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Pre-Orientation Programs for New Students

Identity, Student Engagement, and Access exists to provide you with a sense of community, resources, and leadership tools to help you accomplish your goals. We offer two FREE Pre-Orientation programs that occur before orientation to provide you with a strong foundation for success during your time at Clark and in future endeavors. Both programs will provide you with a mentor, an opportunity to make friends, connect with campus resources, and enhance your preparation for college life. ACE is most appropriate for new incoming first-years, while Connections@Clark is a great program for incoming first-years as well as new transfer students.

Advancing Clark Excellence: The ACE Summer Institute

18-Day Summer Institute Prior to Fall Semester

This program is open to incoming first-year students who are either of African American/Black, Latine/Latinx, Asian/Desi-American, Pacific Islander, Native/Indigenous, and Multiracial descent or the first in their families to attend college. During this program, you will take a .5-credit college math course and a .5-credit college writing course while participating in leadership and College 101 workshops to maximize your success. During ACE we also go on field trips, explore the community, connect with faculty and administrators at Clark and build friendships that will last a lifetime. This is a great program for someone who wants to get a jumpstart on their college career and is ready to work hard and play hard as part of a community of scholars.

Domestic students, DACA, and Undocumented students are encouraged to apply. International students are encouraged to participate in the International Student Orientation. Feel free to contact our office if you are unsure which program is best for you.

ACE Graduation Requirements

Daysha Graduating

At the end of each year, there is an ACE Graduation to celebrate the first years and seniors, who have completed their first and final years at Clark. Students who complete ACE requirements are eligible for a t-shift after their first year, and a medal to wear at graduation after their final year.

In order to earn the ACE t-shirt and be eligible for your Graduation Medal, students must satisfy the ACE Graduation requirements.

View ACE Graduation Requirements

In order to earn the ACE Graduation Medal, ACE first-years must:

  1. Attend at least two ISEA workshops an academic year, for a total of 2 in their first year.
  2. Continue to attend monthly meetings with their ACE Mentor and “small group”
  3. Meet with the Identity, Student Engagement, and Access Director once a semester (whenever you think it will be most helpful for you).

In order to earn the ACE Graduation Medal, ACE sophomores, juniors and seniors must:

Attend at least one ISEA workshop a year (you choose which, and this should help further your goals).

Meet with the Identity, Student Engagement, and Access Director at least once an academic year.

A “Day in the Life” of an ACEr

8:30 a.m. Math Course

10:45 a.m. College Writing Course

Noon Lunch

1 p.m. College 101: Maximizing Student Success

2:30 p.m. Break

3 p.m. Leadership Workshop

4:15 p.m. Team-Building & Games on the Green

5 p.m. Dinner

6 p.m. Check-in – Small Group Meeting with Mentor

7 p.m. Homework/ Study Hall/ Tutoring

Connections@Clark

connections photo

Five-Day Pre-Orientation Program

This program is open to incoming first-year students and incoming transfer students of African American/Black, Latine/Latinx, Asian/Desi-American, Pacific Islander, Native/Indigenous, and Multiracial descent who want to be part of a community of socially-conscious emerging leaders. During this program, you will build lasting friendships with other students of color while developing your ability to be an inclusive leader and enhancing your tools for success at Clark. Programs include workshops on your strengths, hearing from current student leaders, and participating in fun activities.

A “Day in the Life” of Connections

8:30 a.m. What is Leadership? Developing Your Leadership Philosophy

10 a.m. Student of Color Leadership Panel with ACE

11 a.m. Team-Building on the Green

Noon Lunch

1 p.m. Understanding Multiple Identities

2:30 p.m. Leading to Make a Change

4 p.m. Break

4:15 p.m. Enhancing Communication and Public Speaking Workshop

5 p.m. Dinner

6 p.m. Check-in/ Small Group Meeting

7 p.m. Game Night or Movies

ISEA offers two free pre-orientation programs that will provide you with a mentor and an opportunity to make friends, connect with campus resources, and enhance your preparation for college life. ACE is most appropriate for incoming first-years, while Connections@Clark is a great program for incoming first-years and transfer students.

Interested in more ways to connect?

Contact Information

Identity, Student Engagement, and Access

Office Location

Dana Commons,
1st Floor

1-508-421-3722

isea@clarku.edu