Ready to become a WUSA? It’s a big responsibility! This page covers what to expect so you can make an informed decision.
We recommend reviewing the position description again, talking with your support systems, and weighing your other commitments before accepting. Let us know if there’s anything we can share to help you with your decision. Please respond by the date and time in your offer letter. We look forward to working with you!
Position descriptions
Use these quick links to navigate the information on this page.
| Why WUSA? | Essential Dates & Event Descriptions |
| Fall & Spring Semester Events | Considerations |
| WUSA FAQs | Accepting or Rejecting your Offer |
Why WUSA?
Become a university representative
WUSAs represent both WashU and Student Transitions & Engagement, and are often the first impression a new student or family has of the University. That comes with high expectations — WUSAs must stay in good academic and conduct standing throughout the role, as reviewed by STAE in collaboration with Student Conduct and Community Standards, Residential Life, the Academic Divisions, and Gender Equity & Title IX Compliance.
Engage with students, families, and colleagues
You’ll build relationships with first-year, transfer, and/or exchange students, the rest of the WUSA League, Student Executive Board members, RAs, and Student Success professional staff. Staying connected across these relationships is part of what makes WUSAs successful — and gives you a support system when you need one.
Engage with students, families, and colleagues
As a WUSA, you’ll:
- Engage students in community building.
- Serve as a support system for others.
- Act as a liaison between students and WashU staff.
- Relay key messages from WashU administration to new students.
- Suggest, develop, and implement solutions that support a successful transition for new students.
- Collaborate on events that enhance the student experience.
- Build a deeper understanding of WashU’s processes and systems.
- Identify your own strengths and areas for growth.
- Take on professional development and build new skills.
- Network with other WUSAs, campus partners, and STAE staff.
Essential dates & event descriptions
Spring training
Prepares new WUSAs for the role — covering responsibilities, facilitation, cultural competency, new-student transition trends, helping skills, and logistics.
- WUSA Training 1: April 5, 2027, from 6 – 8 p.m.
- WUSA Training 2: April 12, 2027, from 6 – 8 p.m.
- One-on-one supervisor meeting: 30 minutes between April 13-25, 2027
- WUSA Training 3: April 26, 2027, from 6 – 8 p.m.
Camp WUSA
Bond with your WUSA team, prepare for Orientation, and connect with STAE staff and campus partners.
- WUSA Move-in: Anticipated August 14, 2027, between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- WUSA Phone Calls to New Students: Anticipated August 14, 2027, between 3 – 7 p.m. and August 15, 2027 between 9 a.m – 5 p.m.
- Camp WUSA: Anticipated August 15-19, 2027, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily. Breaks and mealtimes will be included.
- WUSAs will not be shifted to work more than 40 hours in a single work week.
Orientation
Lead your cohort of students and support other events and activities — working panels, tabling for item pick-up, family events, and more. You’ll engage with a lot of students and families during this stretch.
- Orientation 2027: Anticipated August 22-28, 2027.
- Shift times will vary and may start as early as 7 a.m. and end as late as 11:59 p.m.
- TR WUSAs will primarily have shifts concentrated between August 17-28, 2027.
- WUSAs will not be shifted to work more than 40 hours in a single work week.
Winter Orientation (TR WUSAs only)
Lead your cohort of new transfer and exchange students — panels, off-campus excursions, networking meals, and more.
- TR WUSA Move-in: Anticipated January 10, 2028, between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Winter Welcome Training: Anticipated January 11, 2028, between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Winter Welcome: Anticipated January 12-16, 2028.
- Working shifts are concentrated primarily between 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., with breaks and mealtimes included.
- WUSAs will not be shifted to work more than 40-hours in a single work week.
Parent & Family Weekend
Families across all undergraduate classes attend events around campus and St. Louis.
- Parent & Family Weekend: Anticipated November 5-7, 2027.
- Shift times and shift duties vary. More information will be provided at the October Community Training session.
- Shifts may fall before, during, or after the weekend; expect 2-4 hours total.
Optional summer engagement
WUSAs staying in the St. Louis area can opt into additional paid work with STAE over the summer — contacting new students by phone, video, or email; helping prepare trainings; supporting social media initiatives; and more. A position description, application, and pay rate will be shared each spring.
Fall & spring semester events
WUSA hours (FY WUSAs)
Weekly check-ins and meetings, plus shared resources and programming in your assigned residential community.
- Held weekly on Thursdays through the last week of February 2028.
- Time commitment: 2 hours/week — 90 minutes of active engagement, plus up to 30 minutes of prep and post-event notes.
- During the first two weeks of fall and spring semesters, all WUSA Hours run 7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
- Topics include on-campus events, St. Louis outings, and reminders about academic deadlines (e.g., add/drop, pass/fail, registration).
