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!
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!
2025 Orientation Dates
2025 First-Year Student Orientation session dates will be Monday, June 30th, Monday July 7th and Wednesday, July 9th, 2025.
Orientation will be formatted as single-day sessions.
Incoming students will have the opportunity to have an optional overnight experience
following the Monday, July 7th session.
Detailed information and schedules will be forthcoming!
2024 Orientation Schedule
The 2025 orientation schedule will be coming soon, but in the meantime check out last
year's schedule to get a feel for what it's like.
The theme for 2024 was Choose Your Own Adventure, and your adventure begins here. Are you a wizard with tech? Do you have a penchant
for healing and elixirs? Are you a fierce player on the field? Can you conjure words
out of thin air? Discover a world of whimsy and wonder because when it comes to adventure,
at Wilkes, you WILL.
8 a.m.
Registration
1st Floor Concourse, Henry Student Center
Your epic story begins here! Enjoy breakfast and refreshments to fuel up for your
journey. No use in exploring on an empty stomach!
8:45 a.m.
Welcome Session
Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
President Greg Cant will welcome students and guests as you prepare to start your
new adventure!
9 - 9:30 a.m.
Financial Aid & Bursar Information
Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Get to know your tools to aid in victory: The Office of Financial Aid will offer valuable information on understanding
your tuition bill, payment and financial aid.
9:30 - 9:45 a.m.
Student Dismissal
Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Map out your quest with Student Orientation Coordinator Morgan Steiner, who will introduce
the 2024 team of e-mentors. The remainder of your day will be outlined with instructions.
9:50 - 10:50 a.m.
For Students: Socialize the Wilkes WAE
McHale Athletic Center
Greet your new adventure buddies, the fellow Colonels and future classmates you will
journey with during this exciting tradition hosted by Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE)!
For Families: Setting Your Student Up For Success
Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center
Prepare your student for their journey to college life with a panel of staff from
Campus Counseling, the Office of Academic Success, the Center for Career Development
and Internships and the University Police Department. These seasoned wizards are ready
to aid in any questions you may have!
11 A.m. - Noon
For Students: Meet Your Academic Advisor - Group Advising Sessions
Assigned Classrooms - See your name tag for location
Plot your semester! Meet your advisor! Get an idea of what your fall semester will
look like from your assigned academic advisor. Schedule your individual appointment
with your advisor at this time.
For Families: Empower & Support: Striking a Balance for Your Student's College Success
2nd Floor, Henry Student Center
Learn how to support your student on their ultimate quest. Practical advice on the
ins and outs of their mission, such as support during the transition to college, access
to Wilkes news and events, etc. Work as a team to conquer the anxiety of the first
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.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Lunch
3rd Floor, Henry Student Center
Rejoin your party to enjoy lunch in the dining hall.
Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Resource Fair
1st Floor, Henry Student Center
Resources abound! Make sure to take stock of all that’s available to you at the Resource
Fair. Take advantage of the support to make the journey to the fall as smooth as possible.
1 - 1:30 p.m.
Grow, Connect, Celebrate!
2nd floor, Henry Student Center
Join the Office of Diversity Initiatives to learn how our programs and services support
you throughout your journey at Wilkes.
1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session
2nd floor, Henry Student Center OR Farley 002, Farley Library
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! Every good story needs
a setting!
2:30 - 3 p.m.
Campus Tours
Location to be determined by your e-Mentor
Follow your quest guides, the e-mentor team, on the first floor of the SUB for a tour
of the kingdom (campus).
3 p.m.
Closing Celebration
1st floor, Henry Student Center
The first step of your adventure is done! Enjoy some hard earned loot (coffee and
refreshments), wrap up the remainder of the programming and wait for your student.
Plunder the Colonel Corner store for Wilkes gear, stop by the Career Center (located
behind the Henry Student Center by the yellow hand chair) and converse with other
adventurers and their guides!
Thank you for choosing Wilkes, and best of luck to you, new explorer, as you find
your way back to us in the fall!
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.
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.
Hello! I'm Shiv, a chemistry and neuroscience major with a minor in psychology. I've
been living on campus for three years and have a lot of friends on campus. If you
ever see me around campus, please don't hesitate to say hi and give me a fist bump!
Shiv Patel
Hello, my name is Mara Adams and I'm a Mechanical Engineering Major. I'm also on the
Woman's Lacrosse team here at Wilkes! I enjoy reading, running, lifting, and anything
outdoors from camping to hiking! This is my first year as an E-Mentor and I'm so excited
to meet all the new first-year students.
Mara Adams
I'm a Junior Communications and History double major from Perryville, Maryland. This
will be my second year as an E-Mentor and I truly love doing this. The small size
of Wilkes allows there to be a very close community here that really feels like a
family. The transition to college can be a scary time, and having someone you can
come to makes the transition easier!
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?
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.
What am I required to complete before the fall semester?
An online orientation first-year student checklist is available on the Wilkes Orientation
Portal. Please refer to the checklist to see if there are any actions you are required
to take.
In addition, depending on your intended major, you may be required to take an ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL) Assessment to determine readiness for mathematics courses.
