College offers students the opportunity to discover new interests, form meaningful connections and find where they belong. Guided by her own experiences as a student, Meredith Fontana wanted to help future Huskers feel at home on campus.
Meredith is a senior majoring in forensic science with a concentration in crime scene investigation, while also pursuing the pre-med pathway and minoring in biochemistry. Over the summer, she served as an orientation leader for New Student Enrollment at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Meredith first discovered UNL on a family road trip and, after her freshman orientation, she was inspired to help create that experience for future Huskers.
“I knew back then that this was something I wanted to do because I felt I had the right personality to welcome a new generation of Huskers to UNL. A few of my friends were orientation leaders last summer, and they encouraged me to apply for this summer.”
Her role presented a variety of responsibilities designed to make New Student Enrollment run smoothly for incoming students and their families.
Her days began in the parking lot, where she drove a golf cart stocked with parking supplies and assisted students with mobility needs. After the welcome session, the orientation leaders received their assignments before starting a day full of action. As students moved through a series of rotations, she led her assigned group through activities centered on the Husker Student POWER acronym, helping them visualize their own college experience and preparing them for the transition to college life.
“As an orientation leader, I was able to facilitate learning about the university while helping students feel more comfortable as they began their college journey. On parent days, I took parents to different locations across campus, sharing highlights from my college experience and discussing how their students can thrive at UNL. I also highlighted the resources available on campus to help support their students throughout their college experience.”
As she helped others navigate their transition to college, Meredith was also developing skills of her own. The experience challenged her to become a stronger communicator, both in one-on-one interactions and in front of larger groups.
“This role prepared me for my future career by strengthening my communication skills, as much of my position involved interacting with students, families, professional staff and co-workers. I also improved my public speaking skills by giving a speech during each closing session about my experience as an out-of-state student and the impact it has had on me.”
While valuable skills were gained, Meredith found that the most rewarding part of this role was giving back. She especially enjoyed helping incoming students and their families feel supported with the resources available on campus.
“My favorite part of this role was being able to embrace my love for the university while making an impact on incoming students and their families. Helping students feel more comfortable as they begin their college experience is such a rewarding feeling. It is truly a gift to give back to the university that has given me so much while also providing students and families with the resources they need to be supported at UNL.”
She highlighted Career Services as a particularly valuable resource for both new and returning students. Her own experiences at career fairs showed her the wide variety of companies and opportunities available to students.
“It was truly nice to see all the different positions and companies interested in connecting with UNL students. I appreciated the variety of businesses represented because it helps me keep my options open to different careers within my field. These experiences have also helped me learn about the opportunities my peers at UNL are interested in and become a more well-rounded student.”
For Meredith, being a well-rounded student has meant saying “yes” to the many opportunities to learn, lead and get involved across campus. This academic year, she is working as a senior resident assistant in Knoll Residential Center, an academic tutor for the Nebraska Athletics Department and a teaching assistant for the Forensic Science Department. She also serves as president of the Best Buddies chapter and captain of the Women’s Hockey Club. Previously, she served as the hockey team’s vice president of scheduling and recruitment and worked as a conference assistant on campus in summer 2026.
Her experiences at UNL have not only shaped the student and leader Meredith is today but also influenced the career she hopes to pursue after graduation.
“My future career plans include applying to medical school next summer with the intention of becoming a doctor. Ultimately, my goal is to become a forensic pathologist.”
Meredith’s journey at UNL has come full circle, from an incoming student in orientation to a leader on campus helping others begin their own college journey. As she looks toward medical school and a career in forensic pathology, what she has learned on campus will continue to shape the path ahead.
