iLEAD: Student Orientation Director (SOD)

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Job Title: iLEAD: Student Orientation Director (SOD)

Department:  Center for Student Engagement  

Division: Student Affairs

Reports to: Student Involvement Specialist  
 

General purpose: The Student Orientation Director (SOD) is a six-month student leadership commitment, beginning March 2026, which helps plan Fall Orientation 2026. 

Summary of Essential Functions: The SODs assists the Center for Student Engagement and the Orientation Committee in planning and executing Orientation Leader Training and Fall Orientation 2026.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Spring 2026 Semester Responsibilities include: 

• Mandatory SOD introduction session on March 25, 2026 from 2:15 - 3:30pm.

• Attend monthly Orientation Committee meetings (April & May)

• 1-2 short meetings to prepare for OL interviews

• Recruit, interview, and select Orientation Leaders (OL)

• The Student Orientation Director (SOD) spring responsibilities are a 1-3 hour commitment per week.

Typical Summer Responsibilities include (but are not limited to): 

• Attend regular Orientation Committee meetings (bi-weekly)

• Participate in at least 2 Orientation Sub-Committees 

• Communicate regularly with OLs throughout the summer 

• Plan OL training workshops and activities (including training assessments) for August 2026

• Update all OL information (pairs, sticker groups, dietary needs, etc.) in database 

• Coordinate OL training meals and orientation swag

• Plan and coordinate late night evening socials and events

• Be active on Orientation/first-year social media accounts 

• Develop content for the Orientation Canvas course

• Plan and host summer programs/events for incoming students

• The Student Orientation Director (SOD) summer responsibilities are a 10-20 hour commitment per week.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Demonstrate an understanding of MICA’s First Year Experience and Orientation Program

• Foster energy and enthusiasm throughout the summer for the Orientation Leaders

• Demonstrates efficient time management while prioritizing workload 

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail 

• Ability to communicate effectively with collaborators and teammates, via email, in-person, and social media

• Strong interpersonal relationship skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others

• Ability to consider the diverse needs and interests of the MICA student body, and address these through intentional and thoughtful programming

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be a currently enrolled MICA undergraduate student at time of employment

• Must have completed at least one year at MICA by the end of Spring 2026

• Former MICA Orientation Leader experience required (spring or fall)

• Demonstrated leadership abilities

• A desire to serve the MICA community 

• Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5

Reporting to this position:

• Reports to the Student Involvement Specialist

• Co-supervises 20-25 Orientation Leaders

• 2 positions available

Compensation

• $16 per hour

• Meals during trainings

• 10 meal swipes during New Student Orientation

• 2 Orientation T-Shirts and other Orientation swag

• On-Campus housing over the summer

Conditions of Employment 

• Student must maintain a GPA of 2.5 

• Mandatory SOD introduction session on March 25, 2026 from 2:15 - 3:30pm.

• Up to 3 hours per week March 25 – May 29, 2026

• Up to 20 hours per week June 1 – September 1, 2026

• Student Orientation Director is expected to attend mandatory trainings and events, as outlined below:

  • Orientation Leader Training: Wednesday, August 12 – Tuesday, August 18, 2026 (includes Joint Student Leader Training)

  • Must be available every day of Fall Orientation (Wednesday, August 19 – Sunday, August 23, 2026) with flexible on-call hours

  • Convocation: Morning of Tuesday, August 25th before morning classes.

• Student Orientation Director cannot serve as an RA

• Student employees may not work more than 20 hours per week across all on-campus positions

Application Timeline & Details

• Applications close March 1, 2026

• Interviews will take place between February 16, 2026 - March 13, 2026

• For more information, please contact Nico Tackenberg at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

• Please note: This position is contingent on the college’s operational plan, fiscal budget, and the department’s need for student employees.

Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

• Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate or high.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.