Fall 2005 • Volume 11, Issue 4
Teaching future students “How to navigate BU”
by Allison Camp ‘07
 Captained by Academic Exploration Program director David Trillizio and his crew of 10 student aides, the summer orientation program engages incoming freshmen and apprehensive parents in a two-and-a-half day adventure of all things Bradley. The primary goal of the orientation program, according to Dr. Ray Zarvell ’62 MA ’69, executive director of the Center for Student Development and Health Services, is to eliminate the “green” college freshman stigma.
The orientation program, revamped in 1972, initially had “counselor aides” (as they were known at the time) working primarily to help students select classes. Eventually, the program moved towards showing new freshmen how to immerse themselves into the culture of Bradley University. According to Trillizio, the orientation has now become “something that other schools would love to have.”
The selection process for the new student aides is the first step in creating a successful summer session. Trillizio, along with members of the student affairs team, plus former and current student aide coordinators, compose the selection board. Student aides must have a minimum 2.5 GPA and be full-time students. Zarvell cites “responsibility, reliability, and initiative” as the three qualities that are most desired. “So many good people apply for this position,” says Trillizio, “and after that month-long interview process, we like to think that we get the best of the best.”
All of the hard work has clearly paid off year after year. Bradley’s summer orientation aides have received many awards; most recently, former student aide coordinator Chris Wendelin ’04 won the 2003 Student Leadership Award for the Midwest from the National Orientation Directors’ Association (NODA). In 2003, Trillizio also procured the Outstanding New Professional award from NODA.
One perk of the student aide job, according to aide Suan Kregel ‘07, is going to Miami to attend the NODA conference in November. On the contrary, “lack of sleep” seems to be the least favorable element of the lifestyle.
Aide Tiffany Cremer ‘06 feels she can relate to the nervousness most students feel prior to orientation. “When I came through, I was the most stressed student ever,” said Cremer. “I was terrified, but I loved my student aide. I thought I could do that for someone else.”
Parents and students both express their appreciation verbally and through written response forms passed out at the end of every orientation session. Comments written by parents include praises like, “Very impressed; you have a great program. Keep up the good work.” Students cite their experiences as being “amazing,” in addition to “honest” and “cool.”
“It takes everyone,” according to Trillizio. “And everyone seems to rally.” From the student aides themselves, to all the work and people behind the scenes, it is clear that Bradley’s summer orientation program is a success.
“I was very comfortable with my daughter’s decision to attend Bradley before,” said one parent. “Now I’m even more so.”
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