Revolutionary Tales - McKenzie Young

Young wasted little time getting involved on campus, joking that she has always tried to bite off more than she can chew. In addition to her classes and living the Mount Vernon campus life to the fullest, Young became an executive board member for the Black Student Union and, harkening back to her roots, she also successfully auditioned for the First Ladies, GW's official dance team that performs at men's and women's basketball games.

Later in the fall, she received an application link to be an OL for summer 2026. And she knew she wanted to take another bite out of her GW apple.

"I really wanted to help foster that same curiosity that I had during my orientation," Young said. "Looking back, I just really wanted to help people. I feel like that's just who I am. I love helping and mentoring people in general. Any questions that you may have, please ask."

Just be prepared to pull up a chair and stay for a while if you ask her why she loves GW.

That enthusiasm for the university served her well during the lengthy interview process required of OL applications. And once she found out in late November that she had been hired-a moment of elation, it was right to work.

OLs begin preparing months before welcoming new students to GW.

In January, they return early from winter break for a one-day orientation for transfer students, their first hands-on experience leading orientation.

Then, during the spring semester, they meet weekly on Mondays focusing on leadership development, self-reflection and conflict resolution. They also must have a deep working knowledge of the university so they are prepared to answer any and all questions first-year students and their families may have.

In late May, OLs move into Thurston Hall to complete a two-week "boot camp." They learn how to work with students and families, facilitate icebreakers, navigate logistics and lead other aspects of the program.

And then, cue the music for showtime.

The four summer sessions run in consecutive weeks, each spanning nearly nonstop from Sunday night until Tuesday evening. For OLs, each three-day experience is a mix of preparation, programming, relationship-building and plenty of energy. And perhaps of caffeine to aid that.

On Sunday, OLs welcome early-arriving students to Thurston, helping them settle in and leading games and informal activities over pizza. It's a chance to start building enthusiasm before the official programming begins.

Monday begins around 6 a.m. for OLs with setup and student check-in. They direct students and families, help with the resource fair, lead small-group sessions and activities such as "GW 101" trivia, panels, campus tours and family activities. They teach students GW traditions, including the fight song and cheers, and lead evening reflection sessions. The longest day of orientation wraps up with Late Night at the Rec, where OLs run activities such as laser tag and silent disco and connect with students in a more relaxed setting in Lerner Health and Wellness Center.

To conclude the session on Tuesday, OLs continue leading small groups, answering students' questions, supporting academic sessions and helping students navigate campus resources.

Despite the long hours, the team-which Young said became incredibly tight-knit during their nine months together-bonds over its mission of making incoming students feel excited about GW.

"Having that shared purpose is kind of our guiding light. We all know our 'why,'" said Young, who also joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, last spring. "We know why we're here, and because of that, we're able to be there for one another."

And in turn, OLs such as Young, who are often the first faces incoming students see and remember, serve as walking, even dancing, billboards for the university.

"We view OLs as one of the first opportunities for students to see themselves here, whether that is in terms of identities or experiences or whatever kinds of involvements they have on campus," Saigh said.

"I think students like McKenzie are not only a really good reminder for staff why we do this work, but they're also really wonderful stewards of the work to future OLs as well."

Young wrote in her own GW application essay that her chosen field of study-journalism-and her first true love-dance-both have the power to bond people.

Whether through spoken word or movement, a story elicits stronger emotion and connection when it's told passionately. Young knows no other way, which is exactly how she portrayed GW to its newest students all summer.

"I feel like GW is a place like no other. I just love it here so much," she said. "I'm super passionate about GW, and I think you will be, too."