Orientation Assistants

Chase
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: 
Hometown: 
Involved in: 

Fun Fact: 

Favorite thing about Cortland:

Advice:

Evangely
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Manhattan, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant (RA) 

Fun Fact: "I’m bilingual! I speak Spanish and English."

Favorite thing about Cortland: "My favorite thing about Cortland is the amazing community here."

Advice: "Take things one step at a time. It is completely okay not to have everything figured out during your first year. College is a learning experience, and growth happens over time. You may make mistakes along the way, and that is a natural and valuable part of the process."

Haley
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Owego, NY
Involved in: Cortland Climbing Club

Fun Fact "I have traveled to four countries!"

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about cortland is the climbing and wall! Also the events that we have like $3 movie night, stuff a plush and grocery bingo." 

Advice "Get out of your comfort zone, go to club fair and welcome week events."

OA Instagram:

Ilana
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: PRE-Major
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Involved in: Intramural volleyball, Curly Kinky Coily (CKC), Spanish Club, La Famila Latina

Fun Fact "A fun fact about me is that I’ve attended over 11 different schools, which has helped me adapt to new environments and meet a wide range of people. I also speak two languages, which has allowed me to connect with different groups of people."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about cortland is that everyone is focused on their own interests, goals, and routines, which makes it easier to find your place and do your own thing while still being part of the campus community."

Advice "My advice is that this time can be both really stressful and really exciting at the same time. Between financial pressures and social changes it can feel overwhelming sometimes. But it’s also one of the most fun and memorable parts of life, so it’s important to leave space for that too."

OA Instagram:

Jakob
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Adolescent Education Social Studies: History
Hometown: Bradford, NY
Involved in: Intramural Basketball, Disability Club

Fun Fact "I am friends with the owner of Mooneys."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is the atmosphere and the people everyone is so nice including the staff and teachers."

Advice "Just be yourself get out do things there is so much to do so try everything and anything."

James
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Islip, NY
Involved in: Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM), Intramural flag and arena football

Fun Fact "I enjoy going outdoors and having bonfires/ fire pits."

Favorite thing about Cortland "Social life."

Advice "Learn how to balance academics and social life, academics are the reason you’re here, but having fun and decompressing is crucial as well."

Johnny
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Media Production
Hometown: Watkins Glen, NY
Transferred from Southern New Hampshire University
Involved in: CSTV, WSUC Radio Station, Film Club

Fun Fact "I love to go backpacking."

Favorite thing about Cortland "The community."

Advice "Hardship is inevitable. Keep your goals in mind and remember there are so many different resources on campus that can help you."

OA Instagram:

Jordan
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Sport Management
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Involved in: Dominican Student Association (DSA)

Fun Fact "My favorite rapper is Summrs."

Favorite thing about Cortland "The friends that I have made here."

Advice "Don’t be afraid to get involved. Sometimes in order to be comfortable, you have to first step outside your comfort zone."

Kay
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Adolescent Education: English
Hometown: Buffalo, NY
Involved in: Sigma Delta Tau Sorority, National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), English Honor Society, Student Intern in the English Department

Fun Fact "I have 3 younger sisters."

Favorite thing about Cortland "Getting to be with my friends everyday."

Advice "Get involved and push yourself out of your comfort zone."

Kyra
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Psychology
Hometown: 
Involved in: President of Psychology Club, Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant. Internships in the Cortland community

Fun Fact "I can name and locate all 50 states in under 5 minutes."

Favorite thing about Cortland "I love how walkable the campus and community is! I also love my major."

Advice "Start to form connections with classmates and professors as soon as you can! Also, go to activities on campus, there is always something to do. It is also important to utilize the services we have on campus such as the learning center and the writing center, you are already paying for it!"

OA Instagram:

Maleny
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Inclusive Childhood Education
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant (RA), Spanish club, EOP Student, C.U.R.E. Scholar

Fun Fact "I am an only child, and I love to doodle and read."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is the sense of community and how there is always something going on, from big events like Cortland Nites to smaller club hosted events from clubs that are part of the Voice Office. I also really like the size of campus because everything feels close together, making it easier to have a steady routine, especially when it comes to finding study spots."

Advice "Take full advantage of campus networking opportunities and resources, even if you’re unsure at first. It never hurts to apply or reach out because it may open doors for you. Overall, being proactive on campus can make a big difference in both your college experience and future."

