Quest staff present to National Orientation Directors Association

New students at Radford University have plenty to do without having to worry about nervous parents. That's where members of the university's Parent Orientation Guide (POG) staff come in.

In advance of a busy summer Quest orientation season, six members of the POG staff and the two student directors for Quest 2014 represented RU at the National Orientation Directors Association - Region 8 conference at Rider University in Lawrenceville, N.J.

The conference was held from March 27-30. Hundreds of student and professional staff members were in attendance.

Three Radford POGs – Ben Estep, Austin Judd, and Leanna Mattson – presented "Quest: A New Student's Journey to Becoming a Radford Highlander." Through an interactive presentation using an ice breaker, images and video clips, the students guided audience members through the steps and strategies used during Quest to help new students and their families feel welcomed.

"Everything we do during Quest is centered around the new students, as well as their families, to help them feel welcomed as new Highlanders," Mattson said. "We tried to relay the impact that Quest has had on each of us personally."

According to Mattson, the presentation was well received and the trio fielded a series of questions about Radford's take on the orientation experience.

"A few audience members said the strategies we implemented were very intriguing and that they would discuss using them for their orientation programs at their school," she said.

They also explained how Quest Assistants (QAs) help students break out of their shells and feel comfortable with RU as their new home and discussed the vital role the QAs, RU staff and faculty play in helping students feel excited about the opportunities awaiting them at RU.

The two student directors, Cory Stidham and Alexis Male, participated in the Returning Orientation Leader Institute (ROLI) where they worked in small groups, under the guidance of a professional staff member, to enhance their leadership and supervision skills.

The objectives of Quest orientations are to academically advise and register new students for an upcoming semester. Faculty advisors and student leaders who serve as Quest Assistants offer new students guidance and reassurance during the time they are here.

POGs work closely with the New Student Programs staff to assist in the delivery of Quest programs for parents of incoming RU students.