Orientation Schedule

8:00 – 9:00 AM | Check-In & Breakfast
Kick off your first official day as a Catawba student with coffee, breakfast, music, and your first chance to meet classmates, student leaders, faculty, and staff. Pick up your orientation materials, ask questions, and settle into campus life before the day begins. 

9:05 – 9:15 AM | Opening Welcome
You’re officially part of the Catawba community. Hear from student leaders and campus administrators as they welcome the newest members of the Catawba family and set the tone for an unforgettable college experience. 

9:15 AM – 9:45 AM |Catawba Is Home
What makes Catawba feel like home? Hear directly from campus leaders and student voices who have helped shape the Catawba experience. During this opening session, students and families will be welcomed by Dr. David P. Nelson, Dr. Justin Tyler Owens, and current SGA President Makeda Micheals as they share personal stories, campus traditions, and what it truly means to belong at Catawba College.

Students will leave inspired, encouraged, and ready to begin their own journey as members of the Catawba community.

9:45 AM – 10:15 AM | Discovering Your Success
Success at Catawba starts with knowing you are never navigating college alone. In this engaging session, the Office of Student Success will introduce students and their families to the many resources designed to support academic achievement, personal growth, and a successful transition into college life.

From success coaching and academic support to wellness resources and campus connections, attendees will discover the tools and support systems available to help every student thrive from day one through graduation. Whether you are learning how to balance responsibilities, find community, or ask for help when needed, this session is designed to set the foundation for a confident and successful Catawba experience. 

10:15 AM – 10:45 AM | Taking Care of Business
College is an exciting investment in your future, and this session is designed to help students and families feel confident about the financial side of the Catawba experience. Representatives from the Office of Financial Aid will walk attendees through important information regarding financial aid, billing, payment plans, scholarships, and student account services.

10-minute transition & refresh break 

10:45 AM – 11:45 AM | Getting Connected
Your college experience is shaped by more than just the classroom — it’s built through friendships, involvement, traditions, and finding your place on campus. Hosted by the Office of Campus Life, this interactive session introduces incoming students and families to the many ways to get connected and involved at Catawba.

Representatives from the Office of Student Activities, Campus Recreation, and Esports & Recreational Gaming will share opportunities for leadership, entertainment, wellness, competition, and community throughout the academic year. Students will learn how to join organizations, attend events, participate in intramurals and fitness programming, and discover spaces where they can truly belong.

The session will conclude with a live Q&A featuring Orientation Leaders and current student panelists who will answer honest questions about campus life, making friends, balancing responsibilities, traditions, and what it’s really like to be a student at Catawba College. 

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM | Lunch & Resource Fair
Explore everything Catawba has to offer in one place. Meet campus departments, student organizations, wellness resources, leadership opportunities, and support services while enjoying lunch and interactive giveaways.

1:00 PM – 1:40 PM | Meet the Academic Deans
This is a relaxed, informal opportunity for students and families to meet the academic deans of Catawba College and put faces to the leadership of your academic experience.

Rather than a formal presentation, this session is designed as an open conversation where you can ask questions, hear quick insights about academic life, and get a better feel for expectations, support systems, and opportunities across different programs. It’s a chance to connect directly with the people helping guide your academic journey before classes even begin.

10-minute transition & refresh break

1:50 PM – 2:30 PM |First-Year Seminar: Your Key to College Success
This intimate session is designed specifically for incoming first-year students to get a deeper understanding of the First-Year Seminar experience at Catawba College.

Students will meet their First-Year Seminar instructors in a small-group setting, helping build early connections and support systems before classes begin. This session focuses on what to expect in FYS, how it supports your transition to college, and how it helps you build the skills needed for long-term academic success.

1:50 PM – 2:30 PM | Transfer Toolkit: Your Fast Track to Success
Designed exclusively for transfer students, this small-group session helps you confidently transition into life at Catawba College.

Students will connect with Success Coaches and staff to review academic planning, degree pathways, credit application, and campus resources tailored specifically to transfer needs. This is also a chance to ask questions, build relationships, and make sure your transition is as smooth and supported as possible from day one. 

2:30 PM – 3:15 PM | Guided for Greatness: Meet Your Success Coach
Every student’s journey at Catawba College is supported by a dedicated Success Coach who is here to help you thrive from day one through graduation.

In this session, all incoming students will meet their assigned Success Coaches in a welcoming, small-group setting. Students will learn how coaching works, what support is available, and how to make the most of this ongoing relationship for academic planning, goal setting, time management, and overall college success.

This is your opportunity to start building a strong support system and connect with someone who will be in your corner every step of the way.

10-minute transition & refresh break

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM | Living On Campus / Commuting at Catawba
Whether you’re living on campus or commuting, your daily experience at Catawba College is an important part of your college journey. This session, hosted by the Office of Residence Life, will help students understand what to expect and how to make the most of their campus experience.

Topics will include residential life expectations, move-in and housing support, commuting resources, campus policies, and tips for staying connected and engaged even if you don’t live on campus. Students will also learn how to build community, navigate campus efficiently, and take advantage of resources designed to support all Catawba students.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Excelling as a Student-Athlete at Catawba
This focused session is designed specifically for student-athletes at Catawba College. Students will learn what it takes to balance academic expectations, athletic commitments, travel schedules, and personal wellbeing.

Campus athletic and academic support staff will share strategies for success, available resources, eligibility expectations, and tools for staying organized throughout the season and academic year. This is also an opportunity to connect with support personnel who will play a key role in your collegiate experience.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Checkout & SWAG Pick-Up
Before wrapping up Orientation, students will stop by Checkout to complete final steps and pick up their Catawba SWAG and materials.

This is a quick, organized wrap-up station where students can confirm completion of Orientation items, receive important next-step information, and leave with official Catawba gear to kick off their college experience in style.