New Student and Transition Programs Fall 2013 A Snapshot of the Class of 2017 pg. 2
A Successful Orientation Weekend pg. 3
Gap Semester Updates pg. 4-5
The Challenge Course Propels into Fall pg. 8
Bright Ideas with LEP pg. 9
From Katie Hight, Director of NSTP: After welcoming the largest and most diverse incoming class in Elon’s history, the Department of New Student & Transition Programs is off and running! A combination of thoughtful planning, willing and welltrained volunteers, friendly faces and perfect weather made for a memorable Opening Weekend. New students transitioned seamlessly into the Elon family, and are already involved in organizations as active members of the Elon community. While beds were lofted and boxes carried up residence hall steps on campus, the Gap Semester Students climbed mountains and learned about outdoor leadership as their first semester at Elon began. In its second year, the Gap Program continues to provide a dynamic transition opportunity for a cohort of 15 first-year students. While coming to college is a significant transition, first-year students are not the only ones charting their paths! The Life Entrepreneur Program and Elon Challenge Course are seeing record numbers of students participating and learning important, applicable tools that aid in life’s many moments of transition. Read more to find out all of the great things happening in NSTP! Snapshot of the Class of 2017 Orientation Weekend Gap Semester Updates 2014 Orientation Headstaff bELONg T-Shirt Compass Counsel The Challenge Course LEP and Coming Up Make a Gift and Stay in Touch
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A SNAPSHOT OF THE CLASS OF 2017 Total Enrollment The ratio of female to male students is 3:2
Top 5 states represented in the class of 2017 are: North Carolina
Massachusetts
17%
New Jersey
12% Virginia
7% Top 3 Intended Majors Business Biology Psychology
9% Maryland
7%
17%
Ethnic Diversity
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Orientation Weekend Fall 2013 ic!” changes, as well. The “Live the “Energet Maroon Life” session on the third day of orientation was strengthened to focus on the “I lov e University’s unprecedented to a u giving ba ck n commitment to diversity, as has g iversity th well as social responsibility. iven m at m e u s c o h.” Orientation Leaders participated Claire in intentional trainings and Mayo workshops in order to effectively , ‘14 facilitate this session and communicate these important e a part b o t g n i t a Elon values to new students. All nd motiv ompletely a g n i z i g c first-year students are charged It is ener le that is p o e p f o to respect one another, be active of a group on goal. m ton, ‘15 m s o n c h a o o J t t t d bystanders, and Live the Maroon dedicate -Ma Life! Lastly, the Farewell Picnic This year’s orientation program saw a few notable changes. Swift was a “compostable” event this year to highlight the University’s construction on the new Global commitment to sustainability. Neighborhood introduced two new buildings for first-year Plans are already underway students. A team of Orientation to orient spring admitted and Leaders were excited to welcome transfer students in February over 200 new students to this 2014. We look forward to neighborhood! In addition welcoming them to our campus anging” h c e f i L “ to new spaces, Orientation in just a few short months! “Rewardin 2013 saw a few programmatic g” On August 23, Elon welcomed its largest and most diverse incoming class, an appropriate milestone for the University’s 125th anniversary celebration! Over 1460 first-year students, along with their parents and family members, moved into their residential neighborhoods with the help of over 200 energetic Orientation Leaders and O-Team members. Four short days later, new students had new friends, knowledge of campus resources, and an eagerness to begin classes.
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Gap Semester 2013 The 2013 Elon Gap Semseter is off to a great start. Steve Morrison, Coordinator of Gap Programs says, “The students are experiencing noticeable growth. They approach people differently, and are learning that the change in the communities they are making pales in consideration. They are working really hard though to help the communities we visit.� Students have already completed the leadership component of the three-part program and are in Harlan County, KY, for the third week of servicelearning. Students visited Pine Ridge, SD, and St. Louis, MO, for a week at a time. A week in Washington, DC, will complete the service-learning portion of the semester. The final part of the Gap Semester will be a 6-week homestay program in Costa Rica. The Gap Semester is a transitional entrance program for 15 first semester, first-year students who wish to begin their Elon experience in a highly engaged and experiential way. The program is designed to improve students’ leadership skills and awareness of domestic and international issues and cultures that exist in our country and in our world. Issues covered so far in the Gap Semester include environmental ethics, outdoor skills including: leave no trace principles, the history and culture of the Lakota on Pine Ridge, hunger in an urban environmental, and the culture and history of mining in Appalachia. Students will continue to learn about homelessness, community organizing, and the political history and cultural music of Costa Rica. When students complete their Gap experience, they will take Elon 101 and a Winter Term course in January as they transition to campus life.
