The 2020 SOUL Team. Numbers correspond to the SOUL listed below.

While orientation will look different this year, Student Orientation Undergraduate Leaders (SOULs) will continue to serve as a cornerstone of the orientation experience.

SOULS are informed, resourceful guides who assist incoming students and their families throughout the orientation program, coordinated by the Office of Orientation and Transition Programs. SOULs represent Miami students through orientation and help new students transition to college.

“I'm really motivated to work as a SOUL because I know how important going to orientation was for me,” said Jocelyn Minton, first-year Linguistics major from Bellbrook, Ohio. “Orientation is when I was able to see that Miami was where I belonged.”

Minton is one of 24 SOULs recently selected for the 2020 orientation program. 

The 2020 SOUL team will engage new students and families virtually this year, as orientation will be offered in a remote format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. SOULs will continue to serve as ambassadors in welcoming students to Miami, answering questions, and facilitating conversations with small groups of students through the virtual program. This year, SOULs will also facilitate one-on-one meetings with incoming students, allowing them to ask questions and connect on an individual basis.

“I am most excited to take on the challenge of orientation online,” said Jazzy Craine, sophomore Psychology major from Macedonia, Ohio. “I think the situation provides a unique opportunity to be able to connect with incoming students in a new way while still giving them the guidance, connections, and an amazing start to their freshman year!”

“I’ve been impressed by this team’s adaptability and commitment already; they are thinking creatively about how to welcome our new students virtually this summer.” said Liz Walsh, assistant director of orientation and transition programs. “We are committed to helping our incoming students learn about student life, academic curriculum and resources, and that they are important members of our Miami community.”

2020 SOUL Team

1. Fiyin Akomolafe, first-year Architecture major from Lima, Ohio
   • Plays intramural soccer and is a member of both African Students Union and Black Students Action Association 
2. Jian Ang, first-year Computer Science major from Penang, Malaysia
   • Speaks three languages (English, Malaysian, Mandarin) and two Mandarin dialects (Hokkien & Cantonese)
3. Jazz Bennett, first-year Social Justice Studies major from Oxford, Ohio
   • Once hosted an exchange student from Paraguay for a year
4. Moe Brown, first-Year professional Writing and History major from Cincinnati, Ohio
   • Wants to attend graduate school in England and become a historian after graduation
5. Jazzy Craine, sophomore Psychology and Neuroscience major from Macedonia, Ohio
   • Once traveled to Iceland and swam in the Blue Lagoon
6. Duncan Fox, first-year Accountancy major from Naperville, Illinois
   • Greatest strength is connecting with people and helping them feel heard and included
7. Isabelle Guerreau, first-year Middle Childhood Education major from Akron, Ohio
   • Involved with Education, Health & Society Ambassadors, Women's Club Volleyball Team, Cru, and Adopt-A-School
8. Jonathan Harris, sophomore Nursing major from Maple Heights, Ohio
   • Favorite quote: If there is no struggle, there is no progress. - Frederick Douglas
9. Sydney Jefferson, sophomore Sociology major from West Chester, Ohio
   • Is on the Miami Varsity Track and Field Team (thrower), and is a member of the Zeta Mu Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Redhawk Social Counsel, and Government Relations Network
10. Amitoj Kaur, first-year Political Science, Interactive Media Studies major from West Chester, Ohio
    • Commutes to Miami from West Chester and is involved with MU Nishaana (Bollywood Fusion Dance Team), Indian Student's Association, and Miami's Board of Trustees
11. Malcolm King, sophomore Mechanical Engineering and Music major from West Chester, Ohio
    • Wants to work as an engineer for an audio company and eventually start his own project/business after graduation
12. Jake Kravitz, first-year Political Science major from Dublin, Ohio
    • Once spent a month living with a Belgian family in Belgium through a rotary youth exchange
13. Jocelyn Minton, first-year Linguistics major from Bellbrook, Ohio
    • Hobbies include playing ukulele/guitar, embroidery, reading, and playing video games
14. Eunice Nsaam, sophomore Bioengineering major from Westerville, Ohio
    • Favorite quote: Just start. Don't worry that you don't have all the answers yet. - Alli Webb
15. Kanayo Offodile, first-year Games & Simulation major from Nolensville, Tennessee
    • Loves building legos and can build any lego set
16. Abbie Pleiman, sophomore Psychology and Public Health major from Coldwater, Ohio
    • Played quints (95 pound drums!) in high school - the first female to play them in seven years
17. Madelyn Sawyer, junior Psychology major from Centerville, Ohio
    • Spent spring semester of sophomore year in the Disney College Program living and working at Disney World
18. Sakshi Shah, first-year Computer Science major from Indore, India
    • Involved with Global Ambassadors, Engineers Without Borders, Asian American Association, Scholar Leader, and Club Table Tennis 
19. Taj Simmons, first-year Journalism major from Monroe, Ohio
    • Favorite quote: Fall down seven times, get up eight - Japanese proverbs
20. Maya Stoffer, sophomore Marketing and Professional Writing major from Wyoming, Ohio
    • Greatest strengths are creativity and an ability to come up with different ideas or perspectives in a situation
21. Maria Tirado Rodriguez, first-year Psychology major from West Chester, Ohio
    • Is a member of Unidos and MAAC, a Bridges Scholar, and serves as the undergraduate representative for the Diversity and Inclusion committee of the Psychology Department
22. Francisco Torres Pinell, first-year Mechanical Engineering major from La Paz, Bolivia
    • Favorite saying: Dedication overcomes talent
23. Daniela Wainfor, sophomore Marketing and Fashion major from Columbus, Ohio
    • Faced her fear of open water and snorkeled with sharks
24. Asanté Woods, first-year Mathematics and Statistics major from Champaign, Illinois
    • Is involved with Black Student Action Association, Athletic Communications, and National Society of Black Engineers