Meet Your 2023 New Hounds Day Orientation Leaders
As an incoming Greyhound, your Orientation Leaders will walk you through your next steps to becoming a student at the University of Indianapolis. They can answer your questions, and will also help you prepare for New Hounds Day! New Hounds Day is a fun and exciting day that connects you to other future Greyhounds, allows you to pick your classes, and helps you start your first semester off right by getting to know campus. You’ll also get to know your future professors, and you may even meet future friends or roommates.
Meet Alexa Kinnaman ’25 (Biology)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I love being a student at UIndy and I want to spread that love and excitement to new Greyhounds. I also remember how nervous I was coming in, so if I can help people feel more comfortable coming to campus, then I will know I’ve done my job.
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
I love the people at UIndy. They are the heart of this campus, from friends to professors to faculty. I have never met someone who wasn’t willing to help me out if I needed it, and I’m so happy I chose to come be with all of these people.
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
Getting to know other new hounds better. It’s always great to have an opportunity to meet those in your class, and New Hounds Day is an awesome way to do that!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Get involved. The more involved you are, the less time you will have to feel homesick. You will also meet a ton of amazing people who can become friends for life.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO). It is such a great way to meet new people who share interests with you.
Meet Emilio Garcia ’26 (Exercise Science)
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
You’ll get to know people and make new friends that you can study and do events on campus with.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Be prepared to put in the work. Learn to manage your time and set aside a few hours for studying and doing your schoolwork.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
I really enjoy the Celebration of Flags event we have every October. After displaying the flags of the world, booths are set up so students can experience the different cultures represented by our student population.
Meet Jasmine Patterson ’25 (Public Health, Pre-OT)
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
The small classroom sizes and the friends/connections I made.
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
Meeting new people and learning about college life.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Don’t be afraid to talk to your professors and use all your resources.
Meet Levi Ault ’26 (Political Science and International Relations)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I had an amazing experience with my orientation, and I wanted to give that experience to the incoming class! Orientation and New Hounds Day were some of the best days ever.
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
Our diversity!
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
Look forward to walking around campus and seeing what UIndy has to offer.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Participate and get involved.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
Join one of the many clubs that UIndy offers! There is definitely a club for everyone.
Meet Olivia Smith ’24 (Nursing)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I love meeting all the new incoming students! I came in during the pandemic, so my orientation looked very different than what we do now. I wanted to experience a more normal orientation year and just fell in love with the job!
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
My favorite thing about UIndy is the small campus feel. Since class sizes and the campus are smaller, I always feel like I am at home.
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
New students should be looking forward to all the new people they will meet! You never know who you will meet on your orientation day; you might even meet your future roommate!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Meeting new people can be scary or intimidating, but I always like to remind new students if someone in your dorm or floor asks to get food or play some card games, go do it! This might seem like getting out of your comfort zone, but in the long run it’s worth it.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
Monte Carlo! It’s so much fun and the games and workers are always so accommodating if you don’t know how to play a certain game.
Meet Elyssa Merrill ’26 (Psychology)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I wanted to meet the incoming freshman and help make their transition as easy as possible!
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
Taking their first step into college life and meeting new students just like them.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Ask questions! This is your first step into independence, so it’s better to know than to not know.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
Go to a club meeting that you’re interested in! The Saturday of Welcome Week will debut so many possible clubs you can join, and being active on campus can help so much.
Meet Lia Burton ’25 (Exercise Science)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I chose to become an Orientation Leader because I wanted the opportunity to welcome students to campus and help them with their transition to college life.
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
My favorite thing about UIndy is the tight-knit community and the relationships you form with students and faculty.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Be willing to try new things and get involved on campus, whether that be RSOs, sporting events, or an on-campus job.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
One thing that incoming students should participate in during their first year at UIndy is Midnight Breakfast during finals week.
Meet Abi Postma ’25 (Masters of Public Relations & Communications)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I started as an OL in 2020 because I wanted to welcome students to campus and make their transition to college easy! This year, I have the opportunity to serve as the Orientation Coordinator. In this role, I not only get to welcome students and their families to campus, but I also have the chance to share my knowledge with each Orientation Leader and work with them to provide an awesome experience for incoming students.
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
My favorite thing about UIndy happens to be the resources the campus provides to us. With the location of our campus, we have more possibilities to emerge ourselves in internships, community service, and the great things that the city of Indianapolis has to offer. UIndy offers many free resources to students that every student should utilize, such as the Health and Wellness Center, Counseling Services, shuttles to Indianapolis, and so much more. Not only that, but the Student Leadership and Activities Board (SLAB) also puts on so many events during the school year that not only connect the campus body together, but also incorporates the community and makes us all who attend feel welcome.
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
While change can be scary, your New Hounds Day is nothing but excitement! You will have the chance to see academic buildings, schedule your classes, meet new friends, make connections with faculty and staff, and maybe even win some cool prizes to take home!
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. I understand it can be so intimidating to ask someone when you feel overwhelmed, but there are going to be so many people supporting you and wanting the best for you and any one of those people want to help you succeed. During your New Hounds Day, you will begin making connections with individuals on campus, including students, faculty, and staff. Use those connections and build comfortable relationships with them so you have a safe space to turn to in times of discomfort and need.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
One thing I recommend doing as an incoming student is so join a student organization on campus! We offer over 70 student organizations specializing in things from major-based groups or organizations based on cultures and identifications. If you can’t find an RSO that suits you and what you like, you can start your own! Be sure to check out the Student Life Expo on August 26th to meet the Student Organizations and learn more about how to join.
Meet Grace’Lyn Preshon ’24 (Social Work)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I wanted to help the incoming students transition become a little smoother to campus and give them someone they can connect to and ask questions whenever it’s needed.
What should new students be looking forward to at their New Hounds Day?
Meeting new people and making some friends before coming into campus.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
Join an RSO and go to Midnight Breakfast!
Meet Torie Potters ’25 (Human Biology)
Why did you choose to become an Orientation Leader?
I became an Orientation Leader because when I was a freshman coming in during orientation, the leaders made UIndy such a welcoming environment and some place I wanted to truly be. I want to create that same experience for incoming freshmen, and make UIndy a great home for them for the next years of their college life.
What is your favorite thing about UIndy?
One of my favorite things about UIndy is the people! I came from a small community back home, and that is something I wanted for college as well, which was part of the reason why I chose UIndy. UIndy is a small campus that truly lets you get to know people and network with them. Another thing I love about UIndy is our motto of “Education for Service.” I grew up volunteering, so I was grateful to find out I would be able to continue serving others.
What advice do you have for incoming students?
You get to choose how your college experience is, so make the most of it! Incoming students should take advantage of every opportunity that comes their way. Getting involved can open so many doors and really develop you as a person.
What is one thing that incoming students should definitely participate in or experience during their first year at UIndy?
During your first year at UIndy, get involved in every way possible. Join an intramural team, be in two or three RSOs, apply to an on-campus job! Also make sure you experience everything UIndy has to offer, especially the campus tradition events held on campus. You do not want to miss out on Welcome Week, Midnight Breakfast, Homecoming, and Winter Formal!