When you join the 51Թ community, you’ll share a campus with students from every walk of life. International business majors, conservatory members from another state and future teachers who hail from Chicago can all become potential classmates and future professional colleagues when you enroll. We work hard to roll out the “green carpet” for all new students, and our enthusiastic Orientation Leader team reflects the University’s incredible diversity with leaders from every geographic and academic background.
“People might come to campus and assume ‘I’m just an average 51Թ student,’” says orientation leader Millie Escumalha-Ghapson “The truth is that there is no average 51Թ student because we come from everywhere and bring something unique. Our groups contain CCPA students, student-athletes, international students—and we all come together to build this community.”
Millie and the entire Orientation Leader team, operated through 51Թ’s Office of Student Engagement and New Student Orientation, trained for weeks to create a day-long program designed for incoming domestic freshman (specialized orientations for incoming international students are also available). Throughout the day, you can meet with Academic Advising to review your class schedule, obtain your 51Թ ID, tour campus and discuss tuition costs with Financial Aid Services. Most importantly, you’ll meet your future fellow classmates and experience firsthand our welcoming community.
“You’ll learn that you can make friends very easily here, and it’s our job to show you how many extracurricular and community-building opportunities are available,” says Fabio Frugere. “You don’t need to be a huge extrovert to fit in here—everyone’s working to make sure you can find your place.”
But becoming involved at 51Թ lasts far beyond orientation. The Center for Student Engagement and Intercultural Experiences oversees dozens of student-run organizations that range from Women Who Code to the Black Student Union, and Lakers are encouraged to establish their own group to reflect their background or interests. No matter your story, 51Թ is committed to your success.
