NODA Internship | Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs

Graduate Internship Opportunities

Interns at Buffalo State University support the mission, vision, and implementation of summer orientation programs while assisting with the training and supervision of our Orientation Leaders. Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs will follow the National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) guidelines through their national internship placement.

Meet our Past NODA Interns

Miko Padilla Summer 2025

Hi! My name is Miko Padilla and I just graduated with my M.Ed. In Higher Education Administration and Policy from the University of California, Riverside! During the summer (2025), I was given the opportunity to work at Buffalo State University's Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs with Thomas Trzepkowski. The campus community, environment, and staff were extremely inviting and welcoming over the couple months I was there, which was a definite relief coming from across the country. The surrounding area around the campus has an incredible amount of events, activities, and venues to choose from. From museums, zoos, parks, and gardens, to fairs, athletic events, and plays.

Regarding my experience working with Orientation, I had an amazing opportunity to enhance my professional and personal development. I worked with an incredible team of 21 Orientation Leaders, Thomas, and the supporting staff members of campus. I was a little anxious of supervising a team I had never worked with before, but the team was so receptive and welcoming that I was immediately comfortable working with such an amazing group. In this role, I was able to connect and work with multiple departments and groups on campus and learn their different processes and resources they provide to their students and community. I also aided in adding areas for Orientation Leader training and working on surveys and assessment for the Orientation program for first-years, transfers, and their families/supporters.

I am very grateful to have accepted this internship and if I could go back in time, I would immediately choose this campus again.

Lee Ann Schiffhauer Summer 2024

Lee Ann Schiffhauer joined Buffalo State University as a NODA Intern in the summer of 2024, where she supported orientation leaders, coordinated parent and family programs, and played a key role in the overall success of orientation initiatives. She earned her master’s degree in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia and now serves as a Program Coordinator for Peer Success Coaching at Purdue University.

Gio Russo Summer 2024

Gio Russo joined Buffalo State University as a NODA Intern in the summer of 2024, where he supported the Orientation Leader team in enhancing the student experience and managed logistics and operations for orientation programs. He earned his master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Canisius University in Buffalo, NY, and now serves as the Coordinator for Student Leadership and Engagement at Buffalo State. In this role, Gio oversees operations for the Campbell Student Union and collaborates with both internal and external clients to support their event planning needs within Union spaces.

Alexandra Green Summer 2023

Hi! My name is Alexandra Green and I recently completed my Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at Buffalo State University. I also earned my bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Human Development from SUNY Geneseo. During my graduate experience, I had the opportunity to serve as a Graduate Assistant in the Student Leadership and Engagement office, focusing on fraternities, sororities, and student organizations. I also interned with Orientation, Transition, and Family Programs, where I helped co-lead new student orientation programs and work alongside an incredible team of Orientation Leaders.

Through these roles, I was able to combine my passion for student engagement with hands-on leadership experience, and I truly enjoyed supporting first-year and transfer students as they began their Buffalo State journey. I’m grateful for the connections I made and the professional growth I experienced.

Now, I work full-time at Buffalo State as the Coordinator of Fraternal Life and Student Organizations in the Student Leadership and Engagement office. I’m excited to continue creating welcoming, inclusive spaces for students to thrive here at Buffalo State!