Approaching Stanford

Meet the Team

About Approaching Stanford &
New Student Orientation

The Approaching Stanford/New Student Orientation team is made up of both student and professional staff, all within the office of Academic Advising. The Approaching Stanford program is required for all new undergraduate students. It is the process that will guide you in your preparation for Stanford.

Beginning in May for first-years and June for transfers, new students will receive weekly communications with information that will help transition you to the Farm. In the months leading up to the fall, you will learn more about academics and course enrollment, housing assignments, health requirements, student communities, opportunities, and resources. The information provided will culminate in your attendance at New Student Orientation (NSO), which will run in the days leading up to the start of Autumn Quarter.

2024 Orientation Coordinators

Orientation Coordinators (OCs) are the Stanford student staff in Academic Advising who serve on the Approaching Stanford/New Student Orientation team. The OCs dedicate their summer to help incoming students prepare for Stanford and to plan New Student Orientation (NSO).  Don't forget to follow @approachingstanford on Instagram!

Picture of Samantha Arias in the Stanford Archways

Samantha Arias (she/her)
Class of 2027
Hometown: Belleville, New Jersey 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Psychology
Favorite NSO Memory: O-Show! Singing and performing have always been a huge part of my life, but I wasn't sure how I would incorporate this passion into my college experience. After watching Stanford’s legendary orientation acappella showcase, I auditioned and made it! 

Picture of Joshua Bahk in front of white columned house

Joshua Bahk (he/him) 
Class of 2027
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, California 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Symbolic Systems
Favorite NSO Memory: Anthony and I share the same super secret NSO event as our favorite memory. You don't wanna miss it.

Picture of Eiman Jawwad in front of red flowering bush.

Eiman Jawwad (she/her)
Class of 2027
Hometown: Lahore, Pakistan 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Computer Science or Environmental Engineering
Favorite NSO Memory: The O-Show! The acappella show at Meyer Green during the weekend of NSO.

Jacob Leon (he/him)
Class of 2026
Hometown: West Covina, California 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Management of Science and Engineering
Favorite NSO Memory: Meeting so many different people who actually lived right next to me at our Neighborhood BBQ. 

Picture of Anthony Sausedo in front of a wetland and water area

Anthony Sausedo (he/him)
Class of 2026
Hometown: Ripon, California 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Mechanical Engineering 
Favorite NSO Memory: Josh and I have the same super secret NSO event as our favorite memory. You don't wanna miss it.

Picture of Julia Wascher in front of a forest of trees

Julia Wascher (she/her) 
Class of 2027 
Hometown: Rio Rico, Arizona 
Prospective Major or Academic Focus: Political Science or Psychology 
Favorite NSO Memory: Faces of Community! I got my very first taste of the community at Stanford, and from that night forward I think I really found my home here.
 

Professional Staff

Trista Shideler (she/her), Associate Director of New Student Programs, is responsible for planning and implementing New Student Orientation for first-year and transfer students as they begin their academic careers at Stanford. She and six orientation coordinators (student roles) are responsible for overseeing hundreds of events over the course of NSO that orient students to community, academics, and social opportunities. Trista holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies with a minor in LGBTQ Studies from San Diego State University, and a Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Diana Suedbeck headshot - standing outside in front of flowers, smiling, wearing black tank top.

Diana Suedbeck (she/her), Assistant Director of New Student Programs, is responsible for implementing the Approaching Stanford program, which provides support to first-year and transfer students as they transition to life at Stanford. Being one of the first points of contact for these incoming students, Diana is focused on making sure they feel well-equipped to begin their academic experience at the university. Receiving her Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN, Diana's passion for higher education grew as she coached women's lacrosse for her alma mater.

Edith Wu headshot - standing against tan backdrop, smiling, wearing blue shirt.

Edith Wu-Nguyen (she/her), Associate Dean for First Year Experience in Academic Advising, oversees the First Year Experience team that prepares, welcomes, and transitions new first-year students and transfers to Stanford through the Approaching Stanford process and New Student Orientation, Frosh 101 and Transfer 101, the Leland Scholars Program, and the Stanford Summer Fellows Program. She is also the Resident Fellow (RF) for Okada House, the four-class Asian American ethnic theme house located in the Sequoia Neighborhood. Edith earned her Master’s degree from the Harvard School of Public Health and her Bachelor’s degree from Stanford where she studied Human Biology and Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. Prior to returning to Stanford in 2006, she worked in community-based programs in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, including Head Start/Early Head Start, the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, and Public Allies-Silicon Valley.