Incoming Syracuse University students often experience both excitement and uncertainty as they navigate their transition into the living, social and academic spaces that combine to create the Orange community.
Cross-campus partnerships inclusive of Academic Affairs and the Student Experience Division have designed a comprehensive pilot for a reimagined summer orientation program hosted in July, which will complement Welcome Week (formerly Syracuse Welcome), hosted in August. This two-part pilot program will further evaluate opportunities to equip students earlier for a successful transition into the Orange community.
Dawn Singleton
“Summer orientation creates a longer runway to introduce our new students to campus and makes for a smoother transition. Our goal is to convert uncertainty and anxiety to knowledge and confidence,” says Dawn Singleton, vice president of student transition, access and inclusion in the Student Experience Division. “This pilot will be a cross-university collaboration with academic advisors, the Office of Housing, Meal Plan, and I.D. Card Services, Student Living, Admissions and the Office of the Registrar, who are also now part of the newly formed Onboarding Steering Committee. The committee’s purpose is to collaborate to develop a memorable and seamless onboarding experience for incoming students. The work of this committee will inform the Student Experience Division’s re-envisioning of new student orientation to foster a greater sense of belonging for students making the major transition away from family and into the next chapter of their lives.”
Designed with evolving student needs and current best practices in mind, this pilot program will launch this July. Further prioritizing activities and engagement that facilitate campus connections, the first phase of the pilot, held over the first two days, will focus on pre-arrival advising, gaining knowledge of University resources while exploring temporarily living on campus. Phase two will continue to engage incoming students in milestone events throughout the days immediately preceding the start of the semester during Syracuse Welcome.
Butch Hallmark
“Transitioning to college looks different now than it did four years ago. Our priority is fostering a sense of belonging within the campus community, which includes ensuring students are able to become familiar with campus resources and the physical layout of campus prior to their arrival in August,” says Butch Hallmark, New Student Programs’ interim director. “Together, the campus community, parents, families and supporters will ensure that each student is prepared, feels valued and is empowered to thrive.”
A group of 300 incoming students, accompanied by their families and adult supporters, will be invited to participate in phase one of the pilot. Incoming students invited to participate will not have an advantage toward course enrollment, housing or other requirements. Feedback will be sought from attendees and campus partners, used to then evaluate the pilot for possible future expansion and roll-out for the summer of 2025.
