"It's absolutely the best thing I've done as an Orientation Coordinator so far!"
We're privileged to work with Higher Education Leaders to innovate the onboarding experience. What's it like to work with us? Representatives from Sonoma State University, Pasco-Hernando State College, University of Tampa, Victoria College, California State University, San Bernardino, and Florida Polytechnic University share their stories developing virtual experiences.
Sonoma State University, Pasco-Hernando State College, University of Tampa, Victoria College, California State University, San Bernardino, and Florida Polytechnic University
When we debuted it to our president's administrative leadership team, and later with students, you could just feel the excitement in the room. The difference is night and day.
Online orientation is something campus leaders wanted students to feel excited about. They chose Advantage Design Group to produce it based on the company's reputation for professionalism and the recommendation from colleagues. After a flawless production experience, online orientation is today showing students the kind of quality experience students can expect.
Bob Bade
Senior Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
I would encourage anyone to work with Advantage Design Group. The product you receive will be one you will be really proud of.
After initially discovering Advantage Design Group’s online orientation solution by attending a webinar, Megan was impressed by the customization options. She was able to choose the right balance of product features and creative services that met both her institutional and student experience needs.
Megan Dross
Director, Student Recruitment and Admissions
"Having an online orientation in the age of COVID-19 was the best thing we could've done."
When The University of Tampa launched its online orientation, it became the university’s first Student Affairs hybrid program. The new student experience progressed seamlessly. Students and their families arrived on campus more confident and ready for a successful transition to college.
Shannon Calega, M.Ed.
Director of Orientation & Family Engagement
My experience with Advantage Design Group was top-notch. We gave them a very aggressive timeline and I believe the system we designed was very complex. I'm more than happy with the final product. They exceeded my expectations and I believe that of the University as well.
Heather Herman
Executive Director, Communications
ADG provided an opportunity for us to really provide a more holistic orientation. This is really a perfect opportunity for them to watch something in the comfort of their home.
With over 50K students on campus and approximately 10K new students each year, Rutgers needed an orientation system to reach a larger audience of transfer students. After experimenting with orientation delivery through their LMS, they realized they lacked the time and resources to produce a better orientation experience on their own. Today, with Advantage Orientation, Rutgers is serving 30% more transfers students while also reaching first-year students and their families.
Laura L. Randolph, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Orientation and Transition
They have other clients but you wouldn’t know it because they make you feel so special. Absolutely the best thing I have done as an orientation coordinator so far.
After researching several companies, Sonoma State University chose Advantage Design Group and was thrilled with their decision. They didn’t know what to expect when developing a new student online orientation and Advantage Design Group was informative, organized and ensured the entire process, from technical issues to videography, went smoothly. They brought a comfort level to the team that was unsurpassed.
Colleen Mahoney
Orientations and New Student Programs Coordinator
We are very pleased to have such a high-quality system that permits choices. Parents, families, and guests have more access to information most relevant to them in English or Spanish. When given the choice, more transfer students chose online orientation than the in-person experience.
Rebecca Gilmore
Orientation Coordinator
After delivering orientation online through their learning management system, orientation leaders at Cal State San Bernardino sought a more empowering and engaging solution. Since launching an optional, customized virtual pre-orientation platform completion rates soared, from less than 25% to over 65%.
I would say the thing I appreciate most is in allowing us to rethink what our orientation offers and what it looks like. We instantly knew Advantage Orientation was the best fit for us!
Megan Huston
Orientation Senior Program Coordinator
California State University, San Bernardino
Ready to implement a virtual orientation in early April 2020, this director of new student and family programs leaned on the institution’s Brand principles to develop a curated digital experience for first-year students, transfers, and their families. Since launch, virtual orientation data reveals how students are recognizing educational opportunities, building momentum through engagement, and finding a sense of belonging through connection.
The biggest difference since using Advantage Orientation is the clear messaging that aligns directly with our university's marketing and know there's a consistency of material being delivered.
Katie Murray
Director of New Student and Family Programs
Towson University
When family engagement begins with online orientation, it is proving to be one of the best ways to help students have a winning college start. Online orientation for families fills in an essential information gap delivered in an interactive and video-rich experience accessible anytime. Families can take their time to learn what to expect and what their student needs to be successful.
This platform is extremely user-friendly and it allows us to easily update content ourselves in between semesters. We can even edit the platform while it's live,
Darcy M. Hayes, Ed.D. and Rachael Williams
Associate Dean of Students, Assoc. Dean of Students and NEST Director and NEST Assistant Director
University of North Georgia
With over 50K students on campus and approximately 10K new students each year, Rutgers needed an orientation system to reach a larger audience of transfer students. After experimenting with orientation delivery through their LMS, they realized they lacked the time and resources to produce a better orientation experience on their own. Today, with Advantage Orientation, Rutgers is serving 30% more transfers students while also reaching first-year students and their families.
ADG provided an opportunity for us to really provide a more holistic orientation. This is really a perfect opportunity for them to watch something in the comfort of their home.
Laura L. Randolph, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of Students, Director of Student Orientation and Transition
Rutgers University
Online orientation is something campus leaders wanted students to feel excited about. They chose Advantage Design Group to produce it based on the company's reputation for professionalism and the recommendation from colleagues. After a flawless production experience, online orientation is today showing students the kind of quality experience students can expect.
When we debuted it to our president's administrative leadership team, and later with students, you could just feel the excitement in the room. The difference is night and day.
Bob Bade
Senior Vice President, Student Affairs and Enrollment Management
Pasco-Hernando State College
Replacing our on-campus program, the online orientation provided an element of convenience that we were missing before. Now, our students can complete the orientation at any time, at their own pace, on a platform that establishes a common student experience, fosters a deep sense of community, and provides a solid foundation. The response has been unbelievably positive.
