Orientation Leader
Orientation Leaders (OLs) play an essential role in welcoming new-to-Duke students to campus and creating an inclusive and welcoming Experiential Orientation Project. Orientation Leaders are new students’ first impression of Duke University. They set the tone for what it means to be part of the Duke community and have the opportunity to help an entire class of students get off to the right start. OLs serve as mentors with the aspiration of creating and maintaining lasting helpful relationships throughout the school year.
- Create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all new-to-Duke students
- Lead vital conversations about campus resources and support
- Be a positive and supportive role model over the summer, in O-week, and throughout new student’s first year on campus
- Commit to checking-in with new students at least twice per semester
- Abide by Duke’s Community Standards from the time of selection through O-Week
- Be fully present and engaged throughout your Experiential Orientation Project
- Prioritize your Experiential Orientation over other commitments during training and O-Week
- Attend the Orientation Kickoff; attend all of Orientation Leader Training; and be fully present and engaged on New Student Move-In Day
- Experiences and engagements that their projects provide (field trips, excursions, speakers, adventures, etc.)
- Early access move in (Only for students with an on-campus housing contract for Fall 2025. If you do not have a housing contract for Fall 2025, please note that you are responsible for obtaining your own housing in Durham during training and O-Week.)
- Meals provided during OL Training and Orientation Week
- Project-specific & OL general merch items
- Personal and professional leadership development
- Currently an undergraduate student
- Enrolled in classes for the Fall 2025 semester
- Has completed at least two semesters at Duke by the time of Summer 2025
- Free of academic or disciplinary sanctions from the Office of Conduct and Community Standards
- Orientation Kickoff on April 13, 1-4pm
- Some summer time will be required (zoom meetings with PDs, emails to new students, etc)
- OL Training 2025: August 13-15*
- Move-In Day: August 12 (for OLs)*
August 16 (All First-Year Student Projects)
August 19 (Project Transfer only)
- Orientation Week 2024: August 17-22 (All First-Year Student Projects) August 19-22 (Project Transfer only)
*These dates are strong estimates, and should be used for planning, but subject to change slightly
Application
The Orientation Leader application for 2025 is now closed.