Niagara College is gearing up to welcome new students to campus for the Spring 2025 term, which officially begins on Monday, May 5. Before classes begin, Orientation Day will take place on Friday, May 2, at both the Welland Campus and the Daniel J. Patterson Campus in Niagara-on-the-Lake, and employees across the College are encouraged to play an active role in making this transition as smooth and welcoming as possible.
Orientation Day is all about helping new students feel supported, informed, and excited as they begin their NC journey. Program information sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at both campuses, while Welcome Hubs will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Learning Commons (Welland) and the Wellness Lounge (Daniel J. Patterson Campus). These spaces will provide students with access to key resources, helpful staff, and engaging activities to help them start the term with confidence.
Calling on employees to support Orientation Day and first day of classes
To help students feel confident and supported during their first days at NC, we encourage all employees (where operationally feasible) to set aside an hour on both Orientation Day (May 2, 2025) and the first day of classes (May 5, 2025) to step away from their usual workstations and circulate through common areas on campus. Employees are asked to connect with their managers in advance to schedule their participation.
This visible show of support can make a meaningful impact. A friendly face, a helping hand, or even a simple “welcome” can ease first-day nerves and help students feel a true sense of belonging. We encourage you to wear your NC gear, name tag or staff ID while being present on campus to give all students the warmest possible welcome to #ncLIFE.
Helpful tools and resources to guide your support
To make it easier to guide students and enhance their on-campus experience, employees are encouraged to explore and share the following resources:
- Orientation Website: Learn about Orientation programming, schedules and activities to better assist students with questions or concerns via the Orientation website.
- Academic Success Series: Remind students of the many services offered by Academic Advising and Career Services. Whether they’re navigating course requirements, seeking academic support or exploring future career options, the Academic Success Series offers valuable guidance throughout their time at NC.
- NC Engage App: Get familiar with the NC Engage App to help students discover campus activities, events and opportunities to connect with others. The app also includes access to the Co-Curricular Record (CCR), so students can track their involvement and build out their resumes.
- NC Mobile App: The NC Mobile App features an interactive Wayfinding tool that provides directions around campus, making it especially useful for new students finding their way to classes for the first time.
Let’s work together to make the start of the Spring term a warm and welcoming experience for all NC students. Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to student success at NC!
