Meet the orientation staff

2013 Staff

Chris Hazelton
Year: Senior
Major: Elementary education & liberal studies (concentrations in public health, geography, and environmental studies)
Chris is a part of the senior staff for Orientation; this will be his 4th year being an Orientation Ambassador. He played on the Southern Football team; he was on the team for 4 years. Chris is involved on campus with Student Government Association, as well as being on the sustainability committee.  

Lindsey Kimball
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology with a Mental Health concentration, Minor in Studio Art
Hometown: East Hampton, CT
Lindsey is a member of the Residence Hall Association, a Peer Mentor in the FYE/Inquiry program, a Community Coordinator in Farnham Hall, and works for the Office of Campus Recreation. She strives to achieve a Master's Degree in Art Therapy.
"Southern is a second home to me because of the network I have created for myself; I am doing what I love every single day, creating a path of success and happiness, while being surrounded by some pretty awesome people."

Jay Henderson
Hometown:  Fishersville Virginia
Year: Senior
Major:  Secondary education in Mathematics with a minor in psychology
Jay is the president of the Residence Hall Association, the largest residential club on campus, but also frequents meetings of Programs Council and the Student Government Association. Jay is also in the Honors College. He is the SCSU student representative to the Board of Regents Student Advisory Committee. He is a Community Advisor in Brownell Hall and a student worker in the Office of Student life. If ever you need to find Jay, chances are he is somewhere in the Student Center. When asked what advice he would give incoming freshman he replied, "Get involved as soon as you get on campus. You will quickly find that we are a very tight knit community at SCSU, and by joining a club or organization you will get to know more people and establish lasting friendships." 

Brittany Niemczyk
Name: Brittany Niemczyk
Year: Senior
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Vernon Connecticut. 
Brittany is a second year Orientation Ambassador and 3rd year member of the Women's Track and Field Team. When she is not studying or running she enjoys spending time outdoors. An interesting fact about Brittany is that she loves to Pole Vault. She strongly believes the best thing about Southern is their Nursing Program. Brittany encourages incoming freshman to manage their time efficiently in order to live a balanced and happy life. 

Kim Phelan
Year: Junior
Major: Secondary English Education
Hometown: Waterbury, CT
Kim is a Peer Mentor in the FYE/Inquiry Program.  She is the treasurer of Peer Mentors United, an Orientation Ambassador and a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.  She also enjoys participating in intramural sports on campus. 
"I love Southern because of all of the great opportunities the campus has to offer and because of all the people I have met here." 

Erin McGuckin
Year: Senior
Major: Elementary Education and History
Hometown: Gales Ferry, CT
Erin is the President of the Student Government Association, Operations Manager of SCSU TV, and a Senior Orientation Ambassador, SNT Coordinator of the National Society of Leadership and Success, and a Peer Mentor in the FYE/Inquiry Program. In her spare time, Erin enjoys running at the beach and visiting with her family.
"I think the best thing about Southern is it's welcoming atmosphere. The people and the environment create an atmosphere that any future student and current student will love to be a part of during their time here. I've had a great time at Southern so far, and I am excited to continue my education here."

Jordan Taylor
Year: Sophomore
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Syracuse, New York
Jordan is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated. He is a member of the following clubs and organizations on campus: Student Government Association (Representative at Large), Programs Council, and Men About Business. He is planning on graduating and becoming a guidance counselor.

Chelsea Schillizzi
Year: sophomore
Hometown: Paramus, N.J.
Major:  Spanish with a minor in Communications
Chelsea is an active sister of Omega Zeta Pi Sorority and held the Alumni chair position for the past year, currently holding the Sisterhood Development Chair position for the next year on E-Board. She is also Secretary for Greek Life Council. You can find her playing sports with friends, shopping, playing the piano or listening to Spanish music when she is not busy with everything else. An interesting fact about Chelsea is that if she could have any profession in the world, she would want to be an astronaut.
Her advice to freshmen is to be positive about everything. "Positivity is contagious, so spread it around campus and you will find everyone will be much happier." She believes the best thing about SCSU is the community that is built between the students and faculty. She loves how the clubs and organizations are so hard working and supportive of each other. It is like a little family inside of southern. She is excited to help freshmen start their college journey and make it a positive and life changing experience for everyone. 

