{"id":25,"date":"2024-08-19T20:38:45","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T20:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/customs\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-04-07T02:03:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-07T02:03:19","slug":"soa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/soa\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Orientation Assistants (SOAs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A staff of highly-trained students (SOAs), along with faculty advisors and personnel from a variety of offices lead and assist with New to Blue Orientation sessions. Clerical staff assist the office during the summer orientation sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOAs at MTSU use their leadership skills and True Blue pride to welcome over 4500 New Raiders and 3500 family members to campus annually. SOAs serve as peer educators, resource guides and role models to first-year students, transfer student and family members as they transition to MTSU. Being an SOA is a valuable leadership experience that allows for growth in areas of teambuilding, public speaking, communications and interpersonal skills, problem solving, conflict resolution and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"SOA<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n

2025 New to Blue Orientation SOAs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aden Walton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Audio Production<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Hoover, Alabama<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> MTSU Singers, Peer Mentor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> All things music; Singing, making music; games, socializing with friends<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alec Creasy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Computer Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> The Wesley Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Rock climbing, hiking, white water rafting, hanging out with friends, playing video games<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ashly Sacalxot<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Interior Design Architect<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Winchester, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Interior Design Program, SOA Mentor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, working out, skincare<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Athziry Barajas Aguirre<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Social Work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Canton, Georgia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> University Catholic, SOA Mentor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Karate, shopping, spending time with friends and family, going on side quests<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Autumn Gray <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Video and Film Production and Animation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement: <\/strong>Greek Life, Student Government Association, Black Student Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Drawing, animating, shopping, traveling, cooking, spending time with friends<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Avery McGiboney<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Elementary Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> McMinnville, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Programming and Raider Entertainment<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brian Lyendecker<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Criminal Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Gaming, reading, playing sports<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cooper Jones <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Emergency Management and Homeland Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Smyrna, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Playing ultimate frisbee, swimming, traveling, kayaking, playing video games<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Day Joyner<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Early Childhood Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Tennessee Teach Back Initiative, Scholars Academy, Black Student Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Sewing, coloring, and watching movies  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Devin O’Dell<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Public Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Knoxville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Unions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hanging out with friends, watching TV, reading, listening to new music<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Erika Hill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Video and Film Production<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Maryville, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Film Guild, Women in Film<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Building Lego sets, collecting vinyls, reading comics, photography, theatre<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ermya Bonds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Real Estate<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> SSAC Welcome Desk, TriO<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Cooking, watching TV, decorating, anything pink, and doing hair<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fena Phengmany<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Biology – Genetics and Biotechnology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Shelbyville, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Programming and Raider Entertainment <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, video games, coloring, puzzles<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Holly Steck <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Supply Chain Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Griffin, Georgia <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Supply Chain Management Student Orgs, SOA Mentor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Fishing, hunting, shopping<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Isabella DiMartino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Communications<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Palm Beach, Florida<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, fishing, traveling, going to the beach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

James Lowe<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Nashville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Government Association, Psych Club, Philosophy Club, Psychology Research<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Trying new things, collecting CDs, gaming, tabletop RPGS, working out<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jenna Wooten <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Exercise Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Tullahoma, Tennessee <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> New Vision<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, listening to music, spending time outside, hanging out with friends<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kat Hyder<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Forensic Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> McMinnville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement: <\/strong>MTSU Dance Team, Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Dancing, collecting vinyl records, crafting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kenzie Herrick<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Criminal Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Portland, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Singing, drawing, hiking, reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kimora Thompson<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Environmental Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Savannah, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Duck River water research, Lambda Sigma Honor Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Collecting plants, rescuing animals, changing up my hair, studying threats to water accessibility<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lily Maiuri<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Exercise Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Madisonville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Working out, hanging out, shopping, hiking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MacKenzie Chambers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Speech Language Pathology & Audiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Morristown, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Honors College, SLPA Ambassador, NSSLHA officer<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Sewing, walking my dog, reading, cooking and baking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Madison Rainier<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Speech Language Pathology & Audiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Photography, art, traveling, shopping<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mariah Hammermeister<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Elementary Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Shelbyville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Baking, painting, embroidery <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Megan Moffitt<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Digital Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Spring Hill, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Phillip’s Bookstore, IGNITE Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, writing poetry, hiking, spending time outdoors<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Michaela Sigler<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Middle Level Math Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Morristown, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Wesley Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Playing guitar, reading, crocheting, rock climbing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Milan DiMartino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Communications and Video and Film Production<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Palm Beach, Florida<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, reading, traveling<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mindy Cassada<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Hendersonville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Study Abroad<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Finding new music, reading about marketing campaigns, cooking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Morgan McClain<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Interdisciplinary  Media<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Cordova, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Sweet Melanin, MPAC, SGA Marketing, Urban Entertainment Society<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Journaling, pottery, going to the gym, dancing, trying new hobbies, learning, and socializing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rey Faustino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Textiles Merchandising Design – Fashion Merchandising<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Jackson, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Unions, FaDs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Sewing, shopping, music, collaging, fashion magazines<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Samuella Ofori Amanfo<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Healthcare Informatics<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Kumasi, Ghana<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Learning new things, photography, playing with dogs<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Savanah Gill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Digital Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Fayetteville, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Blue Elite, MTSU News & Media Social Media Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Anything True Blue, cats, thrifting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zania Cole<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Aerospace Aviation Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Columbia, Tennessee<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> BSU, BSCC, Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Listening to music, Hanging with friends, Watching Sunsets, Thrifting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A staff of highly-trained students (SOAs), along with faculty advisors and personnel from a variety of offices lead and assist with New to Blue Orientation sessions. Clerical staff assist the office during the summer orientation sessions. SOAs at MTSU use their leadership skills and True Blue pride to welcome over 4500 New Raiders and 3500 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1443,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/1443"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}