My Summer at

American University
Fernando Perez
ELPS 527
Summer 2018
Institutional Mission
• The central commitment of American University is to the
development of thoughtful, responsible human beings in the
context of a challenging yet supportive academic community.

• The university actively encourages a commitment to public

service, inclusive participation in university governance, equity
and equal access, and an appreciation of diverse cultures and
viewpoints. Its commitment to social justice, its ability to
respond to the needs of a changing world while retaining its
core values, and its capacity to turn to educational advantage
the resources of the nation's capital are hallmarks of the
institution.
Office of Campus Life
• The mission of the Office of Campus Life is to integrate
students into a diverse learning community; promote their
intellectual, social, and spiritual development; and, in
collaboration with the faculty, prepare students for lifelong
learning and global citizenship. The Office of Campus Life is
committed to providing the foundation for a student-
centered environment that is supportive yet challenging.
• Learning-Focused
• Values-Based
• Collaborative
Office of Orientation, Transition, and
Retention
• Jenn Johnson – Director
• Erika Garnett – Assistant Director
• 3 NODA Interns (Summer Only)
• 3 Orientation Chairs (Undergraduate Student Managers)
• 20 Orientation Leaders (including Family leaders)
My Role
• Orientation Logistics
• Develop training modules for Orientation Leaders
• Create a new Welcome Week program
• Be a liaison between OTR and campus partners
• Assessment of Welcome Week Programming
Learning Goals
• Attain a better understanding on the processes and logistics
of the implementation of Orientation programs
• Advance my facilitation skills in topics related to leadership
and cross-culturalism
• Develop my oral and written communication skills as a way
to foster campus partnerships
• Gain an understanding on appropriate assessment
procedures
Connections to Theory
• Chickering’s 7 Vectors
• Manage emotions
• Interdependence
• Interpersonal relationships
• Establishing identity
• Rendon’s Validation Theory
• 146 countries and all 50 stated represented
• Schlossberg’s Mattering and Marginality Theory
• Attention
• Importance
• Ego-extension
• Dependance
Fun Facts
• AU’s campus is an arboretum
• Brand new president
• Silva Burwell
• The campus has multiple pandas throughout