CSD Staff

CSD Staff

Tannis Pearson CSD Manager

1. What is your favorite aspect about the Orientation Program and Why? My favorite part of Orientation is watching the volunteers get super pumped up and excited about the event. Their energy is amazing!
2. If you could be any superhero, who would it be and why? I would be Catwoman! Just because I like cats, she has no real powers ?
3. What motivated you to work for the CSD and be involved in the Orientation Program? I got involved with Orientation partially by fluke but also because I really wanted to help new students because I remember how difficult the transition can be.
4. What is the most important life skill that you have acquired since working for the CSD? The most important thing that I have learned since joining the CSD is that anything is possible when students are supporting it!
5. What is your favorite Vintage Video Game (Since this year’s Orientation is Level Up!)? PONG!

Tim Ira CSD Assistant Manager

1. I love the spirit and electricity of Orientation. The new students and volunteers get so fired up and it’s one of the times that U of A really shows its Green and Gold Pride. From the loudest cheer to the most subtle laugh, everyone is having an awesome time celebrating being Golden Bears and Pandas.
2. Green Lantern – no doubt. I’m not just saying this because of the movie this summer. Seriously you should see my collection. I would want to be the Green Lantern because the source of his power comes from his will and ability to overcome great fear, and is then channeled through a ring that can form any construct he wills into existence. Plus green is my favourite colour.
3. When I was a first year, my friend signed me up for Orientation as a volunteer. I thought back to my Orientation and said, “why not?” When I started volunteering, I was immediately swept away in the vibrant culture that I was looking for in my university experience. Over the years I moved up to Team Facilitator and then worked as the Orientation Volunteer Coordinator last year. I am back this year ready to work to make Orientation an even greater success.
4. One thing that I have taken away from my experiences at the CSD has been my discovery of this great profession in student affairs. My background is in Secondary Education so I have a deep interest in students and their development!
5. I don’t know the name but it was a more literal, militaristic version of angry birds. You had a cannon and you had to destroy a base that was over some mountains. I would sit in my cousin’s room playing this at all the family parties!

Kevin Smith Orientation Volunteer Coordinator

1. Meeting new students and watching them change from first thing Monday morning to the Presidents' Address on Tuesday night. It is an amazing transformation and makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

2. I would be Spiderman because moving from building to building would be so much fun, but he is still able to have a ‘normal’ life.

3. I had always been a part of Orientation Programs in High School, so volunteering with the University Orientation Program was a no-brainer. Once I became involved with Orientation and the CSD I couldn’t imagine being involved with a better program or group of people.

4.Through my time with the CSD I have learned that there is so much more on this campus then I ever thought possible. You just have to search for it.

5.Tetris no question, it is a game I have played my whole life and it is so much fun!

Ann Gordon Orientation Programs Coordinator

1. My favorite part of Orientation is the insane energy produced when volunteers and new students collide, and of course the awesome presentations!

2. If I could be any superhero, I would be Spiderman, so I could use spiderwebs to scare the noisy pigeons off my balcony.

3. I fell in love with Orientation when I volunteered for the first time in 2010 and absolutely loved it! The energy, the comradeship, and the sense of purpose I derive from working with Orientation are like oxygen to me!

4. I have learned this year that everything you do is better when done with others, especially amazing Orientation volunteers!

5. Because I am an English major, my favorite vintage game is the Great Gatsby NES, available online. You get to throw your hat at stuff! Seriously, go check it out.

Josh Connauton CSD Administrative Coordinator

1. I love how Orientation tries to cater to every individual student and make sure that their transition from High School to the U of A is as smooth as possible and can address every concern/question they have about University.

2. If I could be any Superhero, I would be Spiderman, hands down! He is an actual superhero with special powers and who wouldn't love to be able to swing from building to building?

3. In my first year of University I was not involved whatsoever when it came to student life, I just went to school, did my work and went home. Fortunately for me int he last year I have met many great people who introduced me to the Orientation Program and showed everything it had to offer. Once I saw how great Orientation was and getting introduced to the work of the CSD, I knew that it would be an amazing place to work!

4. Even though I have worked for the CSD for a very short time, I have learned a lot of things already. Probably the most important thing I have learned has been all of the great services that the CSD and all student services that the Student's Union offers. Once I began to work at the CSD, I found out about all of the different services they have offered in the past and continue to offer today as well as many different student services throughout the Student's Union that I had no idea existed.
   

5. Duck Hunt! When I was a kid, I would go over to my friend's place across the street at least for 2 hours a day to play Duck Hunt on his old NES. Maybe its my favourite vintage video game because it brings back great childhood memories, or maybe it is because its so fun to play because it is challenging and by the time you stop playing, you hate ducks more than anything. Its probably a mix of both.