Liberal Arts Welcome Week takes place at the start of each fall, spring, and summer semester. Through events and programming geared toward all Liberal Arts students, it provides an opportunity for students across our majors to not only learn about valuable resources in the college but to also get to know other members of the Penn State Liberal Arts community.
Get support before and during the first week of classes.
August 18–20:
- Drop-in advising is available 1:30–3:30 p.m. virtually or in 220 Pond Lab.
- Quick questions only—no full schedule planning. First come, first served.
- Peer advisers are available daily 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in 119 Sparks Building.
August 25–29:
- Drop-in advising is available from 9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–3:30 p.m. virtually or in 220 Pond Lab.
- Quick questions only—no full schedule planning. First come, first served.
- Peer advisers are available daily 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. in 119 Sparks Building.
Starting September 1:
- Drop-in advising is available 1:30–3:30 p.m. virtually or in 220 Pond Lab on Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursday. Quick questions only—no full schedule planning.
- You can also make an appointment with your assigned adviser in Starfish for a 30-minute virtual or in-person meeting to discuss long-term planning.
Summer 2024 Welcome Week
New Student Welcome
Tuesday, June 25, 1:00–3:00 p.m., 121 Sparks Building
All incoming first-year Liberal Arts undergraduate students are invited to attend the summer 2024 New Student Welcome to meet and hear from our faculty, staff, and current students.
Welcome Meeting
1:00–1:45 p.m.
121 Sparks Building
Resource Fair
1:45–2:45 p.m.
Pattee Mall
All new students who are starting during Summer Session II are expected to attend.
Fall 2024 Welcome Week
Drop-In Academic Advising
Monday, August 21–Friday, August 25
9:00–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–3:30 p.m.
There will be no scheduled Academic Advising appointments during the first week of classes. Instead, students can stop by their adviser’s office for a fifteen-minute meeting to ask a quick question about courses for the fall semester. The meetings will happen on a first come, first served basis.
New Student Welcome
Sunday, August 25, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
All incoming first-year, change-of-campus, and transfer Liberal Arts undergraduate students are invited to attend the fall 2024 New Student Welcome to meet and hear from our faculty, staff, and current students.
First-Year Lecture
Wednesday, September 4, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Foster Auditorium, 102 Paterno Library
A. K. Sandoval-Strausz, professor of history, will present the first-year lecture, which relates to the college’s Moments of Change: Immigration, Identity, and Citizenship theme.
This event is co-sponsored by University Libraries.
Peer Advising Office Hours
Monday–Friday. 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
102 Sparks Building
Peer advisers are current students in the College of the Liberal Arts who are trained to help new students adjust to college life, explore opportunities for social and academic engagement, and find ways to connect to the college and to peers. Peer advisers also work with upper-division students to address a variety of academic and other concerns.
Peer Success Coaching Office Hours
Monday–Thursday, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. and Friday, 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
138 Sparks Building or Virtual Appointment
Students can meet with a peer success coach through the Chaiken Center for Student Success to receive help navigating college and University resources. Peer success coaches provide personalized action plans on topics such as goal setting, motivational techniques, stress management, studying strategies, time management, and more. Sign up in Starfish to meet with a peer success coach!
Undergraduate Festival
Wednesday, September 4, 12:30–2:30 p.m.
Pattee Mall
Explore the forty-nine majors, fifty-three minors, and six Student Services offices in the College of the Liberal Arts. Enjoy fresh popcorn and delicious Berkey Creamery ice cream, prize giveaways, basket raffles, selfies to share on social media, and more! The Career Enrichment Network will also host a mock career fair.
Drop-In or Pop-In Career Support
Every Wednesday beginning August 30, 1:00–4:00 p.m.
101 Sparks Building or Zoom
Not sure if your résumé is as competitive as it can be? Want some help with your job or internship search? Not even sure where to start? Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network career coaches will be available for fifteen-minute sessions to help you in your career development.
Career Kickoff Week
Join us for Career Kickoff Week, where you’ll gain essential tools and insights to jump-start your professional journey. Participate in hands-on workshops on leveraging LinkedIn, get a free headshot, network with alumni and support staff, explore our Alumni Mentor Program, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to kick-start your career with valuable resources and connections!
These events are provided by the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network. Please email lanetwork@psu.edu or call 814-865-1070 with questions.
Liberal Arts After-Party
Continue the excitement of the Undergraduate Festival with a deeper dive into your Liberal Arts support network! Join us for an evening of networking, engaging information sessions with Student Services, and valuable insights from alumni leaders. Connect, learn, and enjoy refreshments as you explore opportunities and build your Liberal Arts community.
New Student Welcome
Sunday, August 24
11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center
All incoming first-year, change-of-campus, and transfer Liberal Arts undergraduate students are invited to attend the New Student Welcome to meet and hear from our faculty, staff, and current students.
