This new student services leader at the University of Montana experienced a pivotal moment when multiple challenges converged into a single, transformative solution that revolutionized their entire student onboarding approach.
"It's absolutely the best thing I've done as an Orientation Coordinator so far!"
We’re proud to partner with forward-thinking leaders in higher education to reimagine the student onboarding experience. In this video, you'll hear firsthand how institutions across the country are creating engaging virtual experiences—and what it's really like to collaborate with our team. From vision to execution, their stories speak to the power of innovation, partnership, and impact.
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Pasco-Hernando State College, Carson-Newman University, University of Tampa, Victoria College, California State University, San Bernardino, and Rhodes College
Discover how institutions are transforming student onboarding with the quick-deploy Advantage Orientation Universal series
Higher Ed leaders share their experiences, showcasing the platform’s speed, flexibility, and impact. From quick implementation to customizable design and real-time reporting, discover why schools trust Advantage Orientation to engage students and streamline orientation.
Orientation, Transition & Retention Professionals
Colleges and Universities Across the U.S.
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
The most exciting thing about being able to show the campus and show everything in video is that you can help new students feel like they're here. You can show them what they are going to experience.
The University of Arizona is a large, public flagship univeristy, with total enrollment of about 50,000 students. So, when it came to helping new students tap into information and providing them with resources always available to them, it was time to get creative and deliver content in a new and exciting way. Video provided the solution to give students an inside look into what their experience as a Wildcat was going to be.
Logan Adams
Director of Orientation and New Student Services
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
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
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
We wanted to make sure students had one place to access the information they need. That's what students want, espcially in today's digital age.
Rhodes College is a small, liberal arts institution, onboarding distinct student populations including student athletes, international students, and transfer students. Each of these groups have different onboarding processes, so it was important to make sure students received information within their online orientation that was personalized and relevant to them.
Brittney Jackson
Director of First Year Experience and Transitions
I've seen the work that Advantage has done for other colleges and it's really impressive. It looks very professional, like TV or movie quality. Folks wanting to take advantage of Advantage, do it.
Knowing new students come to college with challenges beyond their coursework, the leaders at Sinclair Community College wanted to present all the resources students would need to register in a way that they can go back and reference anytime. They wanted a high-quality and engaging presentation to help students take the next steps independently, with greater confidence.
Charity Lomax
Program Director of Enrollment Operations
This new student services leader at the University of Montana experienced a pivotal moment when multiple challenges converged into a single, transformative solution that revolutionized their entire student onboarding approach.
It presented possibilities to answer all of those questions and so I was like, 'Okay, I'll see what they have to say.' We did a demo and the rest is history.
Devin Carpenter
Director of New Student Services
University of Montana
To meet the needs of students onboarding year-round and across modalities, UAF partnered with Advantage Orientation. The result: a branded, accessible online experience that complements in-person efforts, reduces staff burden, and supports all students more effectively.
I believe our institution will benefit from working with ADG for online orientation for all of our students, all student types, all student modalities. I think it addresses every single student's concerns coming into our institution.
Gretchen Bates
Assistant Director of New Student Orientation
University of Alaska
The University of Arizona is a large, public flagship univeristy, with total enrollment of about 50,000 students. So, when it came to helping new students tap into information and providing them with resources always available to them, it was time to get creative and deliver content in a new and exciting way. Video provided the solution to give students an inside look into what their experience as a Wildcat was going to be.
The most exciting thing about being able to show the campus and show everything in video is that you can help new students feel like they're here. You can show them what they are going to experience.
Logan Adams
Director of Orientation and New Student Services
University of Arizona
Learn why the team at Ole Miss chose to partner with ADG. From long-term relationship-building and peer research to standout communication and high-quality deliverables, discover what sets Advantage Orientation apart and makes the decision clear.
Choosing ADG came back to the relationship we continued to build over years. Researching what other universities were doing, I was impressed with the quality, staff interaction, and deliverables. Seeing some of those examples was convincing enough for us.
Martin Fisher
Director of Campus Visit & Orientation Programs
University of Mississipi
Knowing new students come to college with challenges beyond their coursework, the leaders at Sinclair Community College wanted to present all the resources students would need to register in a way that they can go back and reference anytime. They wanted a high-quality and engaging presentation to help students take the next steps independently, with greater confidence.
I've seen the work that Advantage has done for other colleges and it's really impressive. It looks very professional, like TV or movie quality. Folks wanting to take advantage of Advantage, do it.
Charity Lomax
Program Director of Enrollment Operations
Sinclair Community College
Higher Ed leaders share their experiences, showcasing the platform’s speed, flexibility, and impact. From quick implementation to customizable design and real-time reporting, discover why schools trust Advantage Orientation to engage students and streamline orientation.
Discover how institutions are transforming student onboarding with the quick-deploy Advantage Orientation Universal series
Orientation, Transition & Retention Professionals
Colleges and Universities Across the U.S.
Advantage Orientation Universal Success Stories
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
The University of Central Florida's employee orientation was not a unified experience across the university. With Advantage HR Engage, UCF now welcomes and prepares new employees with a digital experience, moving away from the in-person, facilitated sessions and printed materials that were used previously.
The Advantage HR Engage platform offers interactive videos, quizzes, and survey functionality, FAQs, and a unified experience that is engaging, offering employees a more interactive look and feel, customizable for future use, and delivering the onboarding experience digitally.
Candida Richards
Associate Director of Talent Development
University of Central Florida
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
Lassen Community College reimagined new hire orientation with a digital orientation platform that ensures every employee—whether faculty or facilities—receives the same consistent, branded message on day one. Learn how they streamlined HR workflows, ensured legal compliance, and delivered a welcoming message that reflects their values and culture—all while saving time and eliminating inconsistencies.
What we really want to do with this product is to be consistent, be efficient, and get that branded message out to all our new employees.
Kristin Gilman
Director of HR
Lassen Community College
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
Rhodes College is a small, liberal arts institution, onboarding distinct student populations including student athletes, international students, and transfer students. Each of these groups have different onboarding processes, so it was important to make sure students received information within their online orientation that was personalized and relevant to them.
We wanted to make sure students had one place to access the information they need. That's what students want, espcially in today's digital age.
Brittney Jackson
Director of First Year Experience and Transitions
Rhodes College
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
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
When the team at Harvard's Extension School replaced the on-campus orientation program with an online orientation, they were able to provide an element of convenience that was missing before. Now, 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."
Shirley Greene
Senior Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Title IX Resource Coordinator for Students
Harvard Extension School
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
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