OA Instagram:

Mykah
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Inclusive Early Childhood Education
Hometown: Fayetteville, Tennessee
Transferred from Motlow State Community College
Involved in: Academic Grievance Tribunal, Student Facilitator for COR 101, Transfer Network, Admissions Tour Guide

Fun Fact "I have lived in four states."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is the types of connections that come from just getting involved whether that’s making long-term friends finding someone to write you a letter of recommendation or someone that can help you get your foot in the door for your future, being involved at Cortland is not only beneficial for your time here at Cortland, but it set you up for a success for your future."

Advice "Be willing to put yourself out there and go to events during the semester, even if it means walking by yourself to the event for the first couple of times a lot of people make their friends within the different clubs, organizations, and sports teams here on campus and many of them have been made just because they’re all walking to the same place."

OA Instagram:

OJ
Major: Adolescent Education, Mathematics
Hometown: New Rochelle, NY

Involved in: President of the Video Games Club, Admissions Tour Guide, EOP Tutor

Fun Fact "I pole vaulted in high school state and national competitions."

Favorite thing about Cortland "The snow!"

Advice "Take a deep breath and go for it."

OA Instagram:

Olivia
Pronouns: She/They/He
Major: Therapeutic Recreation
Hometown: Wallingford, Connecticut
Involved in: Resident Assistant (RA), President of SUNY Cortland Recreation Association, Club A Cappella

Fun Fact "I love to thrift and collect physical media."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is how easy it is to become involved! Whether it is on campus or off, there is always something to do with your crowd."

Advice "This is a big transition and you're not going through it alone. There are various resources for students at Cortland to ease the transition and to set yourself up for success in the future."

OA Instagram:

Riley
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Public Administration and Public Policy
Hometown: Dryden, NY
Involved in: Student Facilitator for COR 101, Bridge Club, Law and Politics Club 

Fun Fact "I’ve seen Noah Kahan 3 times."

Favorite thing about Cortland "The people."

Advice "Talk to everyone you can."

OA Instagram: @oa_riley

Simay
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Teaching as a Second Language (TESOL)
Hometown: Osmaniye, Türkiye
Involved in: A capella, TESOL internship, Study Abroad

Fun Fact "I studied abroad while studying abroad"

Favorite thing about Cortland "I love the community and I also believe that there are a lot of places in the campus that students can get support."

Advice "Do not hesitate to be yourself even if it might seem scary."

OA Instagram: @oa_simay

Tionne
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Bay Shore, NY
Transferred from SUNY Buffalo State Univ. 
Involved in: C.U.R.E Scholar

Fun Fact "I was a girl scout for about 2-3 years."

Favorite thing about Cortland "The SLC gym."

Advice "Get comfortable being uncomfortable, because growth is calling you into a better version of yourself!"

OA Instagram:

Zilan
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Teaching as a Second Language (TESOL)
Hometown: Mersin, Türkiye
Involved in: "As an international student at Cortland, I enjoy getting involved by meeting new people, building connections, and being part of the campus community. I like participating in campus life and creating meaningful friendships and experiences."

Fun Fact "I can speak more than three languages, and I would love to keep learning even more."

Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is the sense of community. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported, and I love how easy it is to connect with people here.Easy connect but strong bonds."

Advice "Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. You are your own kid, make that kid happy, proud and fulfilled with memories.Every memory can help you to grow so love every day, every moment, create unforgettable memories that you can look back how far you’ve come. It is not easy always but just keep swimming you got this!"

OA Instagram:

Zoe
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Criminology
Hometown: Lee, Massachusetts
Involved in: Resident Assistant, National Society for Leadership and Success (NSLS), A capella 

Fun Fact: "I have a pet bird. A parakeet named Marshmallow."

Favorite thing about Cortland: "I love the size of the campus, not too big or too small, and how it is a secluded campus that I feel safe at and can get around easily to my classes or to hang out with my friends. Also having a medium campus means I get to see people I know everywhere I go which is a nice feeling throughout the day."

Advice: "My advice is to really use all the resources here at Cortland because there are so many, academically there are tutors and learning centers, food there are many different dining halls, for fun there is spaces in the SLC and I love using the gym there, and for clubs there are so many that you can try out and explore your interests to see what best fits in discovering yourself."

OA Instagram: