2008 Orientation Peer Advisers (OPAs)

Chaney Austin

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Goochland, Virginia

Major: Media Arts and Design & Communication Studies

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Amazed" by Lonestar

Favorite Quote: "Anyone who says sunshine is the only thing that brings happiness has never danced in the rain."

Favorite class at JMU: GHUM 200 - Great Works. My professor, Katey Castellano, had such an amazing passion for the literature we were studying that she was able to get the entire class excited about what we were reading as well. Her lectures were engaging and interactive and I found myself really being challenged and learning something new.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? Keep an open mind. Realize that you don't have to become involved in everything, but step out of your comfort zone and try new activities until you find something that's right for you. Remember, you can't knock it until you try it.

Allison Bailey

Orientation Peer Adviser

Norfolk, Massachusetts

Major: Business Management

Year: Sophomore

Favorite Song: "Hold my Hand" by Hootie and the Blowfish

Favorite Quote: "Success rests in having the courage, endurance, and above all, the will to become the person you are." - George Sheehan

Favorite Class at JMU:  GSOC 240. I had an absolutely amazing professor who really made the material interesting. She made our class and her lecture very interactive. It was awesome!

Most helpful advice I received as an incoming student:  Get involved-involvement made me feel a part of this campus and helped me to meet new people that I would normally not meet in my day to day activities. It was also very beneficial because I got the opportunity to try new things and meet people with the same interests as me as well as making some great friends.

Richie Blessing

Orientation Peer Adviser

Madison Outdoor Adventure Trips OPA

Ashburn, Virginia

Major:  Geology

Minor: Art

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind

Favorite Quote: "Everything, everything's magic. Just sit back and hold on, but hold on tight. Prepare for the best and the fastest ride."

Favorite class at JMU: GPSYC160 with Judy West because she was a complete riot and made learning about lifespan and human development incredibly fun.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  GET INVOLVED. JMU has over 300 clubs and organizations, so there's definitely something here for everyone. Join a club sports team, rush a fraternity, or join a service organization: just do something!

Claire Brunick

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Major: Political Science  

Minor: Writing and Rhetoric, Political Communication

 
Year: Senior 

Favorite Song: "Say" by John Mayer

Favorite Quote: "Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure... than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat."  -  Theodore Roosevelt

Favorite class at JMU: ISAT 160 with Eric Pappas. As a professor, Dr. Pappas challenged us to think for ourselves. He taught us how to learn and gave us the skills to be successful in all our endeavors.

 
What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  It goes by fast. Don't look back and regret what you didn't do.

Alicia Cagnoli

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Alexandria, Virginia

Major:   Communication Studies, concentration in Public Relations

Minor: Theatre

Year:  Senior

Favorite Song:  "Thunderstruck" by AC/DC and any song by Silverchair or James Brown.

Favorite Quote:  "Whether you think you can or whether you think you can't, you're right."  Henry Ford

Favorite class at JMU: The Shakespeare, British History, Theatre & Art classes I took while studying abroad with JMU's Semester in London program. We would learn about something, then immediately go out into the city and see/experience it.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?   "High school is over&you are coming in with a blank slate. Now is the time to do something you've always wanted to do, or something you never thought you would. Explore the possibilities!" an '04 Alum

Tyler Conta

Orientation Peer Adviser

Richmond, Virginia

Major:  Media Arts and Design

Minor: Film Studies or Non-Profit Studies

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "The Sea" by Carbon Leaf

Favorite Quote: "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." -Lao
Tzu

Favorite class at JMU:  GHIST 225 with Professor Hyser.  It was that kind of class where it's pretty difficult, and you never stop taking notes the whole time, but he makes the material so interesting!  He tells the best stories and he makes the material come off as though it happened yesterday...to him!

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Prop your door open when you're there.  You'll meet so many people!  AND to never walk around with headphones on because you never know who might be saying "Hey!" to you.

Ryan Cury

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Abingdon, Virginia

Major: Health Sciences

Concentration: Pre-Physical Therapy 

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Use It" by the New Pornographers

Favorite Quote: "Do one thing everyday that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Favorite class at JMU: Environmental Health (HTH 352).  Environmental Health

opened my eyes to global issues around the world.  I learned new, interesting information and definitely benefitted as an individual overall.  I had an excellent professor and as a result I no longer felt forced to be in class, I genuinely wanted to go to class.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? "Life is an open stage.  Do not let any opportunities pass you by.  Make your college experience your own."--Dr. Charles Harris, professor of Psychology

Casey Hazlegrove

Orientation Peer Adviser

Botetourt, Virginia

Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Minor: Elementary Education

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Clocks" by Coldplay

Favorite Quote: "In every life you have some trouble. When you worry you make it double.
Don't worry, Be happy."  Bobby McFerrin

Favorite class at JMU: History of Jazz.  It was a class that was required for my concentration so I might not have picked it otherwise but I have found a new love for Jazz music through it. My professor had so much passion for the subject and I really enjoyed learning about it from him.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?
Get involved- organizations are where you'll make some of your lifelong friends, and it's where you'll figure out how you want to fit in at JMU. There are so many to choose from that you can't go wrong!

