May 29, 2024

Ferris State orientation provides new students with a successful start through access to support services and a glimpse of campus life

Incoming Ferris State University students will have 12 opportunities in the weeks ahead to have their last-minute questions answered and connect with academic experts and resource specialists.

The 2024 orientation season kicks off on Monday, June 10 with events including a resource fair, opportunities to meet Housing and Residence Life contacts, and get assistance from staff from Admissions and Financial Aid team members.

The expected 1,300 attendees can attend college meetings, have group sessions with orientation leaders, and explore campus on guided tours.

Assistant Director of Admissions Emily Hicks said campus collaboration will help students progress from open house visits and online orientation to an engaging, personalized connection with Ferris State students, faculty and staff.

“We have the assistance and involvement of essentially every department and Ferris State academic college,” Hicks said. “That level of involvement makes each orientation session a valuable experience for new students and their families.”

Assistant Director of Admissions/Communications Jason Daday stressed the importance of collaboration to ensure an excellent orientation experience for the students and their loved ones.

“We achieve success with in-person orientation thanks to our partners in Academic Affairs, the David L. Eisler Center staff, Dining Services and many other operations,” Daday said. “Their support means this onboarding experience can focus on connections with other new Bulldogs and learning about the great activities and opportunities they will find here.”

Student staff serving as orientation leaders for these sessions include experienced participants and new faces eager to share their joys and perspectives about life on campus.

“Typically, most of our student orientation leaders graduate and begin their careers after assisting with the previous year’s schedule,” Hicks said. “We are glad to have several leaders returning, as each strives to be engaged and make our newest Bulldogs understand how glad we are they chose to join us at Ferris.”

Orientation sessions are offered on a Monday, Tuesday and Thursday schedule. Hicks said the first week, June 10-13, has drawn significant interest.

“Those first two days have filled up. The final orientation sessions, Tuesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 18, are popular choices with our students,” Hicks said. “New student commitments keep growing and orientation programs in mid-June and early July are filling up. We welcome everyone set to start at Ferris this fall to register online for their session. We ask students to dress casually and to be ready to get familiar with our beautiful campus.”

Fall 2024 classes begin at Ferris on Monday, Aug. 26.