Introducing 2026 New Student Orientation Leaders
Lamar University is delighted to welcome new Cardinals to our community. Our New Student Orientation (NSO) program is specifically tailored for new and transfer college students to ensure they have all the information necessary to feel confident and prepared as they navigate their academic journey. During NSO, students will learn about our student services, academic life, and academic advising, and receive their class schedule. Additionally, this event is an opportunity to make new friends, get involved with LU's on-campus community, and enjoy various engaging activities.
Now, we invite you to get acquainted with our 2026 New Student Orientation Leaders. These dedicated LU students are here to guide you, share their insights and experiences, and facilitate a smooth and enjoyable transition into college life.
Alex Lara
Major: English
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Q: How do you plan to help students feel more comfortable and confident?
A: I try to show up as my full self and not worry too much about what others think. My hope is that students can see that and feel encouraged to do the same in their own way.
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: As a first-generation student, I didn’t really know what to expect from college or from Lamar. Getting involved helped me find answers to questions I didn’t even know how to ask when I first came to orientation. It helped me understand what I can do here and what opportunities are available.
Ashli Perry
Major: History
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Lumberton, Texas
Q: What advice would you give to a student who's nervous about starting college?
A: One thing that's great about Lamar is that opportunities are everywhere if you're willing to look for them. If you make the effort to get involved, opportunities will appear.
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: Completely. I got involved as an officer in a student organization during my freshman year, and one opportunity led to another. Now I'm the president of two clubs and the event coordinator for another. Getting involved has helped me build relationships with students and professors while connecting me with organizations beyond campus that continue to help me grow.
Brittanny Sherman
Major: Marketing
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Nederland, Texas
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: I’ve always been involved somewhat, even in high school, so shifting into a college atmosphere I would say that getting involved definitely gives you a lot of benefits and you make a lot of connections that way in college. It helps you get out of your shell too.
Q: What is one campus event that every student should attend at least once?
A: I think The Big Event, because I got to serve on the committee for that this past semester as the assistant marketing director. It was an awesome day where we got to go out in the community and make a change at all of these different organizations – the Food Bank, gardens, etc. It’s such a cool project that Lamar puts on.
Camrynn Clark
Major: Exercise Science (Physical Therapy)
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Wellsville, Kansas
Q: What is one reassuring message or piece of advice that you would share with a student who is worried about starting their college journey?
A: It is a new environment, but don’t be scared to be yourself and put yourself out there. That can help you build connections and find friends, and that can really be a long-lasting part of college that helps you out. Go to events, volunteer for something, it can help a lot.
Q: What is one goal that you hope incoming students set for themselves during their first semester?
A: Go to events and put yourself out there, but don’t let that overshadow your grades. You’re at a university, and your schooling comes first. Don’t let FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) get you down or get your grades down. Manage your time, and focus on what matters.
Cindy Giang
Major: Biology (Pre-Med)
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: It helped me open up more and helped me to be more outgoing overall. Nothing really opened my eyes fully to what Lamar has to offer until I joined Orientation.
Q: What goal do you hope incoming students set for themselves during the first semester?
A: As an incoming freshman, my best advice is to just talk. Talk to someone new, talk to your professors – open up. If you need help with something, don’t hesitate to ask your professors or classmates. Don’t hesitate to reach out to people.
Diriana Vargas
Major: Biology (Pre-Physician Assistant)
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Baytown, Texas
Q: What are you most excited about for Orientation this year?
A: Isaac and Alex made such a strong impression on me and made me feel like I truly belonged at Lamar. Their support helped me find my place on campus, and now I want to do the same for others. I want to make someone feel the way they made me feel and be that person for someone else.
Q: What advice would you give a student who's nervous about starting college?
A: My biggest advice is to go to your 8 a.m. classes, even when you don't feel like it, and stay on top of your studying. It can be easy to skip class or put things off, but showing up and putting in the work makes a huge difference.
Evita Ayim
Major: Nursing
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Houston, Texas
Q: What’s one reassuring message or piece of advice that you would share with a student who is worried about starting their college journey?
A: It’s okay to be afraid or nervous. What you have to try to do is step outside of your comfort zone. Nine times out of 10, everyone else is nervous and feeling a bit awkward too. Get out. Talk to people. You’ll find your people on campus. We have a really diverse campus here.
