About Us

Mission

The Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement (OCSI) supports new students and families through their transition to the University of Miami. OCSI facilitates programs and resources to successfully and holistically acclimate all new undergraduate students to the academic and social fabric of the institution.

To this end, the Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement:

  • Provides programs, resources, and education that support transition.
  • Empowers students to achieve their personal and academic goals in support of the University of Miami’s mission.
  • Engages parents and family members as partners in supporting student success.
  • Develops students as leaders who facilitate the successful transition of their new student peers.
  • Creates transitional interventions for special student populations including commuter students and transfer students.
  • Actively supports transfer and commuter students through advocacy and programming.

Contact Us

Stop by the Shalala Student Center, Suite 203 to meet the staff and learn more about our programs and services. We are open Monday through Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm (EST).

Phone: 305.284.5646
Email: orientation@miami.edu

Meet Our Professional Staff

Michael Baumhardt

Director, Orientation & Student Involvement Programs

mxb525@miami.edu

(305) 284-5646
Michael C. Baumhardt serves as the Director of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement. He is responsible for the annual implementation of a variety of transition programs for over 3,500 new students and their families. His areas of oversight includes New Student Orientation, Commuter & Transfer Student Involvement, First Year...

Stephanie Marie Fleitas

Assoc. Director, Student Affairs Program

s.fleitas@umiami.edu

(305) 284-2660
Stephanie Fleitas serves as the Associate Director for the Department of Orientation & Commuter Student Involvement. She is responsible for the annual implementation of the Great Start Program, a pre-semester program for new commuter students, supervises the Commuter and Transfer Assistant Program and serves as the advisor...

Matthew Felip Calle

Administrative Assistant

mfc108@miami.edu

Matthew F. Calle is the Administrative Assistant for Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement at the University of Miami. As an alumnus of the Frost School of Music, Matthew held multiple leadership roles on campus with Great Start, Camp Kesem, and la Federación de Estudiantes Cubanos while pursuing his undergraduate degree in music...

Image of Marney Staviss

Marney Staviss

Graduate Assistant

Marney is a graduate student in UM's Mental Health Counseling program which is housed in the School of Education and Human Development. Marney's hometown is Montreal, Canada. She graduated from McGill University where she majored in psychology with a minor in sociology. Prior to coming to Miami, she worked for ABC Solutions and provided individualized behavioral therapy to children ages 4-10 with special needs. In Marney's role with OCSI, she supports the orientation team during 'Cane Kickoff and Family Weekend. Her primary responsibilities involve co-supervising the Commuter and Trasnfer Assistant Team and working on the Hurricane Family Newsletter.