Who better to help you make the leap to Cleveland State than people who were just in your shoes? Your Orientation Leaders are current CSU students that are available to answer your questions and provide real-life answers, communicate with you over the summer, support you once you arrive on campus, and provide you with helpful tips & information. Scroll down to meet your Orientation Leaders and the Orientation & Family Services staff.

Orientation Leaders

Erica

Major: Accounting
Academic Level: Freshman
Advice to new students: Don't be discouraged!!
Advice to parents: Let your children make their own choices about where and what to study in college.
Favorite thing about CSU: The Writing Center.

Matt

Major: Business
Academic Level: Freshman
Advice to new students: Get involved!! Meet new people and make lots of friends.
Advice to parents: Give all the support you can; every little thing matters.
Favorite thing about CSU: The new Rec Center with all the intramural sports they offer.

Kimberly

Major: Social Work
Academic Level: Freshman
Advice to new students: Not everything in life comes easy. However, if you are dedicated and determined to reach your goal, you will make it. CSU provides enough help for you to achieve.
Advice to parents: Just remember to support your children as they pursue their dreams. Don't worry, CSU will help make it happen.
Favorite thing about CSU: The racial diversity and the fact that it is close to home.

Kirsten

Major: Physical Education
Academic Level: Freshman
Advice to new students: Be friendly and open; college is filled with so many options you can always make a new friend.
Advice to parents: Even though you feel like you're letting go, always be ready for your kids to come to you...it will happen!
Favorite thing about CSU: The multiple chances to get involved here at CSU.

Amber

Major: Business Management/Administration
Academic Level: Freshman
Advice to new students: Don't think too hard about beginning college. It's a great experience that involves a lot of worthwhile persistence. Have fun when you get here, but don't forget about school work either!
Advice to parents: Please, if your child still lives at home, don't give them too many chores.
Favorite thing about CSU: The freedom to be and do what I want as well as all the people here.

Samantha

Major: English & Spanish
Academic Level: Sophomore
Advice to new students: I found it is most important to make sure you make time to have fun and relax as well as to study.
Advice to parents: Send mail to your children because we all love to find something in our mailboxes.
Favorite thing about CSU: I love the RTA pass because it makes traveling around Cleveland very easy. Plus, riding the rapid is fun; trains rock!

Leanne

Major: Communications
Academic Level: Sophomore
Advice to new students: Try and be as organized as possible! College is all about the choices you make, so make sure you balance out work and play. No one wants to fail a class you worked hard to pay for.
Advice to parents: Trust your kids.
Favorite thing about CSU: Living on campus rocks!

Kelly

Major: International Relations and Speech Pathology
Academic Level: Sophomore
Advice to new students: Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to go after opportunities.
Advice to parents: Stay relaxed about the transition and encourage your student to become involved at school.
Favorite thing about CSU: The variety of classes available to students, as well as the variety of student themselves.

Tom

Major: Marketing and Sociology
Academic Level: Junior
Advice to new students: Be opened to new ideas.
Advice to parents: Let your children grow.
Favorite thing about CSU: The professors, and how they care about what they teach.

Caroline

Major: Marketing
Academic Level: Junior
Advice to new students: Get involved on campus and join an organization; it makes campus more fun!
Advice to parents: Have faith in your student's college decisions and always be there to support them.
Favorite thing about CSU: The people I have met.

Vince

Major: Journalism and Digital Media
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: Never order the fish...just kidding! Relax and simply remain focused and you shouldn't have any problems. Make a point of finding something during your first year at CSU that engages you in the University...you'll thank me later!
Advice to parents: Encourage and support your child, but do not force them into something they're not ready for.
Favorite thing about CSU: I love that CSU is right here in Cleveland. I save money by living at home and go to school in the city that I love.

Alea

Major: Film & Digital Media
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: You don't have to do it all at once. You have plenty of time to try new things. Pace yourself and don't lose focus on your goals.
Advice to parents: Support your child! This is a time when they'll need you more than ever!
Favorite thing about CSU: All of the student organizations.

Edward

Major: Health Science Major
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: Don't Worry!
Advice to parents: Don't Worry!
Favorite thing about CSU: Location, instructors, and access to anything you need for school.

Leah

Major: Business Administration & Marketing
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: Be in class and on time.
Advice to parents: Give your children space. But not too much space.
Favorite thing about CSU: Living on campus.

Orientation Student Coordinators

Sara

Major: Sociology
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: Don't let your classes become stressful. Stay on top of your school work so you will have more time to enjoy other activities!
Advice to parents: Remind them everyday how proud you are of them and continue to encourage them to achieve all of their goals!
Favorite thing about CSU: The free on-campus events.

Ginny

Major: Social Work
Academic Level: Sophomore
Advice to new students: Don't be afraid to make friends and get involved!!
Advice to parents: Just be supportive, and make sure to always be there when your children need you!
Favorite thing about CSU: Working on campus.

Ken

Major: Environmental Science, Biology Track
Academic Level: Senior
Advice to new students: Use your time on campus wisely. If you have time between classes, use it to catch up on homework, assignments, or getting ahead on reading.
Advice to parents: Learn about all the student support structures that CSU has to offer so you know what advice to give if your student has any problems.
Favorite thing about CSU: The automatic doors to every building.

Orientation and Family Services Staff

Wadzi Hoert, Orientation Specialist

Academic Background: Master of Science, Higher Education Administration; Bachelor of Arts, Broadcast News.
Advice to new students: Immerse yourself in your campus surroundings in order to connect with others and build lasting relationships with your peers, professors and staff.
Advice to parents: Listen to your child when he or she shares information with you.
Favorite thing about CSU: The students.

Katie Collins, Orientation Specialist

Academic Background: Pursuing Masters in Adult Learning and Development; Bachelor of Arts, English, 2007.
Advice to new students: Don't be shy! Find a connection to CSU whether it's a professor, a student organization, or a cozy spot to relax. The more you put into CSU...the more you'll get out of it!
Advice to parents: Showing that you're still interested in their school activities and school work can be the best support during their transition.
Favorite thing about CSU: The energetic atmosphere.

Abbey Shiban, Manager, Orientation and Family Services

Academic Background: Currently pursuing Ph.D. in Urban Education; Master of Arts, Guidance & Counseling, 2001; Bachelor of Arts & Sciences, Psychology, 1999.
Advice to new students: Don't be afraid to ask for help or try something new. CSU offers many opportunities to help you succeed, meet new people, find a major & career, and even see the world!
Advice to parents: Provide positive encouragement for your student. College can be tricky at first, but having a strong support system can make a huge difference.
Favorite thing about CSU: The staff and faculty. All of the staff and faculty are committed to helping students learn and grow on their path to graduation.