THE "PLUS"

To help you get started on your path to a college degree, Promise students are required to participate in three programs before the official start of the academic year.

New Student Orientation and Registration

New Student Orientation and Registration is the first opportunity you will have to meet with your academic advisor and register for your first semester of classes.

Prior to orientation and registration session, you will need to a pre-orientation session with our Student support Services team if you are part of the Parkside Promise plus program. You will receive information about both these things sometime in early 2025.

We anticipate over 100 students will be chosen for the program. To get the best orientation and registration date , sign up as soon as you receive communication indicating that registration is now open.

Kick Start

Kick Start, our early arrival program, is a required program for Promise students who are new freshman. The program runs the week prior to the start of the fall term. Kick Start is a fun, interactive program designed to provide a more thorough orientation to campus and finalize any last minute details for the start of the academic year.

In addition to meeting the rest of the Promise students, you'll connect with the peer mentors and first-year faculty. If you will be living in campus housing for the year, you will be able to move into your residence hall early. More specific details about Kick Start will be available early summer 2025.

Ranger Welcome

Ranger Welcome is the oldest campus tradition at Parkside! Held the first week of classes, the week is packed with events and resources to welcome you to campus (and there is free food and Parkside swag)! Ranger Welcome kicks-off with New Student Convocation (REQUIRED for all new students) on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Connect with a Peer Mentor

As part of the Parkside Promise program, you will also be assigned a Peer Mentor who will support you during your first year on campus. Your mentor will be a Student Support Services student, so they will know all the ends and outs of how to be a successful student.

To stay on the Path, Promise students are required to participate in a First Year Learning Community

As a part of your 15 credits each term, you will enroll in a two course sequence designed to help you transition to college and play an active role in your education, identify, your passion and determine, your path toward graduation.

Fall Semester
GNED 104 Fundamentals of Learning (3 credit)

NOTE: Students in majors in the our College of Natural and Health Science will take the seminar course required for their major.

Spring Semester

UWP 293 Career Development and Practicum (2 credits)

Promise students must also participate in our Student Support Services Trio program, or Success Coaching program, meet with their academic advisor on a regular basis, connect with their peer mentor and take advantage of the resources available through the Parkside Academic Resource Center.