OnLion Orientation Sessions Help Students, Parents Prepare for College

Leaders from the Enrollment Management and Student Life offices at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith are developing new ways to engage and inform students and parents online, through digital support sessions called OnLion Orientations.

Dave Stevens, dean of students at UAFS, has already led two OnLion information sessions for incoming UAFS students, focusing on areas of enrollment and student life, and led an OnLion panel discussion connecting parents with current university students.

“These sessions have been very successful,” said Stevens, who noted that more than 50 students attended the enrollment session. Stevens has also hosted a series of OnLion sessions this spring featuring academic leadership during which he interviewed college deans and executive directors with live student participants in the audience.

Next week the university will begin a three-week slate of OnLion sessions meant to help parents and families plan for their student’s transition to college.

“Going from high school to college is a huge transition,” said Jennifer Holland, executive director of student retention, “and this time is also a huge transition for the parents and families of our students. We hope to ease their transition by offering several OnLion parent and family orientation sessions via Zoom. We’ve been offering similar sessions for students over the past few weeks, and we’ve had a great time meeting our incoming students and sharing valuable information about their upcoming UAFS experience.”

The first week of OnLion parent sessions will focus on paying for college.

“College is expensive, and we want to provide information about financial aid, payment deadlines, payment plans, and more,” said Holland. “The second week will help parents learn more about the resources available to ensure their student is able to be successful. We’ll talk about tutoring services, working with faculty, and important academic policies. We’ll also provide some tips for parents during their student’s first year on campus!”

The third week, Holland said, will focus on campus life and safety. Guests from the Student Activities Office will speak about all the social and learning opportunities outside the classroom at UAFS, and University Police Chief Ray Ottman will discuss campus safety.

Parents and family members can register for these events through the links below. Once registered, participants will receive the Zoom meeting link via email.