The Office of Campus Life announced Monday that James Hodgson ’02, Sheila Ormond ’02, and Pamela Grewal ’03 were selected as the new head sponsors. As head sponsors, the three will play an integral role in the freshman experience, particularly in the selecting and training of sponsors, as well as housing the incoming freshman and transfer-exchange students. Head sponsors are also members of RHS and work closely with the staff and sponsor groups throughout the year.

Mikey Gaertner Sheila Ormond ‘02, Pamela Grewal ‘02, amd James Hodgson ‘03 were named head sponsors for next year

A total of eight sophomores and juniors applied for the position of head sponsor. According to Assistant Dean of Campus Life Frank Bedoya, they were a "very strong applicant pool."

The official requirement for the head sponsor position is past experience as either a sponsor or a mentor for an on-campus group such as the Asian American Mentor Program. However, the committee was more specifically looking for people with a combination of characteristics, including "strong administrative skills, organization and delegation, initiative, integrity, and the ability to relate to peers, faculty, and administration different from yourself," according to Bedoya.

Current head sponsor Nick Lewis added that "the desire to work with sponsors, and the ability to select good sponsors that reflect diversity" are crucial to the position.

A committee consisting of Bedoya, Director of Housing Deanna Chalfant, Student-at-Large Winnie Peterson, RA-at-large Kerry Franzetta, and current head sponsors Nick Lewis, Brian Schwartz, and Laura Rosen, selected the incoming head sponsors.

The application process consisted of a written application, a large group interview with all the candidates before the committee, an individual interview with the committee, and a one-on-one interview with Frank Bedoya. Although Bedoya noted that there were several qualified candidates, he stressed the importance of the committee looking towards "building a team that will work well together."

Upon being notified of her acceptance, Grewal commented, "I was really hoping to get this [position], kind of nervous and overwhelmed [but] overall excited about the responsibility. I got a lot out of the sponsor program and I am looking forward to [gaining] awareness of how the whole system works."

Head sponsors receive a stipend of $2800, room and board at half price, and a RA parking spot, among other benefits. However, the position alos comes with a great deal of responsibility.

"It is a big time commitment, and I am nervous about selecting sponsors and interviewing people who are my friends," Grewal noted. "It will be really hard to decide." The new head sponsors will be immediately stepping into their positions as sponsor applications come out today. The current head sponsors will provide training and guidance to those taking over their duties, and all six head sponsors will be involved in the sponsor selection process.

Bedoya hopes that the head sponsors will "continue meeting the needs of our incoming students, to create a comfortable living arrangement, to allow the transition from high school to college to be a positive one." Sponsor groups can have a substantial impact on a student’s college experience.

Bedoya notes that sponsor groups have the benefit of providing "an immediate connection to an experienced individual at the school [who can] introduce the new students to life at Pomona, whether it be academically, residentially, or socially."

However, the significance of the sponsor program can also be a drawback.

"One of the things we’ve tried to change," explained Bedoya, "is that while the sponsor group is important, there also should be life outside the sponsor group. Otherwise, it can be limiting. I think it’s good to challenge the freshmen to go outside of their box and meet people across the campus."

The new head sponsors have already had their first meeting and are readily transitioning into their new roles.

"The new head sponsors will be a really strong team," Lewis commented, "and I’m really looking forward to what those three can add."