Professional Headshots
Wednesday, September 3
10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Sparks Building Lobby
Get a free professional headshot to elevate your LinkedIn profile and professional brand through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network! Liberal Arts students are invited to stop by the Sparks Building Lobby between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 3 to have their photo taken. No appointment necessary!
Undergraduate Festival
Wednesday, September 3
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Pattee Mall
Explore all that the College of the Liberal Arts has to offer—forty-nine majors, fifty-three minors, and six Student Services offices—all in one place! Enjoy free snacks, giveaways, and raffles while you connect with departments and resources across the college. Don’t forget to join the chalk art competition for a chance to win prize money!
Virtual Employer Lunch and Learn: Target
Thursday, September 4
12:15–1:00 p.m.
Virtual | Register here (Penn State login required)
Looking to grow your leadership skills and explore internship opportunities? Join recruiters from Target and the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network for an engaging virtual session where you’ll learn about their Store Executive Leadership Internship and other exciting roles. Whether you’re a first-year, second-year, or third-year, this is a great chance to explore how you can build a strong foundation in business leadership with one of the nation’s most recognizable brands. You’ll also hear insights into Target’s dynamic workplace culture, get advice from real recruiters, and have the chance to ask your own questions. Bring your lunch and your curiosity. Target is ready to meet you!
First-Year Lecture
Thursday, September 4
1:30–3:00 p.m.
Foster Auditorium
Communication, the Key to Resolving Fragmentation and Building Community in Precarious Times
Kirt H. Wilson, associate professor and head of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, will explore how communication shapes our lives, our identities, and our relationships.
Communication, he argues, is one of the most essential but taken-for-granted human activities, from one-on-one conversations to group discussions and even cross-cultural exchanges. Wilson shows in his lecture how listening, thinking, and sharing ideas can keep a community connected, even when people disagree or see the world differently.
In a time when divisions feel sharper than ever before and real differences of opinion persist, it’s important to create spaces where open conversations can happen and people feel free to change their minds. Penn State—and especially the College of the Liberal Arts—is one of those spaces, but keeping it that way takes everyone’s effort.
This event is co-sponsored by Liberal Arts Ambassadors, Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council, and Minorities in the College of the Liberal Arts.
Change-of-Campus Student Welcome
Tuesday, September 9
4:00–6:00 p.m.
220 Pond Building
Get to know fellow change of campus students and learn about the resources and support available to you at Penn State. This event is sponsored by Academic Advising and the Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success. At this event you can:
- Locate your assigned academic adviser’s office
- Learn how to schedule and check into advising appointments
- Meet staff from our Student Services offices
- Connect with other change-of-campus students
- Enjoy free food, lawn games, and more!
Drop-In Career Support
Wednesday, September 10
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, 101 Sparks Building
Not sure if your résumé is as competitive as it can be? Want some help with your job or internship search? Not even sure where to start? The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network Career Coaches will be available for fifteen-minute meetings to help you in your career development! Learn more.
First-Gen Open House
Thursday, September 11
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Chaiken Center for Student Success, 138 Sparks Building
Mingle with other first-gen students, explore the resources and support available to you, learn more about our First-Generation Committee, and enjoy Raising Canes.
Résumé Review Day
Monday, September 15
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, 101 Sparks Building
Whether you need to start your résumé from scratch, or want to make it more competitive for the career fair, we are here for you! The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network career coaches will be available for fifteen-minute sessions to review your résumé.
Liberal Arts Student Employer Reception
Wednesday, September 17
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Gene and Roz Chaiken Lobby, F102 Welch Building
The Liberal Arts Student Employer Reception offers a relaxed setting for students and employers to continue conversations after the career fair. Sponsored by the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, this event gives students a chance to build deeper connections with recruiters who value their broad skill sets and diverse perspectives. Enjoy light refreshments while networking in an informal, engaging atmosphere.
Drop-In Career Support
Wednesday, September 17
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, 101 Sparks Building
Not sure if your résumé is as competitive as it can be? Want some help with your job or internship search? Not even sure where to start? The Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network career coaches will be available for fifteen-minute meetings to help you in your career development!
Virtual Employer Lunch and Learn: ArtBound Initiative
Thursday, September 18
12:15–1:00 p.m.
Virtual | Register here (Penn State login required)
Are you looking for a creative internship? Join the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network’s Lunch and Learn to learn about the ArtBound Initiative program, which offers internships in leading creative hubs (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles), professional career coaching and networking events, and more! Explore opportunities in advertising and communications, design, fashion, entertainment and media, fashion, fine arts, and more!
Don’t miss this chance to kickstart your career in the creative industry. Register now to secure your spot! Bring your lunch and your questions!