It's almost time to Roar Up! and your orientation guides await you. Here's a little bit about the Flagler students who will help you and your family become familiar with the campus and connected to the many resources at your disposal as a Flagler College student.
Bonus: They've all been through their first year and know how to guide you. We can't wait to see you soon!
Your Orientation Leaders
My name is Scarlett Nichols. I am a Senior here at Flagler majoring in Criminology and minoring in Pre-Law and Political Science. My favorite thing about Flagler College is the sense of community we have on our campus. From the first day you arrive on campus, you will feel a sense of pride and joy to be a Flagler Saint. Everyone truly has a home at Flagler and a space to be who they are destined to be.
My biggest piece of advice to incoming first year students is to take a leap of faith and get involved on campus even if it feels uncomfortable at first. Being involved will push you to learn new things about yourself and discover passion you may never have realized you have.
My name is Alyssa Rieger. I am a Junior here at Flagler, majoring in Media Studies. My favorite thing about Flagler is how at home I feel all the time. From the day I moved in, all the amazing staff have made not only the classroom but also their offices a safe, home-like place. Everyone here is so helpful and unique.
My piece of advice is to let your student grow into who they are meant to be. These four years are going to be challenging, but so rewarding. Be their support system through all the difficulties.
Hey! My name is Lilly Reidy, and I am a senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Fine Arts and Advertising. Funky mix I know, but I like to stay busy! Flagler has been, honestly, transformative for me! This campus has brought me countless opportunities, friends, experiences, and sunny days.
My favorite thing about Flagler is the community it fosters. I would not be half as far as I am today without the professors and faculty that I have been able to connect with over these past few years!
I came to Flagler as a quiet and nervous person, but this college has helped me outgrow that version of myself and embrace who I want to be! My advice to you is to get involved when you feel ready and let yourself change and grow throughout your time here!
My name is Dani Rodriguez. I am a senior majoring in Criminology, and I live eight hours from home. My biggest piece of advice to family members is to be there and support your students’ changes. Throughout the first year of college, they will be battling the struggle of wanting independence and missing home.
Having a family that is supportive of their new endeavors like job hunting, classes, and making friends makes your student feel more stable while knowing that you miss each other too. Flagler has truly shown me how great life changes can be in this small knit community, I love how this town and campus feel like a new adventure and a hometown even after three years here. My family’s support to get out while always offering a home and comfort has helped me.
My name is Hailey Klein. I am a sophomore here at Flagler majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Finance. My favorite thing about Flagler College is how close you become with not only your friends but the town around you. Once you arrive with your students on campus, you will notice how small the town is and you will see the same people around a lot. You grow to love your community, and it becomes a home away from home.
My biggest advice to families of incoming students is to let them learn about our campus and be comfortable experiencing unfamiliar situations. You can see them grow and branch out on their own, becoming who they were always supposed to be.
Hello! My name is Kayla Hamby. I am an upcoming sophomore, and as of late an Elementary Education major. My favorite thing about Flagler is the experience of freedom, independence, and opportunity. Once you start your journey as a first-year college student, you can discover who you are while doing it on your own time.
My biggest piece of advice for any future Saint would be to go on as many adventures as you can. Your memories as a college first-year student are more important than you think.
My name is Tia Smith. I am a sophomore majoring in Criminology and minoring in Pre-law and Sociology. My favorite thing about Flagler College is the student involvement on campus. Getting involved is a great way to make friends and establish a sense of community on campus.
My biggest piece of advice to incoming first year students is to try things that are outside of your comfort zone. As scary as it can be, you gain new experiences and grow as a person.
Hi there! My name is Madison Torres. I am a senior here at Flagler College, majoring in Digital Media Production and Cinematic Arts and minoring in Film Studies. My favorite part of studying here is the connection between students and professors. In my experience with the communications department, they are mentors with experience in their fields, much like the professors in all departments at Flagler.
My advice is to be open to mistakes if you learn from them! Push yourself to learn as much as you can with your time here, but be sure to enjoy the moment. You never know what will spark!
My name is Ruthie McBride. I am a sophomore at Flagler, and I am majoring in Digital Media Production and Journalism with a minor in Spanish. My favorite thing about Flagler is the sense of community on campus and the community that extends into the beautiful town of Saint Augustine.
Being that I am from halfway across the country, going home to visit was only an option for me over Christmas break. So, my advice to family members of incoming students would be to let them find where they belong and give them the space to do so. In my experience, it was hard at first, but I adapted much better than my friends who were home every other weekend. We need to be outside our comfort zones to grow.
My name is Tess Bynum. I will be a sophomore in the fall, and I have a major in Sociology with a minor in Political Science and Music. My favorite part of Flagler is the people on campus. Whether it is other students, faculty, or professors, you will always feel like you belong. I have never been able to make so many genuine connections as I have through my first year here.
My biggest advice would be to be present. Take each day as it comes. When you come at first, it may seem like the future is daunting if you try to figure it out all at once. Take a deep breath and just focus on how you can make tomorrow special.
My name is Jessa Stebbins, but you can call me Jess. I am a sophomore at Flagler majoring in Hospitality and Tourism Management with a minor in Coastal Environmental Science. My favorite thing about Flagler College is the environment that the staff and students make on campus.
The friendliness and helpfulness of people here at Flagler makes it so much easier and more comforting for a transition to college, while making lasting relationships with friends and faculty. My biggest piece of advice to family members is to understand that your students will go through a lot of adjustments and being there for them helps in more ways than you can imagine.
My name is Matt Rodriguez. I am a sophomore majoring in Theatre Arts and minoring in Cinematic Arts and Music. My favorite thing about Flagler College is: There is always something that will catch your eye, whether that is an announcement or the architecture of campus. From the first day you arrive on campus, you will feel transformed into a world of determination, passion, and uniqueness.
My biggest advice to incoming first year students is to always push yourself in what you believe and in what catches your eye. Someone will acknowledge your drive and motivation. The most effective way to reward is recognizing and representing your authenticity to others.
My name is Ashley Lombardo. I am a rising junior majoring in Criminology and minoring in Education. I am from New York. My favorite thing about Flagler is the beautiful campus! My advice to family members is that it is normal for you and your student to be nervous and to second guess, but it is important to encourage your student to stick through it. They will learn to love school! It is important to remember to also encourage your students to be independent.