On Jan. 26, the university opened the Student Leadership Common Application, recruiting next year’s four on-campus leadership positions — Orientation Team, Peer Health Educator, Residential Life and University Tour Guide. University officials held an information session on Jan. 23 with students who currently hold these roles, as they aimed to recruit new students of all kinds to fill key positions.
Many students at the session expressed positive experiences with their positions. Shea Bedminster, senior computer science major, applied for a tour guide position through the common application. She said that she highly enjoys her job as a tour guide intern, managing and communicating with other tour guides.
During the session, Bedminster shared some of the benefits related to her role. Despite tours at 8:30 a.m, tour guides are the highest paying job on campus, earning $15 an hour, and Bedminster said she participates directly in shaping Trinity’s future.
“I find it to be so rewarding to give a tour to someone and actually impact their college experience,” Bedminster said at the information session.
It’s not just tour guides who feel that way. Cameron Lilly, senior marketing major, is the community manager for the City Vista Apartments and a former resident assistant. Lilly said his favorite part of working with Residential Life is the community.
“I like being able to interact with the people who live in City Vista, because I feel like there are so many people that I have met when I did not think I could meet new people senior year,” Lilly said.
Demetrius “DJ” Johnson, assistant director of Residential Life, listed the responsibilities of being an RA, including community development, Residential Life programming, being “on call” for requests from students, administrating student housing needs, helping with move-in and RA training.
Orientation Team (O Team) leaders, also help with the transition to college. O Team responsibilities include Tiger Takeoff in June, New Tiger Orientation in August and Spring Tiger Orientation in January, according to Justin Gambone, assistant director of orientation and transitions.
“You are, a lot of the time, the first people they get to know,” Gambone said during the information session. “You don’t have to be an extrovert to be on the Orientation Team. A lot of times people think that if you’re more reserved, or more introverted, you can’t do this job. You actually sometimes are the best student leaders.”
These positions are for all kinds of students, Gambone said. Before becoming a guide, Bedminster told the Trinitonian that she was worried that she did not know enough about Trinity’s campus to work as a tour guide. Now, she’s glad she went for the role and feels it has benefited her greatly.
“I like the ability to meet so many different people. Especially because Trinity is such a small school, you get to know a lot of people,” Bedminster said.
Jessica Edonick, associate vice president for Student Affairs and dean of students, summed up the importance of student leaders on campus. The students recruited through the common app provide skills and perspectives that the administration relies on, she said.
“They are critical to the work of the administration of the university as a whole,” Edonick said. “They’re really creating culture and designing an experience where students can really thrive and flourish.”
The application closed Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. Applicants will hear back from the administration once applications have been reviewed.
*This article was updated on February 4, 2026
