Each semester, the MSU Office of Admissions MSU coordinates several Orientation sessions to welcome new students and parents. 

We are very proud that the success of our Orientation Program is due in large part to the quality, ability and dedication of Student Orientation Leaders who work closely with new freshmen, transfers, and parents. Each leader must participate in the spring Orientation Leader training class and work all sessions, including the Sunday trainings.

Check out What to Expect at MSU's Orientation!

Program Qualifications and Expectations

To qualify to be an Orientation Leader, you must:

  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University. 
  • Have and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. 
  • Commit to attend all summer Orientation sessions and trainings (dates listed below).
  • Have strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Display a positive attitude, strong work ethic, professionalism, and school spirit. 
  • Be committed to creating a welcoming environment and making a positive impact on peers, new students, and their families. 
  • Role-model behavior that is reflective of a campus leader, both in person and through all forms of communication and social media.

Expectations of Orientation Leaders:

  • Orientation Leaders must register for HLD 460 in the Spring Semester. 
  • Orientation Leaders must stay on campus with their Orientation groups throughout the duration of the Orientation programs (Sunday - Wednesday).
  • Orientation Leaders must commit to a high level of personal ethics and responsibility during employment and positively represent the Office of Admissions and Montana State University.
  • Orientation Leaders must be on time and prepared for all trainings, programs and activities.
  • Orientation Leaders must guide groups of incoming students throughout the Orientation program while exercising mentorship, leadership, and group management skills.
  • Must be knowledgeable about campus activities, campus life and various services offered by the University.
  • Must guide groups of incoming students throughout the Orientation program offering while exercising mentorship, leadership, and group management skills.
Benefits of the OL Program
  • Connect with fellow MSU students across campus.
  • Build leadership, mentorship, and communication skills. 
  • Enhance your personal and professional development. 
  • Learn more about campus and community resources and services. 
  • Network with MSU Faculty and Staff.
  • Free t-shirts, free meals, campus swag and more!
  • Enjoy a summer in Bozeman!
Compensation
  • The rate is $15/hour equaling around $600 per summer Orientation session (2 in June & 1 in July) and hourly for the Orientation session (August).
  • The Office of Admissions will not be providing overtime to OLs that work on campus during the summer. If an OL is employed in another office on campus, they must work with their other employer to ensure they do not exceed 40 hours per week during the weeks of Orientation.

Students will also be awarded two 400-level credits for completing the HLD 460 course in the spring. You are not paid for time spent in class.

2026 Orientation Sessions

  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 1: June 7 -10, 2026
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 2: June 21 - 24, 2026
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 3: July 12 - 15, 2026
  • STATE Days Session: Thursday, July 30 - Friday, July 31, 2026 (optional for additional compensation)
  • Saturday Training + Orientation Session 4: August 22 - 25, 2026

Orientation Leader Training - HLD 460

Orientation Leaders are required to register and participate in HLD 460 in the spring semester. HLD 460 is a two-credit upper division leadership development course that meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

During the HLD 460 course, students will learn all necessary information required to perform as an Orientation Leader. This includes information regarding academics and course registration, campus resources, student mentorship and development, University practices and more.

Application and Interview Process

Applications for the 2026 Orientation Leader Program will open in October 2025! 

New OL Application Opens: October 15

New OL Application Due: Sunday, November 16 at 11:59 pm

New OL Group Interviews: November 17 - November 21 (You will sign up for your group interview in the application)

 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please email the Orientation Team at orientation@montana.edu or Shannon Bangen at shannon.bangen@montana.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!

Yes!

We strongly encourage applicants to review summer availability and commit to all Orientation sessions. You are welcome to apply, but please discuss your availability further, and email the Director of Orientation, Shannon Bangen with questions: shannon.bangen@montana.edu.

We require all Orientation Leaders to take the spring semester training course in order to serve as an Orientation Leader over the summer.

STATE Days is FREE Campus Preview program that allows Montana high school seniors to learn about the admissions process and apply to MSU while getting a chance to stay on campus. It is not part of Orientation, however Orientation Leaders can sign up to be a STATE Days Leader during the program. Duties are comparable to an Orientation session.  

Questions?

