Weeks of Welcome Helps New Students Find Community, Confidence and Connection

When Joel Cole arrived at Rutgers-Newark as a first-year student, adjusting to college life wasn’t easy.

"My first year was a bit of a rough one in terms of trying to transition," said Cole, a junior finance major at Rutgers Business School, who helps new students get acclimated as an orientation leader and peer mentor. "I had to ask for help because that's something I didn't know how to do before."

The first few weeks of school for new students can be overwhelming as they balance their newfound independence with the challenge of navigating an unfamiliar campus and the rituals and routines of college life.

To ease the transition, the Rutgers-Newark Office of New Student and Family Programs hosts Weeks of Welcome, which kicks off with a convocation ceremony and festival on August 31–the first year it will be held the day before classes begin–and runs through September 11.

The two-week welcome period, expanded this year to 24 events, is designed to connect students with campus resources, organizations and each other.

"The biggest thing many of them are looking for  is that sense of belonging," said Roselena Twyne, Director of New Student and Family Programs. "For many of them, this is the first time getting outside of their home and being among people from different cultures.”

Sheguyma Brazile, a second-year student who has been part of the New Student and Family Programs First Year Peer Mentor Program and First Year Leadership Retreat, remembered how Weeks of Welcome helped her adjust during her first days on campus.

“It’s an easy way to locate what’s around you and what Rutgers-Newark has to offer so you don’t have to ask a lot of questions,’’ said Brazile, a major in Sociology and Public Administration and an Honors Living-Learning Community student.

In those early weeks, she found that students are eager to get to know each other and Weeks of Welcome activities make that easier. “Everyone is open to talking to people and that’s a time when you make a lot of your friends.’’

According to Twyne, Weeks of Welcome is especially helpful for first-generation students. "It is a brand-new world for students who do not have any context for what college is,’’ she said.

Throughout the two-week program, students can attend activities ranging from the Student Organization Showcase, Welcome Back Glow Fest, and dozens of other events designed to introduce them to the Rutgers-Newark community.

A centerpiece of the initiative is the Weeks of Welcome Resource Fair on Sept. 2, where students can learn about services and opportunities organized around four essential areas: academic success and career development; health and wellness for basic needs; student life for  belonging and engagement, as well as student leadership opportunities.

"We want to make sure we're looking at students holistically," Twyne said.

Participating offices and partners include Career Resources and Exploration, Pantry+, Rutgers University Police Department, Dana Library, Dining Services, Academic Excellence Centers, Kite+Key, Braven, Residence Life, Health Divisions Promotions, Academic Schools, Athletics, Intercultural Resource Center,Office of Student Life & Leadership, Office of Veteran Affairs and many others.

The university also has expanded partnerships with Residence Life. This year's programming featured a new level of coordination during move-in weekend, helping residential students connect with campus life even before classes begin.

"It’s about getting them outside of their rooms," Twyne said.

Weeks of Welcome also benefits commuter students, who make up a substantial portion of Rutgers-Newark's student population. Through events, tabling activities, information sessions and outreach efforts, organizers hope to introduce students to services that can support them throughout the academic year.

Cole, who serves as an orientation leader and peer mentor, has some go-to icebreakers he used to help students get to know each other.

"I usually ask immediately what's your favorite movie, or artist or a song you've had on repeat," Cole said. "It forces students to interact and it's a way of  finding common ground.”

He also encourages them to get to know faculty members, who many new students might find intimidating.

. "I tell them professors don't bite. They want to mold you and help you be the best version of yourself you can be,” he said.

Cole sees the impact of his efforts months later when students he met during orientation approach him on campus.

"My favorite part of being an orientation leader is having my group of students come up to me after the summer," he said. "They tell me, 'I feel so much more comfortable. I'm so happy I've come to Rutgers-Newark.’’

For both Cole and Director Twyne, Weeks of Welcome is a reflection of the Rutgers-Newark community, which prides itself on being close-knit and caring.

"It's a very loving institution when it comes to their students and the diversity of the campus,’’ he said.