Fall 2024 Orientation
Date & Time: August 23, 2024 | 08:00 AM – August 30, 2024 | 01:00 PM
Location: Katz Building / Sunset Park
We are excited to welcome you to the Penn State School of International Affairs! Orientation for the SIA Class of 2026 will take place Friday, August 23 at the Lewis Katz Building. In addition, we will host a Welcome Picnic on Tuesday, August 27 and a mandatory workshop day on Friday, August 30 (see below for a full schedule of orientation events and activities).
The MIA degree is a cohort-based program in which you participate in core classes and simulations with your peers. It is important for all incoming students to attend the SIA New Student Orientation. This is an opportunity to not only to learn about relevant academic, career, and programmatic information that will aid in your student success at SIA, but also to give you a chance to begin fostering team-building skills and rapport with your fellow classmates. As such, attendance is required prior to the start of the semester as well as the professional development workshop that will be offered during the first week of the semester. Absences will only be excused due to unforeseen circumstances or class conflicts. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact SIA Admissions at admissions@sia.psu.edu.
During orientation, the SIA communications team will take headshots of each student, which you can use for LinkedIn profiles or any other purpose. In order to participate in the headshots, you must complete the following consent and release agreement here. If you do not want your photo and/or likeness used for SIA marketing purposes, contact the communications team at communications@sia.psu.edu.
Friday, August 23rd – Katz Building (Dress Code: Business Casual)
8:00 - 9:00 a.m. – CHECK IN & HEADSHOT PHOTO
Please arrive during your designated time slot below based upon the first letter of your surname:
8:00 - 8:10 a.m. – A - C
8:10 - 8:20 a.m. – D- G
8:20 - 8:30 a.m. – H - 0
8:30 - 8:40 a.m. – P - S
8:40 - 8:50 a.m. – T - Z
8:50 - 9:00 a.m. – Finish breakfast and make your way to Room 116
9:00 - 9:10 a.m. – WELCOME
Victor Romero, Interim Dean
9:10 - 9:20 a.m. – CONVOCATION
Dr. Mitchell Smith, Director
9:20 - 9:30 a.m. – OVERVIEW OF ACADEMIC & STUDENT INFORMATION
Rachel Wright-Góes, Academic Adviser
9:30 - 9:35 a.m. – CAPSTONE PLANNING, INTERNSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Grant Littke, Director of Career Services
9:35 - 9:45 a.m. – STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION & BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION INTRODUCTIONS
9:45 - 9:50 a.m. – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Matt Gardner, Assistant Dean for Digital Learning and Information Technology
9:50 - 10:00 a.m. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Susan Bogart, Director of Financial Aid
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. – CLASS PHOTO
10:15 - 12:15 a.m. – EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES*
*Please note, these activities will be out on the Katz lawn weather permitting. Please ensure you have suitable footwear for such activities.
12:15 - 1:00 p.m. – LUNCH
1:00 - 1:45 p.m. – UNIVERSITY RESOURCE FAIR
1:45 - 2:00 p.m. – KATZ BUILDING TOURS
SIA ORIENTATION WELCOME PICNIC - Tuesday, August 27th – Sunset Park
12:45 - 1:00 p.m. – MEET SIA STUDENTS IN KATZ ATRIUM & WALK TO SUNSET PARK
(Trolly transportation also available)
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. – WELCOME PICNIC
2:00 - 2:15 p.m. – WALK BACK TO KATZ WITH SIA STUDENTS
(Trolly transportation also available)
SIA ORIENTATION MANDATORY WORKSHOPS - Friday, August 30th – Katz 112
9:00 - 9:45 a.m. – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Grant Littke, Director of Career Services
9:45 - 10:30 a.m. – "CHARTING YOUR COURSE: UNDERSTANDING SIA'S ACADEMIC &
SUPPORT SERVICES"
Rachel Wright-Góes, Academic Adviser
Dr. Anne Demo, Student Services Specialist
10:30 - 11:15 a.m. – "INTENT VERSUS IMPACT: GENDER, RELATIONSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONALISM"
Rebecca Geiger Wallen, Associate Director, Penn State Gender Equity Center
11:15 - 12:00 p.m. – "BEYOND DIVERSITY: HOW EACH OF US CAN CREATE INCLUSION AND BELONGING"
Nalini Krishnankutty, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Program Manager
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. – WALK TO ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT PENN STATE CREAMERY