Sandrine Heeren

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Manassas, Virginia

Major:  Hospitality and Tourism Management

Minor: French

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Lip Gloss" by Lil Mama

Favorite Quote: "In the end everything will be ok. If it's not ok, it's not the end."

Favorite class at JMU: COB 202, Interpersonal Skills- it was a great class. We talked about things that are completely related to real life and I had probably the best professor at JMU.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Don't be afraid to try new things, but don't forget who you are and where you came from.

Jess Huddleston

Orientation Peer Adviser

Richmond, Virginia

Major: Psychology

Minor: Mathematics

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "4 Minutes" by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake & Timbaland

Favorite Quote: "&you cant fight the tears that aint coming, or the moment of truth in your lies. when everything feels like the movies, yea you bleed just to know you're alive." - Iris, Goo Goo Dolls

Favorite class at JMU: Honors Symposium-A Women's Colloquialism; My professor, Dr. Karen Evans, was phenomenal and this class opened my eyes to real life issues against women in the media, our mindset, and social habits in our society. The discussion-based class helped me to form my own opinions on women issues and apply it to my experiences and reactions in my everyday life.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? Don't feel like you have to complete all of your GenEd's during your first two years. It's nice to have one a semester scattered throughout your schedule when you get into the core of your major. Get to know your professors personally...they have a lot to teach you outside of the classroom too. And take all that you can out of each and every one of your classes. Before you know it...your time here will be over!

Alison Huffstetler

Orientation Peer Adviser

Yorktown, Virginia

Major:   Art History

Minor:  Statistics, Biology, Chemistry

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Two Coins" by Dispatch

Favorite Quote: "Work like you don't need the money, love like you've never been hurt, dance like no ones watching, and live like Heaven's on earth."
-Satchel Paige

Favorite class at JMU: I have two!  Genetics was amazing because I learned how to understand what makes the world tick, evolve, and form as an organized mess. Completely on the opposite end of the spectrum, my Art History Seminar was eye opening because of the way that art has manifested itself in every day life throughout the history of time, and how much it impacts the world in ways people can only begin to understand.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? My next door neighbor said to me "Remember you're always a Myatt" and while I'm a Huffstetler, not a Myatt, it is what her mother said to her before she went to college, and it has always stuck with me. The words are a quick phrase to live by, a solid reference to come back to when in doubt. It has helped me in making some of the most difficult collegiate decisions, and it has embraced the spontaneity that college entails!

Rashaunda Jackson

Orientation Peer Adviser

Madison Outdoor Adventure Trips OPA

Dinwiddie, Virginia

Major: Public Policy & Administration

Year: Sophomore

Favorite Song: "Champion" by Kanye West

Favorite Quote: "I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come. I don't do things half-heartedly. Because I know if I do, then I can expect half-hearted results." Michael Jordan

Favorite class at JMU: Mediated Communication (GMAD): I enjoyed this class because it discussed the different types of media (television, radio, advertising, etc.) and how they effect our everyday thinking.  I definitely think this class made me a wiser consumer because I think twice before buying the latest gadget!

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Always keep God first and remember that I am a student first! Extra-curricular activities are great and they enhance the college experience, but I was sent to JMU to get an education and academics should stay above everything else!

Hilary Jacobson

Orientation Peer Adviser

Granby, Connecticut

Major:   Biotechnology

Minor: Biology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Concentration: Pre-physician Assistant

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Look at me Now" by Sixwire

Favorite Quote: "But once I had brains, and a heart also so having tried them both, I should much rather a heart" - Woodman in Wizard of Oz

Favorite class at JMU:  ISAT 350/351: Biotechnology in the New Millennium 1/II.  A 2 semester series where we investigated current issues that are pressing in today's society such as the fuel crisis, genetically modified organisms, health issues, and what we can particularly do to help the situation and the research objectives.  Dr. Bachmann focused on making the technology and biological processes applicable rather then information, and more importantly our roles and influences on the future. 

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Don't waste a minute of your time here as you'll only have the opportunity to be in this environment once.

