did not hesitate. Even though she’s still in her first year at OHIO, she’s now preparing to welcome the next class of Bobcats to OHIO, and she couldn’t be more excited. 

“I love it,” Hefner said. “I get to work with some awesome people. I had a really great orientation experience and some awesome orientation leaders.” 

Bobcat Student Orientation is an annual program hosted by Ohio University faculty, staff, and students to help incoming students prepare to enter college and succeed as students, make connections, and develop a sense of belonging at OHIO. BSO takes place throughout the month of June.

Student Orientation leaders are critical to the success of OHIO's orientation programs. Orientation leaders represent each academic college, lead activities and discussions, and help incoming students register for classes. 

“They spend a lot of time sharing their own experiences with students, talking about classes that they have taken and student organizations that they have been involved with. They share what is most meaningful to their own experiences so that new students can find a place where they see themselves,” said Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs Vincent Prior.

This year Bobcat Student Orientation will feature one-and-a-half-day in-person programs on the Athens campus for incoming first-year students, with one-day programs for transfer students and students participating in virtual programs. Staff have prepared an orientation program that allows new Bobcats to choose some of their orientation sessions, make connections in small groups and participate in engaging evening programming. 

Incoming students will complete pre-orientation modules before BSO and will complete several additional modules in July after participating in the June orientation program. 

Orientation dates are listed on the BSO website. For more information visit ohio.edu/orientation, email orientation@ohio.edu, or call 740-593-1953.