While most students have returned home for the summer to enjoy a nice vacation, Stetson is preparing to welcome a new set of students during its second annual Summer Orientation event — designed to welcome first-year students into the Hatter family and give them a jumpstart on their college experience.

This program is packed with fun and engaging activities that give students a chance to connect with the Stetson community and campus life, such as information sessions, social events, a late-night pool party, engaging with faculty, meetings with different university departments and staff, participate in the famed Orange Juice Toast — one of our newest traditions — and a unique chance for new students to experience life on campus before their college journey begins.

The program consists of four two-day summer sessions. The first session will be held on June 3-4, with the remaining sessions scheduled for June 20-21, June 24-25 and July 11-12.

The Minds Behind the Program

The success of last year’s Summer Orientation can be attributed to the dedication and vision of two key individuals: Jimmy Kelly and Kristin Graham.

Kelly serves as the director for Student Development & Campus Vibrancy. His role at Stetson encompasses overseeing various student engagement initiatives, including summer orientation, student organizations, student government and campus events like homecoming.

Graham is the associate director of First-Year Experience and Transitions. She oversees both the summer orientation program and the more established FOCUS program, while also being deeply involved in different Stetson initiatives aimed at enhancing the first-year student experience. 

“We actually started talking about doing summer orientation in 2018-19,” Graham said. “Then COVID-19 happened, so it kind of got put on the back burner.”

Kelly added that “after years of work and back-and-forth planning, we wanted to expand what we offered out of orientation. We want them to feel comfortable here, to feel safe, and to feel like they have a community here. We really feel like the Hatter Nation is kind of a Hatter family.”

Reflections on the Past Year

The first year of Summer Orientation was a massive success for Kelly and Graham, who saw their hard work pay off, with students creating memorable moments with one another and becoming excited for the upcoming fall semester. 

“The first time we held the pool party, we were a little nervous,” Graham said. “We were like, ‘This could go two different ways, either students are not going to enjoy the pool at all, or they’re going to just jump right in.’ They loved it, they were pumped, excited and started making friends. Watching the students create those connections in a non-planned environment was rewarding.”

Improvements for This Year

Based on feedback from last year’s participants, a few adjustments were made to improve this year’s program. One such change is how students will interact with the different department offices and receive information on any questions they might have.

“We’ve incorporated a number of offices into our final celebration, where we bring students back into the welcome center for one last time to connect with different offices and their peers,” Graham said. “We have Whit’s ice cream there for them, and it makes it a much more casual environment for them to have those conversations with offices, departments and peers they might want to get more from.”

By having a more immersive and casual environment, Graham and Kelly hope new students will have better opportunities to ask any lingering questions, make new friends and feel welcomed into the Hatter family.

This year, the student housing location will change for the Summer Orientation program. Kelly explains, “This year, the students are staying in Chaudoin Hall. The moment you step out of the doors of the building, you’re in the middle of campus again, and a lot of our program revolves around the center of campus.”

FOCUS Week Vs. Summer Orientation

Often, students and parents have asked Graham and Kelly what sets Summer Orientation apart from the more well-known FOCUS program at Stetson.

“Summer Orientation is your chance to really start connecting before you’re even here,” Graham explained. “You’re going to make friends and get to know the campus better. You’re going to get a taste of what it’s like to live in the residence hall before that first day. It’s really like a jumpstart to your college experience. 

“FOCUS is when you’re here, moved into your room and making sure you are prepared to be successful on campus,” she said. “This includes essential information like understanding the code of community standards, knowing how to navigate the dining hall and using your dining plan—all the stuff you need when you’re here on campus. Living here is what FOCUS is about.”

Kelly explained that both the Summer Orientation Program and FOCUS act as phases in the process for new students to integrate into their university lives, with Summer Orientation being phase one and FOCUS being phase two.

The Future of Summer Orientation

Stetson plans to continue expanding its Summer Orientation program in the coming years. The event is expected to become a staple in Stetson’s efforts to support new students.

“We’re always going to make sure students feel like they have a community here,” Graham concluded. “And I think that really sets us up for long-term success.”

For more information about Stetson University’s Summer Orientation program, including dates and registration details, visit the program’s official website.

-Katryana Vieira-Carreiro