Orientation Round Table Hand Off: Goodbye Ali Haider, Hello Jonathan Shenouda!
Meet Jonathan Shenouda: Orientation Roundtable Director
Jonathan Shenouda is no stranger to Orientation—it’s been a defining part of his Queen’s experience since day one. Having recently completed his Honours degree in Health Sciences, Jonathan is back for a fifth year to pursue a Business and Law degree. Alongside his studies, he’s stepping into the role of Orientation Roundtable Coordinator, bringing years of experience, a passion for student life, and a keen eye for operations and efficiency.
Jonathan’s Orientation journey began during the final hybrid orientation year. While it wasn’t the smoothest start, it gave him a lasting appreciation for the effort that goes into planning large-scale events, especially under strict constraints. “Once it became those roles later on, I appreciated all the work that went into it and knew so much of the restrictions that they had to face,” he shares. Over time, as he moved into leadership positions, he began to see Orientation as more than just a welcome week—it became a core part of his Queen’s story and the starting point of many of his closest friendships.
This year, when the ORT Coordinator position opened up, Jonathan stepped forward knowing he could offer both stability and growth. “I knew that I had a decent role that I myself could play,” he says, especially after having guided the team through tough moments, like the loss of a director or unexpected setbacks during his time as Head-Co. He understands how crucial experience is in times of transition and wants to ensure that Orientation continues to run smoothly for both students and leaders.
At the same time, this role marks an exciting personal development for him. Having previously focused on operational efficiency—creating systems, reducing costs, and streamlining logistics—Jonathan is now turning his attention to the financial and strategic side of Orientation. “One part of my own personal portfolio that I don’t think that I’ve developed enough is a lot of that finance and business side of things,” he explains. He’s excited to take on budget oversight, sponsorship outreach, and long-term planning—areas that allow him to see the bigger picture and influence Orientation at a broader level.
Still, Jonathan brings warmth and approachability to everything he does. A morning regular at Common Ground, he laughs about his usual order: “I can’t remember what any of them are called and they’ll probably kill me, but every time I go up to them, I always ask, ‘What’s your smoothie called? Like berry something?’ — I’m like, yeah, let’s go with that one.”
When asked how he would explain Orientation to someone unfamiliar with the program, he describes it as a liaison—an essential connector between the university, the AMS, faculties, the city, and most importantly, the students. The ORT doesn’t act as a governing body over faculties but rather provides support, resources, and strategy to ensure events are safe, accessible, and impactful. For Jonathan, Orientation is about “giving them a little crash course in reality check of welcome to Queen’s University and here’s everything that you need to be successful.”
Looking ahead, he’s especially excited about the Pre-Week training—key times when Orientation leaders come together to align on goals, bond as a team, and get energized for the weeks ahead. “Finally getting to meet—put the Zoom faces to people” is something he’s looking forward to, as it marks the start of building meaningful in-person connections with the team. With his experience, fresh perspective, and dedication to student success, Jonathan is ready to lead Orientation into another exciting year—one smoothie and one spreadsheet at a time.
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