The Conestoga community welcomed thousands of new students across campuses and virtual platforms from April 28 to May 5, participating in orientation activities ahead of the start of the spring term.
The Conestoga community welcomed thousands of new students across campuses and virtual platforms, participating in orientation activities ahead of the spring term. In-person activities were supported by volunteers, student ambassadors, employees and community partners.
Hosted by Student Engagement in collaboration with student service areas and faculty, orientation is designed to support a successful transition to Conestoga with social, educational and academic events through a combination of online and in-person sessions.
In-person activities were supported by more than 150 volunteers and student ambassadors in addition to Conestoga employees and community partners who greeted more than 5,000 new students, provided directions to sessions and assisted with creating connections to key resources. Students also participated in online academic orientation sessions to prepare for classes and set a foundation to excel in their program.
"Orientation is crucial to student success by introducing resources that encourage development, connectivity, sense of belonging and inclusivity to support a transition to the Conestoga community," said Amy Baird, Student Engagement manager. "Our volunteers, employees and community partners play an important role in ensuring new students are supported as they begin their Conestoga journey and have the best student experience starting day one."
In addition to orientation activities, events throughout the term help introduce students to available supports as well as help build relationships with peers through opportunities that foster personal and professional growth, including the Getting Started Series, African, Black and Caribbean (ABC) drop-in sessions, and the Leadership Workshop Series.
For more information about student resources and services available to enhance and support the college experience, visit Campus life & services.
Conestoga's Student Engagement meets the needs of students through innovative programming designed to achieve goals with learning outcomes-based initiatives, including the Co-Curricular Record; Orientation; equity, diversity and inclusion education and programming; the Leadership Workshop series; and various student volunteer and committee opportunities.