WUSA hours (TR WUSAs)
Weekly check-ins and meetings, plus shared resources and programming in your assigned residential community.
- Time commitment: Held bi-weekly, on Thursdays, through the last week of February 2028.
- Topics include on-campus events, St. Louis outings, and academic deadline reminders.
Weekly team trainings
In-person attendance and participation is required.
- Fall: every Tuesday or Wednesday, at a time set by your team’s class schedules.
- Spring: every Tuesday or Wednesday through the last week of February 2027.
Community trainings
Three required sessions during the 2026–2027 academic year (dates/times may change; missed sessions must be made up at an alternate time provided by STAE):
- September 8, 2027, 6-8 p.m.
- October 20, 2027, 6-8 p.m.
- January 19, 2028, 6-8 p.m.
Considerations to take before becoming a WUSA
Before accepting the role, consider these questions:
- Which aspects of this job excite me?
- What can I bring to this role, and what will this role bring me?
- Are there any worries or concerns I have about this position or my ability to fully commit to the role? (Revisit the essential dates and events above.)
- What are my other responsibilities next year?
- Do I have the time-management skills to balance everything — classes, research, other leadership or work roles, and more?
- Do I support the overall mission of the WUSA role and Student Transitions & Engagement?
- Can I be a positive support system and resource for new students?
Time commitment
- Confirm you are available for all essential dates above — factor in summer plans and other commitments across the year. Email transitions@wustl.edu as soon as you are aware of a conflict.
- This is a year-long student leader role:
- FY WUSAs: weekly WUSA Hours (2 hrs/week) through the last week of February 2028.
- TR WUSAs: Biweekly TR WUSA Hours (2 hrs every other week) through the last week of February 2028.
- Weekly team trainings (1 hr/week) through the last week of February 2028.
- Check-ins, meetings, and WUSA Notes completed by stated deadlines.
Other factors to consider
A few roles may conflict with serving as a WUSA:
- Taylor Scholars Mentors
- WashU Global Undergraduate International Development and Engagement (WUGUIDE) Mentor
- Resident Advisor
A few additional notes:
- WUSAs cannot take summer classes that conflict with August training, unless explicitly approved by the Director (email transitions@wustl.edu).
- Fall varsity athletes should discuss WUSA responsibilities with their coach before accepting.
- WUSAs may hold these roles at the same time, but are expected to prioritize WUSA responsibilities and shifts above them:
- Academic Mentor (AM)
- CS40 Executive Board
- Peer-Led Team Learning (PLTL) Leader
- Student Union Executive Officer
WUSA FAQs
- What is the compensation?
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$15.00/hour. The WUSA position is work-study eligible.
- What is the total time commitment?
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Approximately 150 hours from August through March.
- Are there expectations regarding attendance for work shifts?
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Yes. WUSAs are expected to prioritize work shifts over other non-academic, non-emergent conflicts. Exceptions include academic conflicts (exams, tests, quizzes), religious obligations, and personal or family emergencies (health, wellness, major events). Anticipated absences must be communicated to STAE with at least seven days’ notice.
- What does it mean to be a mandatory reporter?
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As a mandatory reporter, you’re required to report all incidents of sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or other Student Code of Conduct violations to your supervisor, the Title IX Coordinator, the Associate Title IX Coordinator, or the Gender Equity and Title IX Compliance Office. This is a core part of the WUSA role.
- As a First-Year WUSA: For the first-year students in your cohort at all times, your fellow WUSAs at all times, and all first-year students while you’re clocked in.
- As a Transfer WUSA: For the transfer or exchange students in your cohort at all times, your fellow WUSAs at all times, and all transfer and exchange students while you’re clocked in.
More detail is provided during training.
- Do I have to know everything about WashU to be a WUSA?
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No. WUSAs are chosen for the unique first-year, transfer, or international perspective they bring, not for having all the answers on day one. Spring and fall training will prepare you, and you can always lean on fellow WUSAs, Execs, and professional staff if you’re unsure how to answer something.
- What if I have a scheduling conflict with training?
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Email Student Transitions & Engagement as soon as possible. We work through conflicts with each WUSA on a case-by-case basis.
Accepting or rejecting your offer
Accepting your offer
Submit the online WUSA Hiring Form (the form’s password is included in your offer email). Check your offer email for your specific response deadline.
Once you confirm, Human Resources will follow up on additional hiring paperwork. Review the list of acceptable I-9 documents that you must have in your possession at onboarding. Questions, or a possible date conflict? Email us or stop by the office.
Rejecting your offer
Email us at transtions@wustl.edu. Check your offer email for your response deadline.