First-Year Student Orientation

Orientation is a vital part of your college experience and prepares you with all the tools you will need when you set foot on campus for the first time as a Wilkes University Colonel this July!

During Orientation, there will be opportunities to meet other classmates in small groups and with your academic advisor, as well as to learn about campus services and activities. Of course, there will also be a lot of time for fun!

2024 Orientation Dates

Fall 2024 students can choose from one of three available single-day summer orientation sessions.

Please note: The July 15th session has an optional overnight component where you'll be able to arrive one day early on July 14th. You'll spend the day with us making friends, participating in various activities at a local camp, then returning for evening on-campus activities and staying overnight in our residence halls.

If you are planning on attending the overnight, check-in will take place from 8:30-9:00 AM. No late check-ins will be accommodated.

  • Honors PPGS students, please only register for the July 9th session. All other PPGS students can register for July 9th, July 11th or July 15th.
  • Neuroscience majors may sign up for any orientation session, but it is preferred that they come on July 11th if possible.
  • Spanish and Philosophy majors may sign up for any orientation session, but it is preferred that they come on July 15th if possible.

Last Year's Schedule

The 2024 schedule will be posted as soon as it's available, but feel free to check out last year's to get an idea of your orientation experience!

8 a.m.

Registration

1st Floor Concourse, Henry Student Center

Check in at the Henry Student Center to start your Orientation experience! A continental breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

8:45 a.m.

Welcome Session

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Welcome to Orientation! Wilkes University President, Dr. Greg Cant and Student Orientation Coordinator, Morgan Steiner, will welcome students and guests. There will be a review of the day’s events before heading off to the first session.

9:15 a.m.

Socialize the Wilkes WAE

McHale Athletic Center

Your Orientation Leader will provide you some important information that will help you navigate the day's events and offer an opportunity to get to know your fellow Colonels!

10:30 a.m.

Preparing for the College Transition

Room 105, Stark Learning Center

Staff from the Office of Academic Success will present on what to expect when meeting your academic advisor and how to navigate the transition to academic life at the University.

11:00 a.m.

Meeting your Academic Advisor

Assigned Classrooms

Meet your advisor! Hear what your fall semester will look like from your assigned academic advisor. Schedule your individual appointment with your advisor at this time.

12 p.m.

Lunch & Resource Fair

Henry Student Center

Rejoin your family / guests for lunch in Henry's Dining Hall to enjoy lunch! Once you have finished lunch, head downstairs to visit with campus resources that can help you get ready for the fall semester.

12:45 p.m.

Individual Meetings with Academic Advisors

Assigned Classrooms

Meet your academic advisor one-on-one to discuss your academic schedule and course offerings for the fall semester. Meetings are scheduled by your advisor throughout the remainder of the day.

1 P.m.

Grow, Connect, Celebrate!

JPAC, 2nd floor, Henry Student Center

Join the Office of Diversity Initiatives to learn how our programs and services support you throughout your Wilkes experience to grow, connect, and celebrate you!

1:30 p.m.

Math Placement Test Retake

Room 105, Breiseth Hall

Math placement tests will be available to retake at this time. If you are unsure about your math placement test status, please ask your academic advisor or any of the Orientation staff.

2 p.m.

Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session

Room 105/B05, Stark Learning Center

Depending on whether you intend to live on campus or commute, you with either hear from the Office of Residence Life to learn about living on campus and residence hall expectations, or the Wilkes University Commuter Council leadership and their staff advisor to learn about commuting to campus, parking, and more!

3 p.m.

Closing Celebration

Location to be determined by your e-Mentor

Join the e-Mentors for ice cream and social activities. e-Mentors will be available to answer any remaining questions, provide campus tours highlighting academic buildings and residence halls, and show you just how much fun you can have at Wilkes. Welcome to the neighborhood!

8 a.m.

Registration

1st Floor Concourse, Henry Student Center

Check in at the Henry Student Center to start your Orientation experience! A continental breakfast and refreshments will be provided.

8:45 a.m.

Welcome Session

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Welcome to Orientation! Wilkes University President, Dr. Greg Cant and Student Orientation Coordinator, Morgan Steiner, will welcome students and guests. There will be a review of the day’s events before heading off to the first session.

