Transitioning Into Life at JCU: Orientation Coordinator Veronica De Marzo
Born and raised in Naples, Veronica De Marzo is Orientation Coordinator at JCU. She holds two master’s degrees, one in Art History from the University of Naples Federico II, and another one in Communications, Management, and Planning from the University of Florence. Veronica started working at JCU in 2019 as Residence Director, and two years later she was offered the position of Orientation Coordinator.
What does your role as Orientation Coordinator entail?
The Orientation office is in charge of orientation week. Specifically, I am in charge of both the pre-arrival online orientation and the onsite orientation. I manage the platform for the pre-arrival online orientation and make sure that all the resources are up to date, and that the documents are uploaded.
Veronica De Marzo
Then for onsite orientation, I manage the educational sessions and activities. I liaise with our partners, the University, the students, the providers, and all the other departments here at JCU. I also support the Housing department during moving days and the Immigration office during check-ins. I manage the orientation check-in, creating the timeline and the orientation schedules. I also take care of logistics. One of the most challenging aspects is to make sure that all the pieces of the puzzle fit together nicely. I also think this is one of the most rewarding aspects, so, it is challenging but in a good way.
Working with the Orientation Leaders is also very rewarding. I am responsible for hiring, training, mentoring, and evaluating the OLs. It’s nice being able to see them grow and become more confident, especially when they return for multiple orientation sessions.
Tell us about Orientation at JCU. How does it benefit incoming students?
Orientation helps students smoothly transition into life at JCU and the city of Rome. Some of the benefits are meeting fellow students, talking and interacting with the Orientation Leaders who are peer mentors, and learning about the University and the various offices that will support students. Current students have a lot of insight that can be beneficial to new students. We also have an activity called Navigation 101 that helps students navigate the city of Rome. One of my favorite aspects of Orientation is that it’s always different, even as we’re doing it because it is extremely unpredictable.
What Orientation activities have been the most successful and why?
I would say our mandatory activities, such as the campus tour or Navigation 101. As I said, these are opportunities for the students to get to know the University and the city of Rome. The Wellbeing workshop is very successful as well. It is led by the JCU counselors and it’s an opportunity to talk about mental health and expectations about studying abroad. Clubs and activities are also a very important part of life at JCU. For example, at the travel workshop, we give students some tips on how to travel in Italy and Europe.
What new activities are you planning to introduce in the future?
We usually implement new activities during spring and tweak them throughout the following semesters. One of the new activities that we introduced this semester was a Q&A with the Orientation Leaders. This was an opportunity for new students to sit down and have a chat with the OLs who can really give insight about JCU. We also had pasta night with a speed date, which was really fun and had a high attendance. We also had a game night, with some board games, which was a very relaxed activity just for the students to mingle a little bit.
What benefits do students get by becoming Orientation Leaders and Assistants?
They learn work ethic, time management, leadership, teamwork, and improve their public speaking abilities. It’s really an opportunity for them to either sharpen or acquire a variety of skills. I would say that it’s a first dive into the professional world.
What advice would you give to students who are experiencing culture shock for the first time ever after moving here?
I would advise them not to isolate themselves and to take advantage of the many resources JCU offers, for example talking to the counselors or reaching out to their Orientation Leader or Resident Assistant. Sometimes even just finding your group can be very beneficial, so I would suggest joining a club or volunteering. The most important thing is to remember they are not alone, they can ask for help or advice at any moment and we will be happy to support and encourage them.
What do you think is key to developing a strong team?
I would say creating an inclusive environment where everybody feels heard. As a supervisor, I make sure all my Orientation Leaders know that my door is always open for them to express their ideas or concerns. Secondly, mentorship. During training sessions, I always create opportunities for the returning and new OLs to talk to each other. I also try to pair a returning and a new OL during the Orientation activities, so there is always someone with experience who can provide guidance and support.
