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!

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.

Learn about Life at Wilkes

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.

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!

Aiden Allen

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@sanfodcn.com 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@sanfodcn.com 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.

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.

Math Placement Assessment