USF Orientation News & Announcements

Sarah Pollei was a member of the 2011 OTL team. She is a Biology Major with a minor in Leadership Studies and Biophysics. Being a first year generation student she has come a long way since beginning her college education at USF. Sarah was a family leader and had a lot of positive feedback on the position; “During the position I was offered jobs, internships and opportunities to volunteer or shadow physicians. It also allowed me to make close connections with the dignitaries on campus, which I still keep in touch with to this day!”

Since being an OTL Sarah has held many leadership positions here on campus. She is highly involved with: Tutoring Lab Coordinator for USF’s Chemistry Society, National Residence Hall’s Honorary, Student Alumni Association, P.R.I.D.E Alliance, Residence Life Mentor, and Participant/facilitator for the 2nd Annual Student Success Conference, Watch Your BAC committee, and also volunteers with many of volunteer programs that USF has to offer.

Sarah has been recognized many times for accomplishments she had done on and off campus. She has been awarded; USF Directors Award, Housing and Residential Education’s Academic Achievement Award, Deans List for the Chemistry Department (2009-present), and Haitian Renaissance Delegation- Academia. Currently she is a Resident Assistant, and has been one since the summer of 2010. Sarah has done a lot before and after her time as an Orientation Team Leader, and will continue to be involved and impact everyone around her by being a perfect example of a USF bull.

Many leaders emerge after they finish their Orientation Team Leader position, and Chad Cowan is no exception. Chad has influenced many around him before and after he was chosen to become an OTL for 2010 team. Chad said this about his experience, “My OTL experience was empowering and transforming summer from the moment it began until it ended.”

Chad tries to help out his USF community the best way that he knows and getting involved was his best solution. He tries to enrich lives by showing what an ideal USF bull should look and act like. He was a former RA for Cypress Residence Hall, which to him was a “neat experience”. Chad is a part of Aletheia Student Organization, a member of the USF Bulls Triathlon Club, a member of Best Buddies, and a future member of American Marketing Association. Recently, he went to Wales for the study abroad program. With everything Chad does, Orientation is still dear to his heart. He was recently hired to become a Transfer Orientation Leader here on campus.

When asked how has the OTL experience helped him in the world, Chad replied, “Being an OTL has helped me overcome some of the barriers, like working with a team or public speaking to push me forward. If I did not go through this experience I might have missed out on many opportunities to come. So thankful that I got to be an OTL….it was AWESOME!”

Chad can be considered a prime example of what a Team Leader should be after finishing their process as an OTL, and a great USF bull.

Krishna Patel was part of the 2010 Orientation Team and has been involved on campus ever since! She recently participated in an European Expo in London, England – 2011, and she is a member of the Undergraduate Public Health Student Association (UPHSA). In addition, she is a Green and Gold Guide (G3) and has been involved with various roles through the Office of Orientation.

She has held many leadership positions throughout her time at USF. They include being a Green and Gold Guide Tour Trainer (2011-2012), the Secretary for Undergraduate Public Health Student Association, Orientation Retreat Facilitator (2011-2012), Transfer Orientation Team Leader, Orientation Mentor 2011, and Orientation Team Leader 2010. She will continue to stay involved in various things throughout campus every time she is given the opportunity.

Krishna said, “One memory that sticks out from my experience as an OTL would have to be interacting with my team and becoming more outgoing. I was very shy and quiet before starting the position, but with all of the other OTL’s being supportive and learning along the way as well, I was able to break out of my shell and notice strengths I thought I never had. I got very lucky in working with the people I did.”

When asked how has the OTL experience helped you in the world outside of OTL, she replied; “I can honestly say it was the launching pad to everything I do today. Without gaining such a prestigious student leadership position, I wouldn’t have applied and tried half the things I am doing today. Through becoming an OTL, I joined other student organizations on campus and became involved in them which helped me achieve outstanding opportunities, such as going to England for a European Expo to recruit students from abroad. The OTL experience has made me a better public speaker, calmer when talking to large groups of people or even when giving presentations for classes, improved my time management, provided me with organizational skills, and much more!”

Andres Mola can be considered one of the best Orientation Team Leaders to have ever worn the illustrious orientation polo. Andres was part of the 2010 team, but his experience with orientation did not stop there. He joined the Orientation Mentor Program mentoring the incoming Orientation Team Leaders and later found himself working in the Office of Orientation as a student assistant. Recently, he was hired as a Transfer Orientation Team Leader. “My experience as an Orientation Team Leader changed my life- it was an experience unlike any other that will always be remembered,” said Andres, reflecting on his experience with Orientation.

Andres has done a lot for the USF community by being highly involved with what USF has to offer to all students. He is a USF Latino Scholarship Recipient and a member of the Arts and Sciences Honor Society. He is also a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He volunteers with Discover USF (new faculty and staff onboarding session) and also helps with other volunteer programs that USF has to offer such as Stampede of Service.

Andres has a lot to offer, and we all know he will do great things in life. When asked how has the OTL experience helped him in the world, Andres replied, “Orientation has a way of bringing out things in you that even you didn’t know existed. I walked into Orientation not knowing how to communicate with strangers. I also seemed to have an attitude about things when they didn’t go my way. I left Orientation a leader that is able to communicate with anyone in any situation and I’ve learned to smile about everything. The skills I walked away with impact the way I live through my day to day life.”

It’s a bird…. it’s a plane…. it’s Team SUPERBULL!

Were you recently in OASIS and weren’t able to register for classes? You probably got an error message that told you to call the Office of Orientation. We may be able to answer your question here.

As a reminder, all undergraduate, degree-seeking students must attend a full Orientation session prior to being able to register for classes.

Registration Times for Spring 2012

• Transfer Students: Dec. 2, 2011 (or after attending Orientation)
• Non-Degree Seeking Students: Dec. 12, 2011
• First Year Students: Jan. 5, 2012 (after attending Orientation)

You will not have a registration time in OASIS until you attend Orientation unless you are a non-degree seeking student.

To check your registration time, log into OASIS > Click Student tab > Click Registration > Click Registration Status.

For assistance with using OASIS for course registration, please watch this video.