The Penn Experience Starts Here.
Every year, the Office of New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives (NSOAI) hosts New Student Orientation (NSO). Our staff is committed to creating a smooth transition to Penn and providing the most exciting and academically enriching time for new Quakers.
NSO 2023 included academic programs as well as cultural and social events that explore Penn, Philadelphia, and much more!
NSO 2023 Recap Video
01
Demographics
Members of the Class of 2027
International Students
(FGLI) Students
Transfer Students
Exchange/IGSP Students
* These demographics do not include graduate and/or professional students. However, during this year’s NSO, we did offer programs to the graduate and professional students in collaboration with the Graduate Student Center.
Like most statistics, these numbers don’t paint a full picture. Our new Quakers have a broad spectrum of identities that we honor and celebrate!
02
NSO Teams
Every year, the one-of-a-kind NSO experience for new Quakers is made possible through the joint efforts of many individuals, including the valuable partnership and support from over 100 campus and academic partners at Penn.
Currently, the NSOAI team has 4 professional staff members who lead the intern team of 8 undergraduate Penn students. Together, we oversee NSO from planning to execution to assessment.
NSOAI has an instrumental orientation leader program — Peers Helping Integrate New Students (PHINS). The PHINS are trained to aid new Quakers with their academic, cultural, emotional, and social adjustment to life at Penn.
Take a look at some of the facts & figures of the NSO Teams below!
Professional Staff
The Office of New Student Orientation & Academic Initiatives (NSOAI) provides enrichment programs for undergraduate students from the beginning and throughout their Penn experience.
NSOAI team consists of four professional staff:
David Fox, Director Troy Majnerick, Associate Director
Andrea Naughton, Assistant Director Alex Yu, Assistant Director for Communications & Events
I loved my PHINS leaders – they were so approachable, honest, and answered every question. Their communication prior to meeting was wonderful, and they really made me feel confident about my transition into Penn’s community in just about every aspect.
– Member of the Class of 2027
NSAOI Interns
Every year, NSOAl brings in 8 – 10 interns to help make NSO an amazing experience for new Quakers. They are a crucial part of NSO.
This year’s intern team consisted of 8 talented students:
Communications Track
Azzaya Galsandum, C’25
Janine Navalta, C’26
Events Track:
Kelly Nguyen, C’26
George Drago, C’25
Marisol Sanchez, C’24
PHINS Track:
Bella Santiago, C 26
Luke Zhang, C’26
Raven Wallace, W’25
PHINS Coordinators
PHINS Coordinators are the leaders of PHINS team.
Here are some facts & figures about the PHINS Coordinators:
PHINS Coordinators
returning staff members
Transfer PHINS Coordinators
undergraduate schools represented
I loved my PHINS leaders – they were so approachable, honest, and answered every question. Their communication prior to meeting was wonderful, and they really made me feel confident about my transition into Penn’s community in just about every aspect.
– Member of the Class of 2027
PHINS
This year, we selected 201 PHINS Orientation Leaders representing all 4 undergraduate schools.
Here are some facts & figures about the PHINS:
PHINS Coordinators
returning staff members
Transfer PHINS Coordinators
PHINS Coordinators
03
NSO Events
This year’s NSO took place from August 23-29, 2023, with move-in on August 22 and 23.
Prior to the start of NSO, we also hosted specific population programming for International, First-Generation and/or Limited-Income (FGLI), Exchange/IGSP students from Monday, August 21 through Wednesday, August 23, 2023, and Transfer students from Monday, August 21 through September 1.
We also hosted Second-Year Orientation (SYO) from August 27 to September 1. One of the signature events for SYO was the Dessert Reception at Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (view photo album). For more information on SYO, Please visit our Second-Year Students page to find information about the past Second-Year Orientation (SYO) events.
Take a look at some of the facts & figures of the NSO events below!
Of all the NSO events…
Mandatory Events
of the students rated the NSO experience as “Above Average” or “Excellent”
were specific-population focused events
Penn Violence Prevention Consent Circles were held
of the students got most NSO information from the NSOAI website
events were for Penn parents and/or family members
Signature Events
New Student Resources Fair & Campus Express Center
A “one-stop shop” for essential resources and services for both undegraduate, graduate and/or professional students hosted on August 22 and 23.
Here are some facts & figures about the event:
Campus partners participated
Hours of services
people participated
of the students rated the event as “Above Average” or “Excellent”
Overall NSO helped me get acquainted with the wealth of resources available at Penn to pursue my academic and extracurricular interests. It helped me feel safe living on campus as well as supported during this period of transition.
– Member of the Class of 2027
An Evening at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
This is one of the most iconic events during NSO that everyone talks about!
New Quakers had fun and inspiring evening on August 26 at one of the world’s greatest art museums, the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Here are some facts & figures about the event:
people participated
of the participants are first-year students.
NSO was honestly above my expectations – I really enjoyed how there were a variety of events that we could attend. I also really appreciated the fun games and food that was provided at the events and the opportunity to engage with other classmates.
– Member of the Class of 2027
Preceptorials
Preceptorials are not-for-credit educational sessions showcasing the cultural, social, and intellectual richness of our shared community. This year’s Preceptorials during NSO were hosted on August 26 and August 27.
Here are some facts & figures about Preceptorials hosted during NSO:
total offerings
student registrations
of the participants are first-year students.
of the participants are first-year students.
My favorite part of NSO were all of the integrative activities that allowed me to meet new people, while getting that “home”-life feeling in this new environment.
– Member of the Class of 2027
Welcome home, Quakers!
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