Contact the Orientation Team at orientation@montana.edu or Shannon Bangen at (406) 994-2453 or shannon.bangen@montana.edu.

 

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Been an OL Before?

We'd love for you to apply again and consider some of the enhanced leadership roles within the program!

Application for Returning OLs (all positions) Opens: October 15

Application for Returning OLs (all positions) Due: Sunday, November 2 at 11:59 pm

Individual Interviews: October 28 - November 14

  • Scheduling your interview is part of the application. If you finish the application before the deadline, we encourage you to select an earlier interview time - Shannon and Ellie's schedules thank you!

Orientation Leader

If you want to be an Orientation Leader again, please refer to the Program Qualitifactions and Expectations, Benefits, and Compensation above, then fill out our Returning OL Application and sign up for an individual interview. 

College Lead Position (Must have OL experience)

If you are curious about the College Lead Position, please review the Program Qualifications and Expectations below and indicate your interest on the Returning OL Application. Indicating your interest in the College Lead position is not binding! It just means that we will discuss it with you in your interview. 

College Lead Qualifications Required:

  • Previous Orientation Leader experience.
  • 2.75 cumulative GPA or above.
  • Good standing in academics and disciplinary standing with the University.
  • Undergraduate or Graduate student standing.
  • Availability during Spring semester and Summer 2026.

 

College Lead Qualifications Preferred:

  • Enthusiasm for the Orientation program
  • Strong personal initiative, critical thinking, and creativity.
  • Ability to lead and motivate others and provide positive and constructive feedback to peers.

 

College Lead General Responsibilities:

  • Act as a liaison between Orientation Coordinators and Orientation Leaders.
  • Support Orientation Leader training and development.
  • Support the facilitation of activities during Orientation Leader Retreat.
  • Complete College Lead curriculum (enhanced class curriculum and expectations).
  • Support the facilitation of the summer Orientation program and must stay on campus during the program.
  • Be a point of contact for college advisors and an expert in your assigned college’s curriculum.
  • Commit to attend all summer Orientation sessions and trainings (dates here)

 

College Lead Compensation:

  • Pay: $15.75/hr
  • The Office of Admissions will not be providing overtime to OLs that work on campus during the summer. It is expected that should an OL be employed in another office on campus, they work with their employer to ensure they do not exceed 40 hours per week during the weeks of Orientation.

Orientation Coordinator Position (Must have OL experience)

If you are curious about the Orientation Coordinator Position, please review the Program Qualifications and Responsibilities below and indicate your interest on the Returning OL Application. Indicating your interest in the Orientation Coordinator position is not binding! It just means that we will discuss it with you in your interview. 

Orientation Coordinator Qualifications Required:

  • Previous Orientation Leader experience.
  • 3.0 cumulative GPA or above.
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing with the University.
  • Undergraduate or Graduate student standing.
  • Availability during Spring semester and Summer 2026.

 

Orientation Coordinator Qualifications Preferred:

  • Enthusiasm for the Orientation Program, and a positive and community focused attitude.
  • Demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and creativity.
  • Willingness to help train Orientation Leaders and College Leads, giving appropriate feedback.
  • Ability to lead and motivate others, while being a reliable member of the team.
  • Ability to defuse high stress situations and conversations tactfully and professionally.
  • Ability to work with large groups, make decisions quickly, and remain customer service focused.
  • Ability to support the organization and administration of the spring course and summer Orientation program.

 

Orientation Coordinator General Responsibilities:

  • Act as a liaison between College Leads, Orientation Leaders, and MSU Orientation Staff.
  • Support Orientation Leader recruitment and selection.
  • Assist with the preparation and facilitation of HLD 460 course and Orientation Leader Retreat.
  • Prepare and coordinate summer Orientation session details and materials.
  • Support the facilitation of the summer Orientation program and must stay on campus during the program.
  • Commit to attend all summer Orientation sessions and trainings (dates here)
  • Other duties as assigned by the Director of Orientation.

 

Orientation Coordinator Compensation:

  • Pay: $16.50/hr
  • The Office of Admissions will not be providing overtime to OLs that work on campus during the summer. It is expected that should an OL be employed in another office on campus, they work with their employer to ensure they do not exceed 40 hours per week during the weeks of Orientation.