How Personalized Orientations Help Ensure Student Success

Orientation at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University is uniquely designed to support a highly diverse student population, many of whom are first-generation college students.

Integrating both academic and social elements, the events embody the College’s mission by prioritizing inclusivity, support and empowerment.

Students engage with essential information about academic and campus resources as well as support services to ensure that each student has the tools they need to succeed. By immersing new students in the campus community in this multifaceted manner, Bloomfield is helping create a sense of student belonging from the moment they arrive on campus.

Here’s how Bloomfield creates a personalized orientation experience:

Parent Orientation: Strengthening Parental Engagement for Student Success

Student success begins with recognizing and acknowledging the important role that parents play. Parents and families are invited to participate in their own tailored orientation to bring them into the fold of Bloomfield’s close-knit college experience, to ease their natural anxieties and gain an understanding of how they can support their students’ college journeys.

“Parents are quickly immersed in Bloomfield’s distinctive educational philosophy that emphasizes individual growth and community building,” says Bloomfield Director of Athletics/Senior Associate Dean of Students Sheila Wooten. “This is accomplished through tailored orientation activities designed to create a sense of belonging and a spirit of inclusivity that communicates how students, families and the College are all in this together as they join their new Bloomfield College family.”

The Bloomfield College Parent Orientation, held on August 29, included:

• A welcome reception acknowledging the wave of excitement, transition and change that their students’ college attendance brings to the entire family unit
• Panel discussions – led by campus representatives from various departments, including academic affairs, dining services, residence life, Center for Student Involvement (CSLE), counseling and psychological services and campus security – to share important information that helps bring peace of mind knowing their students are in a supportive environment as they transition to college life
• Writing a heartfelt and encouraging “Letter to My Child” to be mailed to their student – another way that Bloomfield encourages personalization that meets students where they are as soon as they begin their college academic journey
• An ice cream social on the College Quad, providing families the opportunity to connect and share experiences to bring additional understanding and comfort in knowing they are not alone in adjusting to this new experience
• A campus tour so they, too, become familiar and comfortable with their students’ new learning environment

New Student Orientation: Building Connections and Involvement

On August 30, Bloomfield College hosted its New Student Orientation, an essential event designed to welcome and introduce incoming students to campus life.

“Our approach to new student orientation ensures that students – including a significant number of first-generation college students – are aware of the resources available to help them achieve their goals by providing them with the knowledge and connections needed to thrive at Bloomfield College, says Montclair Vice President for Student Development and Campus Life Dawn Soufleris. “This comprehensive introduction helps demystify the college environment, reducing anxiety and setting the stage for success.”

Bloomfield’s New Student Orientation included:

• Greetings by student and College leaders who provide valuable guidance on navigating the Bloomfield College experience
• Tailored breakout sessions for commuter and residential students addressing each unique group on ways to engage in campus life
• Distinctive insights into how involvement in campus activities can help build leadership skills employers are seeking, while also creating lasting friendships and other long-term College connections
• An overview of enhancing health and well-being, a key component for college success while also establishing important habits for living and maintaining a happy life
• A resource fair coupled with games to encourage campus and student connections and a sense of belonging

From move-in day for residential students, to the tailored parent and student orientations, these experiences serve as the foundation for a supportive environment and ensure that both students and families are fully engaged and prepared for the adventure ahead.

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