Incoming Tennessee Tech freshmen ‘SOAR’ into summer orientation season; registration remains open for seven remaining sessions
Tennessee Tech University has already welcomed hundreds of incoming Golden Eagles to campus through its annual Student Orientation, Advisement and Registration (SOAR) program, with seven additional sessions still scheduled throughout the summer.
SOAR is Tech’s two-day orientation experience for incoming freshmen, offering students an immersive introduction to campus life before the fall semester begins. The first sessions of the summer are already underway, and university officials report that registrations are running ahead of last year’s pace in the surest sign yet of another large freshman class.
Admitted freshmen still have seven SOAR dates to choose from between now and the end of July, but students are encouraged to register soon to secure their preferred session.
To accommodate increased participation, the university will, for the first time, offer an on-campus lodging option for both June and July sessions, giving students the choice to stay overnight in residence halls before their arrival in the fall.
During SOAR, students meet with academic advisors, finalize their class schedules, learn about campus resources and student life opportunities, and begin building connections with future classmates. The experience is led in part by a team of Student Orientation Assistants (SOAs) — current Tennessee Tech students who help guide incoming freshmen through the transition to college and remain a resource after orientation concludes.
“SOAR gives students an opportunity to become comfortable and confident before the first day of classes arrives,” said Karen Lykins, vice president for enrollment and communication at Tech. “They have the chance to meet new friends, connect with faculty and staff, explore campus, register for classes and gain a clearer picture of what their experience at Tech will look like. By the time they leave, they know they have a community here that is invested in their success.”
Lykins added that the excitement and enthusiasm brought by each new class are among the highlights of the summer season on campus.
Tennessee Tech is rated as the number one public university in Tennessee by Money.com and ranked as a “Best National University” by U.S. News & World Report. The university offers more than 225 programs of study, and Tech grads leave with the least debt of all public universities in Tennessee.
Incoming freshmen can learn more about SOAR and register for one of the remaining summer sessions at www.tntech.edu/soar.