Cyclone Aides

Applicants may not be on temporary enrollment or academic or conduct probation and must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at the time of application and through spring semester 2027. Students must be able to pass a background check to be employed as a Cyclone Aide.

• Students must demonstrate an interest in working with new students from a variety of backgrounds and total commitment to creating a positive new student transition
• Cyclone Aides are dependable problem solvers who make things happen
• Students must have ability to work part-time hours during the academic year and full-time hours during summer
• Selected on the basis of previous work experiences, knowledge of Iowa State, leadership, scholarship, enthusiasm, and creativity
• Should possess a warm and friendly manner, sincerity, patience, flexibility, maturity of judgment, punctuality, and a willingness to follow a prescribed standard of excellence
• Must be willing to commit to spring semester preparation including enrolling in U ST 3150, orientation, Destination Iowa State, and all dates listed below.
• Students may not enroll in academic coursework during summer orientation
• Students may not have another job during summer orientation
• Students must stay in good standing with their academic college
• Students must have a 2.2 cumulative grade point average at time of application and maintain a 2.0 grade point average throughout employment

Selection will be based on two rounds of interviews. The first round will consist of interviewing virtually with the candidate's respective academic college. Candidates will interview virtually with their academic college on either October 28 or October 29. Candidates who advance from the first round will part participate in an individual in-person second round interview with New Student Programs staff held November 3-November 20, 2025. You will be contacted once your application is submitted and reviewed with next steps and interviewing details.

Compensation includes hourly compensation at $14/hour between February 2026 and January 2027 (hours vary seasonally but Cyclone Aides will usually work 30-40 hours a week in May and June).  Students will typically earn $14 per hour in the summer.  

In addition to compensation, Cyclone Aides will be provided summer housing, uniform apparel, and Dining Dollars to support them being successful in their role.

Cyclones Aides need to be available for all the listed dates below. Few exceptions will be made for absences given the importance of this role to the Cyclone community.

Spring 2026 Leadership Seminar Course

Cyclone Aides participate in a mandatory semester-long leadership course to prepare to successfully welcome new students. The Leadership Seminar class is every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00–9:20 a.m. beginning January 20 through May 15. Students receive class credit for successfully completing the course. This course can be used for the Leadership Certificate. 

Spring 2026 Leadership Events

Cyclone Aides participate in required leadership activities to develop their skills and learn more about their community.

• Cyclone Aide Social the afternoon of Sunday, January 25, 2026 from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• February retreat on Saturday, February 14 from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Overnight retreat from Friday, March 6 at 4:45 p.m.–Saturday, March 7 at 12:00 p.m.
• Facilitate Team Leader Interviews – Monday, April 13 and Tuesday, April 14 from 3:00–7:00 p.m.
• Facilitate the Team Leader Social – Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 from 3:00–7:00 p.m.
• Assist with transfer orientation for 2–3 hours on the days of April 6, April 10, and April 24.

Summer 2026 Time Commitments

Cyclone Aides are crucial to the success of our orientation program in the months of May and June. Few exceptions are made to absences throughout the summer.

• Required summer training week (Tentative May 21–May 29; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.)
• Summer orientation (Projected June 1–July 2; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.)
• July Destination Iowa State retreat on Monday, July 13 from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Hold 4 weekly committee hours beginning Tuesday, July 14 to assist with planning of Destination Iowa State and attend weekly staff meeting on Thursdays from 4:00–5:30 p.m. beginning Thursday, July 16
• Campus visits, recruitment and orientation initiatives throughout summer 2026
• Coordinate the Destination Iowa State program (August 17–22, 2026; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–midnight)

Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Commitments

Cyclone Aides continue to help serve the New Student Programs office in the Fall 2026 semester and prior to the beginning of the Spring 2027 semester. Few exceptions are made to absences for events listed below and hours will vary depending on your class schedule.  

• New Cyclone Aide recruitment – August 2026 through October 2026
• Assist with Spring entry orientation for 2-3 hours on October 30, 2026, November 6, 2026, November 16, 2026 (tentative), and November 20, 2026 (tentative), between 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Final team celebration and Destination Iowa State training on January 14, 2027, between 3:00–7:00 p.m.
• Destination Iowa State on January 15, 2027, from 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.