About the Montana State University Office of Admissions and New Student Programs:

The Office of Admissions is responsible for undergraduate recruitment, marketing, application processing, transfer evaluation and orientation at Montana State University. Check out What to Expect at MSU's Orientation!

Program Qualifications and Expectations

To qualify to be an Orientation Leader, you must:

  • Be in good academic and disciplinary standing with the University. 
  • Have and maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. 
  • Commit to attend all summer Orientation sessions and trainings (dates listed below).
  • Have strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills. 
  • Display a positive attitude, strong work ethic, professionalism and school spirit. 
  • Be committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and making a positive impact on peers, new students, and their families. 
  • Role-model behavior that is reflective of a campus leader, both in person and through all forms of communication and social media.

Expectations of Orientation Leaders:

  • Orientation Leaders must register for HLD 460 in the Spring Semester. 
  • Orientation Leaders must stay on campus with their Orientation groups throughout the duration of the Orientation programs (Sunday - Wednesday).
  • Orientation Leaders must commit to a high level of personal ethics and responsibility during employment and positively represent the Office of Admissions and Montana State University.
  • Orientation Leaders must be on time and prepared for all trainings, programs and activities.
  • Orientation Leaders must guide groups of incoming students throughout the Orientation program while exercising mentorship, leadership, and group management skills.
  • The Office of Admissions will not be providing overtime to OLs that work on campus during the summer. If an OL is employed in another office on campus, they must work with their employer to ensure they do not exceed 40 hours per week during the weeks of Orientation.

Benefits of the Orientation Leader Program

  • Connect with fellow MSU students across campus.
  • Build leadership, mentorship, and communication skills. 
  • Enhance your personal and professional development. 
  • Learn more about campus and community resources and services. 
  • Network with MSU Faculty and Staff.
  • Free t-shirts, free meals, campus swag and more!
  • Enjoy a summer in Bozeman!
  • Get 2 upper-division credits in the spring.
  • Get paid!

Compensation

Orientation Leaders are compensated for their work throughout the summer Orientation sessions.  The rate is $15/hour equaling around $600 per summer Orientation session (June & July sessions) and hourly for the Orientation session (August).

  • The Office of Admissions will not be providing overtime to OLs that work on campus during the summer. If an OL is employed in another office on campus, they must work with their employer to ensure they do not exceed 40 hours per week during the weeks of Orientation.

Students will also be awarded two 400-level credits for completing the HLD 460 course. 

Application and Interview Process

Applications for the 2026 Orientation Leader Program will open in October 2025! 

If you have any questions regarding the position, please email the Orientation Team at orientation@montana.edu or Shannon Bangen at shannon.bangen@montana.edu.

Orientation Leader Training - HLD 460

Orientation Leaders are required to register and participate in HLD 460 in the spring semester. HLD 460 is a two-credit upper division leadership development course that meets twice a week on Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 - 6:00 pm.

During the HLD 460 course, students will learn all necessary information required to perform as an Orientation Leader. This includes information regarding academics and course registration, campus resources, student mentorship and development, University practices and more.

2026 Orientation Sessions

  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 1: June 7 -10, 2026
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 2: June 21 - 24, 2026
  • Sunday Training + Orientation Session 3: July 12 - 15, 2026
  • STATE Days Session: Thursday, July 30 - Friday, July 31, 2026 (optional for additional compensation)
  • Saturday Training + Orientation Session 4: August 22 - 25, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes!

Yes!

We strongly encourage applicants to review summer availability and commit to all Orientation sessions. You are welcome to apply, but please discuss your availability further, and email the Director of Orientation, Shannon Bangen with questions: shannon.bangen@montana.edu.

We require all Orientation Leaders to take the spring semester training course in order to serve as an Orientation Leader over the summer.

STATE Days is FREE Campus Preview program that allows Montana high school seniors to learn about the admissions process and apply to MSU while getting a chance to stay on campus. It is not part of Orientation, however Orientation Leaders can sign up to be a STATE Days Leader during the program. Duties are comparable to an Orientation session.  

Questions?

Contact the Orientation Team at orientation@montana.edu or Shannon Bangen at (406) 994-2453 or shannon.bangen@montana.edu.