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 August!

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!

Registration for 2023 Orientation sessions will open in the Summer.

2023 Orientation Sessions

  • Friday, July 7
  • Monday, July 10
  • Friday, July 14

Last Year's Schedule

Schedule for 2023 orientation will be posted closer to Summer 2023. Check out last year's schedule to get an idea of your orientation experience this summer!

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.

9 a.m.

Welcome Session

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

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

9:40 a.m.

Meet your Orientation Leader

Various Campus Locations

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 a.m.

Preparing for the College Transition

Room 101, Stark Learning Center

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

10:30 a.m.

Meet 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.

11:15 a.m.

Socialize the Wilkes WAE

McHale Athletic Center, University Center on Main

Get to know your fellow Colonels and future classmates during this exciting tradition hosted by Wilkes Adventure Education (WAE)!

11:30 a.m.

Individual Advising Meetings with Academic Advisors

Assigned Classrooms

Meet with your academic advisor one-on-one to discuss your academic schedule and course offerings for the fall semester.

12:15 p.m.

Lunch & Resource Fair

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

Rejoin your family/guests in the McHale Athletic Center to enjoy lunch! Once you've finished, visit with campus resources that can help you get ready for the fall semester!

1 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.

1:30 p.m.

Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session

Room 101/100, 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!

2:30 p.m.

Grow, Connect, Celebrate!

Room 101, Stark Learning 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!

3 p.m.

Explore your Career Gateway

Room 101, Stark Learning Center

Presented by the Center for Career Development and Internships, learn about the resources and career development opportunities that will assist you in your professional experiences!

3:30 p.m.

Student Panel

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

Hear from student leaders on what life is like at Wilkes! Ask questions about the student experience, academic life and what it means to be a Colonel.

4:30 p.m.

Closing Session

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

As Orientation comes to a close, learn of the next steps - Welcome Weekend, Move-in Day, and more!

5 p.m.

Campus Tours (Optional)

Various Campus Locations and Residence Halls

Orientation Leaders will lead you on a tour throughout campus, highlighting academic buildings and multiple residence halls.

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.

9 a.m.

Welcome Session

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

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

9:40 a.m.

Preparing for the College Transition

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

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

10:30 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.

11:15 a.m.

Navigating Your First-Year Financial Aid and Tuition Billing

Room 101, Stark Learning Center

Hear from the Office of Student Financial Services and the Office of the Bursar on the important “must-knows” of navigating financial aid and paying your tuition bill for the first-year of college.

12:15 p.m.

Lunch & Resource Fair

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

Rejoin your student in the McHale Athletic Center to enjoy lunch! Once you've finished, visit with campus resources that can help you get ready for the fall semester!

1:30 p.m.

Parents and Partnership

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Presented by Campus Counseling, hear about the resources available to you and your student as they transition into college and make their mental health a priority throughout each semester!

1:50 p.m.

Safety at Wilkes

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

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

2:10 p.m.

Student Involvement

Darling Theater, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Presented by the Office of Student Development, learn about the importance of being involved in extracurricular life, the opportunities for involvement at Wilkes, and the learning and fun that accompanies it!

2:25 p.m.

Break

Theater Lobby, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Take a break and enjoy a snack!

2:40 p.m.

Residence Life Info Session OR Commuter Life Info Session

Darling Theater/Geis Hall, Dorothy Dickson Darte Center

Depending on whether your student intends 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!

3:30 p.m.

Student Panel

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

Hear from student leaders on what life is like at Wilkes! Ask questions about the student experience, academic life and what it means to be a Colonel.

4:30 p.m.

Closing Session

McHale Athletic Center, Simms Center on Main

As Orientation comes to a close, learn of the next steps - Welcome Weekend, Move-in Day, and more!

5 p.m.

Campus Tours (Optional)

Various Campus Locations and Residence Halls

Orientation Leaders will lead you on a tour throughout campus, highlighting academic buildings and multiple residence halls.

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 came to Wilkes not knowing what the campus was like or even the community, but it was one of the best choices I’ve made.

Katherine Emereus | Political Science, 2024

One reason why I chose Wilkes is because of the connections and relationships that you can make with students, faculty and staff.

Long Le | Pharmacy, 2025

I chose Wilkes because it felt like home. The opportunities on and off campus are endless and there is lots of room for growth and development.

Emily Repp | Nursing, 2024

Between talking to alumni and experiencing the campus early on, I knew this was the school for me.

Dean Ambosie | Biology and Synthetic Bioengineering, 2023

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.