First Year Transition & Support for Spring Students

Embarking on your college career is an exciting step. Our First Year Team works closely with you before and during your first year to help you identify support, get connected and settle in at McDaniel. The First Year Experience Office is the hub of this on-going support and is responsible for overseeing orientation programs, peer leader support programs, and additional first year programming in support of the McDaniel Commitment. And of course, they are available to help you navigate your first year. If you're not sure where to start, they are your first stop.

Learn about the McDaniel Commitment

Students doing team-building with First Stop.

The First Stop Office: Our Center for the First Year Experience

The First Year Experience Office is a central point, “home base," of support, connection, and welcome for all new first-year and transfer students at McDaniel College.

The goal is to connect students, in a “one stop” approach, to people, places and programs. New students are supported in their development within the offering of orientation, first year and transfer seminars, the Peer Mentor program, and overall programming and support for academic and social engagement in the college community.

The First Year Experience Office aims to build a strong foundational base for new students and support their development into a lifelong path of learning and success at McDaniel and beyond.

Spring 2021 New Student Orientation Taking Your First Steps on The Hill

We can't wait to welcome you to campus in January! Orientation 2021 for new incoming spring students is on Friday, January 29th and will offer a variety of mandatory and optional events, both on-campus and online.

Residential students will be able to move in between 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Commuting students should plan to arrive by 12:45 pm.

Students should have their mask with them at all times during Orientation, and should be prepared to wear it when indoors, and when outdoors if 6-feet distance cannot be maintained. Students should be prepared to adhere to written and verbal social distancing guidelines during all activities.

The Student Outreach Network

We understand that students may not always know how to ask for help but are demonstrating need through their behavior. The Student Outreach Network (SON) was officially implemented in early February 2007 to help students who might need it but don't know how to ask. Each week the SON group gathers to discuss students who are demonstrating various signs of “at-risk” behavior. As each student is discussed, members of the group provide up-to-date knowledge which includes, but is not limited to, academic performance, out-of-classroom involvement, disciplinary issues, and information gathered from faculty, coaches, family and friends. With key players at the table, we develop an appropriate plan of action to help provide comprehensive support. From week to week, staff and faculty members support the student by implementing this plan of action.

Connect With Us

Erin Benevento

Director of First Year Experience

firstyearteam@mcdaniel.edu

Phone: 410-857-2790

Location

Roj Student Center

2 College Hill

Westminster, MD 21157