9:15 a.m.

Preparing for the College Transition

Darling Theater, Dororthy Dickson Darte Center

Staff from the Office of Academic Success will present on what to expect when meeting your academic advisor and how to navigate the transition to academic life at the University.

10:15 a.m.

Parents and Partnership

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Presented by Campus Counseling, hear about the resources available to you and your student through Health and Wellness, Student Affairs, and more.

11:00 a.m.

Meet your Student's Academic Advisor

Assigned Classrooms

Meet your student’s advisor! Hear what the fall semester will look like from your student’s assigned academic advisor.

12 p.m.

Lunch & Resource Fair

Henry Student Center

Rejoin your family / guests for lunch in Henry's Dining Hall to enjoy lunch! Once you have finished lunch, head downstairs to visit with campus resources that can help you get ready for the fall semester.

1:15 p.m.

Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session

Room 105/B05, Stark Learning Center

Depending on whether you intend to live on campus or commute, you with either hear from the Office of Residence Life to learn about living on campus and residence hall expectations, or the Wilkes University Commuter Council leadership and their staff advisor to learn about commuting to campus, parking, and more!

2 p.m.

Safety at Wilkes

JPAC, 2nd floor, Henry Student Center

Presented by the Wilkes University Police Department, learn more about the services offered and how to stay informed about safety measures on campus.

2:30 p.m.

Student Involvement and Parental Support

JPAC, 2nd floor, Henry Student Center

Presented by the Office of Student Development.

3 p.m.

Closing

1st floor Concourse, Henry Student Center

Coffee and refreshments will be available. Students will be wrapping up the programmed portion of the day. While you wait for your student, feel free to grab some refreshments, visit the Colonel’s Corner Bookstore, stop by the Career Center, and get to know some of the other parents and families. Welcome to the neighborhood!

Explore More About Wilkes

Life at Wilkes

Learn more about life as a Wilkes student, including residence life and housing, dining options and student clubs.

Learn about Life at Wikes

Our Programs

Learn more about what you can study at Wilkes.

Explore our Programs

Interactive Campus Map

Explore Wilkes University Campus and learn more about academic buildings, residence halls, classrooms and dining locations.

Explore Campus

Meet the e-Mentors

The First Year Student e-Mentoring Program eases the transition of new students to college and provides a supportive environment for academic success and personal growth. The program helps each new student connect with peers, upperclassmen, and the institution as a whole.

A First Year Student e-Mentor is a full-time undergraduate student who leads a group of approximately 15-25 new students throughout the first semester of their career at Wilkes University, beginning at summer Orientation and concluding at the end of the fall semester.

I love how Wilkes provides spaces for students to focus on their studies, expand their professional career, and enjoy their hobbies!

Esther Orlando | Pharmacy, Cannabis Chemistry

The proximity to home was far enough away for me to be in a different environment, but close enough to home in case I needed to visit for a weekend.

Matt Haubert | Corporate Finance

Wilkes values community and they do their best to make everyone here at home and feel as if they're part of something!

Brenda Arias | Hospitality Leadership

There's a variety of students from many countries and that helps me to get more involved with different cultures and languages.

Darwin Gonzalez | Electrical Engineering

Meet the rest of the e-Mentor team

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all first-year students required to attend an Orientation session?

Orientation is an important part of acclimating to life at Wilkes University. Students meet with their advisors, learn about being a resident or commuter student, make their fall schedule and so much more. We host multiple sessions to meet the needs of as many students as possible, and ask that every effort be made to attend.

If students absolutely are unable to attend any of the summer Orientation sessions, they should contact orientation@wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4014.

Do families have to attend Orientation?

Although it is not required, it is strongly suggested that parents or guardians attend Orientation. There is a whole track geared towards the interests of families so they can support their first year student.

Who should I contact with allergy, physical, or any other accommodations?

Please contact orientation@wilkes.edu or call 570-408-4014 as soon as possible with any accommodations that will be needed.

When will I get my Wilkes ID?

You will upload your ID picture through your Orientation to do list on the student portal, but you will not receive your ID until Welcome Weekend.