Fireside chat with "Boss Lady"

Kristin Cothran, associate director of New Student Orientation and Family Programs at the University, never shies from the spotlight. But during fall 2008, other University staff members vied for attention, as well — with less than desirable results.

Kristin Cothran impersonates School of Arts and Sciences junior Tyler Davenport, a former orientation team leader, during summer 2011. (Courtesy of Cothran's Facebook page)

"Everyone believes that they almost need their 15 minutes of fame during that course of time with students," Cothran said of the University's former orientation program. "They think that if they reach out to students first ... they're going to remember it because, 'I was one of the first they heard.' It's just not true."

The three-day orientation program prompted change, which ultimately took place in January 2009, when staff members from departments across the University became a think-tank.

The "key players" with stock in orientation's success spoke about student needs and what messages they should receive, Cothran said. The result was an integrated model instead of separate entities trying to serve the University's student population.

"It's really about as a university trying to serve you in your transition as a whole," Cothran said. "That's why our program is different and unique."

Cothran joined the Student Life staff five years ago, helping to oversee a number of changes in the University's orientation program, which moved to Livingston campus in summer 2010. She works on logistical aspects of the orientation program, including schedule organization, Academic Planning and Advising Days and graduate students' roles, among others.

Kristin Cothran, right, does her best impression in summer 2011 of School of Arts and Sciences junior Tyler Barto, an orientation team leader. (Courtesy of Cothran's Facebook page)

The addition of the Livingston Dining Commons, re-design of the Livingston Student Center and increase in graduate staff highlight the five-year span.

"Every year, we've kind of reassessed things logistically in the program," Cothran said. "But then also our programs have changed — the campus tour has changed every year slightly."

Cothran cited the campus tour, named Navigating the Banks in 2011, as the most difficult orientation program to implement. Because of the number of departments and facilities involved, it becomes a project that typically begins in March, she said.

"Even though it seems like it's a thing people do and experience ... actually from the back end there is a large logistical implementation throughout the entire summer," Cothran said.

Kristin Cothran, right, answers questions with University graduate student Alyssa LaPatriello at the Rutgers 66 Conference. (Courtesy of Cothran's Facebook page)

The campus' culture, not historically used to a summer orientation program — "when they have an opportunity for their staff to go on vacation," Cothran said — provides another obstacle. Cothran must reach out to University departments, inquire about facilities and train staff members.

But it is not something she has not encountered before.

"It's almost," Cothran said, "about fine-tuning to make this a more well-oiled machine."

— Tyler Barto