Orientation Assistants
Meet Your OA
Get to know our Orientation Assistants!
Adam
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Physics and Engineering (3+2)
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Involved in: Physics and Engineering Club
Fun Fact "I am a military veteran. In addition I also love to stay physically active whether that be going to the gym, going hiking or doing any outdoor activity that allows me to spend time in nature."
Favorite thing about Cortland "I appreciate this college's modest size and the people here. Everyone gets along and Cortland always has an activity going on. Also all the buildings you need to access—whether they be dining halls, residence halls, the Student Life Center or education buildings for classes—are just a short walk away."
Advice "Always do homework assignments on time and to never wait until the last minute . Also participate in campus life as well, whether it be by joining a club or making friends. The initial step is scary but after it will become second hand nature."
OA Instagram:
Andy
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Healthcare Management (HCM)
Hometown: Queretaro, Mexico
Involved in: HCM Club, SUNY Cortland Emergency Medical Services (SCEMS), International Office events, Work at Bistro (dining)
Fun Fact "I saw snow for the first time when I was 18"
Favorite thing about Cortland "Sports events, especially when my friends are playing. I love supporting and cheering for them. I also love all the group classes at the SLC. Everyone here is so nice and friendly."
Advice "It's ok to be nervous. Everyone is going through the same process. It's not always easy but you'll figure it out. Do not feel ashamed to ask for help. We're all here to help you out!"
Anna
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Mount Sinai, NY
Involved in: Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM)
Fun Fact "I love to solo hike but have a horrible sense of direction so I tend to get lost on every hike."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The fitness culture. Health and fitness is very important to me so having so many places and buildings dedicated to those things is really nice. I love using the gym, outdoor courts, and nearby trails."
Advice "Don't procrastinate on assignments. It can be a big change going from not having to manage all your workload by yourself to having assignments given to you by professors and you need to know when and where to turn them in. It can be especially hard trying to get that work done when there isn't a lot of reminders towards it but then those assignments catch up quick. Most of the time these assignments will be papers worth a good chunk of your grade so it best to figure out early in the semester what kind of work you have and start chipping away at them early as to not hurt your grade or stress yourself out."
Caelan
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Physical Education
Hometown: Dongguan, China
Involved in: Alliance of Physical Education Majors (APEM), Resident Assistant, CRU, Intramural Sports
Fun Fact "I took an impulse trip to the Eiffel Tower at 5 a.m."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The size doesn’t feel too small nor too big. The SLC is a fun place to go."
Advice "Join clubs, play sports, throw yourself out there and you’ll find yourself with a network of friends in no time."
OA Instagram: @OACaelan
Milla
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Criminology and Political Science
Hometown: Fulton, NY
Involved in: TA In the Sociology Department, Work in Bistro (dining), Animal Rights Club
Fun Fact “I have a Border Collie named Winston Churchill."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The diversity of its students and the different kinds of people that I have met."
Advice "Finding your people is a process. Take your time, enjoy the little things, and you will find the best people to surround yourself with."
Elysa
Pronouns: She/Her
Majors: Psychology
Hometown: Spencerport, NY
Involved in: Delta Phi Epsilon sorority
Fun Fact "I love the color pink."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The Student Life Center"
Advice "Focus on your studies and classwork, it’s easy to get behind. Get involved with social activities."
Erick
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Public Administration and Public Policy
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Involved in: SGA Rep for RPG Club
Fun Fact "II play the guitar and the piano."
Favorite thing about Cortland
"My favorite thing about Cortland is the variety of classes you can take and the different amount of activities you can participate on campus."
Advice “Don't be afraid to join a club or participate in events all around campus."
OA Instagram: @Cortland_Erick
John
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Adolescence Education: Social Studies and Economics
Hometown: Berkshire, NY
Involved in: Bowling Club
Fun Fact "I love food, I love trying new foods too."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The community of people."
Advice "Get involved with campus activities. Stay out of your room as much as you can. Make the most with your time at Cortland."
Kerrie
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Adolescent Education: English
Hometown: Norwich, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant (RA); Cortland Auxiliary Services
Fun Fact "I play electric bass, and I can read tarot!"