"The response has been unbelievably positive."
Shirley Greene
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Title IX Resource Coordinator for Students
Harvard Extension School
When The University of Tampa launched its online orientation, it became the university’s first Student Affairs hybrid program. The new student experience progressed seamlessly. Students and their families arrived on campus more confident and ready for a successful transition to college.
"Having an online orientation in the age of COVID-19 was the best thing we could've done."
Shannon Calega, M.Ed.
Director of Orientation & Family Engagement
The University of Tampa
After initially discovering Advantage Design Group’s online orientation solution by attending a webinar, Megan was impressed by the customization options. She was able to choose the right balance of product features and creative services that met both her institutional and student experience needs.
I would encourage anyone to work with Advantage Design Group. The product you receive will be one you will be really proud of.
Megan Dross
Director, Student Recruitment and Admissions
College of the Albemarle
We are very pleased to have such a high-quality system that permits choices. Parents, families, and guests have more access to information most relevant to them in English or Spanish. When given the choice, more transfer students chose online orientation than the in-person experience.
Rebecca Gilmore
Orientation Coordinator
Colorado State University
We wanted an orientation that included how-to videos. ADG had that capability and the look our university wanted. They filmed everything in a two-day shoot, and our chancellor was so impressed that he wished all his other shoots were just as quick and efficient.
Jesse Carrasco
Associate Director of New Student & Transition Programs
UCLA
Just a quick note to say thank you for sending us such a fantastic crew. Bobby and Dustin are incredibly skilled professionals. Even more so, they are great people. They made us feel comfortable throughout the process, were patient when we worked through the inevitable bumps, and provided creativity, energy and inspiration when needed. It was also cool to have the grandson of an alumna be part of this project. Dustin shared that his grandmother graduated from the ‘Ville in 1929. During a short break, I was able to find a copy of the 1929 Touchstone Yearbook online and showed Dustin his grandmother’s yearbook entry. What a great experience!
"They understood the feel we were looking for and worked well with the talent."
Chris Jachimowicz
Director of Orientation & Transition Programs
Millersville University
"I am LOVING the platform thus far. I received editing access last week and it's been a breeze to update the material. We are getting positive reviews from the staff who have previewed it."
Emma Montague
Director Student & Family Engagement
Bristol Community College
"The collaborative efforts between our institutional staff and ADG's staff was amazing. We were able to create a product that our campus community is proud of and that our incoming students and families enjoy."
Darnell Wiggins
Associate Director of the Center for Access and Academic Success
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you for working with us during the video shoot for our online orientation. You guys were nothing short of outstanding! Your professionalism, thoughtfulness and flexibility were all very much appreciated! You have received numerous compliments from our students and staff about how great it was to work with you! You have a knack for making folks feel comfortable and confident in front of the camera!
Mark Mannheimer, M.S.
Assistant Director of Student Success
Northern Virginia Community College
My experience with Advantage Design Group was top-notch. We gave them a very aggressive timeline and I believe the system we designed was very complex. I'm more than happy with the final product. They exceeded my expectations and I believe that of the University as well.
Heather Herman
Executive Director, Communications
Louisiana State University
The product is such high quality and so unique - it gets better the more you learn about it.
To find that level of enthusiasm and commitment from an outside company is not always easy to find!
Shelly Metivier Scott
Associate Dean of Students
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
"I wanted to let you know that the video shoot went very well. I must say that I was stressed and nervous about this whole project but Matthew’s expertise and professionalism gave me a tremendous amount of relief. He made all of the participants feel at ease. Everyone that assisted with the shoots really enjoyed working with him and Michael. I even jokingly told him that I was coming to work with ADG to be his assistant because of his demeanor and way of making everyone feel comfortable."
Jenell Barnett
Orientation Coordinator
Gaston College
After researching several companies, Sonoma State University chose Advantage Design Group and was thrilled with their decision. They didn’t know what to expect when developing a new student online orientation and Advantage Design Group was informative, organized and ensured the entire process, from technical issues to videography, went smoothly. They brought a comfort level to the team that was unsurpassed.
They have other clients but you wouldn’t know it because they make you feel so special. Absolutely the best thing I have done as an orientation coordinator so far.
Colleen Mahoney
Orientations and New Student Programs Coordinator
Sonoma State University
"Thank you for coming to our campus. (Your videographers) were great – very knowledgeable and professional...and patient with our students!"
Rachel Stark
Program Director of Orientation
Temple University
In a world where companies and individuals promise much, but deliver little, Advantage Design Group truly stands out! ADG met all of my expectations regarding design quality, brand customization, usability, and timeframe for completion. On top of that, they are friendly, professional, responsive and just plain nice to work with. Their product is also very affordable, especially when you consider the high level of quality and service that they provide compared to their competitors.
Martha Wilson
Assistant Director, First Year Experience & Orientation
Utah Valley University
We needed to accommodate a growing number of topics, as well as several user-specific tracks. The technology allowed for trackable logins and it served up unique content by the school and student type.
Rick Gray
Associate Director, Orientation and Family Programs & Services
George Mason University
"Their talented staff of project managers, web designers, and programmers worked tirelessly to help us create an orientation that went above and beyond our expectations. They always came from a place of YES!"
Rachel Veretto
Program Coordinator First Year Experience
Aims Community College
"Your video team is amazing...it was clear that they were here to give us the best video possible and the commitment to quality was evident."
Christy Sheilds
New Student Orientation Coordinator
Wake Technical Community College