New Student Programs, in collaboration with other departments throughout the University, assists new students and families with the transition to 91社区. New Student Programs in conjunction with other university office promote student success, you can find information on several below:
Orientation
Orientation is specifically designed to meet the needs of the students who attend these sessions. Throughout these sessions, students are introduced to a number of resources on campus, especially those that focus on assisting students in succeeding academically. During the Orientation experience, students will have an opportunity to work with academic advisors, register for courses, and meet other new students. For more information about each specific orientation and transition programs, visit .
Advising Information
- Harpur College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office
- College of Community and Public Affairs
- Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences
- School of Management
- Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Sites to Assist with Course Selection
Provides information about academic programs and majors
Provides classes offered for upcoming semesters included meeting times and course descriptions; also provides the opportunity to view classes by General Education requirement
For more information about each specific orientation and transition program, visit the Orientation section.
The Walk OA Program
Throughout the first six weeks of the semester, Walk OAs will be attending a variety of campus events, including Club General Interest Meetings, Sporting Events, Gallery Exhibitions, Open Rec Sports, Movie Screenings, and more! It's a fantastic chance to meet fellow Bearcats and to discover your place in the 91社区 Community.
Weelky newsletters are sent to students through B-Engaged with a complete list of Walk OA events.
For more information about the Walk OA Program please visit the Walk OA Program page
First Year Experience Courses (UNIV 101/104/105)
UNIV 101 (2 credits) and UNIV 104/105 (3 credits) are first-semester seminar courses
offered ONLY for incoming first-year students at 91社区. Both have a max enrollment
of 20 students per section and are team-taught by a faculty member and a professional
staff member.
- UNIV 101 (2 credits): One credit focuses on an engaging academic topic; the second covers new-student transition and success topics.
- UNIV 104/105 (3 credits): Includes the same academic and transition components as UNIV 101, plus an additional credit that fulfills the new 鈥淰鈥 General Education requirement in Civic Discourse.
The course format allows students to explore and discuss specific academic and success topics, be exposed to and use campus resources, develop critical thinking and writing skills and improve overall time management.
First semester students are highly encouraged to enroll in a First-Year Experience course.
Check out some of the fall 2026 innovative course topics.
Emerging Leaders Program
The Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is a semester-long certificate program for entering first-semester students (freshmen and transfers) who are interested in learning about and practicing leadership, becoming connected to the university and local community and developing important skills for success in college and life. Emerging Leaders join one of six small groups of approximately thirteen new students in a specialized 鈥淜nowledge Community鈥 (KC), based on their area of interest, providing a lens from which to explore and practice leadership. Each Knowledge Community is led by a leadership team consisting of trained undergraduate peer mentors along with a faculty program advisor and professional staff program advisor. Emerging Leaders participate in a workshop series, networking and professional development activities, and weekly KC meetings. As a way to put leadership skills into action, the new students within each KC work together to develop and implement a team-initiated service-learning project in the local community during the semester-long program. The ELP takes place only during the fall semester.
New students can apply to be part of the ELP through an online application (applications are due in early August). For more information about the ELP, visit /programs/emerging-leaders.