Volunteers Sought for Inaugural Welcome Week

This fall, Drexel is rebooting the way new undergraduate students are welcomed to campus to make it a much more engaging and memorable experience.

And the University is looking for volunteers who want to be a part of it.

“Bringing your student to college is one of the most special and unique experiences for any parent or family member,” said Subir Sahu,PhD, associate vice president and dean of Student Life. “Being a part of those memories, engaging with students and their families and welcoming them to the Drexel family is something that will be rewarding for everyone.”

Beginning with Move-In Day Sept. 12, Welcome Week at Drexel will feature activities and events that celebrate the arrival of a brand-new class of Dragons.

Faculty and professional staff who want to be a part of the energy being brought to the experience can register online. Those interested can sign up for a morning slot, an afternoon slot or even all day. Actually moving the students’ items won’t be necessary (a process is already in place for that), so smiling faces and a warm disposition is all that’s needed.

A meal will be provided for those who help too.

Welcome Week is an extension of Drexel’s efforts to bring in students who will best thrive at Drexel. Drexel is putting a special effort into improving the First Year Experience for those students. 

“We want our new students to be confident that all of us at Drexel are completely committed to doing everything we can to ensure their success — from the moment they step onto campus, throughout their Drexel career and until they step out into the professional world as alumni — and beyond,” said Randy Deike, PhD, senior vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success.

Move-In Day is just the start of the revamped student introduction to Drexel.

“The week will have a variety of events that showcase Drexel and its surrounding community,” Sahu said. “Activities range from fun academic-type events like learning the physics of baseball to movie showings.”

The day after move-in, Sept. 13, a kickoff event for new students will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center downtown.

“It will build excitement and display the campus and Philadelphia in a unique and interactive way,” Sahu said.

Convocation has also been moved to Welcome Week, taking place Sept. 17, which means classes won’t be interrupted by it this year.

All of the activities and events are still being finalized, but Sahu knows a high number of participants from Drexel’s faculty and staff on Move-In Day and throughout the week will be vital. 

“The more people we have helping out, the bigger the welcome and the better our kick-off to 2015–16 will be,” Sahu said. “That’s what this is all about: a great start to the year. And for these students, it will be a great start to college.”

To volunteer to welcome our new Dragons on Sept. 12 — with no heavy lifting required — click here.