Orientation Aims To Connect Students With Ole Miss Community

Summertime in Oxford means that it’s time for orientation at Ole Miss. Preparation for the summer-long program began as soon as last year’s program ended, and Associate Director of Admissions for Orientation, Martin Fisher is ready to see the department’s hard work pay off. While the experience is based around learning the campus and its operations, Fisher feels that is just one part of the orientation process. 
“I think it will enhance the experience for both students and their family members. Our hope is that students leave orientation with three things: feeling a part of the Ole Miss family, knowledge of what services are available to them, and what they need to do to be successful students while at Ole Miss,” Fisher said. 
With 38 orientation leaders, Fisher hopes to keep the group sizes small in order to maximize personal interaction between the students and the group leaders. Fisher noted that they expect about 17-20 students per group in the upcoming weekends. The smaller the groups, the more informative and personal Fisher believes the sessions can be. 
“We try to keep small groups at orientation so students can make meaningful connections in that setting,” Fisher said. “We really value personal interactions at Ole Miss, so we try to continually add portions of orientation that allow students and family members to network with faculty, staff, current students, and with others new students and their families. Those informal interactions are often some of the most beneficial.”
Fisher wants students to know that the work of the orientation program doesn’t end after the summer and that they are there to help along the way. Ensuring that every student feels welcome on the Ole Miss campus is a high priority. 

“Students are most successful when they feel they belong at Ole Miss,” Fisher said. “One message that we try to make clear is that lots of people are here to assist students to be successful when they enroll. It just requires them taking the first step and asking for help.”
When he looks for inspiration to ensure a successful orientation program, Fisher looks back to his own Ole Miss experience. 
“It’s one of the best feelings in the world to see them enjoy orientation,” Fisher said. “I had a great experience when I was a student at Ole Miss, and it’s really exciting to see so many new students finding a home here just like I did.”
For more information about Ole Miss orientation dates, FAQs, and more, click here. 

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Steven Gagliano is the managing editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com. 
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