SOARing into New Horizons and Charger Connections

Schuyler Coles ’28 was very excited to go to the University’s 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, “it was the friend part that I was wondering about,” 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. “None of us knew each other, and we had to find ways to work together,” Coles said. “We were learning about each other and becoming friends.

“Len talked with us a lot about respecting others, about creating a community, and always sticking with each other,” Coles added. “That’s the feeling I got being here. A real community.”

‘Our purpose is to help’

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’s history, as well as transfer students and the incoming students’ families. Watching students who start as strangers begin to “interact and connect has been the highlight,” he said.

Sara Crimmins ’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, “if you were a wrestler what would your entrance song be?”

“That got everyone talking,” 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.

“They want to feel comfortable and to know they can see themselves here,” Overend said. “Their 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.”

‘Take advantage of everything we have’

Kimberly Giancoli, whose daughter Joey Somers ’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.

“The staff and faculty here are special,” said Dr. Frederiksen. “Our students’ success is personal to us.” 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. “When we all do very well, the sky is the limit.”

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. “It’s a great university that puts students first,” Giancoli said. “I’m very excited for my daughter.”

Wendy and Kevin Karch attended SOAR with their daughter, Amelia Karch ’28, who will study forensic psychology. They liked hearing about the pathways students can take and learning about the core curriculum and electives. “It’s been interesting because I work at a university, so I’m on the other side of orientation, giving presentations,” Wendy said. “This has been really well done and very well organized.”

Ezron Lowther from the Bronx said he was a bit nervous that his daughter, Shawna Lowther ’28, a health sciences major, would be living away at college in the fall. He said he found the sessions “enlightening, helping to explain the transition ahead.”

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 ’26, a national security major, talked about how to get around campus, how to be safe and how important it is “to take advantage of everything we have here,” he said. “Try something new.”

‘It’s a very inclusive place’

For Evan Fassett ’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 ’28, a legal studies major, and Julisha Paul ’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 ’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. “It has a really positive vibe,” Anastos said. “Having that kind of environment at school is good for mental health, and it puts you in a great place for your future.”

Max Letourneau ’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.

“They had karaoke going, too, so I was bouncing around,” he said. “It’s a very inclusive place, a great place to be.”