OnLion Orientation Sessions Help Students, Parents Prepare for College

Leaders from the Enrollment Management and Student Life offices at the University of Arkansas 鈥� Fort Smith are developing new ways to engage and inform students and parents online, through digital support sessions called OnLion Orientations.

Dave Stevens, dean of students at 91老司机, has already led two OnLion information sessions for incoming 91老司机 students, focusing on areas of enrollment and student life, and led an OnLion panel discussion connecting parents with current university students.

鈥淭hese sessions have been very successful,鈥� said Stevens, who noted that more than 50 students attended the enrollment session. Stevens has also hosted a series of OnLion sessions this spring featuring academic leadership during which he interviewed college deans and executive directors with live student participants in the audience.

Next week the university will begin a three-week slate of OnLion sessions meant to help parents and families plan for their student鈥檚 transition to college.

鈥淕oing from high school to college is a huge transition,鈥� said Jennifer Holland, executive director of student retention, 鈥渁nd this time is also a huge transition for the parents and families of our students. We hope to ease their transition by offering several OnLion parent and family orientation sessions via Zoom. We鈥檝e been offering similar sessions for students over the past few weeks, and we鈥檝e had a great time meeting our incoming students and sharing valuable information about their upcoming 91老司机 experience.鈥�

The first week of OnLion parent sessions will focus on paying for college.

鈥淐ollege is expensive, and we want to provide information about financial aid, payment deadlines, payment plans, and more,鈥� said Holland. 鈥淭he second week will help parents learn more about the resources available to ensure their student is able to be successful. We鈥檒l talk about tutoring services, working with faculty, and important academic policies. We鈥檒l also provide some tips for parents during their student鈥檚 first year on campus!鈥�

The third week, Holland said, will focus on campus life and safety. Guests from the Student Activities Office will speak about all the social and learning opportunities outside the classroom at 91老司机, and University Police Chief Ray Ottman will discuss campus safety.

Parents and family members can register for these events through the links below. Once registered, participants will receive the Zoom meeting link via email.