Virtual Orientation for Penn Parents & Families
Penn offers parents and families of new incoming undergraduate students an opportunity to connect virtually with professional departments that offer a variety of services and programs to support students along their transition to the University and throughout their academic journey.
Through collaboration with our campus partners, we offer four thirty-minute to one-hour sessions through Zoom prior to the in-person New Student Orientation. Each live session has a maximum capacity of 300 attendees; however, recordings will be uploaded shortly after each presentation and will remain available to all Penn parents and families of new undergraduate students, ensuring everyone has access to the information regardless of attendance.
Welcome to Penn: Your Guide to Student Registration & Financial Services
Join Student Registration & Financial Services (SRFS) for an overview of the financial aid, billing, payment, registration, and student records information every new Penn family should know before the semester begins. You’ll learn about important deadlines, required student actions, and the resources and tools that will help your student navigate their first year with confidence. Whether you have questions about FERPA, financial aid, Penn.Pay, refunds, or registration requirements, this session will help you prepare for a smooth transition to Penn.
Presenters:
- Jeff Greenberg, Senior Director, Student Services & Student Experience
- Dr. LeLe Hobbs, Director, Student Records & Services
- Erick Herrera, Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid and Student Employment
- Meredith Weber, Associate Director, Student Accounts Operations
Wellness and Safe Living
Connect with the leadership from Wellness at Penn and the Division of Public Safety (DPS) to learn about Penn’s campus-wide approach of supporting and caring for students while providing a safe community for their academic journey.
Presenters:
- Kathleen Shields Anderson, Vice President for Public Safety
- Dr. Benoit Dubé, Chief Wellness Officer
Academic Support & Community Standards
Wednesday, August 5
12pm-1pm EDT
Find out how Penn provides academic support, disability services, and maintains a vibrant campus community through integral services offered by the Weingarten Center and the Center for Community Standards and Accountability (CSA).
Presenters:
- Jane Holahan, Weingarten Center
- Paige Wigginton, Center for Community Standards and Accountability
Starting Strong: Preparing For Living, Dining, and Thriving at Penn
Thursday, August 6
1pm-2pm EDT
Learn about support programs and services offered during the transition to Penn, including, the College House communities, expectations during Move-In, and making the most of Penn’s dining options.
Presenters:
- Trina Sokoloski, College Houses & Academic Services
- Mark Cordova, Residential Services
- Ted Morrin, Penn Dining
In-Person Orientation Events for Penn Parents & Families
During New Student Orientation (NSO), Penn has a series of non-mandatory events for Penn parents and families. These programs are offered concurrently to move-in activities and allow families to adjust to campus at their own pace. Starting Strong: Preparing For Living, Dining, and Thriving at Penn
NSO Hospitality Booths
Monday, August 17 | Tuesday, August 18 | Wednesday, August 19
10am-3pm EDT
Staff available to answer all of your questions.
Location: 34th & Walnut; 37th & Locust; Quad
New Student Resources Fair & Campus Express Center
Tuesday, August 18 | Wednesday, August 19
10am-3pm EDT
“One-stop shop” for essential resources and services for all Penn students. Opportunity to meet and engage with Penn resources and get your questions answered.
Location: Houston Hall
Best of Penn Museum Tour
Tuesday, August 18
10:30am-11:30am EDT
Worlds of wonder await at the Penn Museum! Join us for an inspiring tour and discover why this extraordinary place is a source of pride worth sharing with all your friends. Tour is approximately 1 hour long.
Location: Meet at the Front Entrance to the Penn Museum, inside the Warden Garden
Penn Libraries Showcase
Tuesday, August 18
12pm-2pm EDT
Explore the Penn Libraries’ research materials, high-tech equipment, study spaces, and services that help students succeed. Plus, take a tour of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center.
Location: Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center
Student Voices: How Cultural Resources Foster Leadership & Wellbeing
Tuesday, August 18
2pm-3pm EDT
Parents and families will have the opportunity to hear directly from students as they share how their Penn experience is multifaceted — extending beyond the classroom to co-curricular engagement, cultural resources, and the arts. Learn more about how these opportunities provide intercultural experiences, meaningful leadership development, and a strong sense of belonging while enriching their college experience.
Location: Harold L. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Break & Reception
Tuesday, August 18
3pm-3:30pm EDT
Take a break between sessions and enjoy light refreshments in the lobby. This informal reception offers an opportunity for parents and families to connect with one another, speak with members of the Penn community, and prepare for the next presentation.
Location: Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Feintuch Family Lobby
Things You Should Know: Helping Penn Parents and Families with the Transition to College
Tuesday, August 18
3:30pm-4:30pm EDT
Penn experts will provide an overview of resources available to students and how parents can help their students succeed at Penn. Information covered includes Penn Citizenship, community building, housing, academics, safety, health, and finances. Panelists include:
- Chaz Howard, Vice President for Social Equity and Community
- Karu Kozuma, Vice Provost for University Life
- Benoit Dube, Chief Wellness Officer
- Kathleen Shields Anderson, Vice President for Public Safety
- Mariana Valdes-Fauli, Associate Vice President of Student Registration and Financial Services
Location: Harold L. Zellerbach Theatre, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
President & Provost’s First-Year Family Welcome
Tuesday, August 18
4:45pm-5:30pm EDT
First-Year families join President J. Larry Jameson and Provost John L. Jackson, Jr. at the steps of College Hall.
Location: College Green
First-Generation-to-College (Plus) Welcome Reception
Tuesday, August 18
5:30pm-7:30pm EDT
Enjoy light refreshments and meet other students who are first- generation and/or limited-income, as well as faculty and staff supporters! Students will have the opportunity to create their own art inspired by the ICA’s fall exhibit. Family members are also welcome!
Location: Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA), 118 S 36th St
Thrive at Penn (TAP) for Penn Parents & Families
Thrive at Penn (TAP) is a mandatory online program on Canvas that assists undergraduate first-year students with their Penn experience.
TAP prepares undergraduate first-year students to make healthy choices during their university experience and provides information about resources available to support student success. Topics covered include thriving at a research university; wellness and health; the risks associated with alcohol and other drugs; healthy relationships and sexual violence prevention; safe living on campus; and resources specific to the students’ needs during their four years at Penn.
This TAP public site is available to Penn parents and families. It includes the information given in the TAP modules for new incoming undergraduates: videos, resources, links, and documents.
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