Orientation Round Table Hand Off: An Elm-mazing New Director!
Meet Olivia Elmhurst: Orientation Round Table Director
Meet Olivia Elmhurst, Queen’s very own Orientation superstar and the 2025–26 AMS ORT Director! If there is anyone who embodies enthusiasm, community, and the absolute joy of welcoming new Gaels to campus, it’s Olivia. Orientation has shaped her entire Queen’s experience, and now she’s stepping into the role that ties all of that passion together.
Olivia is in her 4th year of Concurrent Education, specializing in biology and mathematics, and will be graduating in 2026. When she’s not in class or in a meeting, you can almost certainly find her dancing. “I’ve been a competitive dancer my whole life,” she shares. “I was on the Queen’s competitive dance team for my first three years, and now I’m in Queen’s Dance Club.” Dance has been that grounding, energizing force for her. Right alongside reading, spending time with friends and family, and traveling with her loved ones.
And if you’re wondering what she’s ordering at CoGro? “An exam-sized iced matcha latte and an everything bagel with Top Secret.” She says. A classic!
Why Orientation Round Table?
Orientation has been Olivia’s happy place from day one. “Orientation has taken up my whole life at Queen’s, and for the better,” she says with a smile. And she means it. Two years ago, she served as Head Teach for Con-Ed Orientation, followed by stepping into the Orientation Student Lead role in the Student Experience Office last year. Now? She’s ready for the next challenge within the AMS.
She’s seen firsthand how powerful Orientation can be, not only for first-year students, but for the upper-year leaders who pour their hearts into it. “My orientation experiences have been so impactful for my professional development. I’ve learned so much from every role I’ve held. The memories last a lifetime.”
What inspires her most? The people. She speaks so fondly of the personal connections, the collaboration with faculty executives, orientation leaders, and partners across the university. That sense of shared purpose is what made her want to step into a role that touches all eight faculty orientation teams. “I was inspired to make even more of those connections in this role,” she says.
What Does an ORT Director Do?
Explaining her role, Olivia puts it simply: “The ORT Director oversees faculty orientation.” But in reality? It’s a massive, high-impact portfolio. She works with eight faculty orientation teams, university stakeholders (from deans to campus partners), and student leaders to ensure:
- Training is consistent and supportive
- Logistics are coordinated
- Communications are clear, timely, and equitable
- And most importantly, first-year students feel welcomed, informed, and ready for their first week as Gaels
The ORT Director is the central hub that keeps Orientation running smoothly. Olivia is that point of connection, that source of clarity, and that champion for both student leaders and new students. Right now, Olivia is buzzing about the next big step: building the rest of her Orientation team. “I’m really looking forward to seeing the impact that my team has this year,” she says. And looking ahead, she’s especially excited to streamline communication among all orientation stakeholders, so leaders feel supported, and first-years feel prepared and confident heading into September.
Olivia is thoughtful, enthusiastic, and committed to creating a meaningful Orientation experience for every student who sets foot on campus. With her dedication, warmth, and genuine love for Orientation, we know the portfolio is in amazing hands.
Please join us in welcoming the wonderful Olivia Elmhurst to the AMS team!
For any questions, concerns, or media inquiries, please contact the Communications Office, at . We’re here to help.