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 2028. 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 27 or October 28. 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 2-November 19, 2026. 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 2027 and January 2028 (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 2027 Leadership Seminar Course

Cyclone Aides participate in a mandatory semester-long leadership course to prepare to welcome new students successfully. The Leadership Seminar class is every Tuesday and Thursday from 8:00–9:20 a.m., beginning January 19 through May 14. Students receive class credit for successfully completing the course. This course can be used for the Leadership Certificate. 

Spring 2027 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 24, 2027, from 2:00–4:00 p.m.
• February retreat on Saturday, February 13, 2027, from 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
• Overnight retreat from Friday, March 5, 2027, at 4:45 p.m.–Saturday, March 6, 2027, at 12:00 p.m.
• Facilitate Team Leader Interviews – Wednesday, April 14, 2027, and Thursday, April 15, 2027, from 3:00–7:00 p.m.
• Facilitate the Team Leader Open Houses – Tuesday, April 27, 2027, and Wednesday, April 28, 2027, from 3:00–7:00 p.m.
• Assist with Transfer Orientation for 2–3 hours on the days of April 5, April 9, April 12, and April 19, 2027.

Summer 2027 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 19–May 27, 2027; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.)
• Summer orientation (Projected May 28–July 2, 2027; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m.)
• July Destination Iowa State retreat on Monday, July 12, 2027, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Hold 4 weekly committee hours beginning Tuesday, July 13, 2027, 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 15, 2027
• Campus visits, recruitment, and orientation initiatives throughout summer 2027
• Coordinate the Destination Iowa State program (August 16–21, 2027; full-time, hours vary 7:00 a.m.–midnight)

Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 Commitments

Cyclone Aides continue to help serve the New Student Programs office in the Fall 2027 semester and before the beginning of the Spring 2028 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 2027 through October 2027
• Assist with Spring entry orientation for 2-3 hours on November 5, 2027, and November 12, 2027 (tentative), between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
• Final team celebration and Destination Iowa State training on January 13, 2028, between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.
• Destination Iowa State on January 14, 2028, from 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.