Ashley Jennings

Orientation Peer Adviser

Amherst, Virginia

Major: Interdisciplinary Liberal Studies

Minor: Elementary Education

Year: Junior

Favorite Song:  "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band

Favorite Quote:  "Let your heart guide you. It whispers so listen closely." -The Land Before Time

Favorite class at JMU:  EDUC360 with Dr. Huffman. This class was an introductory course for Education and it was my first glimpse of the teaching profession. EDUC360 was exciting and engaging and I am looking forward to becoming a teacher.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Do not be overwhelmed with college. Take it one transition at a time.

Patrick Keeney

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Roanoke, Virginia

Major: Music Industry

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Yesterday" by the Beatles

Favorite Quote: "A man is a success if he gets up in the morning and gets to bed at night, and in between he does what he wants to do." - Bob Dylan

Favorite class at JMU: It was MUI 221 Survey of the Music Industry because, while most people said that the class was depressing because it showed them how hard the industry could be, I knew that it was giving me the tools that I'd needed to achieve success there, if and when I earned it.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? Study a bit more than you think is necessary for your first test in every class. You don't know how hard the test is going to be since you've never had this teacher before. Once you get your grades back, then you will know what classes you need to keep that level of studying for, which classes don't need quite that much effort, and which classes you need to step it up in. As a bonus, if you get a good grade, it sets you up for an easier time earning a good final grade. It's much easier and much less stressful to start with a good grade and maintain it than it is to start with a low grade and fight an uphill battle the entire semester.

Megan Kennedy

Orientation Peer Adviser

Kinnelon, New Jersey

Major: Communication Studies

Minor: Human Resource Development

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "You'll Be in My Heart" by Phil Collins

Favorite Quote: "Life is too short to wake up with regrets so love the people who treat you right, forget about the ones who don't, and know that everything happens for a reason.  If you get a chance, take it.  If it changes your life, let it.  Nobody said that it'd be easy, they just promised it would be worth it."

Favorite class at JMU: Nonverbal Communication (SCOM 345): This was my favorite class because I learned so much about nonverbal communication, and more specifically, how humans nonverbally communicate. There was so much class participation from everyone because we sat in a circle for discussion every day. The professor was very friendly and made the class extremely enjoyable.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  The most helpful advice I received as an incoming student was to try new things and take chances, even if that meant stepping out of my comfort zone.

Aishah McNeil

Orientation Peer Adviser

Operations Orientation Peer Adviser

Reading, Pennsylvania

Major: Communication Studies & Justice Studies

Concentrations: Organizational Communication & Global Policy

Year: Sophomore

Favorite Song: "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield

Favorite Quote: "Life is not about finding yourself. It is about creating yourself." -Unknown

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Getting Involved! It helped me to adjust to the environment change and put me in contact with students who helped me really learn what JMU was all about. They have served as mentors for me and made JMU feel like home.

Shannon Murphy

Orientation Peer Adviser

Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

Major: Communication Sciences & Disorders

Minor: Spanish

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Learning to Fly" by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers or "Have You Ever Seen The Rain?" by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Favorite Quote: It's a 3-way tie: 1-"There are no regrets in life - only lessons" -Anonymous; 2-"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others" -Gandhi;   and 3-"I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge-myth is stronger than history-dreams are more powerful than facts-hope always triumphs over experience-laughter is the cure for grief-love is stronger than death" -Robert Fulghum

Favorite class at JMU: GHIST 225: U.S. History with Philip Dillard... I didn't do well but the professor was awesome and really made you want to learn

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? If you're not happy with something, you always have the option to change it.

Jessie Naylor

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Winchester, Virginia

Major: Marketing & Communication Studies

Minor: Human Resource Development

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind

Favorite Quote: "The best way to predict your future is to create it."

Favorite class at JMU: COB 202 (Interpersonal Skills).  The class was divided into teams for the entire semester. We learned how to overcome differences and work together through team building and hands-on activities. Also, my professor was a lot of fun. We ended the first class by doing the wave and hi-fiving the person across from us.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Don't be afraid to try new things. College is a great opportunity to get involved in activities you've never tried and may never get to try again. Take advantage of everything there is to offer, but don't forget you're here for an education.

John Nettles

Orientation Peer Adviser

Orange, Virginia

Major: Social Work

Minor: Exceptional Education Non Teaching and Family Studies

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Wonderwall" by Oasis

Favorite Quote:
"I slept and dreamed that life was joy.
I awoke and found that life was but service.
I served and discovered that service was joy."
-Raindranath Tagor

Favorite class at JMU: My favorite class so far is Social Policy taught by Karen Ford because we took a field trip to Washington D.C. and I had the opportunity to advocate on Capital Hill for the first time and I absolutely loved it!

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  The best advice I received was to tackle every experience with full force and to look at everything as a new learning experience.