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A Student Perspective Lauren Franceschini Doylestown, PA 18 years old Why did you decide to do the Gap Semester Program? I decided to do the Gap Program because I wanted to experience all of the unique opportunities the program offers. It truly is a program unlike any others and as soon as I heard about it, I knew I wanted to participate. What have you learned so far in your experiences? NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) taught me about my limitations and how far I can push those limitations to achieve great things. Pine Ridge taught me that the winners write the history books. But I think the greatest thing I’ve learned so far is to live simply. What do you like most about the program? What I like most about the program is that we get to do new things everyday, and I love that I’m experiencing so much in such a short amount of time.
“Unique, transformative, and experiential. “
I feel so lucky to have this opportunity at all, let alone during my first semester of freshman year. I’ve travelled, and will be travelling, to place I’ve never been before and places other people may never go in their lives. I just feel very lucky to be part of it all. How do you think the program is preparing you to enter Elon in the winter? I think the program is preparing me to look at certain issues or situations through different perspectives and scopes, which is a lesson useful not only when we return to Elon, but for the rest of our lives.
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Orientation Welcomes New Headstaff for 2014 Head Staff is a group of 17 student leaders who take on an active year-long role in coordinating and implementing orientation training and programming. In addition to the event-planning responsibilities, these students also read and discuss student development literature, recruit and select a staff of over 100 Orientation Leaders and attend and present at the National Orientation Directors Association regional conference. All the while, they work as a team and grow immensely in their leadership and communication skills. Congratulations Headstaff!
Mackenzie Daniel (Coordinator) Brogan Boles (Head Team Captain) Grace Ahlering Hannah Allen Tyler Brooks
Ryan Chronowic
Marlee Jones
Matt Crehan
Brianna Moragne
Morgan Drew
Evan Skloot
Pat Dudiak
Alyssa Spagnuolo
Morgan Goldstein
Sarah Vaughan
Lizzie Guillaume
Peter Walpole
Class of 2017 bELONg T-shirt A long standing tradition at Elon, the Class of 2017 bELONg t-shirt is a symbol of the transition into the Elon community. With a focus on Elon’s celebration of 125 years, the incoming students were reminded of the history of achievements and traditions at Elon. Limited supply left. If you would still like to order a t-shirt, please call 336.278.7777
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Introducing the NSTP and Compass Counsel The mission of the New Student & Transition Programs Department, aligning with the institutional mission, is to holistically address the developmental needs of new Elon students and families in transition within the Elon University community. The department acknowledges and validates the primary transition into the University as a new student, as well as the series of transitions that occur throughout a student’s college experience. NSTP enacts this mission by providing programs and experiences that equip students with resources, guidance and peer connections that help facilitate transition and yield successful members of the Elon community. These experiences include, but are not limited to: First-Year Summer Experience (FSE) programs, New Student Orientation for new students and families in both the fall and spring, “Phoenix Families” quarterly newsletter for new Elon families, the Elon Challenge Course, the Elon Gap Semester Program and the Life Entrepreneur Program. Students who serve in leadership roles within the Department collectively form the Compass Counsel. The Counsel, which meets bi-weekly, holds a vision to provide a relevant and reflective commentary on programs in NSTP in order to create the best transition possible for all incoming and current students. Stay tuned to the Compass Counsel for future information on programs and services to students in transition.