Favorite think about Cortland
" I love the community in and around Cortland!"
Advice "Don't be scared to be friendly! Some people get intimidated by just walking up to people and starting a conversation, but that is how I made most of my friends!"
OA Instagram: @oakerrie
Maddie
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Adolescent Education: Social Studies and History
Hometown: Millbrook, NY
Involved in: Student Supervisor at Bistro (dining), Student Facilitator for COR 101
Fun Fact "I am an only child."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The atmosphere and the people."
Advice "Make connections early, find a job or a club to join!"
Minju
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Seoul, Korea
Involved in: Choral Union, Cortland Auxiliary Services
Fun Fact "I am not originally from the USA, but instead from Seoul, Korea!"
Favorite thing about Cortland "SUNY Cortland has a lot of opportunities to search for your interests and also, many programs to keep pursuing your interests."
Advice “I understand it would be worrying and scary to leave home and start your college life in a new environment. I was the same as you and many people also feel the same things. Be yourself and start by talking to your classmates to study together!"
Naomi
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Inclusive Childhood Education
Hometown: Rome, NY
Transferred from St. Josephs College - Brooklyn Campus
Involved in: Figure Skating Club
Fun Fact “I’ve always wanted to be a teacher, knows it as a fact since I was young."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The areas to lay in the sun, the teachers, my room."
Advice "Don’t be embarrassed about the questions you ask, sometimes people need to know things, maybe it’s already been said and maybe you didn’t hear it and need it repeated, if anyone judges you for that it’s not on you, you could be helping everyone around just by asking that question."
OA Instagram: @cortland_naomi
Parker
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Criminology
Hometown: Brewster, NY
Transferred from Michigan State University
Involved in: Student Government, Habitat for Humanity, Intramural sports, Alpha Phi Sigma member, Advisement and Transition intern.
Fun Fact "I've been in the Blaze costume twice."
Favorite thing about Cortland “The friendly and welcoming students, staff, and faculty."
Advice "Adjustment to college takes time, patience, and stepping out of your comfort zone. Don't ever give up after the first try."
Samirah
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Involved in: Curly Kinky Coily, Black Student Union (BSU), La Familia Latina, Intramural Sports
Fun Fact "I am fluent in Spanish."
Favorite thing about Cortland "My favorite thing about Cortland is how there’s so many different ways to stay active."
Advice "It's fine to be afraid to make friends on the first day, it may seem like everyone is all grouped up but they are all faking it till they make it so don’t be shy!"
OA Instagram:
Skyler
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Inclusive Childhood Education
Hometown: Horseheads, NY
Transferred from University at Buffalo
Involved in: Alpha Sigma Alpha, Tau Sigma Honor Society, Transfer Network Team
Fun Fact "I have Canadian citizenship!"
Favorite thing about Cortland “I love that SUNY Cortland plans so many events to keep students engaged throughout the year. My favorites so far have been goat yoga and PAWS for Stress Relief."
Advice "Seek out ways to get connected within the community. It can be intimidating at first, but it's worthwhile in the long run for building meaningful relationships."
Sophia
Pronouns: She/Her
Major: Adolescent Education: English
Hometown: Rome, NY
Involved in: English Club e-board, SGA representative
Fun Fact "I love to crochet."
Favorite thing about Cortland “I love the English department holiday themed events."
Advice "Get involved in the Cortland community by joining a club."
OA Instagram:
Yaw
Pronouns: He/Him
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Cincinnatus, NY
Involved in: CRU
Fun Fact "I love to play soccer."
Favorite thing about Cortland “The variety of amenities at the SLC students have at their disposal."
Advice "Try as much as possible not to be overwhelmed by the campus environment and make new friends."
Zach
Pronouns: he/him
Major: Coaching
Hometown: Candor, NY
Involved in: Resident Assistant
Fun Fact "I was born on my brother's third birthday."
Favorite thing about Cortland "The SLC."
Advice "To try new things because you might find a new hobby and meet new people."
OA Instagram: