Get to know our Orientation Assistants!
Adam
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Adolescent Education: Biology
Hometown: Sherburne, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant, rock climbing, Peer Tutoring program, College Community Orchestra, Honors Program
Fun Fact "I like fishing."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The rock wall."
Advice "College is what you make of it. Make sure you take the time to get good grades, but don't forget to have fun and make friends while you are here. It will be over before you know it."
OA Instagram @cortland_oa_adam
Anthony
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Adolescence Education: Social Studies and History
Hometown: Dundee, NY
Transferred from Finger Lakes Community College
Involved in: Student Activities Board, Resident Assistant, Student Government Association, Student Rep. for the Academic Grievance Tribunal
Fun Fact "I marched in a professional drum and bugle corps."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The friends I have made."
Advice "Get involved as much as you can as soon as you can. DO NOT sit in your room for those first two weeks."
OA Instagram @cortland_oatony
Auttie
Pronouns: she/they
Major: Biomedical Sciences
Hometown: Beaumont, CA
Involved in: Resident Assistant, VP of Pride
Fun Fact "I have 18 piercings, and 3 tattoos."
Favorite thing about Cortland The beautiful campus/Old Main."
Advice "Come to Cortland with the ideas that its okay to have things change and you/your mental health/ physical well being should always be a top priority."
OA Instagram @aut_at_suny_cortland
Brady
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Randolph, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant, Football Team
Fun Fact "I'm a really big movie guy."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The atmosphere"
Advice "Enjoy every moment, even the bad ones because time flies and before you know it you’re out of here."
OA Instagram @cortland_oabrady
Brooke C
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Political Science
Hometown: East Williston, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant
Fun Fact “I am the eldest child in my family."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The sense of community."
Advice "Get involved with clubs on campus!"
OA Instagram @cortlandoa_brooke.c
Brooke S
Pronouns: she/her
Majors: Inclusive Childhood Education
Hometown: Earlville, NY
Transferred from SUNY Oneonta
Involved in: Student Activities Board (SAB), Education Club, Inclusive Education Club, National Society of Leadership and Success
Fun Fact “Gymnastics is my favorite sport."
Favorite thing about Cortland "Cortland as helped me develop a true love for learning."
Advice "Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone."
OA Instagram @oa.brooke
Chelsea
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Involved in: Kinesiology Club, NAACP, Resident Assistant, SUNY Cortland EMS
Fun Fact "I love playing, watching, and following basketball."
Favorite thing about Cortland
"How willing and resourceful others can be."
Advice “Ask questions and get involved. I firmly believe that we are college students and not just students who go to college."
OA Instagram @Oa.chelsea_
Chrismeiry
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Transferred from Mercy College
Involved in: Admissions Tour Guide, NYPIRG
Fun Fact "I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to NY in 2012."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The friendly environment."
Advice "Don't be afraid to experience new things."
OA Instagram @oa.chrismeiry
Daniel
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Newburgh, NY
Involved in: Student Government Association (SGA)
Fun Fact “I've been to half of the MLB Stadiums... so far"
Favorite think about Cortland
"I really like the class sizes. Professors make an effort to get to know you on an individual basis. Because classes aren't huge, I always have felt it to be easier to carve out my place in class and participate"
Advice "Get involved! It is super important, especially when it comes to making friends with similar interests. Join a club, go to events, play a club or intramural sport. There are so many valuable experiences."
OA Instagram @cortland_oadaniel
Emily
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Hometown: Angola, NY
Involved in: The Cortland Stars, Education Club, Admissions Tour Guide, National Society for Leadership and Success
Fun Fact "I love plants and succulents! I love to have multiple in my room, and always have the urge to buy more!"
Favorite thing about Cortland "I love the atmosphere and the vibes! People are always so nice and there's always something to do, you'll never be bored!"
Advice "Everyone is in the same boat as you. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there and out of your comfort zone - it'll pay off in the end!"
OA Instagram @cortlandoa.emily
Esra
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Teaching English as a Second Language
Hometown: Eskisehir, Turkey
Involved in: International Club
Fun Facts "I'm a coffee lover. I haven't gone a day without coffee since I was thirteen."
