Every fall we welcome new and transfer students during Concordia University Wisconsin's New Student Orientation. Orientation Weekend is led by current students who serve as Concordia Crew Leaders. These campus leaders welcome new students in an engaging and positive way. Each new and transfer student is assigned a Crew Leader who guides them through all aspects of the Orientation Weekend experience. Students can expect to hear from their Crew Leader during the summer if they have questions about orientation or transitioning onto campus.
Sarah Deheck
Position: Coordinator of Student Activities & Orientation
Hometown: Sheboygan Falls, WI
Fun Fact: I’ve never had a cavity!
Advice: Be sure to watch the sunrise on the bluff!
Kara Janowski
Position: Director of New Student Programs
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Fun Fact: I grew up in New Zealand and had a “kiwi” accent as a kid (called my Mom “Mum!”).
Advice: It is okay to not have it all figured out! Take it “one step at a time, with a general plan in mind,” – but be willing to adjust that plan if you need or want to! You might discover a passion or opportunity that leads you in a new direction!
Alicia Schroeder
Position: Student Engagement Intern
Major: Lutheran Elementary Education
Year: Senior
Hometown: Hilbert, WI
Fun Fact: I am a huge extrovert and love talking to people and drinking coffee.
Advice: Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. There are so many co-curricular activities to participate in or even just watching sporting events.
Katie Thomsen
Position: Concordia Crew Leader Intern
Major: Rehabilitation Science: Accelerated Pre-Physical Therapy
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Valders, WI
Fun Fact: I love animals but have never owned one.
Advice: College is what you make of it! Put yourself out there, meet new people, go to events, do your homework, and take advantage of everything CUW has to offer! You belong here and we are so excited to have you!
Abbie Barnhardt
Major: Applied Analytic and Professional Communication
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: South Beloit, IL
Fun Fact: I have an individualized major!
Advice: Don't be shy!! Everyone is in the same boat at first, so go out and make friends while that's still true! I know it's scary, but nobody is judging you, and they will be glad you talked to them! It's much easier to make friends at the beginning of the semester, so take every advantage you get!
Allie Renzelmann
Major: Secondary Education for Broadfield Science
Year: Junior
Hometown: Merrill, WI
Fun Fact: I'm a lifeguard and teach swim lessons.
Advice: At the Co-Curricular Fair, sign up for everything! You don't have to go, but at least you have the info.
Ally O’Farrell
Major: Elementary Education
Year: Senior
Hometown: Butler, WI
Fun Fact: I cross-country ski over break.
Advice: Step outside your comfort zone, and try something new or unique.
Ben Groll
Major: History and Secondary Education
Year: Senior
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Fun Fact: I once ate a 58 oz t-bone steak on my own in one sitting.
Advice: Get involved in clubs and try not to go home every weekend!
Carley Kogutkiewicz
Major: Pre-Pharmacy
Year: Senior
Hometown: New Berlin, WI
Fun Fact: I have been to 25 of the 50 states.
Advice: Study groups! Using study groups for classes helps you meet more people and better learn the material!
Courtney Parker
Major: Secondary Education (Mathematics)
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Shawano, WI
Fun Fact: I once broke my arm falling out of bed.
Advice: Get a hammock for the Chapel Courtyard you won't regret it!
Eli Hubbard
Major: Actuarial and Data Science
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: East Troy, WI
Fun Fact: I play disc golf any time I'm free!
Advice: Have fun and try not to stress!
Emily Aleckson
Major: Accounting
Year: Senior
Hometown: East Troy, WI
Fun Fact: Noah Kahan was my top artist in 2023.
Advice: Have an open mind! You will have a lot of new opportunities and meet many new people. Make the most of it!
Emily Brown
Major: Healthcare Administration
Year: Junior
Hometown: Waupun, WI
Fun Fact: In middle school, I memorized 122 digits of pi.
Advice: Always ask questions. You may be nervous but trust me, everyone here at Concordia wants to help you.
Grace Buckman
Major: Nursing
Year: Junior
Hometown: Mundelein, IL
Fun Fact: I grew up in new jersey and love bagels.
Advice: Make study groups and become friends with your professors.
Grace Lee
Major: Early Childhood and Special Education and Individualized Theatre
Year: Junior
Hometown: Kewaskum, WI
Fun Fact: I have 6 pets. 4 cats, 1 dog and 1 fish.
Advice: Get involved with clubs you can meet a lot of amazing people and just be yourself.
Hava Zodrow
Major: Business Finance
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Neenah, WI
Fun Fact: I love politics and want to work in government someday.
Advice: Don't be afraid to get out of your comfort zone!
Julia Schulteis
Major: Lutheran Elementary Education (Double Minor in English & Theology)
Year: Senior
Hometown: Parker, CO
Fun Fact: I can write backwards!
Advice: Try new things! There are plenty of ways to get involved in various activities!
Kate Pittman
Major: Nursing
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Sussex, WI
Fun Fact: I was captain of my high school's fencing team.
Advice: Go to events! They might seem out of your comfort zone, but you will find people at the events who are in the same boat as you.
Kaylee McCarty
Major: Psychology
Year: Senior
Hometown: Adell, WI
Fun Fact: I studied abroad in both Israel and Jamaica.
Advice: Enjoy every moment of it! College may be stressful and overwhelming at first, but you will find your new routine. Try new things and meet new people along the way!
Makenna Krell
Major: Communication Sciences and Disorders
Year: Senior
Hometown: West Bend, WI
Fun Fact: I love doing puzzles.
Advice: Get involved with clubs around campus!
Maliyah Haines
Major: Pharmaceutical Science
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Racine, WI
Fun Fact: I love to travel and I have been to 13 US states and 3 islands
Advice: Trust the process, it may be scary but it is amazing here at CUW.
Melena Weber
Major: Mass Communications
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Fun Fact: In 2022, I read over 115 books!
Advice: Get involved and meet more people! Going out of your comfort zone is so worth it!
Miranda Briones
Major: Lutheran Secondary Education - Mathematics
Year: Senior
Hometown: Milwaukee, WI
Fun Fact: I served in Poland on a mission trip!
Advice: It's okay to miss home, routinely call someone that reminds you of home.
Olivia Race
Major: Pyschology and English
Year: Sophomore
Hometown: Neenah, WI
Fun Fact: I'm allergic to shrimp.
Advice: Put yourself out there! College is a great time to try new things. I have experienced so much more in my first year than I ever thought possible because I was willing to meet new people and join so many activities.
Olivia Sherman
Major: Rehab Science - Accelerated OT
Year: Senior
Hometown: McKinney, TX
Fun Fact: My left foot is a half size bigger than my right.
Advice: Go to events!! They are fun and will allow you to meet new people! :)