Q: What helped you build connections and find your community at Lamar University?
A: I think going to events helped me a lot. Week of Welcome, for example. Attend every single one of those events. It’s new students who are in the same position as you. They are new to campus, and these could end up being friends that you make for the next few years of your college journey. Also, find friends in your classrooms. Try to connect with people who have similar interests as you.
Major: Exercise Science (Pre-Physician Assistant)
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Dayton, Texas
A: Try new things. College is not just an extension of high school—it’s your chance to grow into who you want to be. Step into new experiences, even if they feel uncomfortable. That’s where you learn and grow the most.
A: Don’t limit yourself to just people in your major. Talk to people in your classes, across disciplines, and in different spaces on campus. Small conversations can turn into lasting friendships. Just be open, kind, and willing to connect.
Gracelynn Snider
Major: Interdisciplinary Studies (EC–6)
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Groves, Texas
Q: What’s one reassuring message or piece of advice you’d share with a student who is worried about starting college?
A: It’s okay to not have it all figured out right now. You have four years here—take it one day at a time. Set goals, work toward them, and when you achieve them, set new ones. Everything will work out in the end, but you don’t need to have everything decided immediately.
A: The Homecoming Bonfire. It’s a big tradition every year and a really fun way to get involved. You go with your friends, meet new people, and feel part of the community. It’s just a great experience overall.
Humberto Cervantes
Major: Finance & Marketing
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Lancaster, South Carolina
Q: When Orientation is over, what is the biggest takeaway that you hope sticks with students?
A: I hope they realize just how important it is to put yourself out there. While it is scary, getting out of your comfort zone is something that you’ll need to do at some point. Doing it at this stage of your life will help you grow a lot and learn not only about yourself but other people as well.
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: I got to meet a lot of people. The first two years of my college life I didn’t really do anything. I just came to school, went to class, then went back home. I didn’t really do much or meet anybody. Once I joined student organizations like Orientation, I met friends, started going out more, to concerts and things. I got to meet more and more people and I have a lot of students that I met through Orientation who will still walk up to me for help or to have a conversation with a familiar face. Getting involved changed everything for me.
Isaac Torres
Major: Criminal Justice
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Beaumont, Texas
Q: What helped you build connections and find your community at Lamar University?
A: For me, it was honestly my first year here. At first, I mostly stuck with people I already knew from high school because a lot of them came to Lamar. But then I joined the Orientation Team, and that's where I built the most connections. The people I met there are now some of my closest friends.
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: Since I'm from Beaumont, I already knew the area, and there isn't always a lot to do. Getting involved on campus gave me opportunities to meet new people and stay active. I'm also involved in Greek life, which has helped me build friendships and find things to do both on and off campus.
Jerry Salazar
Major: Accounting
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Mission, Texas
Q: What resource would you recommend to new students?
A: I would recommend that students study abroad. There are so many scholarship opportunities available, and studying abroad gives students the chance to meet new people, experience different cultures, and gain new perspectives. It broadens your understanding of the world and helps you grow both personally and academically.
Q: What advice would you give a new student who’s nervous about starting college?
A: Get yourself out there and get involved. During my first semester, I wish I had talked to more people and participated in more activities. The more involved you are, the more you'll get out of your college experience.
Kailyn Young
Major: Psychology
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Orange, Texas
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: It completely changed my experience. During my freshman year, I didn't get out much and felt isolated. I decided I wanted to be more involved, and becoming part of Orientation helped me build confidence, make friends, and become more connected to campus. My college experience has been so much better because of it.
Q: What do you hope every new student takes away from Orientation?
A: Get involved, but also build relationships with your professors. Those connections can help you with future jobs, graduate school recommendations, and advice about your career path. Professors have valuable experience and insight that can help guide you.
Kaylynn Foster
Major: Biology (Pre-Medicine)
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Groves, Texas
Q: How do you plan to help incoming students feel more comfortable and confident?
A: Just by connecting with them on a peer level, so they know that they have a familiar face on campus to come talk to when they need it. Honestly, just letting them know that they’re not alone and that they can come to you with any questions they may have. Being a friendly face with a big smile can help them to be more comfortable on Lamar’s campus.
Q: When Orientation is over, what is the biggest takeaway that you hope sticks with the students?
