Spartan Showcase: Julia Cho
When fourth-year biomedical engineering student Julia Cho first stepped onto Case Western Reserve University’s campus for Discover Week, she was a little tired from the whirlwind of move-in, a bit overwhelmed by all the new faces—and completely energized by the possibilities ahead.
That first week—packed with events, conversations and new adventures—made her transition to college not just manageable, but exciting. Now, two years later, Cho helps deliver that same welcome to the next class of Spartans as a third-time orientation leader (OL) and member of the program’s executive board.
“Orientation leaders are some of the first people on campus that new students meet, and we are there to make sure they have someone to rely on—not only during that first week, but throughout their time at CWRU,” said Cho, who is expected to graduate in 2026.
In her role, she serves as a resource for new students—helping them find answers to their questions, sharing advice, providing emotional support and introducing them to the CWRU community during that first week.
“Being an orientation leader has been a highlight of my time at CWRU,” she said. “I have met so many kind and driven people who inspire me to always be present, show up for those around me and I am grateful for the experiences it has provided me with.”
On campus, Cho keeps herself busy as a campus tour guide, captain of the women’s varsity swim team, treasurer of CWRU’s Medical Technology Group and researcher at the Department of Biomedical Engineering’s Nanoscale Orthopedics Biomaterials Laboratory.
Read on to learn more about Cho’s journey at CWRU, including her inspiration for becoming an orientation leader and her advice for incoming Spartans.
Answers have been edited for clarity and length.
Q: What inspired you to become an orientation leader at CWRU?
Cho: Starting college is a major step in many people’s lives, and it is an anxiety-inducing experience, so it is cool to help make the transition for new students a little easier. Additionally, my orientation leaders during Discover Week were amazing and it seemed like a very fun and supportive environment to be part of.
Q: What’s been the most rewarding part of being an orientation leader?
Cho: Seeing all my orientees get more comfortable around campus and make friends is very rewarding! It’s so cute to see them throughout the year still hanging out with each other and building their own community at CWRU.
Q: Can you share a favorite memory from orientation so far?
Cho: A favorite memory of mine was last year at Tradition—an event on DiSanto Field where new students take their class photo—when the OLs formed a tunnel for new students to run and walk through as they piled into stadium bleachers. There was so much spirit as we high fived the incoming students and cheered them on—a memory I will always cherish.
Q: What’s some advice you give to every incoming student?
Cho: Try to roll with the punches and embrace the discomfort you will feel—everything will be much more enjoyable. The point of college is to get experience, and you have more wiggle room for mistakes and changes earlier in your college career. Lastly, if something interests you, act on it! Go to the student activities fair and sign up for clubs, get a group of people to try something new and meet new people. Whether it is a new hobby you want to pick up, an academic inquiry, or something you want to continue from high school, there are likely people who want to do the same thing.
