About the Montana State University Office of Admissions and New Student Programs:

The Office of Admissions is responsible for undergraduate recruitment, marketing, application processing, transfer evaluation and orientation at Montana State University.  

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).
  • Be willing to work the expected and unexpected hours necessary to implement New Student Orientation programs.
  • Have strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Display a positive attitude, strong work ethic, professionalism and school spirit. 
  • Be committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and making a positive impact on peers, new students, and their families. 
  • Must 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 positively represent the Office of Admissions and Montana State University.
  • Orientation Leaders must commit to a high level of personal ethics and responsibility during employment.
  • Orientation Leaders must register for HLD 460 in the Spring Semester. 
  • 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 offering while exercising mentorship, leadership, and group management skills.
  • Orientation Leaders must stay on campus with their Orientation groups throughout the duration of the Orientation program (Sunday - Wednesday).
  • 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.

Check out What to Expect at MSU's Orientation!

Benefits of the Orientation Leader Program

  • Connect with fellow MSU students across campus.
  • Learn more about campus and community resources and services. 
  • Build leadership, mentorship, and communication skills. 
  • Enhance your personal and professional development. 
  • Network with MSU Faculty and Staff.
  • Enjoy a summer in Bozeman!
  • Get upper-division credits in the spring.
  • Get paid!

Application and Interview Process

New Orientation Leader Application

Returning Orientation Leader & Orientation Coordinator 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.

Orientation Leader Training

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 e 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.

Compensation

Orientation Leaders are compensated for their work throughout the summer Orientation sessions.  The rate is $15/hour equaling around $600 per summer Orientation session (June & July sessions) 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. 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.

Students will also be awarded two 400-level credits for completing the HLD 460 course. In addition to course credit and payment, students benefit from incentives such as free t-shirts, free meals, campus swag and more!

2025 Orientation Sessions

  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 1: June 8 -11, 2025
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 2: June 22-25, 2025
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 3: July 13-16, 2025
  • STATE Days Session: Thursday, July 31- Friday, August 1, 2025 (optional for additional compensation)
  • Saturday Training + Orientation Session 4: August 16-19, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!

Yes!

We strongly encourage applicants to review summer availability and commit to all Orientation sessions. If you are concerned about your availability or would like to discuss further, please email the Director of Orientation, Shannon Bangen at 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.