Cameron Ostafin
Major: Communications with a specialization in Advertising and Promotions, minor in marketing
Cameron is currently involved in Beta Mu Sigma Fraternity where he serves on the E-Board. He was previously a member of the Summer Educational Opportunity Program in the summer of 2010. Cameron is from Avon Connecticut and is part of a family of 7. Cameron enjoys watching movies and dancing. His best advice for incoming freshmen is to "Take advantage of every opportunity you are given and never waste your time or money." When Cameron was younger he and his family lived in both Singapore and Australia. One of his favorite things about Southern is the feeling you get that you are apart of a tight and caring community.  

Monique Beason
Year:  Junior (Fall 2012)
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Hartford, CT
Monique is a representative for Programs Council, A member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Peer Mentor in the EOP Program, a member of Steppin' Up Drill Team,  A Community Coordinator (CC/RA) for  Hickerson Hall, and Orientation Ambassador . She is planning on getting her bachelor, masters, and doctoral degree in nursing to become an A.P.R.N.
"I love Southern because it sets a great atmosphere for their students to not only learn, but to explore and enjoy the college experience as growing adult."

Nicole Girouard
Year: Junior
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Bristol, CT
Hobbies: Playing board games, community service, making people smile :)
Nicole is currently an Executive Board member of Omega Zeta Pi Sorority, involved with her hall council, and will be a Community Coordinator in Chase Hall come the fall!
"Being a part of Southern is like being a part of a second family"

Jordan Sims
Year: Junior
Major: Communications with concentration Video Production
Hometown: Enfield, CT
Jordan is the Technical Director of SCSU TV and does freelance commercial work in his spare time.
"My biggest advice for all incoming students is to get involved with a group on campus! You'll learn a lot about campus and yourself." 

Mike McNerney
Hometown: Madison, Connecticut
Major: Communications
Mike enjoys hangings out with friends, and playing basketball. Mike works for the office of Campus Recreation as a basketball referee, and a softball umpire during the Intramurals programs. His advice for incoming freshman is " To forget everything about high school. College is a time to re-invent yourself, so make the best of college. Nobody cares if you were prom king/queen, band geek, or 'mathlete'. It's a new start to be who you want to be."

Emily Turner
Year: Sophomore
Major: Undecided
Hometown: Stonington, CT
Emily is a sister and the Fundraising chairperson of Omega Zeta Pi, A representative for Greek Life Council, and a member of the First-year Leaders In Progress (FLIP). She is planning on getting a degree in business, and continues to be as involved around campus as possible.
"I love Southern because of the amount of support that I feel here from my new amazing friends and sisters, and the teachers and staff. I just love it!"

Alex Kokkoros
Year: Sophomore
Major: physics
Hometown: Monroe CT.
Alex is on the Thursday Night Owls Committee and Philanthropy chair of Beta Mu Sigma Fraternity. In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his niece. He was born in California and his favorite thing about SCSU is the amount of opportunity to get involved! 

Sarah Green
Year: Junior
Major: Secondary Education and English
Hometown: West Haven, CT
Sarah is a commuter student actively involved in the Student Government Association, Southern News, Zeta Delta Epsilon Honors Society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She is the Vice President of Sigma Tau Delta, an English Honors Society, a member of the Honors College, and a Peer Mentor in the FYE/Inquiry Program.
"The best thing about Southern is the sense of community and all the awesome people and involvement opportunities!" 

Dorice Dorvilier
Year: Junior
Major: Sociology with a concentration in Criminal Justice
Hometown: Bridgeport, CT
Dorice is the Social Issues Senior Programmer for Programs Council, an Orientation Ambassador and a proud member of Steppin' Up Drill Team. She plans on continuing her education by getting her masters in the Criminal Justice field so she can go back into her community and help troubled children. Southern made Dorice feel like she was at home. It was a welcoming environment and it's been her mission to make all incoming students feel just as great about coming to southern.
"Remember what you came to college for. Never lose focus and keep your eye on the prize!" 

Raysa Florentino
Year: Junior
Major:  Double Major in Psychology(Mental Health) & French and a minor in Spanish.
Raysa is Part of the Psi Chi Honor Society, part of the Track and field Team, member of the French Club, a Community Coordinator in Neff, Desk Attendant, and a Student Orientation Ambassador. She is planning on getting her Masters Degree and Ph D in Clinical Psychology.
"I love Southern, because there is a place for everyone, many clubs, organizations that you can be involved and there is never a dull moment on campus."

Ruth Sarfo
Year: Junior
Major: Biology
Ruth is a member of African Student Association, Treasurer of NAACP, member of Black Student Union, Vice President of Junior Class, and attends Student Government Association meetings. She transferred to Southern in spring of 2012 from Tunxis Community College in Farmington, CT and after graduation hopes to pursue her education further in medical school.
"Southern has become a stepping stone in my journey to success!"