First-Year Experience Leadership Positions
Saint Louis University’s First-Year Experience leaders help students through their transition to college by serving as resources and role models. In addition to serving incoming SLU students and their families, these positions are a great leadership development opportunity for you and are, of course, fun.
The 2026 FYE Leader Application and position descriptions are now available below - please review the position descriptions carefully prior to completing the application.
Tip: Please complete the application on a computer or laptop. If you attempt to complete the application via your phone, all of the responses may not be saved and your application may not be fully submitted.
You must be a full-time SLU undergraduate student to serve as a FYE Leader at Saint Louis University.
SLU 101 Leaders
SLU 101 leaders are a select group of students who assist incoming freshmen, transfers and their families during the SLU 101 summer orientation program. SLU 101 leaders facilitate small group discussions, share information through educational presentations and activities, assist in advising and registration, serve on panels for students or parents/families, coordinate evening student social activities and much more. Applicants must be available for all training and program dates.
Oriflamme Leaders
Oriflamme leaders help create a successful Fall Welcome experience for first-year students. Leaders
serve as mentors, assist with move-in and lead small groups of first-year students
in discussions and activities along with other social and educational activities.
They also support first-year students in the transition process and serve as a resource
to incoming students and their families during fall orientation. Applicants must be
able to attend all aspects of Oriflamme training and Fall Welcome events.
International Ambassador
International ambassadors help facilitate a successful international student orientation for spring, summer, and fall semesters by assisting with airport pickups, move-in for international students, and leading orientation activities. International ambassadors build relationships with international students throughout the year through a variety of activities and also serve as conversation partners to English language learners. Applicants must be available for training and program dates and requirements.
For more information about this program, please contact Brooke Armstrong, coordinator of global student services, at brooke.armstrong@slu.edu.
Transfer Mentors
Transfer mentors connect transfer students to the SLU community through activities and initiatives in the first couple of weeks of the fall semester. Applicants must be full-time students who transferred to SLU before the spring 2026 semester. Transfer mentors also serve as Oriflamme leaders and assist with Fall Welcome. Interested students should select the Oriflamme leader position on the FYE leader application if interested in serving new transfer students as transfer mentors.
2026 First-Year Experience Leadership Selection Process
The application for 2026 First-Year Experience leadership positions is now open. If you are interested in applying, we strongly encourage you to attend a session for additional information about each position and the selection process. Attending an info session can help you understand the positions and programs more completely.
Information Sessions
- Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025: 4:30 to 5 p.m., in the Busch Student Center Room 254
- Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025: 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. Central Time via Zoom
- Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026: 1:30 to 2 p.m. Central Time via Zoom (this is over winter break)
- Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026: 4:15 to 4:45 p.m. in Busch Student Center Room 254
- Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026: 4:30 to 5 p.m. in Busch Student Center Room 254
To attend one of the virtual FYE info sessions, RSVP by completing this short form to receive the Zoom link. You don't need to RSVP to attend in-person info sessions.
Before you apply, read the above position descriptions carefully. Make sure you understand the expectations and are available for all training and program dates. This is a general application for all of the outlined FYE leadership roles. Attending an info session will assist in understanding the positions, as well as the application and selection process. You are encouraged to attend an info session to gain insight and advice on the application and interview process.
If you are unable to attend any of the listed info sessions, you can email firstyear@slu.edu to receive a recording of the content covered (it is a 10- to 12-minute video).
Application Steps
Complete the online application that includes responding to two short essay questions. Make sure you submit by the deadline; no late applications will be accepted. The application will close at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. This deadline is the second week of spring semester classes, so mark your calendar to complete the application on time.
Interview Process
All candidates must attend a Candidate Prep Session on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026. The Candidate Prep Session is not an interview, but is required to be eligible for an individual interview. In your application, you will select your Candidate Prep Session time preferences, which will be confirmed via email a few days before the day of the Candidate Prep Sessions. The Candidate Prep Sessions will be hosted in person in the Busch Student Center. The Candidate Prep Session will be a 50-minute session to help prepare you for the interview. An alternative Candidate Prep Session option will be available for students studying abroad during spring 2026 or who will be out of town on Jan. 23, 2026. Again, it is required to participate in the Candidate Prep Sessions to be eligible for an interview.
Students who attend a Candidate Prep Session will then be invited to sign up for an individual interview for each position that they applied for on their application. Please note that the Candidate Prep Session is different than the info sessions. The Candidate Prep Session is to teach you about FYE at SLU and to make you a stronger candidate through the individual interview process. The individual interviews will be held Jan. 26 through Feb. 8, 2026.
Application and Interview Timeline
- Nov. 20, 2025: Application is available
- Jan. 20, 2026: Applications are due by 9 a.m., Central Time (yes, the application will close at 9 a.m. in the morning!)
- Jan. 21, 2026: Email notifications sent about assigned Candidate Prep Session time
- Jan. 23, 2026: Candidate Prep Sessions
- Jan. 26 - Feb. 8, 2026: Individual interviews
- Feb. 12, 2026: Selection email notifications sent
Considerations for Students Studying Abroad
Students studying abroad in the spring will follow the same selection timeline this year since we will provide an alternative interview via Zoom.
Questions? Contact Susan Fanale, director of orientation, at susan.fanale@slu.edu.