Eastern Student Kristen Chonko of Stratford to Serve as Head Student Orientation Counselor

2014 Jun 10

Kristen Chonko '15 of Stratford, CT, is one of this year's Head Student Orientation Counselors (SOCs) for the upcoming SOAR program at Eastern Connecticut State University.

SOAR (Student Orientation, Advising and Registration) is Eastern's premier transitional program for incoming freshmen and transfer students. It is coordinated by the Office of Student Activities and led by students, trained as Student Orientation Counselors, who act as guides and mentors for groups of new students.

It is the responsibility of Head SOCs to train the group of SOCs for the arrival of the fall semester so they will be qualified to lead groups of new students through the multi-session orientation process known as SOAR.

Both Chonko and her associate, co-Head SOC Matthew Hicks '15 of Wallingford, were SOCs last year. "It is a fun and rewarding experience to be that resource for both SOCs and students," said Chonko. "It's amazing to see the transformation everyone goes through."

Chonko, who majors in English and Pre-Secondary Education Certification, has been training for the Head SOC position and preparing for SOAR since January 2014. Among Chonko and Hicks' first tasks was sifting through 75 applications, interviewing students and selecting 16 of them to serve as SOCs.

"We will act as their supervisors throughout SOAR," said Chonko. "We have assisted in planning, creating and changing the training program they will go through," continued Hicks.

As a Head SOC, Chonko will co-lead the group of 16 through an intensive week-long training this June, filled with a number of activities and teambuilding exercises.

"Working as Head SOC has been such a great and exciting opportunity to learn more about myself and become a better student leader," said Chonko. "There aren't many opportunities like this where you get to help plan for SOAR and be able to supervise your peers at the same time. I'm glad to have this experience."