Fall 2026 Orientation
Date & Time: August 21, 2026 | 08:00 AM – August 28, 2026 | 01:00 PM
Location: Katz Building / Sunset Park
We are excited to welcome you to the Penn State School of International Affairs Orientation for the SIA Class of 2028 will take place Friday, August 21 at the Lewis Katz Building. In addition, we will host a Welcome Picnic on Tuesday, August 25 and a mandatory workshop day on Friday, August 28 (see below for a full schedule of orientation events and activities).
The MIA degree is a cohort-based program in which you participate in core classes and simulations with your peers. It is important for all incoming students to attend the SIA New Student Orientation. This is an opportunity to not only learn about relevant academic, career, and programmatic information that will aid in your student success at SIA, but also to give you a chance to begin fostering team-building skills and rapport with your fellow classmates. As such, attendance is required prior to the start of the semester as well as the professional development workshop that will be offered during the first week of the semester. Absences will only be excused due to unforeseen circumstances or class conflicts. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact SIA Admissions at admissions@sia.psu.edu.
During orientation, the SIA communications team will take headshots of each student, which you can use for LinkedIn profiles or any other purpose. In order to participate in the headshots, you must complete the following consent and release agreement: https://www.sia.psu.edu/model-release-form. If you do not want your photo and/or likeness used for SIA marketing purposes, contact the communications team at communications@sia.psu.edu.
SIA ORIENTATION AGENDA
Friday, August 21 – Katz Building – Dress Code: Business Casual*
When you arrive, you will have professional headshots where business casual is recommended. However, later in the morning you will have experiential learning activities outside on the Katz lawn. Please ensure you wear weather-appropriate clothing and suitable footwear that will transition well to outdoor activities.
08:00 – 09:00 AM – CHECK-IN & HEADSHOT PHOTO
Please arrive during your designated time slot below based upon the first letter of your surname:
08:00 – 08:10 AM – A – C
08:10 – 08:20 AM – D – G
08:20 – 08:30 AM – H – O
08:30 – 08:40 AM – P – S
08:40 – 08:50 AM – T – Z
08:50 – 09:00 AM – BREAKFAST TRANSITION
Finish breakfast and make your way to Room 116
09:00 – 09:20 AM – WELCOME & CONVOCATION
Dr. Mitchell Smith, Director
09:20 – 09:30 AM – OVERVIEW OF ACADEMIC & STUDENT INFORMATION
Rachel Wright-Góes, Academic Adviser
Dr. Latisha Franklin, Student Support Specialist
09:30 – 09:35 AM – CAPSTONE PLANNING, INTERNSHIPS, EMPLOYMENT, & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Director of Career Services
09:35 – 09:45 AM – STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION & BLACK STUDENT ASSOCIATION INTRODUCTIONS
09:45 – 09:50 AM – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Matt Gardner, Assistant Dean for Digital Learning and Information Technology
09:50 – 10:00 AM – STUDENT ACCOUNTS IN LIONPATH
Sandra Gonzalez De Del Pilar, Communications Manager, Office of the Bursar
10:00 – 10:05 AM – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Susan Bogart, Director of Financial Aid
10:05 – 10:20 AM – CLASS PHOTO
10:20 – 10:30 AM – BREAK
10:30 – 12:30 PM – EXPERIENTIAL ACTIVITIES
12:30 – 01:15 PM – LUNCH
01:15 – 02:00 PM – UNIVERSITY RESOURCE FAIR
02:00 – 02:15 PM – KATZ BUILDING TOURS
SIA ORIENTATION WELCOME PICNIC
Tuesday, August 25 – Sunset Park (Rain Location: Katz Building)
12:45 – 01:00 PM – MEET SIA STUDENTS IN KATZ ATRIUM & WALK TO SUNSET PARK
Trolley transportation also available
01:00 – 02:00 PM – WELCOME PICNIC
02:00 – 02:15 PM – WALK BACK TO KATZ WITH SIA STUDENTS
Trolley transportation also available
SIA ORIENTATION MANDATORY WORKSHOPS
Friday, August 28 – Katz Room 114
09:00 – 09:45 AM – PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Director of Career Services
09:45 – 10:30 AM – “INTENT VERSUS IMPACT: GENDER, RELATIONSHIPS, AND PROFESSIONALISM”
Sophia Mills, Program Coordinator for Outreach and Prevention, R-VOICE
10:30 – 11:15 AM – “BEYOND DIVERSITY: HOW TO CREATE BELONGING, EQUITY, AND LIBERATION”
Marcelius Braxton, Director of Center for Social Change and Belonging
11:15 – 12:00 PM – “CHARTING YOUR COURSE: UNDERSTANDING SIA’S ACADEMIC & SUPPORT SERVICES”
Rachel Wright-Góes, Academic Adviser
Dr. Latisha Franklin, Student Support Specialist
12:00 – 01:00 PM – WALK TO ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT PENN STATE CREAMERY