Thousands of students flocked to Stevens to begin the fall semester on September 1, including the Class of 2027, the university’s newest undergraduates. While traditional orientation and move-in events have long provided a warm welcome to first-year students, this year introduced additional resources for both new and returning members of the community.  

• Just launched is Stevens’ First-Year Experience course — a semester-long seminar offering support for the transition into college. A small group of Stevens’ newest Ducks were invited to participate in the pilot program, which teaches crucial academic and personal skills, as well as how to access campus resources. Student feedback from the pilot program will inform the course’s full rollout to all first-year students in fall 2024.

• Student well-being and safety remains Stevens’ highest priority. In addition to the existing mental health resources offered through Counseling and Psychological Services, the newly established Duck Support Network trained approximately 65 student, staff and faculty volunteers in Mental Health First Aid. The eight-hour training course covers how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders, empowering participants to spot and support struggling students.  

• Five new Living-Learning Communities (LLCs), residential communities that connect students with faculty and staff around a common theme, also launched this semester. Three new LLCs for first-year students are: The Arts; Service and Leadership; and Scholars House (a place for Pinnacle Scholars to live and learn together). Returning students developed concepts for two other new LLCs: Stevens Chefs, a culinary community, and What’s Next, a second-year experience community focused on career and personal development. 

Learn more about these new student-centric programs and initiatives.