UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — For the first time since the University transitioned to hosting New Student Orientation (NSO) for new undergraduate students four years ago, staff who plan and implement NSO and other welcome programs from each Penn State campus will gather to discuss trends in student onboarding, share current practice, and network with other campus representatives.
The inaugural Penn State New Student Orientation meeting, hosted by Student Orientation and Transition Programs, will take place on Nov. 17 at University Park.
Those attending are part of the University’s Student Orientation and Transition Network that includes members from each Penn State undergraduate campus representing units including campus admissions, academic advising, Registrar, and Student Affairs.
A comprehensive orientation experience for new students builds from strong collaborative relationships throughout the University. This meeting will bring together University experts to discuss orientation programming and design, student leader development, sexual assault education and prevention, and extended orientation programs. Roundtable discussions about engaged scholarship, financial literacy, and working with parents and family members will provide additional opportunities for networking, conversation, and collaboration.
The meeting follows the annual conference of the Association for Orientation, Transition and Retention (NODA) and meeting attendees will receive a brief recap of national trends in the field of OTR. Dan Murphy, director for Student Orientation and Transition Programs, believes that “hosting the meeting just after the conclusion of the annual NODA conference will provide us with a great opportunity to capitalize on the energy, ideas and latest trends beyond Penn State as we head into our next orientation planning cycle.”
Student Orientation and Transition Programs is jointly run through Penn State Student Affairs and Penn State Undergraduate Education.