Orientation Coordinators

Mission of New Student Orientation

Starting with the Approaching Stanford process through New Student Orientation (NSO), the Office of Academic Advising strives to acclimate each entering first-year and transfer class to life at Stanford by introducing them to the University's diverse educational opportunities and resources; acquainting them with other students and University faculty and staff; helping them feel at home in their residential community; and creating for them a sense of place in Stanford's history as contributing members. Academic Advising also establishes the relationship between family members and the University by introducing them to Stanford culture and resources, providing opportunities to interact with other parents and families, and offering support as their students enter college. To achieve this, Academic Advising relies heavily on recruiting a productive and dedicated team of Orientation Coordinators (OCs) to support the myriad events, projects, and tasks that go into welcoming new students to Stanford.

Stanford University's New Student Orientation fulfills its mission by meeting the following goals:

1. Welcome and introduce students to the campus community and facilitate their connections with students, faculty, and staff, as they build community together;
2. Empower students to take an active role in developing their own academic trajectories and stretch their intellectual boundaries through academic advising and course enrollment;
3. Encourage students to be curious and to listen to and share diverse and different perspectives and ideas with each other.
4. Familiarize students with the Stanford campus and with the resources that will support them in settling in and thriving;
5. Educate students about their rights and responsibilities as contributing members of the Stanford community in accordance with the Honor Code, the Fundamental Standard, and other university policies;

About the Orientation Coordinator Position

Overview

Orientation Coordinators (OCs) are the core student staff who will help coordinate and implement the Approaching Stanford process and New Student Orientation. OCs will gain professional skills and experience including project management, writing, collaboration, knowledge of University policies and procedures, teamwork, and mentorship. Communication with administrators, departments, services, new students, and parents/families is an integral aspect of this position.

Six Orientation Coordinator positions are available for 2026.

OCs will work in a variety of areas that may include the following:

• Outreach and communication with incoming students and family members using email and phone
• Social media and digital engagement with incoming students and their families (growing an audience on all platforms including but not limited to the OC Blog on our Approaching website, Instagram, Zoom, and other sources of digital engagement)
• Transfer student support and engagement during the summer
• Coordination and logistics for key NSO Events. Examples of events in past years include Convocation, Discover Stanford, Faces of Community, Beyond Sex Ed, TreeSources, Moo-ve In Mingle, Class Photo, New Student Party, as well events organized by campus partners.
• Coordination of NSO events and projects that promote class identity, school spirit, and a sense of belonging to Stanford.
• Liaisons for NSO community partners: A3C, BCSC, El Centro, Markaz, NACC, QSR, WCC, FLISSC, Office for Religious & Spiritual Life, Bechtel International Center, OMAC, and Disability Community Space.
• Design Projects: Lookbook, A Student's Guide to Stanford campus map, apparel, calendars, programs, and other print publications (experience with Adobe and other design applications is a plus but not necessary for the role)
• Orientation Volunteer recruitment and management (recruiting volunteers to connect with first-year students and event implementation)
• Other duties as assigned (flexibility to shift priorities and areas of focus)

Eligibility

• Current Stanford undergraduate students who will be enrolled in Spring 2025-26 and Autumn 2026-27.

Application & Interview Process

2026 Orientation Coordinator Application

• The application opened on: Friday, February 6, 2026.
• The priority application deadline was: Sunday, March 1, 2026 at 11:59PM.
• Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
• A completed application includes:
  • Online application form with written responses to questions
  • Resume (email your resume to Cetiana Abebaw, cabebaw@stanford.edu)
  • Contact information for a reference
• Group interviews
• Individual interviews
• OC offers will be extended by the end of Winter Quarter/early Spring Quarter

Expectations & Compensation

• Work part time, in person (up to 5 hours per week, to be determined by OC and supervisor exact schedule) during Spring Quarter 2026.
• Be on campus for the duration of employment: Spring Quarter through the last day of NSO, September 20, 2026.
• Work full time, in person (32-40 hours/week) beginning after commencement in mid-June through NSO, with significant additional hours required the week before and during NSO (pre-approved overtime pay will apply). The summer, full-time OC work schedule is 9:00am-5:00pm, Monday through Thursday, and 9:00am-1:00pm on Fridays.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate student on campus for Spring Quarter 2025-26 and Autumn Quarter 2026-27.
• Work (about 5 hours total) after NSO through October to wrap-up and submit final reports.
• OCs are paid hourly at a competitive student employee rate, $19/hour. Academic Advising will also provide additional financial support to help with the cost of summer housing. OCs are encouraged to live on-campus for the summer and should submit an application for on-campus summer housing if they decide to do so. In addition to hourly pay, OCs also receive compensated early arrival housing into their fall assignment and dining and NSO apparel. OCs may take up to five vacation days during the summer in addition to designated holidays.
  • We ask that OCs do not travel or take vacations after mid-August until NSO is completed.
• Note: If hired, OCs cannot hold a residence student leader position (RA, ETA, SLERT, etc.) for 2026-27 or enroll in any programs (Sophomore College, Arts Intensive, Bing Honors College) that occur in September 2026 because the time commitments conflict.

Physical Requirements

Serving as an Orientation Coordinator includes physical requirements related to planning and implementing New Student Orientation. All OCs must be able to perform the following: 

• Work some late nights and early morning hours during the week of NSO and the week leading up to NSO;
• Lift and transport heavy boxes and supplies (15-25 lbs);
• Set up and break down tables and chairs for NSO events, including Convocation, Provost Dinner for Parents and Families, TreeSources, and the New Student Party.
• Direct student traffic, assist with student seating, assist NSO speakers and performers; and provide supervision and leadership to our Orientation Volunteers.
• Other similar duties as assigned.

Qualities of an OC

• Fondness for the new student experience and a desire to give back to Stanford;
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, and time management skills;
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Maturity in handling private, individual student information;
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team while juggling multiple tasks and strict deadlines;
• Being comfortable with working in an occasionally high-stress environment;
• A willingness to support the team in all ways needed, including doing a fair amount of work that might often not get as much credit (grunt work, behind the scenes);
• Resourcefulness, flexibility, enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a sense of humor;
• Ability to deal effectively with different and diverse groups of people, including students, parents/families, faculty, staff, and alumni;
• Knowledge of MS Word and Excel; Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign -- or the willingness to learn new software programs;
• Previous leadership experience working with new students and/or major Stanford events is preferred but not necessary. What is desired is an openness to learn and grow together as a team.

Questions?

For questions about the Orientation Coordinator position, contact stanfordnso@stanford.edu.