Favorite thing about Cortland
"I love how dynamic Cortland is. There is always something to do. I also enjoy the campus overall. It's lovely."
Advice “Cortland offers a variety of study abroad programs. You should visit the international office to get more information! Studying abroad is another valuable experience to have during your college years."
OA Instagram @cortland_esra_oa
Francis
Pronouns: he/him/his
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Involved in: C.U.R.E. Program
Fun Fact "I've done some gymnastics."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The campus."
Advice "Make the most out of your time here because it'll go by quick."
OA Instagram @cortlandoa_francis
Katherine
Pronouns: she/her
Major: Studio Art
Hometown: Hawley, PA
Involved in: The Dragon Chronicle
Fun Fact “I have a vein in the shape of South America"
Favorite thing about Cortland "The fun environment even off campus."
Advice "Take everything at your own pace "
OA Instagram @oa.katherine
Kayleigh
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Hometown: Rocky Point, NY
Involved in: e-board member for the National Society of Leadership and Success
Fun Fact "I have a Black Lab named Bella who has an extra toe!"
Favorite thing about Cortland "The community! The people, the campus, and the extracurriculars make Cortland feel like home."
Advice “Don't be afraid to put yourselves out there! Stepping outside of your comfort zone is the road to the best experiences you will have at Cortland."
OA Instagram @cortlandoa.kayleigh
Lauren
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Musical Theatre
Hometown: Staten Island, NY
Involved in: Admissions Tour Guide
Fun Fact "I have an amazing dog named Sammy :)"
Favorite thing about Cortland “There is always something fun to do!"
Advice "Enjoy every second! It goes by so quickly."
OA Instagram @cortland.oa.lauren
Mercy
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Business Economics
Hometown: Bayshore, NY
Involved in: Admissions Tour Guide, Resident Assistant, BSU Treasurer, Women's Track and Field
Fun Fact "I moved from Nigeria to the United States seven years ago."
Favorite thing about Cortland “How small and together the community is, the friendliness of people."
Advice "Be open minded to everything and never give up even if thing are uninterested and no going your way."
OA Instagram @cortlandoa_mercy
Raquel
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: History
Hometown: Levittown, NY
Involved in: President of Students For Access & Ability in College (SFAAC), Voice Office Representative for Mind Over Everything (MOE), Resident Assistant, Former Institute for Civic Engagement (ICE) Intern, Former Voice Office Representative for Hillel, Former SGA Advocacy Committee Member
Fun Fact "I want to get into voice acting."
Favorite thing about Cortland “The clubs! I love participating in clubs on campus and going to the wide range of events held by them."
Advice "Participate on campus, not just in classes. Being involved on campus not only helps boost your resume, but it also helps you to learn new skills such as leadership and community building skills."
OA Instagram @cortlandoa.raquel
Rebecca
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Hometown: Sloatsburg, NY
Involved in: President of the RPG Club
Fun Fact "I love all things fantasy and going to the New York Renaissance Faire at least once a year. I have multiple costumes for it and love being at the Faire."
Favorite thing about Cortland “Everyone is so friendly. You can walk around and find friends everywhere."
Advice "Put yourself out there and make the most of your time at Cortland."
OA Instagram @oa_rebecca.warren
Sonya
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Political Science
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Involved in: e-board member of BSU, M.O.V.E., La Famila Latina
Fun Fact "I'm left handed."
Favorite thing about Cortland “The clubs."
Advice "College is the perfect time to find yourself. Be open to new things!!!"
OA Instagram @cortlandoa_sonya
Van
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Major: Early Childhood/Childhood Education
Hometown: Ellenville, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant, Vice President of the Student Activities Board (SAB)
Fun Fact "My favorite kind of footwear is crocs."
Favorite thing about Cortland “The gym, outdoor recreation opportunities and job opportunities."
Advice "Go after every opportunity that is offered to you, chase your dreams and that way you will never experience regret. Fill up your resume with valuable experiences in leadership and teamwork, we will all graduate with a degree but it is the clubs and jobs that we have on campus/off campus that set us apart from everyone else. You got this!"
OA Instagram @Cortland_van