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Fall 2023 Orientation Area Directors

Think of them as OAs to the OAs. 

2023 OAD'sOrientation Area Directors (OADs) are upper-level undergraduate students who have previously served as a member of the W&M Orientation Staff and have the desire to work at a high level with university staff and faculty to ensure all incoming students and families have a successful transition. Hired in late September to help coordinate and implement the following year's New Student Orientation program, OADs are responsible for the design and implementation of a successful OA recruitment, hiring, and training process - along with supporting their own orientation area team through the daily logistics of the fall program.


Meet The 2023 OAD Team!
Adam

Hi! I'm Adam, a junior majoring in Government, and minoring in Classical Studies from Lake Mary, Florida. Outside of Orientation, I'm also a member of Alpha Phi
Omega, a co-ed service, and social fraternity on campus! Outside of school, I'm a huge fan of walking around the wonderful city of Williamsburg. I absolutely love Orientation, and I'm so excited to be one of the OADs this year!

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Andrew

Andrew is a sophomore from Richmond, Virginia studying Finance and Hispanic Studies. Andrew was an OA for GGC this past year and is thrilled to further assist and grow the orientation experience as an OAD. Outside of the STEP office he serves on the exec board of a social and professional fraternity and is a tour guide for the admissions office.

You can find Andrew playing IM games almost any night of the week and he's always willing to stop and talk sports. He loves everything about William and Mary and can't wait to welcome everyone to their new home!

Annaliese

Annaliese is a junior from Richmond, Virginia, studying Sociology. On campus, she is a Research Fellow for the Local Black Histories Project, a Confidential Advocate at The Haven, and a barista at Aromas.

Annaliese has been an OA twice in the Green and Gold Community (shoutout to Griffin C and Griffin D)! She is thrilled to be part of the incredible team of OADs this year. If you see her around, feel free to ask her why she keeps pennies in her phone case or tell her about your favorite song (sharing music is her love language).

Catherine

Catherine is a junior from Pittsburgh, PA studying International Relations and Data Science. On campus, Catherine does research with the geoLab and the American-Bosnian Collaboration Project. She is also a Griffin Ambassador with the Admissions Office and a member of DoubleTake acapella. Catherine has been an OA for Spotswood and Giles and is so excited to serve as an OAD this year! If you see her around, be sure to share your weirdest fact or tell her about the coolest place you’ve ever been. She can’t wait to welcome new students to William & Mary!

Ciara

Ciara is a junior from Falls Church, Virginia studying Anthropology and Theatre. Around campus, you can find her organizing events for AMP and Best Buddies, performing with Improvisational Theatre (I.T.) or in various theater productions, and serving as a consultant at the Writing Resources Center.

She loves to hike, eat lettuce, have deep conversations, and dance around like a goof. You may see her hammocking in the trees, saying hello to everyone on Sadler Terrace, or doing work in the Wellness Center. She has donned the neon yellow the past two years as an OA for the Transfers and More (TMOA) staff and so looks forward to helping expand Orientation from the OAD perspective.

Garrett

Garrett is a junior majoring in History and minoring in Art. She was born and raised in Saint Louis, Missouri, so she is your go-to gal when it comes to the Gateway Arch, toasted ravioli, and Blues hockey. On campus, Garrett is a tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, one of the leading photographers for ROCKET Magazine, a sister of Chi Omega, and a member of the Club Golf team. Outside of her extracurriculars, you will typically find her reading a book (usually fantasy, romance, or a classic) on the Sunken Gardens, grabbing a chai latte from Aromas with friends, or taking a leisure walk around Colonial Williamsburg while listening to anything from Harry Styles to her favorite Broadway tunes.

Garrett has worn neon once before as a Yandolph (Yates & Randolph) OA this past fall. She is absolutely thrilled to rejoin the STEP team as an OAD and cannot wait to welcome William & Mary's class of 2027!

Henry

Henry is currently a Junior studying Computer Science and Mathematics. He is more recently from Fredericksburg, Virginia, but has spent most of his life in Lake Forest, Illinois. Outside of STEP, Henry is a campus tour guide for the Office of Undergraduate Admission and works as a media technician at the Reeder Media Center in Swem Library. Henry loves spending his free time running with friends, eating sushi at Oishii, and going to Busch Gardens.

This year, Henry was an Orientation Aide for the first time on the TMOA staff. He is so excited to work with STEP again in this new capacity and looks forward to welcoming the Class of 2027 to William & Mary.

Josep

Josep is a sophomore from Floyd County, VA, studying International Relations and minoring in Chinese. As for what he's involved in on campus, he's an active member of the rock climbing club and a part of STEP. Josep is an avid coffee drinker, anime fan, fantasy book fanatic, and enjoys hanging out in Sadler (especially The Slice). Josep became an OA in the fall of 2022 and is beyond excited to help form
the next orientation experience as an OAD.

Lauren

Lauren is a junior from Bismarck, North Dakota double majoring in Sociology and Government. On Campus, she is involved with Dad Jeans Improv, Undergraduate Admissions, a Social Sorority, and Club Ballroom Dance. In her free time, you can find Lauren chatting it up on Sadler terrace or in Swemromas! She served as an Orientation Aide for Yates 1st North last year and is so excited to be returning as an OAD.

Olivia

Olivia is a sophomore from Arvada, Colorado majoring in Economics with a minor in Chemistry. On campus, Olivia is in leadership within her social sorority and a tour guide through the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Olivia loved her time as OA in Fall 2022 for GGC, and is excited to continue working on orientation as an OAD! Outside of classes, Olivia can be found walking around CW and listening to her Spotify playlists. She is always up for good chit-chat with returning and new students!

Sydney

Sydney is a junior from the Chicago suburbs studying sustainable development and environmental science. Sydney is passionate about protecting our planet and is involved in sustainability on campus through Studnet Assembly and her job as a Dining Sustainability intern. Sydney is a founder of the Veggie Society and loves promoting the club's values of mental, physical, and environmental wellness, while also encouraging all students to come check out their lettuce-eating competition, Lettuce Feast!

On campus, you can typically find her catching up with friends on Sadler Terrace or taking advantage of the campus's beautiful nature while paddling on Lake Matoaka or hiking in College Woods. Sydney has been a Yates OA for the past two years and is so excited for the opportunity to help welcome new students to our community through her role as an Orientation Area Director. If you see her around campus feel free to say hello and ask her to point out her favorite W&M trees!

Victor

Victor is a junior studying Government and Data Science. He is from Germany but currently lives in Falls Church, VA, and Atlanta, Ga. Outside of Orientation, Victor conducts research with GeoLab and Aiddata and is the vice president for his social fraternity.Victor has been an OA twice in Spotswood and Nicholson and is super excited for the upcoming year. Roll Tribe!