A: I hope they can just take away all of the resources that we have given them to help them throughout their journey. The first year everything is new, so that’s why we want to help them find everything and give them all the resources so they can be their best self and be successful here.
Kim Le
Major: Biology (Pre-Dental)
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Port Neches, Texas
Q: What helped you build connections and find your community at Lamar University?
A: I would say that joining organizations, whether they have to do with your major or your interests, will help a lot. Finding my community and making friends through those organizations has made all the difference.
Q: How do you plan to help incoming students feel more comfortable and confident?
A: By building connections with them. As an Orientation Leader, I feel like that’s a responsibility that we have, to build connections with them and make them feel more comfortable. I’m a first-generation student. I didn’t have any family members who attended college before me, so knowing that another student may also be a first-gen student who needs guidance, I feel an obligation to be there for them.
Madison Morris
Major: Theatre and Dance & Music Performance
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Haughton, Louisiana
Q: What advice would you give a student who's nervous about starting college?
A: Be yourself. When I first came to Lamar, I had moved here from Maryland and didn't know anyone. The easiest way to make friends isn't forcing it—it's getting to know the people around you. Maybe you're both struggling with the same homework assignment or sitting next to each other in class. Those small connections can grow into real friendships.
Q: What do you hope every new student takes away from Orientation?
A: I hope students leave knowing they'll be taken care of. No university is perfect, but Lamar has people who genuinely want to help students succeed. It may take time to adjust, but there are people here who want to support you.
Mariah Priestly
Major: Social Work
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Jasper, Texas
Q: What’s one goal you hope incoming students set for themselves during their first semester?
A: I hope students set a goal of putting themselves out there and becoming who they want to be. College is about growth—getting involved, meeting people, and taking that step outside of your comfort zone.
A: For me, it’s getting out of my room and talking to people. Even small conversations can turn into real connections. That’s how you start building your place here.
Matthew Whitten
Major: Electrical Engineering
Classification: Senior
Hometown: Orangefield, Texas
Q: What's one resource or service at Lamar University that every student should know about?
A: The Cherry Engineering Haunted House. It's completely student-run and free. It helped me build connections and find my place at Lamar. Just showing up, meeting people, and putting yourself out there can open a lot of doors.
Q: What helped you feel at home when you were a new student?
A: What helped me build connections was simply showing up at events, meeting people and putting my name out there.
Michael Vu
Major: MS in Professional Accounting
Classification: Graduate Student
Hometown: Orange, Texas
Q: What helps you build connections and find your community at Lamar University?
A: I think the best thing that helped me build connections was to find work here on campus. In the College of Business, that helped me network and find my community and friends.
Q: When Orientation is over, what is the biggest takeaway that you hope sticks with new students?
A: I think that getting involved by working or joining organizations is the thing that I hope sticks with new students. When you graduate and you’re looking for a job, if you were involved on campus, you’ll have a built-in network of supporters.
Sam Martinez
Major: Nursing
Classification: Sophomore
Hometown: Nederland, Texas
Q: What helped you build connections and find community at Lamar University?
A: I would say that the clubs and organizations that LU has to offer is what helped me. For me, it would be the LU Hispanic Society. It’s a club where I met my main friend group my freshman year. It was also overall just a community-building experience. I learned how to be more outgoing being a part of LU Hispanic Society.
Q: When Orientation is over, what is the biggest takeaway that you hope sticks with new students?
A: Everybody wants to make friends. Once you understand that everyone is having the same experience of wanting to make friends and not be alone during their college experience, everything will start to work out for you when you go that extra step and step out of your comfort zone. If I had not done that, I wouldn’t have met my main friend group or joined any of the student organizations that I’m a part of now.
Emily Ramos
Major: Biology (Pre-Pharmacy)
Classification: Junior
Hometown: Port Arthur, Texas
Q: What’s one reassuring message or piece of advice that you’d share with a student who is worried about starting their college journey?
A: I would say to try not to compare yourself to your friends. Your college journey is going to be different than others. Some might take less time, some might take more time. As long as you get that degree, you’re learning about yourself and putting education first. That’s important. Try not to compare yourself – everybody is different.
Q: How did getting involved on campus change your college experience?
A: It definitely made me more outspoken. I was the type of person to stay in my own shell, but it made me more confident and be able to make new friends, connections and bonds. It’s important to get involved. It will change your college experience when you see the friendships that you can make.