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New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation headder

Welcome to HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College! YOUR New Student Orientation Unit is here to help you start or continue your educational journey. New Student Orientation programs are a mandatory part of your enrollment process. Not attending an orientation could impact or delay your enrollment process. Shortly after activating your myHACC account, you will receive an email with instructions on how to schedule an orientation and complete any required placement test(s). This email is ONLY sent to your HAWKMail account.

We are excited to offer in-person and remote orientations to suit your schedule! Dates, times, and campuses vary. Please check your HAWKMail for more information and to register for an orientation.

New Student Orientations for Summer/Fall 2023 will be conducted from April 3-Sept. 1. New students will receive an invitation to schedule an orientation via HAWKMail. If you do not see an email with these instructions, please email orientation@hacc.edu.

If you need assistance with orientation or any part of your enrollment process, please contact us through the following channels:

Email: orientation@hacc.edu
Phone: 717-780-2513

 

Summer/Fall 2023 Hours:

  • NSO will be on campus Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and will be remote on Fridays from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
  • In addition, remote services continue to be offered every day, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

 

What is New Student Orientation?

Our programs are specifically designed and implemented in order to prepare you, the student, to transition into and through college, acquiring the skills and knowledge requisite for YOUR success and completion.

YOUR New Student Orientation (NSO) is a 1.5 – 2 hour session designed to help you make a successful transition to college. This session will include:

  • Important resources and tips to navigate HACC technologies (pdf)
  • Information on HACC Policies and YOUR Student Rights
  • HACC Student Resources and Services
  • Directions to help you register for your first-semester classes and move on to the next part of your enrollment process
  • Important information on financial aid

If you need disability-related accommodations for your orientation, please contact orientation@hacc.edu at least five days before your scheduled orientation date.

Finally, as a HACC student, you have access to the Orientation Homebase, which is a one-stop location to access need-to-know information about being a student at HACC, links to essential services and resources, and contact information for HACC offices.

 

In order to gain the most out of your New Student Orientation, it is important that you complete these important steps first:

After attending or completing your online New Student Orientation, you will be ready to:

  • What if I cannot attend a live-Zoom orientation?
    • We understand you have a busy life. All HACC students have access to the One-College New Student Orientation Course through Brightspace/D2L. You can complete this course 100% online and at your own pace.
      • To access your myHACC portal, you must first activate your account. You can then navigate to the online course by going to your myHACC portalBrightspace/D2L (highlighted in orange on the homepage). Click "View All Courses", then select "2023 - One College New Student Orientation Course."
         
  • I am a high school Dual Enrollment student. Do I need to attend New Student Orientation?
    • YES! All Dual Enrollment and College in the High School students must complete a new student orientation. You will receive an email to your HAWKMail account with information on completing any required placement test(s) and how to schedule an orientation. Dual Enrollment Orientation is a unique orientation session that covers helpful information on balancing high school and college life.

      Attention NEW Dual Enrollment students! Please see below for information on how to access YOUR New Student Orientation. This is a MANDATORY requirement that must be completed before you can register for classes.

      Any student who has not yet completed their mandatory new student orientation can complete our CHS/DE Online New Student Orientation Course through their Brightspace/D2L accounts. This course is self-paced and can be completed at any time before you register for class(es).

      Please view the instructions below. When you’re done, please let us know by sending a screenshot of your final certificate to orientation@hacc.edu.
       
      • You can complete your Orientation online through our One-College New Student Orientation Course on Brightspace/D2L. You can access this course by logging in to your myHACC account → Brightspace/D2L → Click “View All Courses” → Click on “2023 - College in the High School/Dual Enrollment New Student Orientation Course” to begin your online course. If you have trouble accessing or navigating the course, please contact us at orientation@hacc.edu.
         
      • You must complete the Title IX, FERPA, and Final quizzes each with a 70% or higher. After completing all of the above modules and completing all of the quizzes, you will receive a certificate of completion. Once you complete your DE NSO, you’ll meet with a Success Coach for advising and course registration. You can contact a Success Coach at successcoach@hacc.edu.

CHS Students Only: Please make sure you view our College in the High School New Student Orientation video. Orientation is MANDATORY for all HACC students. Please email orientation@hacc.edu upon completion.

  • My child is attending HACC. Can I attend New Student Orientation with them?
    • Yes! All of HACC’s New Student Orientations are open to friends and family of our HACC students. Please contact us at orientation@hacc.edu to register for your session.

 

Meet YOUR New Student Orientation Team

Ayelet Shanken (she, her, hers)

Specialist, New Student Orientation

My WHY: As an immigrant, I know how important inclusion is, and how hard it is to learn a new culture while preserving your own customs and traditions. Education is key for growth, key to minimizing the gap between cultures, and key to building and strengthening communities that enrich our lives as a people.

Jennifer Dunn (she, her, hers)

Specialist, New Student Orientation

My WHY: As a HACC graduate, I believe that a college education is possible and achievable at any stage of our lives. My purpose is to help students as they begin their academic journey, as those in the HACC community, have helped me achieve mine. Never stop believing in your dreams, never give up on your goals, and never stop believing in yourself! HACC Yeah!

Nakia L. Eckert, M.Ed. (she, her, hers)

Director, New Student Orientation

My WHY: I believe that education has the power to change your life. I get out of bed every morning to show my two little boys that with perseverance and a sense of humor, anything is possible.