Vanguard University

Yes!

Studies have shown that students have an easier time acclimating to college life by participating in events specifically focused on orienting and connecting you to campus and your peers. Welcome Week allows you to learn about more about Vanguard, academic life, ways to get involved and provides opportunities to meet faculty, staff and administrators.

If you have a scheduling conflict that can't be changed, please fill out this Absence Request Form.  The Welcome Week Team will review your request and approve it on a case-by-case basis. Thank you! 

All students must check in at the William J. Seymour Sanctuary during their designated timeslot on Thursday, August 22. Check-in map is available here.

Following the check-in process, Residential Students will drive to their residence hall to move in.

Commuter students will be guided over to the commuter space located in the Forrest Room.

Yes! Parents, grandparents, siblings, extended relatives and other guests are welcome to join us for Thursday, August 22. 

There will be family-specific sessions along with the Family BBQ. Purchase tickets for the BBQ.

Friday, 8/23 - Sunday, 8/25 of Welcome Week is ONLY for new students.

At this time, students and families are not required to wear masks indoors or outdoors. However, there is no shame in wearing a mask at all times to ensure your own safety.

Click here to for a list of hotels that provide a discounted rate for Vanguard-affiliated parties.

At Vanguard we want you to do more than survive college and get a degree. We want you to THRIVE! This is the main reason we require orientation for all new students (freshmen and transfers).

We have structured our time in orientation to ask big questions that will frame your time at Vanguard and set you up to succeed. 

We will cover everything from our community standards to the resources on campus to the history of Vanguard. 

According to Laurie Schreiner’s work on thriving in college students, a top predictor of thriving is a student’s Psychological Sense of Community (PSC). This is why we assign you to a consistent group and have intentional group times where we share our personal stories and have silly ice breakers to help you connect. For freshmen, this group will later become your Cornerstone class peers.