By Juliana Stumpp

A&E Editor

For many of us, our first campus experience was orientation, when we first figured out the struggles and frustrations of signing up for classes.

Although we quickly came to reality with some college procedures, it was a new beginning that paved our way to where we are now. In the Fall 2012 semester, Rachel Quam and Joseph Sandoval were honored with the positions of Orientation Team Directors for the 2013-2014 school year. They discuss with the Cougar Chronicle their game plan for the new year, as well as the benefits of Student Life and Leadership (SLL).

Question: What campus organizations are you involved in?
Joseph Sandoval: I am involved in Orientation team and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. I am also a SSS and OTRES student.
Rachel Quam: I am currently involved with Orientation Team. I also live on campus at the University Village Apartments and work at The Clarke as a student assistant.

Q: How has the SLL office inspired you on campus?
JS: I see it as a safe space for individuals who excel at different attributes or factors of leadership and is given an opportunity for action and practice of leadership with the right mentorship. SLL has the right people with best intentions and support that everyday I walk into that office I can’t help but [to] smile and say “this is all for me, the student”. It’s an office that embodies and puts in action the development of leaders and programs that enable students to ultimately develop into strong leaders, remarkable role models, and influential contributors of our schools future and spirit.
RQ: The Student Life and Leadership Office has inspired me to become the person I am today.  From a leadership standpoint, SLL has opened many doors for me.  When I attended the LEAD Retreat in the spring of my freshman year, I never thought I would become such a passionate student leader on campus. Joining the Orientation Team has created such a love for my university that could only be gained, for me, by joining a leadership organization and getting connected with the people in the SLL office and the individuals associated with O-Team. This office has propelled me into the world of student leadership and I know that it can only go up from here.

Q: What do you hope to bring to the SLL office as Orientation Directors?
JS: With SLL I hope to inspire the next group of leaders and to develop not just numbers but leaders of high quality. With my co-director and the amazing team and supervisor Jennie Goldman I hope to leave my mark within Orientation Team and the SLL office.
RQ: As an Orientation Director, I hope to bring a new sense of leadership to the campus.  I believe I have a drive to be an influential student leader and leave my mark on the Orientation Director position and the campus in general.  Helping new students and families get acquainted with the CSUSM Community is a passion that drove me to want to do more for Orientation Team. I know that Joe and I will have many successes, in this office, because we are both passionate individuals and we bring that passion each and every day we step in the office.