Campus Talk: Season 1 - Episode 6

Synopsis

David welcomes viewers to a summer edition of Campus Talk. With regular co-host Colin away on vacation, Comm Center 16 work-study student and orientation assistant Paula Bartko joins David as guest co-host.

The first guest is Valerie Hodge, East Stroudsburg University’s interim vice president of Student Development and the administrator responsible for the university’s orientation program. Hodge explains that orientation helps incoming students and their parents understand university life through presentations, small-group discussions, meetings with faculty and administrators, placement testing, and direct interaction with current students.

Hodge describes the difficult transition some students face when moving from a small high school to a university campus. Orientation introduces them to ESU’s academic requirements, buildings, services, and expectations before classes begin. The program also addresses subjects such as diversity, personal safety, date rape, AIDS awareness, and adapting to unfamiliar people and experiences.

Beyond providing information, Hodge believes orientation gives new students an opportunity to form friendships and recognize familiar faces before returning in the fall. She also discusses the separate program for parents, particularly those whose children are the first members of their families to attend college. These sessions help parents understand university procedures while preparing them to give their children greater independence.

Hodge concludes by explaining the importance of orientation assistants. Selected for their academic performance, campus involvement, enthusiasm, and ability to relate to others, the assistants serve as approachable role models who can answer questions and share firsthand knowledge of student life.

David then speaks with two orientation assistants. Melissa Reynolds is a senior criminal justice major, resident adviser in Hawthorne Hall, and returning member of the orientation staff. Kelly Hamm is a sophomore pharmacy major beginning her first year as an orientation assistant after participating in the program herself the previous summer.

Melissa and Kelly describe their responsibility for welcoming new students, escorting them to activities and testing sessions, answering questions, and helping them feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment. Rather than serving only as tour guides, they hope to become friendly and recognizable sources of support when students return for the fall semester.

The assistants also discuss their extensive preparation, including weekly training sessions, communication and leadership exercises, diversity education, and an overnight retreat at Stony Acres designed to build teamwork and trust. Because incoming students may ask about anything from parking and cafeteria food to academic changes and serious personal concerns, the assistants are taught to respond honestly and direct students to qualified help when necessary.

Melissa and Kelly reflect on the friendships they have developed through the program and the satisfaction of being remembered by students they helped. The episode presents orientation as more than an introduction to buildings and policies—it is the first step toward helping new students feel that they belong at East Stroudsburg University.