Bryce Nielsen

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Ashburn, Virginia

Major:  Management

Concentration: Technology, Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE)

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw

Favorite Quote: "If you wanna be somebody, if you wanna go somewhere, you better wake up and pay attention.  For the time is now or never, to make your dreams come true, so you better wake up and take some action." - Sister Act II

Favorite class at JMU:  COB 300 which is a 12 credit class of integrated studies of Marketing, Management, Finance, and Operations in the College of Business.  It is my favorite because it has taught me the most.  Not only do I feel accomplished for surviving this class but I feel as though I have learned material that is applicable to my life, both in and outside the classroom, and that I have retained those lessons.    This class gave me the feeling of personal success and accomplishment.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?   Just do YOUR best.  If you never push your limits you'll never know where they end.  Life is just a series of choices.  Make choices that you will be proud to look back on and that you will be proud to share with anyone else (for things do get out).  Be yourself.  Talk to teachers.  Become your own teacher.  You can only succeed if you dare to fail.

RJ Ohgren

Orientation Peer Adviser

Woodbridge, Virginia

Major: Political Science

Minor: Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Secondary Education

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Sæglópur" by Sigur Rós

Favorite Quote: "Great ambition and conquest without contribution is without significance." -The Emperor's Club

Favorite class at JMU: Men's University Chorus was my favorite class. Nothing could be better than making awesome music with 30 other awesome guys.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  College isn't just about the classes you take; sometimes it's about the other stuff you learn along the way.

Jithu Ramesh

Orientation Peer Adviser

Madras, India

Major:  Health Sciences  

Minor: Biology

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "This River is Wild" by The Killers

Favorite Quote: "How vain is it to sit down to write when you have not stood up to live?"

-Henry David Thoreau

Favorite class at JMU:  GGEOG 200 with Prof. Jonathan Walker. On the first day, he jumped from table to table while introducing the syllabus. He was always enthusiastic and open to everybody's opinion. There was never a dull moment in his class.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? Your time is your own. Find something you want and make it happen.

Caitlin Scarano

Orientation Peer Adviser

Operations Orientation Peer Adviser

Nottoway, Virginia

Major:  English

Minor: Creative Writing

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Passing Afternoon" by Iron and Wine

Favorite Quote: "Whether you think you can or can't, you are probably right." Henry Ford

Favorite class at JMU: PHIL 380 The Philosophy of Art We learned about art and what it can do for humanity: that it could, potentially, show us a higher truth.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  My cousin, the summer before I came to JMU: "Suspend judgment about everything and everyone you come across in college&at least for the first six months."

Kyle Smith

Assisting New Transfer Students

Orientation Peer Adviser

Gainesville, Virginia

Major: International Affairs & Media Arts and Design

Transferred to JMU from: Northern Virginia Community College

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Over My Head" by The Fray

Favorite Quote: "It is our choices that show who we are, far more than our abilities." - J. K. Rowling

Favorite class at JMU: US Foreign Policy with Dr. Keller.  It was one of the first classes I took that was specific to my major, and I found it to be really interesting.  It was also one of the most difficult classes I have taken, so when the hard work I put in paid off it felt really good.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Time management is key, there are so many things that you are going to want to do.  If you find a way to balance your responsibilities with fun you will be in for an amazing experience.

Mike Smith

Orientation Peer Adviser

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Major:  Marketing

Minor:  Music Industry

Year:  Junior

Favorite Song:  "Motorcycle Drive-by" by Third Eye Blind

Favorite Quote:  "Life moves pretty fast.  If you don't stop to look around every once in a while, you could miss it."  -Ferris Bueller

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  "Make this journey your own."

Adam Sutphin

Orientation Peer Adviser

Transfer Orientation Peer Adviser

Newport News, Virginia

Major: Kinesiology

Minor: Business

Year: Junior

Favorite Song: "Q&A" by Cartel

Favorite Quote: "Attitude is Altitude" - Anonymous
Favorite class at JMU: Critical Thinking with Professor Hendrickson because he taught me techniques on how to think critically. But more so how to make decisions and think outside of the box

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student? College isn't something that just happens to you; it's something you have to be proactive about. This is the first time in your life where you will be pushed to try some new things. Embrace that, and do it!

Stephanie Tigue

Orientation Peer Adviser

Flemington, New Jersey

Major:  Psychology

Year: Senior

Favorite Song: "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey

Favorite Quote: "I like people who make me laugh.  I honestly think it's my favorite thing to do, laugh.  It cures a multitude of ills.  It's probably the most important thing in a person." - Audrey Hepburn

Favorite class at JMU: Psychology of Child Abuse and Neglect because it kept me challenged, gave me volunteer opportunities outside the classroom, and I walked away feeling so informed and had learned so much.

What was the most helpful advice you received as an incoming student?  Work hard and believe in yourself.  Put your heart into everything you do.