Orientation, New Student, and Transition Programs to move to the Division of Campus Life

Orientation, New Student, and Transition Programs which currently reports to the Office of Academic Advising and the Dean of the College, will move to the Division of Campus Life beginning May 1.

Orientation, New Student and Transition Programs, under the leadership of director Cherise James, plans and implements new student orientation, coordinates pre-orientation programs, communicates with incoming and current students, supports new transfer students and is closely connected with academic advising. The realignment builds upon the current themes of the University’s strategic framework and connects directly to enriching the student experience.

The Office will report to Matt Clifford, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Residence Life and Housing, and complement the programming efforts of the other units within his portfolio, which include Residence Life and Housing and Campus Recreation.

”This Office’s commitment to providing holistic support for both the academic success and overall wellbeing of our newest Wake Foresters under Cherise James’ dedicated leadership will not change,” said Provost Michele Gillespie. “This move builds on the wonderful work done in the past. It reflects the foundational collaboration between academic advising and residential life that is orientation’s core, which will remain ongoing and everlasting.”

The organizational shift allows for increased collaboration between offices, including academic advising, admissions and enrollment management, family engagement and residential programs. The ultimate goal is to cultivate engagement and belonging to foster academic success, and the new structure is designed to support those efforts. The office will continue to work closely with many partners across the campus, including academic advisers, lower-division programming, academic support centers, and faculty.

“The new structure will facilitate synergy across the campus to foster a seamless transition for students and families as they become members of the Wake Forest community,” said Vice President Shea Kidd Brown. “The unit’s core purpose is to complement the academic mission and prepare students and families for a successful and transformative experience at Wake Forest University.”

“While academics are – and will always be – a central part of the Orientation experience, I look forward to developing new and innovative ideas for Orientation and the transfer student experience with my colleagues in Campus Life,” James said. “Vice President Kidd Brown brings extensive experience with Orientation from her previous work in higher education, and we remain committed to the important work of helping new students transition to Wake Forest University.”

To learn more about the new student experience, visit newstudents.wfu.edu.