Want to be a Woolie?

What is a Woolie?

Welcome Retrievers Leaders (Woolies) develop relationships with new students, engage with Welcome Retrievers events, and also help with the logistics of Welcome Retrievers. Woolies are here to support new students and their transition to college by sharing their personal student experiences, valuable resources, and important upcoming events and opportunities.

Want to be a Woolie?

Join our Team! Being a Woolie is a fun leadership position where you meet lots of great people, learn interesting facts about UMBC, and help create a fun, informative welcome program for new students. Applications for the 2025 cycle are open. Applications will close May 7, 2025

Summary of Essential Functions

Woolies are ambassadors for UMBC. They help facilitate the Welcome, Retrievers! program for new students by acting as guides and mentors to new students. Woolies play an active role in every program during Welcome, Retrievers!, take initiative to create a supportive environment for new students throughout the first six weeks, and thoroughly understand our campus resources.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

  • Attend all required trainings and Welcome, Retrievers! Sessions
  • Maintain a positive attitude throughout Woolie Training and Welcome, Retrievers!
  • Serve a role model for Woolies and new and incoming students
  • Take initiative, be proactive, exhibit flexibility, and maintain a friendly and welcoming demeanor.
  • Work autonomously when necessary and make well thought out decisions.
  • Assist in the move in process.
  • Give new students campus and classroom tours.
  • Eat meals with new students.
  • Play icebreakers and create campus communities through small group time.
  • Encourage attendance at Welcome, Retrievers! events such as Commons Takeover, the Community Art Project, Involvement Fest, Big Breakfast and Bingo, and other Welcome, Retrievers! events.
  • Escort students at required Welcome, Retrievers! events such as Convocation, Academic Toolkits, and Your Story Belongs Here.
  • Answer questions and be a resource to new students.
  • Serve as a guide to the culture and nuance of UMBC.
  • Alert appropriate staff regarding student issues or behaviors of concern in new students.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Ability to communicate effectively with new students and teammates, via email, messaging app, and in-person 
  • Strong interpersonal relationship skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others from various backgrounds.
  • Must be a current undergraduate student who has completed at least one semester at UMBC at the time of hire and while in the Woolie role.
  • Must be in good judicial, behavioral, and academic standing (at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA).
  • We are looking for a diverse group of students who possess the following:
    • A desire and the ability to work with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff
    • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
    • Leadership potential and problem-solving skills
  • A desire to serve the UMBC community
  • Legally able to work in the US.
  • Summer Virtual Trainings 
    • Three (3) one hour sessions over the course of 6-8 weeks
  • Virtual Outreach to New Students During August 
    • approximately 2-4 hours
  • Fall In Person Training On Campus at UMBC (FULL DAY COMMITMENTS)
    •  Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – Friday, August 22 , 2025
  • Welcome, Retrievers! Program (FULL DAY COMMITMENTS)
    • Saturday, August 23, 2025 through  – Monday, September 1, 2025
  • Virtual Outreach 
    • Weekly Email/Messaging to New Students during first 6 weeks of Fall Semester
  • First Year Engagement Event Support
    • Two hours of event support during September or October to be scheduled based on availability
  • $750 stipend
  • All work related meals during in person training and Welcome, Retrievers! Program core dates (Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – Monday, September 1, 2025)
  • Early move in to fall housing assignment with all early move-in fees waived, for students who are living on campus
  • Free UMBC/Welcome, Retrievers! Apparel

Questions? E-mail camarti@umbc.edu