{"id":25,"date":"2024-08-19T20:38:45","date_gmt":"2024-08-19T20:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/customs\/?page_id=25"},"modified":"2026-04-29T16:39:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-29T16:39:08","slug":"soa","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/soa\/","title":{"rendered":"Student Orientation Assistants (SOAs)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A staff of highly-trained students (SOAs), along with faculty advisors and personnel from a variety of offices lead and assist with New to Blue Orientation sessions. Clerical staff assist the office during the summer orientation sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SOAs at MTSU use their leadership skills and True Blue pride to welcome over 4500 New Raiders and 3500 family members to campus annually. SOAs serve as peer educators, resource guides and role models to first-year students, transfer student and family members as they transition to MTSU. Being an SOA is a valuable leadership experience that allows for growth in areas of teambuilding, public speaking, communications and interpersonal skills, problem solving, conflict resolution and confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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2026 New to Blue Orientation SOAs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2026 SOA – Ab e Zannat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ab E Zannat<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> International Relations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Bangladesh, India<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> CLA Student Emissary, Housing Desk Assistant, Model United Nations, Society for International Affairs, CLA Student Advisor of Dean<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Watching crime thrillers, working<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Aden Walton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Aden Walton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Audio Production<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Hoover, AL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Housing Resident Assistant, MTSU Singers Ensemble<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Singing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Amelia Steffy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Amelia Steffy<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Panhellenic Sorority<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Athziry Barajas<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Athziry Barajas<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Social Work<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Canton, GA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> MTSU Student Ambassador, University Catholic<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Fishing, kayaking, walking, karate, hanging out with friends and family, and anything country!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Autumn Cohee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Autumn Cohee<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Integrated Studies<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Atlanta, GA<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement: <\/strong>Disability and Acesss Center Peer Support<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Drawing, creative projects, true crime, cooking, baking, puzzles, plants, hiking, piano, board and card games<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Avery McGiboney<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Avery McGiboney<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Early Childhood Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> McMinnville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> SPARE<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, hanging out with family<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Brooklyn Latimer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Brooklyn Latimer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Advertising<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Student Union, Wesley Foundation<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, talking, cats!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Cooper Jones<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Cooper Jones <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Emergency Management and Homeland Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Smyrna, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Criminal Justice Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, traveling, playing sports, kayaking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Edward Ozment<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Edward Ozment<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Johnson City, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> SGA Planning Committee, Psych Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Poetry, art, reading, cardio, piano, pickleball<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Erika Hill<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Erika Hill<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Video & Film Production, Filmmaking concentration, Mass Communication minor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Maryville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Women in Film, Film Guild, Blue Elite, Equipment Checkout Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking in the Smokies, collecting vinyls, photography, Legos, going to the cinema<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Ermya Bonds<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Ermya Bonds<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Finance, Real Estate Concentration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> SGA Marketing Committee, TRIO Mentor, Blue Elite, Welcome Desk Worker<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Watching documentaries, doing campus tours, being goofy and fun!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Fena Phengmany<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Fena Phengmany<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Biology, Genetics and Biotechnology Concentration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Shelbyville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> SPARE, Blue Elite, Asian Student Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Reading, playing video games, puzzles, listening to k-pop, collecting Smiskis<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Gracie Campbell<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Gracie Campbell<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Manchester, TN <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> National Student Language & Hearing Association, The Point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, pickleball, kayaking, reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Hasni Liyanage<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Hasni Liyanage<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Aviation Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Sri Lanka; currently Smyrna, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> National Society of Leadership & Success, MTSU Blood Drive<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Martial arts, painting, listening to music and podcasts<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Bella DiMartino<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Isabella DiMartino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Communications, Video & Film Production minor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Palm Beach, FL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, biking, going to the beach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Jenna Wooten<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jenna Wooten <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Exercise Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Tullahoma, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> The Point, New Vision, Exercise Science Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Working out, hanging with friends, reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Jeslyn Vasquez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Jeslyn Vasquez<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Business Administration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Fishing, hiking, painting, spending time with family and friends<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Kat Woodland<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kaitlyn Woodland<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Video & Film Production, Global Studies, Asian Studies Minor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement: <\/strong>Blue Elite, NPHC Sorority<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Shopping, napping, watching Asian dramas<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Kayla Hamilton<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Kayla Hamilton<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Watching movies and TV, building Legos, reading<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Lily Maiuri<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lily Maiuri<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Exercise Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Knoxville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Working out, hanging with friends, painting, hiking, baking<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – MacKenzie Chambers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MacKenzie Chambers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Entrepreneurship minor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Morristown, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Honors, The Point, National Speech Language Hearing Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Sewing, embroidery, line dancing, playing with my dog<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Kenzie Herrick<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

MacKenzie Herrick<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Criminal Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Portland, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Criminal Justice Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, camping, singing, reading, crafting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Maddie Sullivan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Madelyn Sullivan<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Biology, Pre-Dental<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Manchester, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Delta Delta Sigma, The 214 House<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Running<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Maddy Couey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Madison Couey<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Communications, Public Relations minor<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Doing hair, reading, writing<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Madison Rainier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Madison Rainier<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Speech Language Pathology & Audiology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Murfreesboro, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Greek Life<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Photography<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – MJ Wilson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Madisynjay Wilson<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> MTSU Rugby<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong>Playing rugby, braiding hair<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Mary Figuera<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Mary Figuera<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Accounting<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Ciudad Guayona, Venezuela; currently Spring Hill, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> MTSU Economics Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hairstyling, shopping, spending time with friends and family, watching Stranger Things<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Milan DiMartino<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Milan DiMartino<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Communications, Video & Film Production minoreo and Film Production<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Palm Beach, FL<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hiking, thrifting, going to the beach<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Olivia Travers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Olivia Travers<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Graphic Design<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Shelbyville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Lab Assistant, Crochet Club<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Writing, anything art!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Raelin Tucker<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Raelin Tucker<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Physical Education<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Manchester, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> The Point<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Traveling, hiking, thrifting, playing pickleball<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Reyonna Wesby<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reyonna Wesby<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Finance<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Memphis, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Student Ambassador, Student Activity Fee Committee, NAACP<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journaling, watching biographical documentaries, volunteering, reading, volunteering with friends and family<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Rylee Grady<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Rylee Grady<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Digital Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Fayetteville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Blue Elite, MTSU News & Media Social Media Team<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Anything True Blue, cats, thrifting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Vidhi Patel<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vidhi Patel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Biology, Physiology Concentration<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Nashville, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Research lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Arts and crafts, reading, volunteering<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2026 SOA – Zania Cole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Zania Cole<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Major:<\/strong> Aviation Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hometown:<\/strong> Columbia, TN<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Campus Involvement:<\/strong> Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals, Black Student Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hobbies & Interests:<\/strong> Hanging out with friends, thrifting, listening to music<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A staff of highly-trained students (SOAs), along with faculty advisors and personnel from a variety of offices lead and assist with New to Blue Orientation sessions. Clerical staff assist the office during the summer orientation sessions. SOAs at MTSU use their leadership skills and True Blue pride to welcome over 4500 New Raiders and 3500 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-25","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1537,"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/25\/revisions\/1537"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mtsu.edu\/orientation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}