Kristin Janssen Takes Leadership Role In Welcoming New Students on Campus

2012 Aug 23

As freshmen begin to arrive on campus, Kristin Janssen of Hospers, Iowa, is helping welcome and introduce new students to life at Dordt College during the Week of Welcome (WOW) celebration starting August 25.

Several sophomores, juniors, and seniors are serving as WOW leaders, uber staff, and a WOW intern. WOW leaders take new students through their first week on Dordt College's campus to introduce them to college life. Uber staff coordinates the work of the WOW leaders and helps plan, set up, and run activities during the week.

Janssen, a senior with majors in English language arts and secondary education with an emphasis in middle school, is working as a WOW leader.

"The student volunteers and intern are the heart and soul of WOW and are the key to making the week such a valuable experience for the freshmen and transfer students. They give of their time selflessly and always go above and beyond," said Chris DeJong, Dordt College director of career services and WOW coordinator. "They are a vital resource for new students, by helping them transition and learn the ropes of college life and providing a listening ear and advice to those who need it."

Not only are WOW leaders an inspiration to new students in their first year of college, but in years to come. DeJong says that the reason many students apply to become WOW leaders is because their own WOW leaders had such a positive impact on them as freshmen.

A few of the activities WOW groups will participate in are:

• Meetings with their academic advisors reviewing class schedules and exploring academic offerings

• Events including Freshmen Olympics, Campus-Wide Slip-N-Slide, Block Party, and the Freshmen Talent Show

• Familiarizing themselves with buildings on campus as well as churches and businesses off campus

• Worshipping at All Campus Worship, Praise and Worship, and Sunday church services