A Personalized Orientation

“Our intention was for students and families to feel that warm SDSU welcome and assurance they made the right decision to attend SDSU.”

Imagine a student going into an exam without any preparation. It’s very likely the student will find it overwhelming and difficult to navigate. 

Now imagine if the same student had prepared for the exam thoroughly in advance by attending class and asking questions to a tutor. They will likely find it to be more manageable and be successful.

San Diego State University is using the same logic as it welcomes nearly 9,000 incoming freshmen and transfer students during Virtual New Student Orientation, now underway and running through August 12.
 
To ensure incoming students feel connected and set up for success during their time at the university, each incoming student participates in several one-on-one appointments with an SDSU Ambassador in an opportunity to establish relationships, build a sense of belonging, receive important information and ask tailored questions related to academic plans, advising and student life. In other words, a personalized approach to orientation.

“We want our incoming students to feel connected from the beginning,” said Francisco Velazquez, director of SDSU New Student and Parent Programs. “If they have a strong foundation and a good understanding of policies, academic plans and how to navigate the university, the more confident they will be and their experience will be that much better.”

New Student Orientation previously was held on campus. For 2020, the university swiftly and efficiently adapted orientation to a virtual modality due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s format has three components: pre-orientation, orientation and post-orientation. Each includes an individual Zoom meeting with an SDSU Ambassador.

“Through these one-on-one individual appointments, Ambassadors have really been able to teach students how to set themselves up for success at the university,” said Katrina Hizon, SDSU Ambassadors president and a senior majoring in international business with an emphasis in Japanese. “A lot of students have expressed gratitude that they have an Ambassador to serve as a mentor and guide them through their college transition to SDSU.”

To date, 70 Ambassadors assigned to assist with Virtual New Student Orientation have conducted more than 12,000 appointments with incoming freshmen and transfer students.

In addition to their one-on-one meeting with an Ambassador, incoming students participate in a small group session made up of eight to 10 students as well as a college session made up of 20 to 80 students on their assigned virtual orientation date. This is another example of SDSU’s effort to connect incoming students with fellow classmates, assistant deans, major advisors and to additional resources and services supporting student success.

“I’m really proud of what we have been able to accomplish,” said Velazquez. “In June and July, our Ambassadors met with more than 6,000 incoming students on an individual basis to prepare them for orientation. What we have been able to accomplish in such a short time is a huge feat.”

Parents and families, recognized as an integral part of a student’s success at SDSU, also participate in Virtual New Student Orientation with topics focused on student services, academics, student safety and wellness and parent involvement opportunities. 
As the transition of a high school parent to college parent can be challenging, the university strives to inform parents and families of resources available to their students. Research has shown parental involvement during a student’s time at a university leads to higher grade point averages, less likelihood to be on academic probation and a higher likelihood to graduate in a timely manner.

"We believe the more informed a parent is about the resources and services available to their student, the better coach and resource they can be to their student,” said Velazquez. “Parents and families are one of the most important resources a student will have."

This year also marked the first-ever Virtual Graduate Student Orientation. The July 22 event was a collaboration between Associated Students Graduate Student Association, Graduate Affairs and SDSU New Student and Parent Programs, and drew more than 600 participants. Topics included campus resources such as financial aid, teaching assistant appointments and thesis information.

All new students and their families are invited to attend the ceremonial tradition and celebration of New Student and Family Convocation to kick off the school year. The virtual event takes place at noon Saturday, Aug. 22. Convocation brings new students and their families together with faculty and staff to mark the beginning of their academic journey at SDSU.

“Overall, it has been very positive,” said Velazquez. “Our intention was for students and families to feel that warm SDSU welcome and assurance they made the right decision to attend SDSU. The feedback we have been getting is that they still feel that sense of belonging, even if it’s through our current virtual environment.”