Dean of Student Development Rex Waters waters@elon.edu
Director of New Student and Transition Programs Katie Hight khight@elon.edu
Coordinator of Gap Programs Steve Morrison smorrison@elon.edu
Program Assistant Felicia Massey massey@elon.edu
Gap Semester Coordinator Ryan Boudreau rboudreau@elon.edu
Marketing and Technology Coordinator Kendal Cinnamon kcinnamon@elon.edu
Life Entrepreneur Program Co-Coordinator Annie Curtis acurtis2@elon.edu
New Student Orientation Coordinator Mackenzie Daniel mdaniel6@elon.edu
Social Media Marketing Coordinator Doug Del Pizzo ddelpizzo@elon.edu
Challenge Course Director Kendall Gardiner kgardiner@elon.edu
First-Year Summer Experience Coordinator Colleen Fitzpatrick cfitzpatrick7@elon.edu
Life Entrepreneur Program Co-Coordinator Alex Ward award13@elon.edu
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The Elon Challenge Course Propels into Fall
“It was a great way to work together and get to know one another in a fun and unique setting.” -Anna Dellicker, ‘17 Teaching Fellow
In August and September over 350 students, faculty and staff have enjoyed and greatly gained from spending time with the facilitators who develop specific programs that fit the group’s situation and unique culture. We are dedicated to helping clients reach their goals by leveraging their greatest resource - their people. With over 20 years of experience in challenge course consulting, leadership development and outdoor team building, we are a leader in providing creative solutions. By building on our client’s existing training and working within their unique culture, we maximize the actual transference of training back into the organization efforts. Bottom line, we build success and FOCUS ON RESULTS! In October one of our annual traditions will be collaborating with Campus Recreation to co-host the Elon Haunted Trail at the Elon Lodge. In addition to the Haunted Trail we will be busy continuing to take groups out on the course. Call us at 336-278-7000 email us to come experience the Elon Challenge!
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Life Entrepreneur Program Elon University is collaborating with a national leadership development company, New Mountain Ventures, to offer an innovative program for sophomore students. Charting Your Journey will prepare students to craft a meaningful and flexible life plan in light of the ever changing, fast paced world outside of Elon. Students will learn to identify their strengths, be alert to opportunities, take measured risks, set goals, think strategically, and practice the art of reflection and renewal. Students will also develop a resume, practice interview skills, and complete informational interviews with people in their prospective field. These skills will help students better align their core identity with their professional and personal goals, especially in the context of their remaining years at Elon. Find out more and get involved! Coordinator of LEP Rex Waters: waters@elon.edu Student Co-Coordinators of LEP Alex Ward: award13@elon.edu Annie Curtis: acurtis2@elon.edu Elon Website Click Here LEP Website Click Here
Coming Up with NSTP.... The LEP will have a retreat October 18-19 at Camp Hanes outside of Winston-Salem, NC. The Challenge Course will host the Haunted Trail October 29-30. Prepare to be scared! First Year Summer Experience Facilitators will be selected soon. The NSTP office will participate in the annual Moseley Trick or Treating Office Decor Competition on October 31st. Come by for treats! pg. 9
Consider Making A Gift to NSTP
Elon alumni, Do you have cherished memories of your experience as an Orientation Leader, a Challenge Course Facilitator, or a First-Year Summer Experiences participant? Would you like the opportunity to strengthen these and other transition programs for students to come? Here’s your chance: you can give back to a department that housed such meaningful experiences for you! Consider designating your gift to Elon towards New Student & Transition Programs. With your financial contributions, we hope to enhance programming and resources for students in transition. Your gifts may go toward funding a scholarship for FSE participants, guidebooks and other resources for student leaders in the office, new Challenge Course equipment, or nice polo shirts for OLs on hot August days. If you would like your gift to contribute to a specific item or program, send us an email and let us know!
Giving to NSTP is simple: • Visit the University Advancement webpage (click here) •O n the left side of the page, click on “GIVE NOW.” •F ill in all of the required information, including your gift amount. • I n the “Apply my gift to” drop down menu, select “OTHER.” • In the box below, type “New Student & Transition Programs.”
Thank you for considering a gift to NSTP. In the words of enthusiastic Orientation Leaders, “R – O – C – K , you rock, you rock!”
Stay in Touch with Click to like NSTP on Facebook!
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Click to follow the Gap Semester Program Blog!
Click to like Orientation on Facebook!
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