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Schuyler Coles 杏吧原版�28 was very excited to go to the University杏吧原版檚 Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) program. Recruited to play basketball, she had an official visit earlier this year and had the chance to talk with renowned forensic scientist Dr. Henry C. Lee, cementing her decision to join Charger Nation.

Heading into SOAR, 杏吧原版渋t was the friend part that I was wondering about,杏吧原版� said Coles, a business management major from Harrisburg, Penn.

Within a couple of hours of the start of the two-day orientation, she had her answer. She was part of a group of 24 students led by Orientation and Transition Leader (OTL) Len Diamond '25, a mathematics major, and they took part in team-building exercises. 杏吧原版淣one of us knew each other, and we had to find ways to work together,杏吧原版� Coles said. 杏吧原版淲e were learning about each other and becoming friends.

杏吧原版淟en talked with us a lot about respecting others, about creating a community, and always sticking with each other,杏吧原版� Coles added. 杏吧原版淭hat杏吧原版檚 the feeling I got being here. A real community.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版極ur purpose is to help杏吧原版�

Diamond and all of the OTLs trained for the last several months to welcome the Class of 2028, the second largest incoming first-year class in the University杏吧原版檚 history, as well as transfer students and the incoming students杏吧原版� families. Watching students who start as strangers begin to 杏吧原版渋nteract and connect has been the highlight,杏吧原版� he said.

Sara Crimmins 杏吧原版�26, an OTL and psychology major, said helping incoming students bond and feel included is the goal. To break the ice, she asked her group, 杏吧原版渋f you were a wrestler what would your entrance song be?杏吧原版�

杏吧原版淭hat got everyone talking,杏吧原版� she said. She posed other fun questions, and students had the chance to share what they were discovering about each other.

Meeting other students and getting their course schedules are often foremost on the minds of students, said Greg Overend, executive director of student engagement, leadership, and orientation.

杏吧原版淭hey want to feel comfortable and to know they can see themselves here,杏吧原版� Overend said. 杏吧原版淭heir families want to feel confident, too. This is their very precious cargo. Our purpose is to help new and transferring students with the transition, showcasing our academic programs, our services, resources, and our student life.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版楾ake advantage of everything we have杏吧原版�

Kimberly Giancoli, whose daughter Joey Somers 杏吧原版�28 will be a music and sound recording major in the fall, said she was pleased to be welcomed by University President Jens Frederiksen, Ph.D.

杏吧原版淭he staff and faculty here are special,杏吧原版� said Dr. Frederiksen. 杏吧原版淥ur students杏吧原版� success is personal to us.杏吧原版� After talking questions from students and families, he concluded his welcoming remarks discussing the cycle of accountability the University creates for all students and employees. 杏吧原版淲hen we all do very well, the sky is the limit.杏吧原版�

Families took part in a session on financing college and financial aid, and parents could choose from seven sessions, including student health and safety and student success. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 a great university that puts students first,杏吧原版� Giancoli said. 杏吧原版淚杏吧原版檓 very excited for my daughter.杏吧原版�

Wendy and Kevin Karch attended SOAR with their daughter, Amelia Karch 杏吧原版�28, who will study forensic psychology. They liked hearing about the pathways students can take and learning about the core curriculum and electives. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 been interesting because I work at a university, so I杏吧原版檓 on the other side of orientation, giving presentations,杏吧原版� Wendy said. 杏吧原版淭his has been really well done and very well organized.杏吧原版�

Ezron Lowther from the Bronx said he was a bit nervous that his daughter, Shawna Lowther 杏吧原版�28, a health sciences major, would be living away at college in the fall. He said he found the sessions 杏吧原版渆nlightening, helping to explain the transition ahead.杏吧原版�

The student leaders kept things bustling during the SOAR sessions and will serve as a resource for the incoming students throughout the Fall semester.

OTL Tom Fang 杏吧原版�26, a national security major, talked about how to get around campus, how to be safe and how important it is 杏吧原版渢o take advantage of everything we have here,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淭ry something new.杏吧原版�

杏吧原版業t杏吧原版檚 a very inclusive place杏吧原版�

For Evan Fassett 杏吧原版�28, a criminal justice major, the best part about SOAR was seeing his class schedule and tweaking it a bit with a student success adviser. Meanwhile, Sara Shields 杏吧原版�28, a legal studies major, and Julisha Paul 杏吧原版�28, a dental hygiene major, were enjoying some Jenga on the Maxcy Quad.

Over at the Peterson Library, Karissa Anastos '28, an occupational therapy major, and Reannan Marcouillier 杏吧原版�28, a biology major, were writing letters to their future selves, letters the University will mail to them in their senior year.

Both said they were drawn to the University because of the academic programs, the internship possibilities, and the welcoming environment. 杏吧原版淚t has a really positive vibe,杏吧原版� Anastos said. 杏吧原版淗aving that kind of environment at school is good for mental health, and it puts you in a great place for your future.杏吧原版�

Max Letourneau 杏吧原版�28, a communication major with a film production and media entrepreneurship concentration, said he felt part of things from the start of SOAR. By that first night, he was with new friends playing spike ball and some football.

杏吧原版淭hey had karaoke going, too, so I was bouncing around,杏吧原版� he said. 杏吧原版淚t杏吧原版檚 a very inclusive place, a great place to be.杏吧原版