Mission

The Orientation program facilitates the successful transition of new undergraduate students into Catholic University's intellectual, social, and faith-based communities; promotes student learning and development, encourages independence, and individual responsibility; and facilitates continued student success to graduation.

This is accomplished through programming that emphasizes the University's academic and community expectations and social and developmental resources and opportunities.

Through personal connections with peer leaders, faculty, and administration, new students and their families will develop an introductory understanding and appreciation of the intellectual, social, and service opportunities available, and gain knowledge of campus and community resources

Vision

Affect the University's retention efforts through a model orientation program that helps students feel welcome, connect with their new environment, explore their faith, understand expectations, and know where to seek support.

Establish a cohesive and comprehensive Cardinal Challenge program that more deeply explores what it means to be a student at CUA. Activities and programs will be directed toward student involvement, making connections with individuals and resources, academic success, and broadening student general knowledge of the University.

Sustain a rewarding student staff leadership experience that promotes interpersonal growth and development, and leads to an enhanced peer mentor relationship for new students.

 

Meet the Executive Staff!

 

Steve Kreider returns to the Office of Campus Activities as the Director after previously serving from 2006-2015 in various roles in OCA. Since leaving OCA, he has been working at Anne Arundel Community College in the Office of Student Engagement working primarily with the student organizations providing leadership training, logistical and event planning support, and financial management. He is excited to return to OCA and CUA to serve as the Director of a great department and looks forward to getting back into the feel of everything CUA. Attending Penn State for his undergraduate degree and The University of Memphis for his graduate degree Steve has a variety of experiences including residence life, student conduct, leadership development, and of course campus activities. Outside of work Steve is very actively involved regionally and nationally with Ultimate Frisbee playing, coaching, and serving as a head referee for DC's professional team. Steve and his wife have 2 adorable puppies who want everyone to follow them on Instagram at @taleswithwalter and @doodlewithlillian.
Allison Ewing
Allison Ewing is a Junior Computer Science major and Drama minor from Pennsauken, NJ. When she’s not in Pangborn or the Pryz, Allison works as a Cardinal Ambassador Mentor in the Office of Undergraduate Admission and is also involved in Washingtones A Capella, Student Government Association, Campus Ministry, Society of Women Engineers, the University Honors Program, and is entering her third year on the Orientation staff. In her free time, Allison loves to spend time with friends, see plays and musicals throughout the DMV, attend sporting events (especially if Philly teams are in town!), and find different cafes and libraries to do work in the city.

Throughout Allison’s time at Catholic, she has learned so much about programming, data structures, theatre history, and, most importantly, herself. Even from her campus tour in high school, Allison knew that Catholic had an incredible community that would welcome and support her. Allison’s Orientation reassured her and gave her confidence in this new environment, which allowed her to start getting involved on campus and build new relationships. The most important lesson she’s learned is that everyone can make a lasting impact on another person, even with the simplest of actions. As a Student Coordinator for Orientation 2025, Allison wants to continue to give back to the program that helped her find the people and experiences that made CUA her home. She wants every first-year student to know this as they begin their journey at Catholic: “There is no doubt that change can be scary, but it is a necessary and exciting part of life. The best piece of advice I can give is to embrace this change and try not to let nerves prevent you from going to events and taking advantage of this incredible opportunity because you are not alone! Many of your peers will be just as nervous as you. It is ok and valid to feel this way! Welcome to the Catholic U family, we can’t wait to C U soon!”
Cherie Sabini

Sharon Sabini, who goes by “Cherie,” is a junior English major in the Honors Program with minors in Peace and Justice Studies and Italian Studies. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved to Springfield, Missouri in third grade (she proudly bears the title of “Midwesterner”). On campus, Cherie is one of the leaders for the Bethlehem House service site, something she is incredibly passionate about, in addition to being a Writing Center Tutor, the President of HerCampus, and a member of Best Buddies. You’re quite likely to find Cherie in the Pryz at any given time, as being around her friends is something she can’t get enough of! Though she’s explored a good amount of D.C., as she loves any vintage store and adores the D.C. food scene, her mission for this semester is to get out into the city even more! 

While many people say college is the time where you “find yourself,” Cherie definitely found this to be a lot of pressure and struggled to do so her freshman year: “I thought that by making myself as busy as possible or doing what all my friends did, I would feel like the ‘adult’ college was supposed to turn me into.” Yet, if you asked Cherie how she truly did find herself in college, she would say, without a moment of hesitation, that it was becoming an Orientation Advisor. “My mom always used to say to me, ‘The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.’ I never believed that to be possible, but when I threw myself into the service of being an Orientation Advisor, I finally understood what she meant.” 

Having the privilege of being able to create an environment that makes others feel even a little bit more at ease during one of the most stressful and transitional periods of their lives has been the joy of Cherie’s time at CUA. Stepping into her role as Student Coordinator, Cherie hopes to help build a program that will cultivate the open embrace that she felt upon her arrival and that has been with her since her first day! “I am so incredibly honored to be working with Allison on creating this year’s Orientation. We cannot wait to meet you all and to help you find your home away from home at Catholic University!”